Sorry for using the somewhat unrelated example.  I have fished light tackle for years for river smallies.  6lb test mostly.  Last year I switched to Hybrid 6lb. which is about .001" larger than what 6lb. I had previously used.  So far I have not noticed a difference but I may have to do a little head to head fishing this winter because this seems to be when the fish are pickiest and it matters the most.

Ozarker,

Although I "recommend" #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft for everyone's spinning rig, I actually use #4 (.009" diameter, 8.5 lb test) on my main smallmouth rod.

I've been popping the bass on 4lb Yo Zuri Soft on a float n fly rig here on the river in Fl. This stuff is strong, especially when you have a 10lb+ mudfish whack you jig and go through a no holds barred fight.

In my multi species fishing I use between 2lb and 80 lb.

In my area most water is clear to drinking water.

I use 2 lb leaders ice fishing for perch/crappie. 4lb for Steelhead I would catch more if I down sized.

8 and 10 for walleye mostly bucktail jigs/plastic and small cranks.

Bass Fishing I use 8 to 80 mostly I go for the lightest line without being on the edge.

Most anglers can get the fish hooked but never learn how to fight fish on lighter line.

If you have a fish hooked and they start pulling hard just by dropping your  wrist and still keeping your line tight that fish can run 10-15 ft and never pull drag. Now you can decrease your drag by pointing your rod almost straight at a running fish and still miantain a tight line. As the fish slows down you put bend back in your rod.

This is a bit of a dance but you will land a ton more fish on light line.

In smallie fishing it's harder to land 2-3 lb fish than 5's. The little ones just freakout were the bigguns use power.

Garnet

Garnet,

I'm not dissing your technique, it obviously works for you, but my suggestion is 180 degrees different than yours. I would NEVER point my rod at a fish! The rod is what fights a fish. If the drag is PROPERLY set, a big fish can run line against drag and the fisherman can still apply a great deal of heat to the rod. When I am fighting a big smallmouth, my rod is pointed up at 11-12 o'clock.Since converting to Yo-Zuri Hybrid and Hybrid Ultra Soft, I have never been broken off by a fish. I generally recommend #6 (11.9 lb test) for spinning tackle, but I actually fish #4. Both of the brown fish in my avatar were caught on this line (#4).

I also have to disagree with you on the fight. Both largemouth and smallmouth change dramatically at around 3 lbs. The body mass of the fish is the major factor, especially in current. The fat fish in my avatar was the hardest fighting fish I have ever caught in freshwater. I hooked-up with the fish between the boat and the bank. The bass ran a short distance downstream to get around the boat, then headed to deep water in the middle of the Tennessee River. That particular fish ran nearly 100 yards of line, against drag until it turned and jumped. When I finally got it to the boat, it surged and ran more than 25 yards the second time. The fish was fighting the rod the entire time. BTW, the rod is a G.Loomis PR844S, a Medium Power, light saltwater rig! I'm telling you, that was quite a fish.

I think you are mistaking pointing the rod at a fish and leting them have slack line never to I let a fish get slack line.

Garnet

I made it back from the boat show.

You are right open water fish have but 2 tools the jump. Truly large fish are rotten jumpers. If you hold max presure on a jumping fish you will lose lots. Get your rod infront of you keep a bend in the rod and use your wrist to neutralize head shake.

The surge is a truly large fishs #1 weapon. Even if the fish is 100ft away the surge is dangerous just a little sticky drag can be bad. You see people lose gaints at the boat by keeping the rod bent to max and relying on the drag. When that fish makes 1 more surge from a rod postion above your head just drop your wrist at the speed your brute fish is surging. If the fish starts slowing down with your wrist apply pressure until you are in max rod position.

Fighting fish in this manner makes lighter line angling easier and will give you more tools for largies in the junk around docks ect.

Garnet

Garnet

Three weeks ago my partner hooked up with what turned out to be an 8 lb smallmouth. When it jumped 2-3' out of the water I thought it might be the new World Record. Two years ago the same guy, my partner Speedy Madewell, boated the only 10 lb smallmouth I have ever seen. Immediately after the strike, this bad girl came boiling out of the water in what appeared to be a 3-4" jump, her next two were not quite as high, but she still showed quite a bit of enthusiasm.

I hate to be so aggressive, but have you actually ever caught a big smallmouth?

Almost everything in your last several posts is incorrect and sounds as if it is being retold from someone else that doesn't know brown fish from green trout. I gave you some slack earlier about pointing your rod at a fish, but you have continued down a slippery slope. If there is a misunderstanding, I would like to clear it up. Otherwise, let's just drop it. I am not trying to embarass you or drive a point.

On topic.

You can't catch a trophy fish unless you first get it hooked-up. Light line leads to more bites.

Big smallies can fight for forever, then have enough energy in reserve to fight for 10 more minutes.

They never give up.

I used to think 14lb line was the only way to go on a reel.  Nowadays, I spool up with mostly 12 with quite a few rods with 10.  I suppose if I was fishing clearer lakes I'd probably see a bigger difference in catch rates.

cart7,

I'm not convinced it makes a difference with largemouth bass unless the water is ultra-clear, but it makes a HUGE difference with smallmouth bass. Line diameter, not just visibility, can be crucial.

Sorry 7 lb smallies pb dozens of 6's. You need to hit the steelhead river to learn how to fight fish.

Basically if you hands like clubs you fight fish the same. You really need to try it.

Garnet