Post deleted by John Lee Hookum

I will post the diameters and abrasion stuff in a later post. This was a detail examination and contain lots of statistics and comparison charts, etc.

JLH,

Awesome. If you post the line diameters, I can do a comparison. (line diameter x 1000)/Mean Wet Break Strength in lbs=strength in Lbs per 0.001" of diameter.

So a line that is 0.001" total diameter and tests at 1 pound would be equal to a line that is 0.010" and tests at 10 pounds, per my equation.

Nice to see that the lines that came out on top in my tests also came out on top in these tests.
Select lines rer the Sportfishing results 20 pound test:

P-Line X-Tra Strong -----------------------34.7
Stren Extra Strength ----------------------32.9
Trilene XT Extra Tough -------------------28.0
Yo-Zuri Hybrid -----------------------------25.5
Stren Magnathin ---------------------------21.6
Maxima Chameleon -----------------------21.5
Pure Fishing Vanish -----------------------20.5


My results for same selected lines adjusted for diameter differences.

"10 pound Test"......Lbs per 0.001"................Lbs per 0.001
..........................Fresh Line.....................Fatigued Line

P Line Xtra....................1.23........................1.22......98%
Stren xtra.....................1.17........................1.06......90%
Maxima Cham.................1.00........................0.56.......56%
Stren Magnathin...............0.97.......................0.77.......79%
Yozuri Clear....................0.95.......................0.85.......89%
Trilene Xtra....................0.91.......................0.72........80%
Vanish Fluorocarbon..........0.88.......................0.51........58%

Using the test results from the Sportfishing experiments on 20 pound test.
(line diameter x 1000)/Mean Wet Break Strength in lbs=strength in Lbs per 0.001" of diameter.

P Line Xtra....................1.82
Stren xtra.....................1.80
Yozuri Clear....................1.55
Trilene Xtra....................1.55
Stren Magnathin..............1.44
Vanish Fluorocarbon..........1.28
Maxima Chameleon...........1.19






VHawk

John-

Thanks for posting these results. Look forward to seeing the rest of the charts with the diameters and abrasion results.

Post deleted by John Lee Hookum

Admirable effort Vinnie!

FYI the best way to standardize the break strength to caliber of the line (tensile strength) is pounds per unit area. Technically, you should not use simple diameter as the denominator, but rather the cross sectional area... pi*R-squared.

Since you are measuring diameter with your calipers, your denominator should be pi *(diam/2)squared.

FNP,

Your right. Although it the differences in the math don't change the rankings(!!!!They do change the rankings 3/3/07 I'm reworking the math now). I might do the analysis using cross sectional area for future testing.

My results for same selected lines adjusted for diameter differences.

"10 pound Test"......Lbs per 0.001"................Lbs per 0.001
..........................Fresh Line.....................Fatigued Line

P Line Xtra....................1.23........................1.22......98%
Stren xtra.....................1.17........................1.06......90%
Maxima Cham.................1.00........................0.56.......56%
Stren Magnathin...............0.97.......................0.77.......79%
Yozuri Clear....................0.95.......................0.85.......89%
Trilene Xtra....................0.91.......................0.72........80%
Vanish Fluorocarbon..........0.88.......................0.51........58%

Using the test results from the Sportfishing experiments on 20 pound test.
(line diameter x 1000)/Mean Wet Break Strength in lbs=strength in Lbs per 0.001" of diameter.

P Line Xtra....................1.82
Stren xtra.....................1.80
Yozuri Clear....................1.55
Trilene Xtra....................1.55
Stren Magnathin..............1.44
Vanish Fluorocarbon..........1.28
Maxima Chameleon...........1.19






VHawk

Post deleted by John Lee Hookum

Sprots Fishing magazine article: 20-Pound Lines Test

Read the section dealing with the abrasion test for an understanding of the terms and numbers regarding cycles.

http://www.sportfishingmag.com/article.jsp?ID=23589&typeID=347&categoryID=262

Post deleted by John Lee Hookum

Post deleted by John Lee Hookum

Post deleted by John Lee Hookum

JLH...good stuff! You posted the knot data at almost the same time as I sent Vince a PM concerning exactly what the article describes....i.e., "doubling" line for the clinch knot. I have found also that the trilene knot (which I prefer over the doubled clinch) when tied with only three wraps prevents the line from cutting into itself and thusly weakening the knot. It holds well even with braid.

