Type of line to use

Question
Hi Marc
I bass fish and would like to know what type of line you
think would be good for large lakes in a boat. I also need
to know the weight. I like 8lb or 12lb is this ok?

Answer
Hi Tim,

Line choice has a lot to do with presentations, water clarity and cover.  Lets go through a few examples.

On clear lakes using finesse presentations like small jigs, 4" worms and drop-shotting you would want to stay in the 6-10 pound range.  In these conditions you'd also want to stick with a clear line.  

For a lake with normal clarity (some color to the water) and fishing around weeds, weed lines, around pads, fall-downs, docks, you could go up to 10-14 pound test.  This would be for plastic worms, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwaters, and spoons.  

If you will be getting into the teeth of heavy cover like down timber,"in" the pads, reeds, heavy weeds, or flipping into any kind of heavy cover, you may want to stay in the 14-20 pound range.  It would be irresponsible for you to go into a heavy cover situation with 8 pound test knowing you couldn't get the bass out when hooked and probably break it off.  

You also have to look at the lake and the potential for a big bass.  Here in Wisconsin a giant is 5 pounds.  Even in heavy cover you could move that fish with 14 pound test.  That's a different story in Texas or Florida where you have the potential of a 12-15 pound fish.

In general, for normal conditions and water clarity a clear line in 10-12 pound test will work great for worms, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwaters for Bass up to 5-6 pounds.

Good fishing!