Myself I feel line choice does make a difference in certain cases. an "eater" as many term it I feel are less likely to shy away from a less stealthy presentation ...i.e. 80 pound black rope and big shiny swivel going to your lure(I take it this man uses no leader). To me a 15 pound fish that returned many years to the bay and may or may not have been caught but I have little doubt has seen a lure and perhaps had a hook stuck in her face knows when someone is trying to yank her chain so to speak and will swim up, have a look, and make a run for it knowing one bite and they may become a fish stick. But if you have ever looked with cam at your lure I think you will be surprised just what you can see, older fish are smart, they got that way being just that. So for me I go on the lighter line, scale down terminal tackle, I like floro as I have good luck rainbow fishing compared to those using mono leaders. I have high quality reels on my good quality ice rods(thanks Pro tackle) which have some back bone but a soft tip to absorb my hook set and the odd run from a big fish. I also support the theory fish can sense displacement in the water with their lateral lines so hence thicker line main may spook that once in a life trophy. This is what I have confidence in , same goes for lures, I have a proven lure I got by chance, one few seem to use and for the most part I have done better than those around me but again luck is always a factor. Amazing how a good rod, high quality braid can make a little nibble feel like a yank , I suppose 25 lb old mono and a rod like a broomstick with your drag cranked down will get fish but so will a winch, 200 # steel cable with a floro leader myself I want a challenge! I also think the water is clearer than say 20 years ago and fish can see better with less particles in the water.
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