Geez guy, why would you want to stop 40 lb line completely? You'll break
your rod.
Take your rod, thread the line thru the guides, and tie it to a one and than
a two liter bottle of soda.
To keep from breaking your rod lift it, but keep the rod parallel to the
floor, by lifting it over your head. See how much that rod bends, try a five
pound sack of flour or sugar. You got to remember your on the bad end of a
lever, what you feel is not what the fish feels. He feels the equivalent of
that weight you picked up. No matter how big the fish is, he weighs
"Nothing" in the water, he is floating around in there isn't he?
The object is to get them excited enough to wear themselves out and bring
them to the boat or shore, not winch them in.
Heavy line is used for abrasion resistance, something that can take the
knocks till you can put the small amount of power really necessary to move
the fish to you.