You know....it is almost like those darned fish hate getting hooked.
I have had so much more luck going with light tackle that the recommended lb test line. I am usually in the 4-6lb test range which makes me and my son play the fish more (lots of fun) and coax him to the shore.
I think going high in the test like everyone did in the 50s and 60s was the way to go back then.....but nowadays since we are not using barbed treble hooks the lighter stuff works better.
I am hardly a fisherman so take that for what it is worth
You are correct - most people go too heavy with their tackle and line, for most circumstances. Granted that if you are trying to pull a several lb. or more fish away from cover (branches or whatnot), even 10 lb. line can be insufficient for the task. And that (cover / snags) is very often where the fish are.
Those put & take pond trout tend toward deep hook sets, so I use a 1’ 4 lb. leader with a small swivel on the pole end and a #8-14 hook on the other. I make up several in advance. The swivel attaches to a snap swivel on the end of my main (usually 8 lb.) line. That allows me to unsnap the leader & deep hooked fish, toss it in the cooler, snap a new leader & hook on the main line, and get back to fishing quickly. Or if releasing a deep hooked fish, cut the line @ the fish’s mouth, release it, and go put a new leader / hook on without having to tie on a new hook in the field. This also allows me to easily switch over to, say, fishing for catfish or bass if they are hitting instead, or if I limit out on the trout.
Fly fishermen will probably grimace, but I’m no purist when fishing for put & take trout: I’m out to put fish on my supper table!
The “real fun” is when one is fishing with light gear for bluegill and a big catfish decides to inhale the bait...