How heavy is too heavy?

What is the highest pound test line do you use when fishing for rockfish? I can imagine that using standard 30# test could become a de-facto anchor if you snag up. Snags happen so there is no way to avoid that. I keep thinking 15# would probably be about max considering that even in a fast drift, a kayak won't develop too much momentum and you probably would have to grab the line by hand and pull until it popped. What is the general consensus for line strength when fishing snag prone areas?

Thanks.

yeah 30# starts to get a bit scary. I use 20# flour in snaggy spots. Seems to work well for lings, RF and 'butts

I use 20# mostly, except in the HMB derby I used 30#

I used 30# - 40# braid for main line, 20# mono for leader, and "cheap" hooks for better snags handling 

 I use 30# braid on my heavier setup, 20# on the lighter RF setup. On both of these I use an 8-10ft "leader" of 30lb mono (easier to re-tie, check for abrasion, etc.)

I fish some pretty rocky spots & when I get onto a solid snag I just take a couple wraps of line around my gripper or fish billy (NOT my hand) & snap it off. No probs so far.

I did use straight 30lb mono once last year & it was very scary. The mono has sooo much stretch to it I had one heck of a time trying to bust it. The braid is much better for me.

oh yeah I assumed you were talking leader. my main line is 40 -50 lb braid. The braid allows me to feel each rock which helps prevent snags

I use 40lb braid with a light weight snap swivel attached to lures and such. If I run
into a snag, the snap will just give when I give it a slight tug. Just my .02.

Jedmo

I use 40lb braid with a light weight snap swivel attached to lures and such. If I run
into a snap, the snap will just give when I give it a slight tug. Just my .02.

Jedmo

So no mono leader on your set up?

Can a large fish release the swivel?

I suppose it could but it would have to be a big big fish to do so. Last time I had
some mono attached to my braid, the mono broke off along with my lure. My
concern is the now there is also some lose mono line in the water. I wouldn't want
any diver getting caught with my lost fishing line I guess.

Jedmo

If you use a jigmaster 500 you pretty much have to use 30 lb mono or the line will jam in the frame. I have always uded 30 lb mono with no leader. I have an upgraded reel this year with braid. My hotrod reel from last year is at the bottom of shelter cove along with a nice jigmaster combo. I'll be selling leashes at GMS this year and they will be sturdy and inexpensive.

My main lines are braid, 30, 40, and a 50. No real reason for the different weights, it's what happens to have been spooled on that particular reel at that particular time. To the end of the braid I tie on about 5 feet of quality#20 mono, sometimes I tie a knot, sometimes I use a small barrel swivel to join them.
I really dislike having to pop off a snag, it can be scarey. 20 is my limit.

50# braid main line 30# mono leader 2' long conneced by a barrel swivel with palomars and a terminal #50 snap swivel to attach the lure. I use Izorline copolymer leader invisibraid main line. You can break 40# mono but not 50#. 

I'm not a sensitive guy so I don't need sensitive fishing lines

Max 20 lb mono depending on brand.  I've found P-line to stretch like a rubber band making 20lb test go way over its rated breaking strength.  When you have 80+ feet of line out that stretch factor increases big time.  That can be good or bad depending on your application.  In my unscientific tests and observation I've found Ande and maxima green to be truer in rated breaking strength.  I usually run 15lb mono.

For kayak rockfish, I use 50lb powerpro braid on casting/conventional reels and 50lb spiderwire stealth on the spinning reels. With 20-30lb mono leader (only about 5ft, joined by an 80lb spro barrel swivel). But I intend to upgrade to 80lb braid next time I have to spool a casting reel.
Breaking off can be dicey if you do it wrong. Just point your rod directly at the snag (w/half the rod in the water usually) and crank down while the swell dips. Then put your thumb on the spool and the next swell will lift you up & break the line. So you're pretty much holding the rod upside-down, and make sure there is no bend in the rod either.

For kayak rockfish, I use 50lb powerpro braid on casting/conventional reels and 50lb spiderwire stealth on the spinning reels. With 20-30lb mono leader (only about 5ft, joined by an 80lb spro barrel swivel). But I intend to upgrade to 80lb braid next time I have to spool a casting reel.
Breaking off can be dicey if you do it wrong. Just point your rod directly at the snag (w/half the rod in the water usually) and crank down while the swell dips. Then put your thumb on the spool and the next swell will lift you up & break the line. So you're pretty much holding the rod upside-down, and make sure there is no bend in the rod either.

I have to go with Sincoast.  I really don't have that tough of a time breaking mono or braid 20-50 pounds but I have only done it from a fish n dive which is really stable.  Sometimes I rap the line around the butt end of my rod with something like a towel under it and then yank.  Using the swell really helps.