What Size Line

[smidsy]

Hei Guys,
Decided that since I live on an island (Bribie) I should get back in to fishing after not having wet a line for about 20 years - and that was back in WA.
Still have my old tackle box and the 10ft Jarvis Walker Rod with Daiwa reel my parents and gran parents got me for my 14 birthday, and I've picked up a couple of 6ft rods with both bait caster and normal reels off ebay.
What size line should I get for general use, I'm probably just going to fish from the shore along the Pumistone Passage.
Cheers
Paul

[maggs]

Line weight really depends on what species you're targeting. In the passage you'll probably be chasing whiting, bream and flathead I'd guess. I like to use as light a line as possible for these fish and 3 kg is a good start. The lighter line you use the better feel you'll have and generally catch more fish. If you are going to chase species like mangrove jack then that's another story. You'll want 10-15 kg line to pull them up before they head for snags. Some species can chomp through the main line quite easily so it's a good idea to use a heavier leader trace than the main line.

[smidsy]

Thanks for that.
I've got some 20lb line here so I might go with that on the larger rods and 10 on the 6ft rods but as you say use a trace at the start.
Cheers

[Robson Valley]

10 and 20 are good line weights for fast mountain river fishing up here. I've got 20 on an Amassadeur 7000 when the salmon run in the Bowron, could go 20kg, you never know. I respool every 5 years or less.
May I suggest that if the lines are 15+ yrs old that you lash out and buy fresh line?
I have a sneaking suspicion that the oxygen in the air does rude things to mono over the years. I realize that, in lake water, fish don't pull more than 10% of their body weight. But I've sure had my share of odd snaps.

[smidsy]

Goes without saying that the old line has gone in the bin - I'll also check tackle and replace any rusted hooks etc.
Now if only my brother would hurry up and get a 15 amp power point in his shed for the welder - I had to leave my rod holders back in Perth and want to make some more.
And yeah I know I can buy rod holders for less than what it costs to build, but I like stuff I made myself - same reason I make my own sinkers.