I'm using either 8# or 10# almost all the time now. As for knots the one I (and alot of other guys I know) use is the reverse clinch or Fox knot:

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-tie-reverse-clinch-knot-alton-jones-162619/

I use 10# on minnow and 6# on jig by Trilene-100% Fluorocarbon. I also fish the 6# at the Tawakoni Spillway strong current- pulling in Striper and Hybrid all day long. I even pulled in 60 lbs Buffalo from the Tawakoni Spillway.

My Trilene lines are fairly new thou- only 6 months old. My 4 ft Ugly Stick poles are medium action with small Abu Garcia spinning reels. I set my reel drag to be light- a 1 lbs fish can unspool the line from the reel. I use the �Improved Clinch Knot� exclusively for 25 year. So far, the setup had been great for me.


http://www.netknots.com/html/improved_clinch_knot.html

I have a pretty similar setup. But I use the Uni Knot: http://videofishingknots.com/uni-knot.html. By the way the link points to a site that really take knots seriously. They have instructions for more than 50 knots.

LOL - your post is so timely from my perspective. I was just asking myself the same thing today after losing half a dozen 1/16 oz. jigs including several Roadrunners. I was fishing in heavy cover which is part of the problem, but I also made the mistake of trying to hoist a rather hefty slab up out of the water instead of grabbing him at the water's edge.

I use a Palomar knot - it's very simple to tie, and very strong.

Palomar Knot

We use 10# but not because we are worried about Crappie breaking us off. We use it because it will sink a little slower and it will handle the abuse of limbs/brush better.

6# is prolly the most popular.

loop knot for me

I USE 10# SUFIX BRAID FOR ALL APPLICATIONS, SHOTTIN DOCKS, FISHIN BRUSH, EVERYTHING AND IT HAS BEEN THE BEST ADJUSTMENT I HAVE MADE AS FAR AS CRAPPIE FISHING. I FISH LAKE ATHENS ALOT AND THERE ISNT A CLEARER LAKE AROUND AT TIMES YOU CAN SEE PAST 6' AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM AND I HAVE FISHED WITH ALOT OF MONO GUYS AND DONE BETTER THAN THEM. 10# SUFIX IS THE SAME DIAMETER AS 4.5 # MONO. JUST MY TWO CENTS, GOOD LUCK CATCHIN EM.

When I was a kid, I had to use whatever was rigged up for me from my parents/grandparents, which was always rigged with 20# mono. It didn't seem to bother the crappie any, as we caught plenty with that heavier line.
Heck, several years ago I seen a kid at the fishing barge at JP catch crappie with a surf rod spooled with what looked like heavier line than I put on my weedeater!

If your fishing minnows deep. I have almost always used a Clear ultra smooth trilene 12LB. Fish dont seem to mind but it takes a few large slip shots to get it to proper depth fast.
Fishing jigs all new story I like Vicious for a non braid,
And if braid is a must which it usually is fish all 2-10 yelllow in the cheapest brand avail. I hunt the bargain boxes and then stock up for several years. stuff last forevver and dont fish it deep or you might as well have your knife out and ready. Fyi
If you cant find it on sale just buy enough for a couple poles.
Stuff will hurt your pocket in a big way.

all you need is 6# or 8# wally marshall crappie line. great line and very reasonable. I landed a 18# cat last summer with it, hardly ever lose a jig.

Don't forget to have your drag set right. With light line, drag plays a pretty good role in landing your fish.