Who the heck made all you guys king: "meat fishermen", "sports vs meat" BLAH BLAH BLAH.
Did One Dog say he was fishing 30lb right down to the hook? Did he say where he is fishing or what species he is targetting? Lots of guides up in the charlottes etc tie 25lb leaders...so who are all of you to be so judgemental?
Using 30 main isnt out of line when trolling! We fished victoria/sooke for years and while we never hooked a HUGE chinook, but each year Columbians caught in that area were weighing in 60lbs+. Largest I ever saw weighed in was 79lbs
We ran 15-20 lb leader for our hookies and anchovie teasers...30-40 lb main gave that $8.00 flasher a little protection if we ever snagged up on bottom etc. 60lb fish...20 even 30lb leader - no sport there right gang
I think 30lb is just fine for the chuck and we caught lots of fish! Stick to it One Dog, put your time in and your numbers will improve.
For the river, its a different story - well thats if you apply it to most of the rivers in the lower mainland (where a majority of us fish). Keep in mind, river fishing is much more finess than trolling, takes can be light, you watch your float for the smallest reaction, etc...30lb main would be a pain in the my friend to cast all day (not an issue trolling), the wind that can howls thru the river valleys would also grab 30lb line and play havoc with the natural presentation and drift of bait down the river. Indeed 12lb leader is usually more than enuff for most species on our local flows so 30lb main would be excessive. Hop up to the Thompson, Fraser, Skeena, Kitimat, etc and you all would be very justified in reaching for a rod spooled with something heavier than 15lb main!
Sounds like you mostly ocean fish One Dog, have you done any river fishing?
Good luck to you where ever you choose to wet a line.