"This is probably not the right place to ask this but I've all but at this point I've all but given up on trying to understand the nuances of fishing."
You said it all with this phrase - "nuances of fishing"!
"Why should I care about line test besides obviously the breaking point for larger fish? Why wouldn't someone just buy the heaviest, strongest line possible? Do the fish get spooked if they can see the line? Can they even see fishing line?"
The answer is simple: if the lure moves right and subtle strikes are easily detected, it's the right line.
Larger diameter lines can be used for certain lures not affected by an increase in line stiffness. Finesse lures require smaller diameter line that allow subtle movements on a slow retrieve yet don't break fighting a 10 lb. fish.
Braid is my choice for many reasons, and I've caught bass as small as 4" and white suckers and catfish over 7 lbs. using 8# test braid.
Fish obviously see line - even fluorocarbon - but ignore it while concentrating its attention on the lure that just intruded into its strike zone - the maximum distance from a fish that a lure may cause it to strike.
"How would someone know what type of fish they're fishing for (in order to size up prospective equipment needs) without being able to see what's under the water?
Is there some kind of matchup between line, reel, and pole size that I'm supposed to know/be using?"
Impossible to know that unless you were underwater near the fish. It always comes down to the size of the fish you are targeting - not the fish species. A bass lure will generally be larger than lures used for panfish - though panfish lures can catch very large fish.
"All the information I've gained from books, internet, and YouTube are essentially just rehashing of the same non-practical information on specs, locations, and specifics such as gear/bait types - none of which are any help at all."
So very true!
One major fallacy regarding lure choice is matching the lure to what fish usually eat or that fish attack lures to eat them. Get one thing straight from the get-go:
Lures are unnaturally moving and looking, manmade objects that provoke fish to attack.
That's it!!!
Few lures look like nor moves like any animal that ever lived, which works to the angler's advantage and makes lure choices simpler.
Fish are hypersensitive aquatic bullies that don't have a clue what a lure is but only that its presence is an annoying trespass into its territory.
Basic lure rules to consider:
1. Most important is that the lure is worked the right way in the higher potential areas that fish may be found in. Fish-location patterns can be discovered using various lures.
2. Various lure types must be retrieved a certain way within a certain speed range.
3. Very Important: lure size, shape and action account for strikes. If any one of them is wrong, the lure will not provoke fish to strike.
4. Lures are the ultimate FISH FINDERS because sonar* can only do so much considering its limited range of view in water less than 6'
*Sonar and a boat are great tools to find bottom information and if any fish are present below the boat or in the area. Fishing from land restricts one from finding fish whether deep or shallow, whether in or near weeds or in open water, etc.
Know thy water!!!
When it comes to lure choice, there is a huge selection that can catch fish - some more versatile than others. There are no magic lures but many lures are better than others in the same category.
Hope this helps
You said it all with this phrase - "nuances of fishing"!
"Why should I care about line test besides obviously the breaking point for larger fish? Why wouldn't someone just buy the heaviest, strongest line possible? Do the fish get spooked if they can see the line? Can they even see fishing line?"
The answer is simple: if the lure moves right and subtle strikes are easily detected, it's the right line.
Larger diameter lines can be used for certain lures not affected by an increase in line stiffness. Finesse lures require smaller diameter line that allow subtle movements on a slow retrieve yet don't break fighting a 10 lb. fish.
Braid is my choice for many reasons, and I've caught bass as small as 4" and white suckers and catfish over 7 lbs. using 8# test braid.
Fish obviously see line - even fluorocarbon - but ignore it while concentrating its attention on the lure that just intruded into its strike zone - the maximum distance from a fish that a lure may cause it to strike.
"How would someone know what type of fish they're fishing for (in order to size up prospective equipment needs) without being able to see what's under the water?
Is there some kind of matchup between line, reel, and pole size that I'm supposed to know/be using?"
Impossible to know that unless you were underwater near the fish. It always comes down to the size of the fish you are targeting - not the fish species. A bass lure will generally be larger than lures used for panfish - though panfish lures can catch very large fish.
"All the information I've gained from books, internet, and YouTube are essentially just rehashing of the same non-practical information on specs, locations, and specifics such as gear/bait types - none of which are any help at all."
So very true!
One major fallacy regarding lure choice is matching the lure to what fish usually eat or that fish attack lures to eat them. Get one thing straight from the get-go:
Lures are unnaturally moving and looking, manmade objects that provoke fish to attack.
That's it!!!
Few lures look like nor moves like any animal that ever lived, which works to the angler's advantage and makes lure choices simpler.
Fish are hypersensitive aquatic bullies that don't have a clue what a lure is but only that its presence is an annoying trespass into its territory.
Basic lure rules to consider:
1. Most important is that the lure is worked the right way in the higher potential areas that fish may be found in. Fish-location patterns can be discovered using various lures.
2. Various lure types must be retrieved a certain way within a certain speed range.
3. Very Important: lure size, shape and action account for strikes. If any one of them is wrong, the lure will not provoke fish to strike.
4. Lures are the ultimate FISH FINDERS because sonar* can only do so much considering its limited range of view in water less than 6'
*Sonar and a boat are great tools to find bottom information and if any fish are present below the boat or in the area. Fishing from land restricts one from finding fish whether deep or shallow, whether in or near weeds or in open water, etc.
Know thy water!!!
When it comes to lure choice, there is a huge selection that can catch fish - some more versatile than others. There are no magic lures but many lures are better than others in the same category.
Hope this helps