In recent months been experimenting with super lines. I have only tried two, Tuffline 30# and Spiderwire Fusion 24#. I have noticed that although the lines seem incredibly strong out of water, once snagged they appear to break far below their claimed breaking weight. With this in mind, I recently ran three tests with each of the following lines. By the way, my scale is quite old and very coarse but does provide some semi-consistent range of measure. I tested the lines using both palomar and improved clinch knots tied to a hook. In about half of the cases, the line broke at or near the knot. For comparison, and a scale check, I also tested a couple of monofilament lines as well. Here is what I found:

1. Tuffline 30#

Broke at 16, 19, 19

2. Spiderwire Fusion 24#

Broke at 17, 19, 19

3. Maxima 8# mono (brown stuff)

Broke at 11, 8, 11

4. Ande 15#

Broke at 17, 17, 13

I am curious as to whether or not anyone else has found similar results while fishing super lines. Are there super lines that actually break at their claimed weight?

Happy Angling!!

RM

The 80# Whiplash I use on my bottom-fishing rigs tests well over 80# in the garage. Last time out on the salt, I broke off maybe a dozen 30# leaders on snags, using the same piece of Whiplash 80# mainline. I'm not trying to catch 80# fish, BTW. I just like having a bomber mainline in the salt, especially with the kids getting snagged every 30 seconds ;-).

Yes, it's expensive. But, it seems to hold up VERY well, and the reduction in cross section and sensitivity make it perfectly suited for bottom-fishing. I can feel my sinker tap the bottom in 200' of water.

It's also great for fishing salmon, in the salt anyway. Maybe it's not "right" for more demanding river fishing, though. Certainly you have to be more careful about which knot you use, and the incredibly small cross section might work against you in some circumstances -- you'll gash your hand to the bone if you try to break off a snag bare-handed.

Regards.

Mike
Woodinville

Power Pro

RM, from reading your post about the problem you are having with your superbraid lines breaking at the knot may be because of the type of knots you mentioned using. Because this line is very slippery you have to use the double palomar knot instead of single, and a double looped Trilene knot instead of a single or even double clinch knot. When you have a proper knot these lines, such as Tuff Line, come as strong as advertised and then some! I have broken off numerous 30 lb. Maxima Chameleon leaders with the same 30 lb. or 40 lb. Tuff Line mainline knot while fishing tidewater kings, and getting snagged up in branches and root wads. The stuff has no competition for fish senstivity and backbouncing lead weighted rigs because of it's water cutting thinness and no stretch factors. That's what they advertise and that's what I've experienced. Always try to wind it on your spool under some tention to cut down on backlash potential. BTW, it also floats on top of the water when floatfishing, making it easier to mend. Learn how to use this line, at least for kings, and you will simply become a better fisherman.

Edit: I will also mention that Maxima and Berkley XT line are improperly rated stronger than other lines because they are the diameter of the next strength up compared to other lines. In other words, 8 lb. Maxima is actually 10 lb. line, and 17 lb. XT is actually 20 lb. line. I agree that the strength per line diameter of the Berkley Big Game line is very impressive for mono. Ande Tournament Green is close. And they cost less than the Maxima, which is also very good line though. Just don't kid yourself that you landed a 50 lb chinook on 10 lb. test line if it was with Maxima or XT; because you landed it with around 12 lb. line.

RT

[ 05-15-2001: Message edited by: RT 1 ]

Hey RT,

Perhaps I was not clear on what was happening with the Tuffline and Spiderwire during the test. I too was first suspicious about the knots. However, what I found was that the knot was seldom the weakest link, breakage was completely random regardless of the knot used.

What concerns me is the breaking point which was consistently way below the advertised poundage for Tuffline and Spiderwire. It is possible that I recieved a "bad batch" of Tuffline and Spiderwire and in all fairness I should try another. By the way, I tested 20# Fireline last night and in every case it broke over the advertised poundage--22, 22, 21. And, I did find that nearly all of the monos lived up to their poundage further confirming the validity of the test.

You do have me thinking now, however; I will put the double polomar to test and see what happens. Have a great day and don't tell anybody about that secret springer spot.

RM

What secret springer spot? Also RM, I would use the 40 lb. superbraids; they are still plenty thin. But I am suprised by your findings. I haven't done tests like you have; I'm only going on the consistency of breaking the heavier mono before the superbraids break while fishing. Let me know what further you find out. Thanks.

Secret Springer Spots! Help me please. I need to catch a Spring so Bad . I am Hurting to feel the power. Where is this secret, maybe i can fish it with ya! Steve

Hey Glo, you got a couple zippers either side of ya that should be filling up with springers right now with these rains. I think you can figure those out.