CJ Petrowski was fishing from shore in the Rotary park area using anchovies his striper was 31 and 7/8 inches and weighed in at 10.56 pounds and again anchovies produced this fine catch. And a bit daring he was using 8 lb test line. I would say 12 is a great size with a lot of our anglers going a bit heavier. I do know your lighter line seems to produce more bites but you do have to have a good handle on that drag to bring them in.