Braid question - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Flaptail · 06-19-2004, 07:57 AM

This is one for the experts out there. We all know that most monofilament lines ( unless they are I.G.F.A. rated) break way over the stated pound test on the box. ( That's whay it says that so and so's 12 lb. test is the strongest 'cause it actually breaks somewhere nearer to 24 lbs. not 14). Anyway, how do most braids stack up as to stated pound test and actual breaking strength? For example, I use ten pound power pro on an 8 ft. St.Croix Tidemaster light spinning rod for throwing Sluggos to shallow water bass on the flats. This past week I caught a large number of bass in the 38 to 40 inch range in the mid=teens to low twenty pound range from both the skiff and walking the beach and sight casting and never had a problem even with the knob screwed down fairly snug. I am looking for hard facts if anyone has 'em. Thanks in advance for your help, Flapster.

fishweewee · 06-19-2004, 08:03 AM

I fish mostly Fireline - which is not really a true "braided" superline.

Even so, it breaks well over the advertised test. No surprises there.

Same goes for Power Pro Spectra IMO.

Slipknot · 06-19-2004, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishweewee
I fish mostly Fireline - which is not really a true "braided" superline.

Even so, it breaks well over the advertised test. No surprises there.

Same goes for Power Pro Spectra IMO.

Me too, I concur. but I'm not an expert.

Been fishing fireline for 12 years now, it breaks over it's rating unless it's well worn from being scraped on rocks.

Mike P · 06-19-2004, 08:58 PM

I would imagine that on a steady pull, most braids do break over their rated strength.

BUT--since they have no stretch, they'll break easier than mono of the same pound test if you give them a snap or a jerk.

Case in point---when I jigged the Canal with 30 # mono, there were times I had to climb to the service road and walk a hundred feet before it snapped. I gave up spooling with 40# because there were times I had to either cut it or wrap it around the reel handle to break off. With 50# braid, all I have to do is reel as tight as I can, point the tip straight at the snag and give it a couple of sharp jerks.