Wow! so much data to process! I guess I'll have to print it all in order to draw my own conclusions about which is the best (or rather, most practical) choice for me.

Thanks, guys! Awesome!

VHawk, I am sorry that I sent you 6 and 8:b CAMMA line as samples. Idid not realize when I sent it you were testing 10Lb lines. Maybe you can measure their diameters and compare .01".

I decided to put all the data so far in one post for easier printing. There is more but it can follow in another post.

VHawk

I found the fishing magazine that mentioned earlier with the exclusive 20-Pound Line Test. The name of the magazine is "Sports Fishing", October 2001, article by Doug Olander. this link on has a portion of the article but worth a peek. I will provide details that the link don't cover as it is 9 pages in the magazine and it is well done.
http://www.sportfishingmag.com/article.jsp?ID=23589&typeID=347&categoryID=262

The following is the introduction: by Doug Olander

20-Pound Line Test

Our Test of 85 lines rated "20 Pound" reveals surprising results.

Take a llok at most and ad for fishing line or any line manufacturer's Web site. You'll see pretty much the same claims made over and over: Cast father! Better knot strength! Smaller diameter! Strongest monofilament we've ever made! Superior abrasion resistance! Supersoft and limp! and, always, quality!

It's easy to get tangled up in so much rhetoric. But waht does it really mean? Where can an angler go to sort it all out? Nowhere, in fact.

Quite simple, no industry standards exist to help consumers sort the qualities of fishing lines; no laws require manufacturers to reveal and particular products information. Or, put another way, line manufacturers can pretty much make whatever claims they want. Then it becomes caveat emptor, baby - you pays your money and you takes your chances.

But without reliable line-testing machines, educated dicision-making gets pretty dicey for the average fishing-line consumer.

That's why we elected to undertake the most comprehensive line test ever. We chose a common line size useful for many applications - 20-pounds - and subjected 85 different lines to identical testing procedures. We assessed the two parameters we could measure objectively: tensile (break) strength and abrasion strength/resistance, as well as measure the actual diameter of each line with calipers. We also tested for knot strength; the sidebar on page 74 explains why we decided not to publish those findings, In all, we performed nearly 1,200 seperate tests over three long days of testing.

We didn't test limpness or softness: Although these qualities are important to anglers, they're hard to quantify. Moreover, unlike break or abrasion strength, limpness or softness is pretty easy to assess just by the line' feel.

