On the subject of thicker lines verses thinner for hooklengths,something I normally swear by,several years ago now whilst trotting for chub on maggot I started on 0.12mm (3lbish)to an 18 hook,now though many mates swore by 0.14mm (4lbs+) I had little confidence,one day a friend came down trotting on the pin,he caught loads(and was normally successful),i asked him what hooks,hooklengths etc,he blew my theories,he used 0.18mm(just under 8lb)straight through,I started using it and caught too....I still fish the same way as I did before,for smaller species,or extreme cold weather,hard fished waters,but always remember to try heavier lines for hard fighting fish on moving water.