Ive brought in 20 and 30 pound carp and cats on 4 lb test line ..so no need to go overboard on the test weight. Ice fishing around the great lakes areas , many people use 1/2 lb test line for the steelheads which usually run 5 lbs plus . The way to get the big ones in is how i told you, to pump the rod and not put all of the fishes weight on the line and reel. Look at fly fishing and the light weight leaders used ...1 lb or 2 lb leaders to bring in the big trout So 4 lb i have found to be sufficiant to bring just about any fish in.
