Is it possible to catch a big fish with a 6 lb line?

Question

I am going fishing to Lake Irvine in California very soon. The problem is I have a tiny rod with a 6 lb line on it and I am afraid if I get a bite that my line will snap. Is there any tips on how to catch a big fish with a 6 lb line WITHOUT snapping the line? PLEASE HELP!

Answer 1

I have fished Lake Irvine, and it truly does have some fine fish.  The key lesson in using light line is lettiing the rod and reel do their job.  Keep your drag adjusted as light as possible to not snap your line when applying pressure.  I took a 12 lb rainbow this past spring on a 5.5 ft ultralight with 4 lb test.  If it is trout you seek, alter your thinking on pressure.  fight them sideways and not overhead. With their muscle structure side ways will tire them out faster.  for the cats, you will be strength against strength from any angle.  Just watch out when they roll.  I specialize in light line fishing.  

Again, use proper tools for the job, with a reel with a good drag.

Have lots of fun.  I guess, the best way to learn may be the heart break of losing a few to learn.  It happens to all fishermen sooner or later  

Answer 2

if you jerk the line hard and the fish is fighting tehn the line will break if its mono filiment

Answer 3

okay so. let me answer your question. YES you can iv caught a 35 pound salmon on a 6lb test and light rod so it can be done. the problem is if your catching big fish chances are they will have teeth. which is why you need a steel leader. like the people above me i advise you to loosen the drag( the thing on top that u twist right or left to make the line come out less or more..Ps it might also be at the bottom of your reel) as for your rod. unless your catching a muskie or a huge pike don't worry about your rod snapping

Answer 4

well ya, just dont pull hard and wait till he stops fighting to try and reel him in, make sure ur drag is set to, like the other dude said he will get tired and easy to reel in

one time i caught a 13 puond mud fish on 8 pound line, he faught alot

Answer 5

Yes, it will be fine, set the drag on your reel and use a soft action rod so that you can play the fish in with the fishing rod,a  soft action rod will allow you to apply pressure to the fish without your line snapping. Also take your time, play the fish slowly circle hooks should give you a better hook hold.

Answer 6

Lake Irvine has big fish?

Six lb line should be fine.  If you feel like you have a larger fish, play with it until you tire it out.

Caught a 100 lb halibut on 25 lb line.

Answer 7

It's doable, but takes some practice, you have to keep i loose drag, and really play the fish and not hose it in, wight til the fish is tied out before you really start to bring it in.

However i would just bite the bullet and get some 15 pound braided line, it has the diameter of 6 pound line but it's much, much stronger and you'll be able to get big bass with it, and still have the same about of line of line on you reel despite the heavier pound test.

Don't believe me, look for your self:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores...

Answer 8

Two things are important when fighting a fish on light line.  First, the flex of the rod, and second, the setting of the drag.  

The more the rod flexes, the more pressure is removed from the line.  Think about this, if you took a 9ft slow action rod, and ran line through the rod guides, buttoned down the drag,and pulled down hard with 12lbs of pressure....the amount of pressure on the end of the line would be very minimal - something close to 2 lbs!  However, if you have a rod that has minimal flex then you're going to have more pressure on the line itself.  

With setting a drag, there are two things to think about.  First is the hook set and second is the fight.  If you have your drag backed off too much, when you go to set the hook, the drag is just going to pick up the pressure, not the line, and you will not be setting the hook into the fish, rather just letting more line out.  If you have it too tight then the line can break on the hook set too.  My general rule of thumb is to tighten my drag down to the point that when I pull on the line it's almost too difficult to pull.  

When fighting a fish on light line, it's essential to keep the drag "light" enough to allow the fish to make hard runs without putting too much pressure on the line to the point of over stressing (therefore breaking).  

It's a balance that is just "felt" out as you play the fish and gain experience.  You can land just about anything you want on just about any line size, but it's up to you to make adjustments to account for the abilities of your gear.  

Answer 9

Yes it is very doable, my friend landed a 60lb bat ray off the San Francisco coast, and I landed a 20lb northern pike in a lake in Michigan both with 6lb line. You have to be careful, and very patient. Let the fish get tired, and let it swim all it wants. Just let it play out, wait for the moment, and slowly yank the rod back and reel in while lowering the rod back down. Just be patient, and you can land a very big fish with only a 6lb line.

Answer 10

yes........I have caught 8 pound bass on 4 pound line.......you just have to have your drag set right and play them

Answer 11

yes just keep your drang really lose and if you wana know something you can chaght a a 50 lb sailfish with 15 lb test belive it or not you just have to keep your drag really loose and tire him out and i am not lieing at all.good look cahght  a big 1

Answer 12

Unfortunately for you.....you have to have your drag set near perfect which is still very hard for veteran anglers.  6lb test will hold up a LOT more than you may think, but realistically only in open waters.  If you happen to get caught up in weeds or obstacles you can just about forget about landing a big one.  

Answer 13

It depends on how old your line is and what type, but yes you can catch a big fish on light line. Just use a net to pull it out of the water. By the way, if you are concerned about the light line breaking go buy some heavier line and spool it on your reel. Tight lines, good luck and go catch the big one!

Answer 14

Theoretically, you could catch the world's largest fish on the thinnest possible line, if you carefully and patiently fight it long enough. After all, no matter how big and strong a fish is, it has nothing to hang onto in the water and it will tire eventually.