The Various Pound Tests Used for Bass Fishing

Manufacturers measure a fishing line in a pound, which translates to the measurement of its strength. That is, a pound test refers to the measure of a fishing line’s strength. A fishing line that can withstand pressure and does not break daily has high strength and vice versa.

Hence, a fishing line pound test is proportional to the amount of effort for breaking it.

Choosing a pound test for bass fishing differs in several scenarios. 

Your fishing area and content majorly determine the suitable pound test. For instance, you will need a braided fishing line with a weight of 50 pounds in water with plenty of jigs or frogs.

As a bass angler, do not fall into the deceit that a line fits into any bass fishing. Manufacturers and marketers would try selling their products in the most enticing means.

Although you may need to purchase different lines for several activities, it is worth it since you may not get an accurate result with the wrong test option.

Hence, consider the fishing environment and technique you are employing. Also, we will share the various pound test for the most common bass fishing.

We are one of the leading fish platforms with years of experience in fishing and experts in providing fishing guides. Hence, we will be providing detailed information to answer your question. Read till the end, and discover the workable and appropriate pound tests.

Research on bass angular shows that they believe the 8-12 pound test to be the best test line due to its strength. Although the assumption is correct, it does not apply to all situations since the best pound test depends on its application.

Pound Test for Fish Lines

Pound Test for Fish Lines

1. 8-Pound Test

Many times, anglers choose the 8-pound because of its flexibility. You can use it in various activities, including slow jerk bait, extravagant rigging, Neko rigging, and drop shots. 

It has a large diameter, contributing to its ability to withstand hitting that may happen inside the water against substances such as rock. Here, you can either choose from monofilament or fluorocarbon carbon. Meanwhile, your choice would largely depend on preference. 

2. 12-Pound Test

The 12-Pound is applicable to jerk baits, crankbaits, and deep-dive crankbaits. If you are using a triple hook, you can consider the 12-pound fluorocarbon line. If you are dealing with boat ducks and want to create a thicker deck. We strongly recommend the 12-pound line.

You can use the 12-pound line for several other fishing scenarios like Crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, jigging spoons, and jerk baits.

3. 17-Pound Test

This line is resistant to abrasion and highly versatile. It is a good option for bottom contact samples and opposition-type lures. 

The 17-pound line has high strength and can resist external forces. However, it makes bait move freely underneath until you recognize a movement and respond to it immediately. 

4. 20-Pound Test

A 20-pound fluorocarbon test is crucial for cast and skipping a jig. Meanwhile, the 25-pound line would perform a similar function as the 20-pound line because both have close features. Likewise, they have resistance to abrasion and breaking strength.

The 20-pound line is for an extensive Texas interface. Likewise, you can use it for heavy rods or applications. 

It is one of the strongest pound tests for heavy usage. For instance, the 20-pound line is for capturing Culprit Incredi-Bug, with creature bait.

5. 30-Pound Test

As many people do not suppose, especially newbies, we have the 30-pound line. They are stronger than the 25-pound line and often with braided fishing lines. Many anglers have this at hand, alongside a weaker fishing line.

It is for area lures, as it works effectively there without breaking or losing its strength. You can find the 30-pound line among some monofilaments but with a smaller diameter than the braided lines. Also, since braided lines are not stretchy, they can withstand some bites from the water.

6. 60-Pound Test

You can use the 60-pound line or even increase it to a 65-pound test, provided it meets the requirement for your bass fishing. Contrary to popular opinion, the 60-pound line is not too much for bass fishing.

If you are casting reels with the braided 60-pound line, you will likely not feel its heaviness because a braided line is nonstretchy.

Different Pound Test Recommendations for Some Fishing Scenarios

Having known the pound tests available, here are recommendations for several fishing scenarios, which have proven to work for many anglers.

1. Pound Test for Bass Fishing a Crankbait

The most suitable pound test for the crankbait lure is a 12-pound fluorocarbon or monofilament fishing line. It works for almost every foot and inch of water. 

You can use it during winter or summer. Hence, it works best for both shallow and deep water. 

2. Pound Test for Bass Fishing a Jig

The jig applies to almost every scenario, as we have it in Crankbait. You can fish a jig in open water and heavy cover scenario. These include dock piling, brush pile, floating weed mats, or lily pads.

Bass fishing a jig requires a large braided fishing line such as 50-pound.

3. Pound Test for Bass Fishing Live Bait

It is natural for you to think that fishing live bait does not require a large size. You are right, but it does not apply to every scenario. Regardless, you can choose a lesser pound if you want to get enough bites and trap your prey with it.

Make sure the line is long enough to reach the boat where you are throwing your bait. Also, the fishing technique for capturing your bass matters as well. Hence, we recommend a small pound, so your bait can appear more convincing and deceitful.

Using a small pound makes your live bait becomes less visible. Live bait is a tricky way to get voracious bass to stick to your hook. Your fishing would be fun and successful as long as you make your bait look natural as possible. 

4. Pound Test for Bass Fishing SpinnerBait

A spinnerbait is a luring technique you can employ in almost every season of the year. When using a spinnerbait, be subtle, ensuring the bass does not get enough look of it.

To be successful with spinnerbait, keep moving it until you have attracted your prey. You can either use a 12-pound fluorocarbon or monofilament fishing line. These two lines will produce the best result you desire.

If you would not use either mono or fluorocarbon, you can employ the braided line method, provided you attach it directly to the spinnerbait.

5. Pound Test for Bass Fishing a Carolina Rig or Texas Rig

Both the Carolina rig and the Texas rig have almost the same application and fishing requirements. Hence, the Texas rig has more operation methods than the Carolina rig. As Carolina works best for open water fishing, Texas rig works for open water and heavy cover.

Since Carolina works best for open-water fishing, you are good to go with a thin fishing line. Hence we recommend a 10 to 12-pound fluorocarbon or monofilament fishing line. This rig does not need much strength before capturing a bass.

For the Texas rig, you may employ different pound tests, depending on the water scenario. That is, considering heavy cover or open water. When fishing in thick vegetation or heavy cover, you would need up to a 50-pound braided line. 

You can get a 12-pound monochrome or fluorocarbon for a Texas rig in open water fishing such as sandy shorelines.

6. Pound Test for Bass Fishing a Top Water Lure

Topwater bass fishing is often easy and fun for many anglers. In this case, you will need less pound size for various bass fishing. You can use a 12 to 14-pound fluorocarbon and monofilament if you are bass fishing in clean and clear water.

If you are fishing in dirty or unclear water, you should probably increase the pound size and use a braided fishing line instead. Since the bass cannot quickly see your bait, you need an extra pound size to make it appear natural.

7. Pound Test for Bass Fishing a Frog

In frog fishing, you need to locate big bass in crannies like thick vegetation. It requires experienced input because frogs are smart and can hide as long as there is food and protection. It is somewhat hard, as you need to locate cattails, lily pads, or weed mats before reaching them.

Bass fishing a frog requires high pounds. Not only that, you need a strong reel and rod with high power and speed. 

For successful fishing, a braided line of 50-65 pounds would do the trick. Using a lesser size may cause your line to break during operation.

Conclusion

Being successful in a bass fishing career may be expensive, and you may require professional service. Research shows that some anglers lose huge amounts due to poorly conditioned pounds and fishing lines.

Provided you follow the guidelines above, you are on the way to becoming a successful angler.

Related Articles: