Bionic musky/pike 80 lb braid

[agelesssone]

I purchased a spool of this braid from Sportsman's Guide website, got it yesterday.
As is my habit now, I tested it five times to see the actual breaking strength.
I was was quite dumbfounded when the first test snapped at 18 lbs. That's a shock when you are expecting 80 lbs.

I test using a 37 lb dumbbell. In 5 tests, I never got the dumbbell off the floor! The breaks all occurred at less than 30 lbs. Most breaks were 27-29 lbs.
I called SG and told them of my findings, they said they'd report it to their product research team, immediately emailed me a prepaid return sticker for the return and said they would issue a refund promptly so they a are a good company to deal with.
I'm surprised at all of the results I'm getting on these lines breaking so far below their rated strength.
I don't believe my testing methods are at fault as everything is done in a slow controlled pull to breaking. None of the knots are failing, all of the breaks are coming a few inches away from the knots.

[SalmonDaze]

I don't want to derail, but I've also had very good customer service (and pricing) from Sportsman's Guide.

Hopefully, your results will actually bubble up to someone in a tech management position who will respond accordingly.

Unfortunately, I expect you'll receive what you least desire: a case of the same line. (on the house) :p

[XxthejuicexX]

Here is an article I skimmed through this morning. He seems to cover a lot of different areas of diameter and break strength in it.

http://www.sportfishingmag.com/techniques/rigs-and-tips/sport-fishing-line-test-2011?page=0,0

[Travis C.]

Merv, I enjoy reading your tests as they are very interesting.

Here is a thought though. On your tests, have you tried testing the pound breakage of a line on a rod then tied to a 30lb weight. I imagine a lot of rods would break dead lifting that off the floor before a line broke.

Just a thought on not getting too caught up into what a line breaks at when not in real life scenarios (water, rod and drag).

[Reel Tune]

Thanks for your reports Merv, as they are very interesting.

Thanks Travis good point. I know some people who will thumb the spool. I once got a reel into the shop that was spooled with something like 80lb braid. I didn't really test it before tearing it down and the owner didn't say anything was wrong just needed cleaned, and re-lubed. After I finish I test all equipment cast, retrieve, and drag. I went to cast and the spool wouldn't move. Upon further investigation the spool axle was bent. I found out the guy had locked the spool with his thumb when snagged to free his bait, and suspect this is when the spool shaft was bent. I don't know what kind of pressure it takes to bend a spool shaft, but looks like much less than 80lb.

[MNfisher]

Thanks for your reports Merv, as they are very interesting.

Thanks Travis good point. I know some people who will thumb the spool. I once got a reel into the shop that was spooled with something like 80lb braid. I didn't really test it before tearing it down and the owner didn't say anything was wrong just needed cleaned, and re-lubed. After I finish I test all equipment cast, retrieve, and drag. I went to cast and the spool wouldn't move. Upon further investigation the spool axle was bent. I found out the guy had locked the spool with his thumb when snagged to free his bait, and suspect this is when the spool shaft was bent. I don't know what kind of pressure it takes to bend a spool shaft, but looks like much less than 80lb.


Very interesting Jeremy. I've done this hundreds of times, never thought about bending the spool shaft!


Mike

[jad2t]

Very interesting Jeremy. I've done this hundreds of times, never thought about bending the spool shaft!


Mike

x2, I won't be doing that anymore. Losing a lure is less expensive than damaging the reel!

[agelesssone]

Lots of good thoughts there guys. I wish I had an answer as to whether my testing methods are at fault.

The only lines that measure up to full advertised strength are the lower poundage lines 4/6/8/10.

I've probably tested 20 different lines and had way to many low poundage breakages. Only the monos I have tested come close to advertised ratings.
I tested one of my braids (20 lb) at the first two feet off the end of the rod. 6 lbs. it broke a! I had almost no pressure on it when it broke.

I'll be changing out the first three yards of line on every reel I use after that revelation. It must get worn or weak from the casting of those heavy baits we are throwing for the rockfish.

I would love to have one of those fancy testing machines you can hook to a computer and watch the curve until it breaks.

And no, I haven't tried lifting a 30 lb weight with a rod. I doubt if many would hold up to that without breaking. I had a guy break an 8' rod last summer trying to hoist a 9# catfish over the side of the boat.

@Juice. I went and looked at the charts that were posted in your link and that is more on the order of what I expected to see. I wish I would have been able to duplicate his findings, but obviously my method isn't nearly as sophisticated as his.

Unfortunately for me, my mind is now clouded with how low some of my lines broke in comparison to his charts. Guess I'll never be completely satisfied with my lines now!

[Travis C.]

I've probably tested 20 different lines and had way to many low poundage breakages. Only the monos I have tested come close to advertised ratings.

That is partly due to no industry standard for the line manufacture's. In the fly fishing world the lines adhere to AFTMA standards. They weigh the first 30ft and all say 6 weight lines have to fall in compliance to a range regardless of brand.

