weight to thrust ratio

"peakstroller" wrote in message
ups.com...
Does anyone have any idea of the weight to thrust ratio of your average
Carp? For example, how much breaking strain can a 10 llb fish exert
onto your fishing line in open snag free water?


Don't know the specific answer to your question. However, Ime lb for lb the
leaner species of carp put up a better fight ....... so Grass Carp and Ghost
Carp are more of a problem than say Commons or Mirrors. Within the same
species the younger leaner fish often fight better. For example, fat old out
of condition Mirrors are often very poor fighters compared to younger
examples.

Also set-up makes a lot of difference. For example, fishing with an adequate
pole with say Black Hydrolastic, 5lb line, a No 14 barbless hook will (if
you 'play' the fish properly) allow you to successfully land Carp in open
snag free water _far_ larger than 10lb ..... over double that size should be
ok. Proper use of the pole and patience become the key requirement. You may
need to sit down for 10 minutes after you release the fish to regain your
composure before fishing again _but_ you will be back for more of the same.
However, if snags are within range you may be better advised to use a
standard (and maybe higher rated) hollow elastic (less stretch than hydro).

Sticking with set-up and keeping snags aside Carp Anglers who fish say heavy
weights with pva bags at distance are more likely to need a heavier line to
prevent crack-off when casting ........ not for when they are actually
playing the fish .... that becomes just a few minutes of steer and wind.

That's just two examples _but_ ones I am familiar with .......

Richard