What is really light line?

[Bluka]

I've tried different lines in the past, and have become a little adventurous this year. I went to 2lb. test to see if there is really a higher catch ratio. Obviously, you do get more bits. Has anyone tried anything less than 2lb. test I would love to read about it. I met a guy last wkend. that says he uses 1/2 lb. test before. Well?

[Sonicrunch]

LOL @ .5 test. I've used it. The jigs sure do flutter nice and natural under it.

However, it was cold, and pretty much anything would break the line.

This year would be a good year for it since your line isn't freezing to everything it touches.

To me, it was more novelty than anything else. I use 4 lb nowadays.

[efgh]

You don;t have to change all the line on your reel if you want to try lighter test line, tie onto your existing line about 5-6 ft. of lighter line using a albright knot.

[pikestabber]

I read an article many years ago about Mick Thill (yup, the Thill bobber guy) using a bobber similar to the Shy Bite (or maybe it was the Shy Bite), half lb test mono, ultra tiny ice jigs, and fishing deep in a gin-clear lake...and catching bluegills that would cover dinner plates. Something about the action and the near invisibility got these fish to bite when 2lb test would scare them away. Now, for me personally, 2lb is the lowest I can go...I am too clumsy and too rammy to fish anything lighter without breaking off 24/7, but I think .5 test in the right conditions can pay big dividends.

[YumYum]

Silk Thread is REALLY light line

[TruthWalleyes]

I use 4#, and with a good reel and drag you can pull up about anything, but .5# line you've really got to have a good reel and some patience to pull up just about any fish i would think. I tried 2# last year and quickly removed it after breaking off so many times, of course, this winter is no comparison to last winters temps.

[c0untryf1sh3r]

Silk Thread is REALLY light line

That it is. I was talking to a good ol' boy a couple years ago and he was using thread, sight fishing for perch in about 6 FOW. I didnt believe him until he showed me and sure as sh!t it was thread. I would think that it would absorb water and get brittle when it freezes but I guess not judging by the pail of fish he had next to him.

[OnAFly]

I use 3lb for my panfish setups. 4lb for walleye. I had breakoff problems with 2lb, so I stick with the heavier stuff.

[fishuhalik]

.5lb test?! thats ridiculous. conditions would have to be perfect since your drag would have to function flawlessly. one tiny slip & a 5" gill would break off. a 10" would take 10mins to land. thanks, but i'll stick with 3 & 4lb.

[traveler]

6 lb is really light for me. I fish big fish, or I fish no fish at all:)

[reinhard1]

the lightest i go is 4 pound test. 4 and 6 pound for walley, 4 for panfish. good luck.

[crappiewalleyebi]

3 for pannies, and 6 for walleye.

[PoorWordUsage] light, it's tough to tie a knot.

[B-man715]

I have one rod with 1/2 lb line and a couple set up with 1 lb. The half pound is hard to fish with, no picking fish out of the hole with it I only use it sight fishing for picky bluegills.

I fish a lot with one pound line. It only breaks if you are careless. It's also a lot faster to get down deep with tiny jigs when crappie fishing.

2lb is the heaviest I use for panfish, I have a couple perch rods set up with it.

4lb for any walleye that swims

A couple years ago I started switching over to lighter lines (just started 1/2 lb last winter). It has certainly helped my catch rates with picky fish!!!!

[Eric_Kruger]

2 years ago on all my panfish rods I ran 1lb suffix. I had zero break offs all year. Keeping the drag nice and loose and having a quality reel is what makes or breaks using low test small diameter lines. I now run 2lb vanish and 2lb suffix mono or trilene micro ice mono on all my panfish rods.

[Jim Uran]

The lightest I have gone is 3 pound. Pulled this bucket mouth out last night on an UL and 3 lb test.

[toughguy]

How can you even tie a knot in .5 lb test? I go with 3 on pannies. 2 often times works better but I have trouble tying knots with that too.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I commonly use 2 lb.. but also have a rod with 1 lb rigged for those tough days.

[Iceseeker]

Light line = any

line with no fish on.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I dont go less than 2 lb. and thats on a noodle rod with a reel with a good drag, no hesitation. Maybe Im missing out on some fish here and there but I still manage just fine. I retie often with 2 lb, you must have to retie every fish with less than 2 lb.

3lb is on my other setups and Ive landed some big fish on it, it seems significantly stronger than 2 lb.

[blackdog1101]

I use 2 lbs fluro line on my panfish rods.

[timcarr]

I use one # on two of my rods one is for sight fishing. Tie good knots I like a Palomar myself. Check our drag before you catch a fish and don't mess with your drag while fighting the fish as your drag changes as the amount of line on the spool changes. I use one pound in the open water too if snags are not much of an issue.Good luck.

[tunrevir]

I have some noodle rods rigged with 3/4# mono sewing thread that I use when fishing big gills when they are line shy. Most of my rods have 3-4# bionic ice on them right now and I have to say it has held up well even on bigger fish. I have used the 3/4# on Mille lacs to finesse jumbo perch and have even landed some eyes up to 18 inches with it. The biggest thing I have found with the light line is use a reel with a good drag or backreel if needed, a light action rod with alot of flex and a bit of patience and you can land larger fish without breakoffs. I'm finding I really like the 3-4# bionic ice this winter and have it on most of my walleye rods for jigging.

Tunrevir~