Sports Fishing 20-Pound Line test Results

Name----------------------- Mean Wet Break Strength in lbs.
Ande (backcountry)
Ande Pink ---------------------------23.3
Ande Envy ---------------------------26.2
Ande gray -----------------------------21.8
Ande IGFA ---------------------------20.9
Ande IGFA yello ---------------------25.3
Ande green ---------------------------22.0
Ande Clear -----------------------23.6
Bass Pro Extreme Extra --------------20.4
Black Magic Black magic -------------21.2
Danielson Plus 7 -------------------20.7
FINs PRT Brand ----------------------37.6
Guidebrod G-6 Dacron Trolling Line, IGFA-------17.6
Guidebrod Butt Leader -----------------------19.7
Hi-Seas Quattro ------------------------26.1
Hi-Seas Black Widow, IGFA---------------20.8
Izorline Brutally Strong ------------------29.9
Izorline First String ----------------------30.5
Izorline Platinum --------------------------32.8
Izorline Fluoro Carbon Premium Leader----23.8
Jinkai Premium Sport-----------------------29.3
Mason Tiger Braid -------------------------23.2
Mason Hard Type Nylon leader ------------23.1
Mason Falcon ---------------------------------23.7
Maxima Chemeleon -------------------------21.5
Maxima Marine Green ------------------- 22.9
Maxima Crystal Ivory ---------------------23.5
Maxima Perfexion ------------------------21.3
Maxima IGFA Class line ---------------------18.5
Maxima Fibre Glow ------------------------23.3
Momoi High-Catch IGFA Class -----------22.0
Momoi High Catch -----------------------24.3
Momoi High Catch Fluoro Carbon ---------20.6
Platypus Pink--------------------------------23.4
Platypus Platinum, IFGA ----------------22.8
Platypus Super-100 ------------------------18.2
Platypus Pre-test Clear -------------------19.3
Platypus Pre-Test Chartreuse -------------19.3
P-Line X-Tra Strong -----------------------34.7
Power Pro Power Pro -----------------------27.1
Pure Fishing Fireline-------------------------35.3
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene XT Extra Tough ---28.0
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Big Game -----29.0
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Sensithin ------32.6
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Big Cat ---------29.0
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Inshore-------32.7
Pure Fishing Red Wolf---------------------29.2
Pure Fishing Spiderline Super Mono LS ----27.6
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Premium Strength ---27.2
Pure Fishing Spiderline -----------------28.7
Pure Fishing Vanish -------------------20.5
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene XL-------21.9
Rapala Rapala Tough ------31.2
Rapala Rapala Finesse -----------24.3
Remington Ultra --------------------31.8
Remington Premium Express ---------22.3
Seaguar Grand Max Fluoro (25.3 1b.)---22.4
Shakespeare Signa -----------24.7
Shakespeare Alpha -------------20.2
Silver Thread Excalibur 10X----24.5
Silver Thread Super Silver Thread--------27.5
Stren Original ------------20.9
Stren Sensor -------------30.1
Stren Catfish --------------31.2
Stren Extra Strength -----32.9
Stren Super Tough ---------19.6
Stren Manathin -----------21.6
Stren Easy Cast ----------24.3
Stren Fluorocarbon --------25.8
Sufix Herculine ----------23.1
Sufix Tritanium Plus -------30.6
Sufix Key Lime -------------19.3
Sufix Superior -------------30.1
Sufix Superior Ultra-Supreme, hard---30.1
Sufix Invisline Fluoro Carbon Ldr.--24.2
Triplefish Camo-essent -------------27.3
Triplefish Fluorocarbon Leader ----25.4
Triplefish Fluorocarbon Line -------22.9
Triplefish Saltwater leader --------24.3
Triplefish Silicone ------------------22.4
Western Filament Tuf Line -------29.0
Western Filament Super Cast ----22.4
Western Filament Tuf Line Plus (18-lb.) -------17.6
Western Filament Braided Dacron Flyline Backing---21.0
Yo-Zuri Hybrid ------------25.5

