Got out the scales and spools of line the last couple of nights and learned some unpleasant truths about age and fishing lines, and Vanish, the new 'wonder line':

1. Even storing mono in the dark doesn't keep it from deteriorating. I own three types of line in bulk spools -- Maxima Ultragreen, Maxima Chameleon and Excalibur Silverthread in 6-20lb tests. I have both fresh spools, 1-2 year spools, and a couple of spools up to three years old. Using handscales and double uniknots at each end (a 100% knot if there ever was one), I broke a sample of everything from every age group. Conclusion: Maxima and Excalibur ST fresh break 10% over their rated line strength.

One year old Maxima and Excalibur break at more or less their rated line strength, and three year old Maxima Ultragreen 20lb breaks at 17-18lbs (vs. 22-24lbs for the fresh stuff). Remember, this is line that's fresh from the bulk spools (which are stored in a suitcase). The only reason why this might not hold true for readers is that (maybe) mono lasts longer is stored at cooler temperatures. My house is about 80F year round (Singapore sits on the equator). Maybe the extra heat causes premature aging (though 80 degrees doesn't quite approach what happens in a trunk on a summer's day and I would think that colder temps make line brittle).

Given all the dough I spend on fishing as it is, I guess I'm going to stop buying the 'economical' 2000-3000 yard spools and go back to 660-1000 yards at a time and use it all up before buying fresh line.

2. Berkley's 14lb 'Vanish'Fluorocarbon has very poor knot strength. Extremely poor, in fact. Tying 14lb Vanish to 10lb Maxima Ultragreen with a blood knot causes the Vanish to pull out at 9-10lbs. Not a disaster since the UG is only rated at 10lbs, but since it breaks at 11-11.5 lbs I'd rather have the extra margin of comfort in case Ike climbs on board. All the other knots (double and triple surgeon's, and back-to-back uniknots) failed at much lower levels -- like 5lbs of pull!

DOES ANYONE HAVE A SPECIAL WAY OF TYING FC TO MONO? If so, I'd love to hear from you.

Finally, I broke the FC in the middle using double uniknots and found fresh 14lb Vanish broke at 11-12.5 lbs. (Same scales show 10lb fresh Maxima Ultragreen breaking at 11+). OK, I know that mono gets weak(er) when it's soaked in water and FC doesn't, but I would expect fresh 14lb FC to break at something closer to 14lbs. The FC is going back to Bass Pro for a trade-in: I want my Maxima back!

Special way to tie flourocarbon: veeerry carefully. Every August/September I use fluorocarbon when the rivers get so damn low that my confidence begins to wane using mono. And I am usually frustrated with a fish or two lost to breakage or having to tie knots two and three times before they hold.

Problem I have is line fraying when you pull the knot tight. Had this problem with clinch knots, blood knots, and surgeons. Somebody posted a few months ago that he used smelly jelly on the line before tieing and this provided enough lube to prevent fray. Confess I haven't tried it, but will, come the dog days.

Interesting to hear your results on 14 lb FC. I was considering using a 3-4' FC leader above a dart when fishing for kings. Now I think I won't.

Flourocarbon is notorious for fraying at the knot when not lubricated (spit). The friction of the knot being tied weakens the line. Also try tying it with the trilene knot for your test.

You can also try using super glue on your mono to flourocarbon knot or use the loop to loop method. Mono to flourocarbon has been a hot topic for flyfishermen making there own leaders. Let us know your results

Tight lines

------------------
Marty
www.steelheader.net
marty@steelheader.net

The only thing I can add that isn't a rehash of the 1-18-2000 fluorocarbon thread is to look at your fluorocabon line knots with a jewlers loupe or a magnifing glass. If you can see any sign of fraying, it's a weak knot. The trilene knot is the only knot that works for tying fluorocarbon to a swivel ect. I have decided the hassle of getting good knots with fluorocarbon by lubricating with smelly jelly and very close inspection isn't worth the advantages except in very clear water and/or very line shy fish.
I knot tested with a scale, admittedly very unscientific, a couple of new(to me) lines lately
jinkai 16lb .013dia. broke @ 16-17
tectan 17.4lb .0125dia. broke@ 17-18
compared to:
max u.g. 15lb .015dia broke @ 16-17
gamakatsu 17lb .014dia broke@ 21-23

The tectan casts like a dream.
The gama will pull 20lb multiple times and still go over 20 before breaking.