Why 4 lb line?

[Bluefox2]

I'm just curious, I have seen a couple post that recommend 4 lb line for ice fishing. I've used 6-8 lb and had success. Do you catch more fish? Are you still able to land those big cuts on the berry? Is it more sensitive? Just curious thanks!
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[SkunkedAgain]

I use the light line for the small jigs so my line doesn't have any curl or stretch to it. If my lures are heavier I can increase the line Wt. just my thoughts on it. I don't think they really see it much less, but maybe. J
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[wagdog]

I fish with 4 or 6 lb test. I've used 2 and 3 lb line in the past for fishing micro jigs. I've found that 4 lb line is the sweet spot for me for the majority if the lyres I dunk through the ice. Make sure you set the drag properly and you can land a decent size fish with light line. If you use large lures and are fishing heavy, you are probably just fine with what you are using. I like the itty bitty jigs for bluegill, crappie, and perch.
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[a_bow_nut]

Like stated before. When using real light jigs the lighter lines will keep you in better contac with you jigs. If you fish with 1/4 or 1/8 oz jigs then some good 6-8 lb test will work fine but when you start using 1/32 or 1/64 oz jigs it gets tough to see the light biters. I found this out when I bought my first underwater camera. With heavier line I was completely missing bites by almost every kind of fish that we chased. Even when I switched to lighter gear sometimes the only thing that we see for a bite is that the tip of the pole will raise about a quarter of an inch as the fish picks up the lure.
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[RockyRaab]

I'll chime in. I agree that 4# is about the sweet spot between being able to work the small lures and being able to land most fish.

I'm also a total believer in special ice lines and inline reels. If you have spinning reels, at least go with ice line. I like 4# Suffix in bright green. It doesn't get springy in the cold, and it also doesn't want to build ice balls where it enters the water. Jigging makes those little ice balls grow and grow on regular mono until they are large enough to jam in your rod tip when you try to reel in a fish. Not good.

Inline reels? Read the thread on that topic to learn why.
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[smittyts]

Good info I did not know before. thanks all for the tips.
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[fishnate]

I use line from 2 lb all the way up to 15 through the ice and I catch fish on every pound test -- but it depends on the application and situation. I'm talking mono and fluorocarbon here not braid.

Fish species/size
I've caught several 5+ lb fish on 2 lb line and a few 6 oz fish on 8 lb test, but... If your targeting and expecting to only catch panfish or small trout then your likely to only need 2 to 4 lb line. If you're headed to Bear Lake, Strawberry, or Flaming Gorge and targeting or expecting to catch fish in the 5, 10, or 20 lb range you better be looking at 8 to 15 lb line. It's my opinion that if you are fishing for Utah's typical trout/panfish the way most people do, pole on the bucket and never move it, and only go a couple times a season, then I suggest 6 lb ice mono as an all around line. If you're more serious about it and fish more actively, get several rods/reels in different actions and spool up with 2, 4, 6, 8 lb test etc. That inline reel thing that rocky mentioned is a great option.

Lure choice
Line weight will affect the way your lure behaves, how the fish react to it and how effectively you set the hook. Light jigs, 1/32, 1/64, 1/80 oz just don't behave well on 4 lb+ lines but on 2 or 3 lb line they have lots of action and work great. They have small hooks and don't require much of a hookset. You might snap the line if a large fish eats it, unless you're careful. 3/16, 1/4, 5/8 oz lures like some tube jigs, jigging Raps, lipless cranks would not be a good choice on 2 lb line. best to fish them on at least 6, 8 or 10. They have more water resistance and larger hooks requiring the heavier line.

Water clarity
A lot of our waters are very clear requiring lighter lines or perhaps fluorocarbon which would allow a pound or two upsizing. You will not get as many bites on 8 lb line in clear water as you would fishing with 4 lb line. However, depending on the size of fish and the lures you're using, you might have to step up to the heavier stuff.

You also need to consider the rod and reel. One size does not fit all. I can go into that if you want.

There's my two cents worth and not all of it either, but I don't want to write a book.
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[SkunkedAgain]

Good detail Nate, I agree. Later J
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[fishnate]

Thanks! I hate seeing people have a hard time because they generalized too much.
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[SkunkedAgain]

It's true that a Bear Lake trip is rigged much differently than a Hyrum planter day. Last year I thought I was prepared for Bear Lake with new 8 lb line and a med heavy rod and good drag etc. well then a real fish grabbed it and gave me an education. Lost hook line and sinker but sure had fun until it stripped enough line so my splice came off the reel and a weak knot slipped and it was gone. You do need to be prepared for what you're after. Good to point that out. Later J
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[Bluefox2]

Just wanted to thank all of you for your insights Thanks!!
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