Sports Fishing 20-Pound Line test Results

Name--------.Diameter in Inches----Cross X area in square inches
Ande (backcountry)-----0.018---------0.0247
Ande Pink -----------0.018-------------0.0247
Ande Envy ----------0.017--------------0.0236
Ande gray -----------0.018-------------0.0258
Ande IGFA ----------0.017--------------0.0225
Ande IGFA yello ----0.018--------------0.0247
Ande green ---------0.018--------------0.0247
Ande Clear ---------0.018---------------0.0247
Bass Pro Extreme Extra ---0.016------0.0205
Black Magic Black magic --0.018------0.0247
Danielson Plus 7 ----------0.017--------0.0215
FINs PRT Brand -----------0.011--------0.0096
Guidebrod G-6 Dacron Trolling Line, IGFA--0.016--0.0195
Guidebrod Butt Leader ----0.025-------0.0484
Hi-Seas Quattro -----------0.017-------0.0215
Hi-Seas Black Widow, IGFA--0.016----0.0195
Izorline Brutally Strong ------0.012-----0.0110
Izorline First String ---------0.018------0.0247
Izorline Platinum --------0.018----------0.0258
Izorline Fluoro Carbon Premium Leader---0.018--0.0247
Jinkai Premium Sport------0.018---------0.0258
Mason Tiger Braid ---------0.009---------0.0059
Mason Hard Type Nylon leader ---0.022-------0.0396
Mason Falcon ------------0.019----0.0289
Maxima Chemeleon -----0.018------------0.0258
Maxima Marine Green --0.018------------0.0258
Maxima Crystal Ivory ---0.018------------0.0247
Maxima Perfexion ------0.015------------0.0167
Maxima IGFA Class line -------0.016-----0.0195
Maxima Fibre Glow --------0.018-------0.0258
Momoi High-Catch IGFA Class ---0.018---0.0247
Momoi High Catch -----0.016----------0.0195
Momoi High Catch Fluoro Carbon ---0.016----0.0205
Platypus Pink-----------0.015------0.0185
Platypus Platinum, IFGA -----0.014-------0.0149
Platypus Super-100 --------0.013-------0.0133
Platypus Pre-test Clear ------0.017----0.0215
Platypus Pre-Test Chartreuse ----0.017-----0.0236
P-Line X-Tra Strong -------0.019--------0.0269
Power Pro Power Pro ------0.009--------0.0064
Pure Fishing Fireline-------0.013--------0.0141
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene XT Extra Tough --0.018---0.0247
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Big Game -----0.018----0.0247
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Sensithin -----0.017---0.0225
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Big Cat -------0.018---0.0247
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Inshore-------0.018---0.0247
Pure Fishing Red Wolf---------0.018-------0.0258
Pure Fishing Spiderline Super Mono LS ----0.017--0.0225
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Premium Strength -0.017-0.0236
Pure Fishing Spiderline ------------0.017----0.0225
Pure Fishing Vanish ----------------0.016---------0.0195
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene XL-------0.016----0.0205
Rapala Rapala Tough ------0.018-------0.0247
Rapala Rapala Finesse -----------0.015----0.0185
Remington Ultra ------------0.016--------0.0205
Remington Premium Express -----0.017----0.0225
Seaguar Grand Max Fluoro (25.3 1b.)---0.015--0.0176
Shakespeare Signa -----------0.019------0.0281
Shakespeare Alpha -------------0.018------0.0247
Silver Thread Excalibur 10X----0.016------0.0205
Silver Thread Super Silver Thread---0.016---0.0205
Stren Original ------------0.018------0.0247
Stren Sensor -------------0.017-------0.0225
Stren Catfish -----------0.018--------0.0258
Stren Extra Strength -----0.018-----0.0247
Stren Super Tough -------0.017-----0.0225
Stren Manathin -----------0.015--------0.0176
Stren Easy Cast ----------0.018-------0.0247
Stren Fluorocarbon -------0.017------0.0225
Sufix Herculine ----------0.008-------0.0049
Sufix Tritanium Plus -------0.018-----0.0247
Sufix Key Lime -------------0.017------0.0225
Sufix Superior -------------0.018-------0.0258
Sufix Superior Ultra-Supreme, hard---0.017----0.0236
Sufix Invisline Fluoro Carbon Ldr.--0.017------0.0236
Triplefish Camo-essent -------0.018------0.0247
Triplefish Fluorocarbon Leader ----0.017-----0.0225
Triplefish Fluorocarbon Line -------0.017-----0.0236
Triplefish Saltwater leader --------0.018------0.0247
Triplefish Silicone ------------------0.018------0.0247
Western Filament Tuf Line -------0.009-------0.0059
Western Filament Super Cast ----0.010-------0.0076
Western Filament Tuf Line Plus (18-lb.)--0.009---0.0059
Western Filament Braided Dacron Flyline Backing-0.016-0.0195
Yo-Zuri Hybrid ------------0.017-------0.0236

