74 PRACTICAL BAIT CASTING 



finest casting but are employed usually for casting for 

 very heavy fish, such as large pike and muskellunge. 



Sizes of lines are designated by both letter and 

 number, but some makers have complicated matters by 

 using systems of their own. The surest way to get 

 what you want is to specify the pounds test. As a 

 rule, a number six line will test from ten to fourteen 

 pounds; number five from twelve to sixteen pounds; 

 number four from sixteen to twenty-two pounds de- 

 pending on the style and make. These three sizes are 

 all the caster will ever have much use for. Sizes that 

 are lettered usually start with C for Number One; 

 D, Number Two ; E, Number Three ; and so on down 

 to size Six or H. 



Braided silk lines are tested dry by dead weight and 

 not by pulling against spring balances or scales. A 

 bag of shot is frequently used. The mere fact that 

 one can break a line with the hands does not mean 

 that it will not "hold" a big fish. We have taken 

 large bass and pickerel on a line testing seven pounds, 

 but some margin of safety is desirable due to the fact 

 that silk lines deteriorate. The best all-round line is 

 one testing 14 or 16 pounds. 



Color is a matter or debate among casters. Some 

 swear by white lines, others are equally positive that 

 nothing can equal one of black or green or ticked black 

 and white. Personally, we don't believe that color 

 makes a great deal of difference to the fish, but we 

 have a suspicion that dyeing does not help a line any. 

 Possibly there is something in the theory of using a 



