Trout fishing really shouldn’t be done with anything other than light line and light gear. It sounds like a broad statement but it as true as it gets. Using line or gear that is too heavy is one of the most common reasons that anglers head home skunked, with nothing to show for their day on the water.
Think about it. How many times have you stumbled upon used fishing line lying near your favorite fishing spot that looks like its big enough to reel in a marlin or a massive yellow fin tuna? The top trout fishers in the world often swear by 4 pound test and feel that anything heavier than 6 pound is simply a waste of time, money, and energy.
Not only will you get more bites using light line, but it is also a heck of a lot more fun. Fishing is supposed to be a sport and the fish are supposed to have a chance to escape. Using 20 pound test simply means that if you do hook into a trout you are just going to end up winching it in, with no fight and no excitement.
Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of trout fishing in the first place?
Now, one of the reasons that many people use heavy line is because they think they will be unable to catch big fish with light line. However, it is quite common to catch 5 and even 6 pound trout on 4 pound monofilament line. Sure you may be unable to reel in a 10 pound Steelhead, but that isn’t what you are usually after on the day anyways. You have to keep in mind that line 4 pound test line is tested with 4 pounds of dead weight, and doesn’t take into account all the bend and give that is involved in the rod and reel as well. If all goes well you can bring in some pretty large fish on a light line, and the excitement of a moment like that is simply unrivaled.
Some of the best anglers will tell you that they have never had a trout break their line. Sure a trout may wear the line with its teeth, but that is why fishing is a sport and is not just called catching.
The point is that light line trout fishing is not only more effective, but it is far more fun in the long run. You will catch more trout and you will have a better time doing it. Use your light line at the right time and in the right place and you are in for the kind of excitement that cannot be found in many other places.
Ditch the heavy line, strap on 4 pound test and appreciate the finer side of trout fishing. You will thank yourself later.
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