Sports Fishing 20-Pound Line test Results

Name-----------------Abrasion strength Cycles to break
Ande (backcountry)---------374
Ande Pink ---------------------------288
Ande Envy ---------------------------216
Ande gray -----------------------------294
Ande IGFA ---------------------------238
Ande IGFA yello ---------------------208
Ande green ---------------------------232
Ande Clear -----------------------202
Bass Pro Extreme Extra --------------110
Black Magic Black magic -------------146
Danielson Plus 7 -------------------201
FINs PRT Brand ----------------------119
Guidebrod G-6 Dacron Trolling Line, IGFA-------49
Guidebrod Butt Leader -----------------------26
Hi-Seas Quattro ------------------------244
Hi-Seas Black Widow, IGFA---------------81
Izorline Brutally Strong ------------------169
Izorline First String ----------------------292
Izorline Platinum --------------------------266
Izorline Fluoro Carbon Premium Leader----22
Jinkai Premium Sport-----------------------136
Mason Tiger Braid -------------------------806
Mason Hard Type Nylon leader ------------759
Mason Falcon ---------------------------------145
Maxima Chemeleon -------------------------421
Maxima Marine Green ------------------- 372
Maxima Crystal Ivory ---------------------304
Maxima Perfexion ------------------------94
Maxima IGFA Class line ---------------------127
Maxima Fibre Glow ------------------------139
Momoi High-Catch IGFA Class -----------429
Momoi High Catch -----------------------164
Momoi High Catch Fluoro Carbon ---------36
Platypus Pink--------------------------------172
Platypus Platinum, IFGA ----------------68
Platypus Super-100 ------------------------71
Platypus Pre-test Clear -------------------144
Platypus Pre-Test Chartreuse -------------98
P-Line X-Tra Strong -----------------------257
Power Pro Power Pro -----------------------124
Pure Fishing Fireline-------------------------667
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene XT Extra Tough ---687
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Big Game -----353
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Sensithin ------208
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Big Cat ---------290
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Inshore-------187
Pure Fishing Red Wolf-----------------------257
Pure Fishing Spiderline Super Mono LS ----170
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Premium Strength ---184
Pure Fishing Spiderline -----------------137
Pure Fishing Vanish -------------------155
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene XL-------96
Rapala Rapala Tough -------------824
Rapala Rapala Finesse -----------612
Remington Ultra --------------------164
Remington Premium Express ---------211
Seaguar Grand Max Fluoro (25.3 1b.)---25
Shakespeare Signa -----------263
Shakespeare Alpha -------------109
Silver Thread Excalibur 10X--------594
Silver Thread Super Silver Thread--------211
Stren Original ------------1295
Stren Sensor -------------224
Stren Catfish --------------239
Stren Extra Strength -----177
Stren Super Tough ---------273
Stren Manathin -----------109
Stren Easy Cast ----------168
Stren Fluorocarbon -------64
Sufix Herculine ----------78
Sufix Tritanium Plus -------791
Sufix Key Lime -------------454
Sufix Superior -------------201
Sufix superior Ultra-Supreme, hard---149
Sufix Invisline Fluoro Carbon Ldr.--31
Triplefish Camo-essent -------------296
Triplefish Fluorocarbon Leader ----274
Triplefish Fluorocarbon Line -------275
Triplefish Saltwater leader --------195
Triplefish Silicone ------------------216
Western Filament Tuf Line -------781
Western Filament Super Cast ----59
Western Filament Tuf Line Plus (18-lb.)----36
Western Filament Braided Dacron Flyline Backing---26
Yo-Zuri Hybrid ------------169

Sprots Fishing magazine article: 20-Pound Lines Test

Read the section dealing with the abrasion test for an understanding of the terms and numbers regarding cycles.

