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)

[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/techn...-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]

Originally Posted by MidTNKayakAngler

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]

Originally Posted by MNfisher

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.]

Originally Posted by agelesssone

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]

Originally Posted by agelesssone

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]

Originally Posted by agelesssone

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.