Too bad conventional lines can't fall under a similar scale to tensile strength where you can make a choice based on diameter/quality knowing it is apples to relative apples breaking wise.

[JKTrevecca]

Merv the information you're sharing is great. We should all pitch in to pay y I u for some of the line you've been testing! I was really frustrated in the fall last year. I bought a spool of 20 pound fluoro to use as leader material. My main line is 20 pound mono. In fact... I use the stuff from bass pro that is on the big spools sitting ton the bottom shelf. I think it's called offshore angler.. anyway. To my surprise I broke several leaders fighting big stripers and never broke my main line. Only got one fish in the boat that day and it was 29.5 pounds. I really wish I didn't have the fluorosis on cuz it broke before my cheapo mono. And... to be honest. I don't think fluorosis is worth the hype. I haven't noticed a higher strike frequency with it for sure . These are my favorite threads on here. Well... other than the ones with me reporting catching HUGE water zebras... geez I am ready for spring and getting my home projects wrapped up!

Sent from my KFSOWI using Tapatalk

[tacklemake]

I don't know why you don't just tie straight to the lure the fish don't care about the line you are using their eyes are only on the lure............woody

[agelesssone]

I'm thinking like Woody (OH GAWD, SOMEBODY SHOOT ME!)

No fluorocarbon leaders, tie straight to the lure.

[XxthejuicexX]

I'm thinking like Woody (OH GAWD, SOMEBODY SHOOT ME!)

No fluorocarbon leaders, tie straight to the lure.

Yeah, you start tying all these knots and you are setting yourself up for failure. I try not to tie a leader but have for super clear water when fishing jigs/plastics with braid.

[agelesssone]

Super clear water....in Tennessee?

Fishing in your bath tub?

Levels of clarity in JPP and OH...Dingy.....Stained....Murky.....Muddy....Mud.

[XxthejuicexX]

Super clear water....in Tennessee?

Fishing in your bath tub?

Levels of clarity in JPP and OH...Dingy.....Stained....Murky.....Muddy....Mud.


My location with Grass can get really clear, especially this time of year. I have fished priest with 30lb braid straight to the worm and never noticed catching less fish than just on co polymer.

[Travis C.]

It could just be me but I actually have noticed a difference fishing flukes at the barrier. There have been times that I was lazy and didn't tie back on just went straight.

When jig/fluke fishing I use spiderwire 20lb braid to big game 20 mono leader and hardly ever just break off on a fish. I do break off on snags which is a little harder to get enough pull out of a kayak but on a fish it is small % of the time.

[tkwalker]

Here it is my take on all of the new fishing line and ...well, lets get into the modern lures that is being hawked for $10 a pop ....

It seems to me that the tackle manufacture (like our medical health Insurers) are in control instead of the fishermen and Doctors ... They are in control of what we buy !! ...

First Braid ... I tried in in the early 80's ... Very abrasive and wore most rod eyes out unless you spent the extra $$ for expensive rods ... Secondly no stretch ... Which is important if you have been in this game as long as I have .... And Like Travis stated ... Rod makeup (Softness of tip and basic Backbone and lastly Drag setting ... And the skill of the operator)..

In All of my guiding career I have used two brands of line ... And promise have never had a break off encounter fighting a fish ... That is 50 pound Berkley Big Game Trilene on my Planner board rods ... And P line (30/40 pound) on my casting rods ... And as you know I have documented a lot of fish in the 40 to 60 pound range ...

As far as lures ... The manufactures has you mesmerized ... They won't you to think the baits that was used 20, 30 40, and even 50 years ago won't catch fish ... Folks I still use 300 and 400, and 500 series Bombers that My dad Bought in the 50's ... and believe me they will still catch fish ...

I think Tacklemake (Woody) said it best they are after the bait and don't see the line ... I tried the 2 pound line on my stocked pond for Shell crackers, copper nose, crappie etc ... Problem my old eyes even with my new Store bought testicles ( I mean Spectacles) I can't see to tie the knots ... 6 to 8 pound line catch as many fish ... I also fly fish ... Now the purist has to get down to such a minute tippet (and I know, a lot of this is for casting) but I can take my 6 pound P Line on a spinning reel and catch 3 to 1 more trout than he can ... So I question visibility as a factor ... Also I have Participated and won a few and placed in numerous Semi pro Bass Tournaments.. in the 70's and 80's ... And to todays standards of lures and line they were crude ... But we caught more fish than today and the catch and release was not near as strict ?

Bottom line ... I have been fishing for over 6 decades ... Still catching fish with some of the same vintage tackle ... I don't think the fish are getting smarter, we are just getting dumber in our thinking of what the Tackle manufactures are trying to sell us ... Remember ... "A wheel is a wheel, some are just fancier than others, but they all go ROUND and ROUND" ... My 2 cents worth ... <'TK>< :)

[agelesssone]

Very good observations young man!
I think I am going back to "old school" fishing.
Definitely a lot cheaper.