Hi guys:
Is there a general rule as to how strong braids are compared to mono ? I mean lb test of braid is as strong as ? lb test of mono.

Bill - willierods.com

They are the same on a steady pull. The difference will be the diameter. 10lb braid will be much smaller than 10lb mono will be. Diameter for diameter the braid will be stronger than the mono.

One thing that I have noticed is that due to not having as much stretch, on an impact the braid will break at less than the mono will.

10 lb braid is about the same diameter as 4 lb mono.

I have 4 lb braid on my UL. I would not take this in hand and try to break it. It will probably take my fingers off. But I would take 4 lb mono and know it will break, easy. I know it is thinner, but what about how strong is it ? Compared to mono. 4 lb braid as strong as 10 lb mono, any general rules here ?

Bill - willierods.com

Each manufacturer's product line is different. However, on average ... 10# braid will break at 23-26#. Braid will break much at a much lower rating when "shocked" or snapped abruptly. Pulled slow and steady, it is some tough stuff. The higher the line test, the more closely it comes to the actual rating. For example, 50# Power Pro actually breaks around 55#. That's a far cry from 10# Power Pro breaking at over twice the rating on the box.

As with BOTH line types, most are way under rated on the box.

It's great to buy a line marked 4lb test and have it to be as strong as 8lb test, it SELLS and everyone is happy, thus it's done.

I'd say the average 4/10 braid would have a breaking strength of about 17lbs. Just figure the box rating and up it by 5/8 and you're close.

Some lines do have actual breaking tests per box ratings, but they are rare.

DR

In comparing braid to mono you have to specify what brands of braid and what brand of mono. Breaking strength of each vary a lot depending of who makes them. I have used 10# Power pro braid with 10# Maxima UG as a top shot. They are both about the same strength as far as steady pull. If you were to measure the strength they both would probably break at about 14# of force. Braid will cut you a lot easier because of it's smaller diameter and not because it is stronger given the same strength rating on the spool. The smaller diameter of braid is an advantage and also a disadvantage. Advantage in that it casts a lot easier in spinning gear than mono and it has much less drag in the water allowing you to go deeper with lighter weights. Disadvantage because it breaks very eaily when rubbed against a sharp rock. That is the main reason why people use a top shot with braid when fishing for bass.

"Pound Test" cannot be directly compared. For instance, "10 lb test" means that the line will break at or above that figure. So a line that will sustain 100 pounds before breaking can be marketed as 10 lb test. This is why one company's 10 lb test can be stronger than another's 10 lb test.

The only fair way to compare lines is with a class rating, or diameter.

...............

It would be nice if there was a standard testing procedure and the test results were printed on the box... too much money at stake for that to ever happen.

The other difference that has just been touched on is there is hardly no stretch with braid. It is harder on both rods and reels. Shock effect with quick hard sets even on your hand, wrist and forearm can be a problem. Or a rod snapping and coming back into your face. This is more of a problem if you are fishing close, say flipping for bass at 15 ft. . Line breakage with whip lash went a reel backlashes and the bait comes to a sudden halt has a greater chance of snapping the line than mono.

But braid it does have its advantages!

Bill,
If you buy line that is certified for world class fishing records, - whether it is braid or mono - the line is required to break at the manufacturers markings on the spool.
However, if it is general purpose line sold for fishing, the manufacturers will sell the strongest line that will sell well at a given breaking strength. Often this is 2-10 times stronger than markings on the box. True for both braid as well as mono.
Most is dependent on the particular manufacturer.

Take care
Roger


If in doubt - take a spring scale - tie a double loop in the line - hook one end over a post and pull until the line breaks. If you get a scale that saves the maximum deflection point, you can simply pull the scale until the line breaks and the number will be saved on the scale.

Roger

It has always amazed me that i can troll with 17# line, get hung up and pull a 24' boat going 1-2mph backwards.
this is an interesting thread, i got answers to several things i have always been curious about.

At least the braid brands in Jap have adopted a standard. Breaking strain is out of the door and diameters are in. Search for PE lines and a lot of info will come up. Fishos in Oz are now putting this standard to use. As an example. My hyper certate 400 was easy to fill with braid.....specs on the reel state 300m of PE2.......PE2 is the diameter and in average quality braid it breaks at about 20lb and in better and more expensive 8ply stuff it can break even higher. I picked up a 300m spool of Diawa sensor8 PE2 which breaks at 35lb and the reel took all the line. The rod I put that on I have also rated as PE2 line instead of the traditional 20-30lb. The PE2 designation on the rod shows its designed to cast and manage that line diameter. For strength rating I use a max drag@45 degrees and @90 degrees instead

Having a 4# rated mono actually possessing a 12# breaking strength or a 20# braid break at 45# poses no problem for me. I choose my line with a minimum poundage rating that is required for the type of fishing and the diameter/flex that is need for efficient casting for the reel/rod being used. The additional breaking strength is just a bonus.

The idea is looking at the lines diameter to determine it's strength. You can look at the IGFA rated lines (both spectra and nylon) and get a pretty good handle on what diameter line matches what "pound test". Apply these numbers to the line you buy. I suspect that most of us, myself included, if we were to have lines that were actual breaking strengths, we'd be dis-appointed with them after being use to whats boxed today.

DR

I guess the only way is to use the scale method to find out the lb test breaking strenght.
Guess like all else nothing written in stone.

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/20/2009 07:03PM by bill boettcher.