line test considerations

[alcom]

Does anyone have experience landing something heavier than your line test? What are the limits: 2x, 3x? Is this a lot of fun or just plain foolish?

I'm guessing you could bring in a fish a lot heavier than your line test if you used a net or a gaff to get it out of the water. That said, I'm not sure what would happen if I hooked a 12 lb channel catfish on 6 lb test line.

I would expect more bites on light line. But then you have to land the fish.

Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated.