line test considerations

[MuskieBait]

Set your drag properly and you can land fish many times the line test. Personally I've landed...

25lb carp on 8lb fluorocarbon leader with 8lb mono mainline

25lb chinook salmon on 6lb fluorocarbon leader with 8lb mono mainline

Estimated 40lb cownose ray on 15lb mono leader with 30lb braid mainline

If you look at some IGFA record, you'll see marlin and sailfish landed on 4lb tippet. I've a copy of May 2007 Sport Fishing Magazine where there was a pending IGFA record of a 1237lb, 14oz Pacific Blue Marlin landed on 80lb line (15 to 1 catch), and there was a pending IGFA record of a 131lb, 4oz Pacific Sailfish landed on 8lb line (15 to 1 catch).

When you are consider whether you should try light line for big fish, you have to consider the area you are fishing and whether you can follow the fish or not.

If you are fishing in an area with a lot of snag, it's probably not wise. If you cannot follow or chase a fish, it's again not wise. If your reel does not have smooth drag and it doesn't have the capacity to hold enough line so you do not get spooled, it's definitely not wise.