http://www.sportfishingmag.com/article.jsp?ID=23589&typeID=347&categoryID=262


Sports Fishing 20-Pound Line test Results

Name----------------Cost per 100 Yards
Ande (backcountry)----------------$1.00
Ande Pink ---------------------------$1.00
Ande Envy ---------------------------$1.00
Ande gray -----------------------------$1.00
Ande IGFA ---------------------------$1.00
Ande IGFA yello ---------------------$1.68
Ande green ---------------------------n/a
Ande Clear -----------------------$1.00
Bass Pro Extreme Extra --------------$2.50
Black Magic Black magic -------------$2.67
Danielson Plus 7 -------------------n/a
FINs PRT Brand ----------------------$8.66
Guidebrod G-6 Dacron Trolling Line, IGFA-------n/a
Guidebrod Butt Leader -----------------------n/a
Hi-Seas Quattro ------------------------$1.15
Hi-Seas Black Widow, IGFA---------------$1.66
Izorline Brutally Strong ------------------$1.57
Izorline First String ----------------------n/a
Izorline Platinum --------------------------n/a
Izorline Fluoro Carbon Premium Leader----n/a
Jinkai Premium Sport-----------------------$5.40
Mason Tiger Braid -------------------------n/a
Mason Hard Type Nylon leader ------------n/a
Mason Falcon ---------------------------------n/a
Maxima Chemeleon -------------------------$3.33
Maxima Marine Green ------------------- $3.33
Maxima Crystal Ivory ---------------------$3.33
Maxima Perfexion ------------------------$2.71
Maxima IGFA Class line ---------------------n/a
Maxima Fibre Glow ------------------------$4.00
Momoi High-Catch IGFA Class -----------n/a
Momoi High Catch -----------------------$3.33
Momoi High Catch Fluoro Carbon ---------$38.80
Platypus Pink--------------------------------n/a
Platypus Platinum, IFGA ----------------n/a
Platypus Super-100 ------------------------n/a
Platypus Pre-test Clear -------------------n/a
Platypus Pre-Test Chartreuse -------------n/a
P-Line X-Tra Strong -----------------------$2.50
Power Pro Power Pro -----------------------$7.20
Pure Fishing Fireline-------------------------$8.33
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene XT Extra Tough ---$1.87
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Big Game -----$1.08
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Sensithin ------$2.62
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Big Cat ---------n/a
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Inshore-------$1.59
Pure Fishing Red Wolf-------------------n/a
Pure Fishing Spiderline Super Mono LS ----$2.50
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene Premium Strength ---$2.53
Pure Fishing Spiderline -----------------$12.66
Pure Fishing Vanish -------------------$4.00
Pure Fishing Berkley Trilene XL-------$1.87
Rapala Rapala Tough ------$1.41
Rapala Rapala Finesse -----------$1.41
Remington Ultra --------------------$2.62
Remington Premium Express ---------$2.25
Seaguar Grand Max Fluoro (25.3 1b.)---$39.80
Shakespeare Signa -----------n/a
Shakespeare Alpha -------------n/a
Silver Thread Excalibur 10X----$1.94
Silver Thread Super Silver Thread--------n/a
Stren Original ------------$2.48
Stren Sensor -------------$4.15
Stren Catfish --------------n/a
Stren Extra Strength -----$2.53
Stren Super Tough ---------n/a
Stren Manathin -----------$3.31
Stren Easy Cast ----------$2.36
Stren Fluorocarbon -------$7.42
Sufix Herculine ----------n/a
Sufix Tritanium Plus -------$1.15
Sufix Key Lime -------------n/a
Sufix Superior -------------$1.19
Sufix Superior Ultra-Supreme, hard---n/a
Sufix Invisline Fluoro Carbon Ldr.-------$42.50
Triplefish Camo-essent -------------n/a
Triplefish Fluorocarbon Leader ----n/a
Triplefish Fluorocarbon Line -------n/a
Triplefish Saltwater leader --------n/a
Triplefish Silicone ------------------n/a
Western Filament Tuf Line -------$5.26
Western Filament Super Cast ----n/a
Western Filament Tuf Line Plus (18-lb.)-------$5.13
Western Filament Braided Dacron Flyline Backing---n/a
Yo-Zuri Hybrid ------------$2.50

Side Bar

Why We Tossed out Our Monofilament Knot-Strength Test

Most monofilament manufacturers have long made such a point of marketing their lines' great know strenght that this characteristic seems beyond question to be of great importance to anglers. Stands to reason. if your knots in line A come out at 95 percent of line's strenght, but the same knot in line B give you only 75 percent of line's strenght, there's little question which one you'd want. That always made sense to us-until we started testing knots on a line tester.

In some line tests that SPORTS FISHING did many years ago, a simple overhead ("wind") knot was used to measure line strength. Such knots, of course, greatly weaken any line. While they might offer a relative indication of lines' knot strenght, we felt a real-world fishing knot would make more sense. We tested all 73 monofilaments with a five turn improved clinch knot, which is quick and easy to tie the same way over and over. As one would expect, results varied, with some linesaveraging 60 percent knot strength or so and others over 80 percent. But afterward, we tossed out the results. here's why.

After the test, we decided to test a few lines with the same knot but first doubling the line before before we tied the clinch knot (still leaving just asingle strand of line above the knot). Surprisingly, we found these knots breaking between the clamps well above the knot. In other words, the line broke before the knot did. We tried this with more than 20 different lines, and every single time the results was the same. The knot was 100 percent in all these different lines-which rendered their alleged knot strenth irrelevant.

We already knew (from our previous knot test feature) that the Bimini twist lives up to its reputation as a 100- percent Knot. Now we had learn that if you want a quick single-line knot, whether tied to a swivel or directly to a hook or lure, double the end and tie a improved clinch. In fact, even though we didn't test other knots doubled, it makes sense that doubling the line before tying a uni knot and other favorites could also make them 100 percent or nearly so.

