Leader Snapping

[Craig H]

Guys, I got myself some 6lb Stren Magnathin the other day to use as a leader. However, when I test my knots by hand it is snapping clean. My knots (uni to uni) are holding, but the Stren is just cleanly snapping about 2-3 inches behind the knot. Curious if anyone else has had this problem with Stren, or any other thin diameter line(s)?? It's as if the Fireline is winning a tug'o'war battle with the Stren and just making it pi$$ when I apply a quick snap of pressure.

I've always used 6lb Penn 10x for my leader which has a diameter of .25mm compared to .20mm of the Stren. The 10x holds fine and doesn't snap when I test my knots ...

Now, should I look for a fluorocarbon line that has a diameter of .25mm or go up to 10lb Stren which has the .25mm diameter? I just want to start testing/using a different leader that a little (a lot!) less visible than the Penn 10x in the water...

Thanks in advance,
Craig H

[panger]

Craig,
how hard are you pulling when you are testing your knots? I'm using 6lb Perfexion at the moment which is also .20mm. I haven't had any problems with line snapping. Maybe your Stren is from a dodgy batch like that other line.

[Stuie_02]

Hi craig

Maybe it is a bad batch of fluro thst has been sitting on the shelves for a looong time.

Maybe try tie some of the offending line to a strong point like a wall or beam. If you have some weiging measures try and pull see if ou reach 80 - 90% of the recomended strength. As uni knots are around 80 - 90% strength your line should snap at approximately 4.8lb.

Cheers
Stuie

[Bream Master]

Hmmmm...

We've had a few guys bring back some spools of Penn Powerline doing the same thing. I use this myself and haven't had any problems, but I've tested the returned spools and they do break very easily.

Maybe the quality isn't consistent from batch to batch with these manufacturers.

Warren.

[Stuie_02]

Warren

It would be nice if the manufactures placed a date of manufacturing (and expiry date) and a batch code on them so dud spools could be returned.

Cheers
Stuie

[fatman]

Just a thought,
Are you putting plenty of lubrication (spit) on the line before you pull it up tight??? My thinking is that the heat generated from pulling the knot up may be affecting the line.

FATMAN

[Craig H]

Originally posted by Stuie_02
Maybe try tie some of the offending line to a strong point like a wall or beam. If you have some weiging measures try and pull see if ou reach 80 - 90% of the recomended strength. As uni knots are around 80 - 90% strength your line should snap at approximately 4.8lb.

Cheers
Stuie

Just tied some of the Stren to a towel rack in the kitchen and it broke when the scales reached about 4.5lb ... weird. I don't put much pressure on my line when testing my knots, just like a jerky/twangy snap of the line(s). The fact is snaps cleanly with a quick tug doesn't give me much confidence of putting it in the water for when/if a decent fish hits the line hard. Gradual pressure, the line holds fine ... I'm at a loss

I'll try some Stren of the same diameter (.25mm) as the current Penn 10X I'm using and let you guys know my findings

Craig H

Hey Craig.
When a fish hits the lure, your rod is a shock absorber (yes, Rex Hunt Special!!!). When you tug at it in your hands it will break as there is no gradual increase in pressure!
try apllying a steadily increasing pressure when testing knots in the future!

Dave

[saltydog]

I have a mate who was doing exactly the same thing when testing his knots, giving it a short sharp jerk. I think it's pretty easy to under estimate how much pressure your actually putting on the line when it reaches the hardest point of the tug/jerk motion.
Tugging or jerking to hard is always going to do some damage, try using plenty of lubricant( spit will do just fine) and pulling softly, it'll last longer and perfom better.
That advice is transferable into many other situations in life. LOL

[fishcatcher]

I have got some 15lb stren and never had any problems with it and it is b!00Dy good stuff