Note that these comments pertain to monofilaments. We eren't as confident about our test of knots with superbraid, which is inherently harder to test and certainly harder to tie. Some braids with this 100-percent clinch knot did hold even as the line broke above them, but others failed. As a general rule, the smoother or more "slippery" a braided line felt (and there's lots of tactile variation among those lines), the harder it seemed to get a knot to hold and not slip through.

But at least for monofilaments, the bottom line seems to be: Tie the right knots, and you should get 100 percent of you line's strength. And, as far as we could tell, it doesn't matter what line you're using.

Side Bar

S-t-r-e-t-c-h

We didn't test for stretch, though we could have. It's a characteristic relevant to anglers. However, this would have made a long test even longer, and stretch is less critical than abrasion or tensile strength. In short, monofilaments are manufactured with controlled stretch; most stretch 20 to 30 percent before breaking. Fishermen generally are used to stretch, and many like it since it can be an effective cushion in a hard fight, helping save rods and sometimes pulled hookes or feel strikes. Afew monofilaments exceeded 30 percent, but these were rare.


On the other hand, braids have virtually no stretch, which can take getting used to if one has been fishing only monofilaments. But their lack of stretch gives braids the nod for deep water fishing. And in many other situations where finesse requires feeling for light strikes, braids do a better job than mono of transmitting sensations from hook to the rod.

Thanks to everyone who rated this thread. HooYaa I got some stars baby. I got the stars.

Phoenix77,

No worries about the samples I received from you. The 8lb test has a close enough diameter to 10 lb line. I'll see how it works out.
Thanks for sending that.

JLH,

Nice work. Maybe you could delete some of your earlier posts with the same data to keep the thread clean.

I'm glad you found that article, it greatly adds to this discussion. Makes me feel more comfortable that my findings are somewhere in the ballpark. I'll be thinking over how to do an abrasion test at home.

Vhawk

Here's an abrasion test.......

Try going fishing on your wife's family reunion date. (j/k)

I tried to clean up the thread as much as possible but after deleting, a few holes remain, but nothing I can do to remove residue. Vhawk I am impressed with how close you were with the tensile strenth test.

I think the trick for doing the abrasion test at home will be to get equal consistancy in application for each line tested. This will probably involve some automated machanical mechanism.

I have been using P-Line as a main Line for big fish (Salmon) for almost 15 years. I have always liked the color, as it's matches the color of my Calcuttas. Plus, when I need to pull free of a snag, I can sometimes have unbelievable results, as the line want break, even when I'm applying the tractor pull. P-Line also does a wonderful job as a casting line. I cast great distances when fishing from Pier's, etc., and find that I have fewer backlashes or memory problem. It's amazing line.

I started using Original Stren after I read this article after learning of it's abrasion resistance around 2001. Now I have the perfect combination when big fish and abrasion occupy the same waters. I don't like stren as a main line, but it makes an excellent leader.

It's a little different when fishing for steelheading, as I use Maxima U G. Not sure why, but it could be that Maxima Line continues to provide excellent results for me after all these year. Altho, nowadays I use the UG exclusively as my main line and also leader. Line breakage is less of an issue for me when i'm fishing steelhead, as it's more of a finesse fishery.

Looks good JLH. The article gave me an idea for an abrasion test to be done in the home lab...

Dear Cult of Maxima (CoMax) members,

... I have an abrasion test planned involving a drum sander, line drapped over the drum, with fixed weight attached to one end of the line. Probably use time as measure of abrasion resistance. Your brand should do well. Although from looking at the sportfishing magazines abrasion results, there might be some other brands that do amazingly well.

CoMax can expect to see the testing done sometime in May. BTW I'm not a cultist, but have been known to visit the temple of UG.

VHawk

I don't want to get banned, but I think you boys might want to include a "catchability" rating in your research...

If line "X" rates only mediocre in the lab, but catches more fish, then sign me up with Brand X.

I think there is a possibility that a FISH could see different kinds of mono at different diameters in the same water conditions...

P.S.
Are you guys really still using leader material for your mainline ?
<grin>