Cheap braid test

[Prof Peach]

Lots of speculation and as always some slate and others swear by it so I thought I'd do a quick experiment at work on a tensile test machine specifically setup to test fishing line breaking strain.

I did a shop on fleabay, went for a line diameter similar to the 0.36mm 15lb mono I use for my main beachcaster. I opted for a 50lb cheapo 300m roll from China, £5.38 delivered and the same 0.36mm diameter. Took 2 weeks to arrive and I looked at a few options to test.

The main one for me was the straight line test. 10 pulls, discarded highest and lowest results and averaged the others.
As it happens, they were all within 2lb which if nothing else shows a higher level of consistency than you get with mono.
Result on claimed 50lb was actual 43lb breaking midline every time. Not the claimed 50lb but a damm site stronger than the same diameter mono.

I also tried a few knots connecting braid to rovex 50lb shockleader and tested a few that people "swear by". All with disappointing results. Highest slipped out at 23lb. I suppose it's still more than I'd ever get with a 15lb mono but I'm looking for a better way to tie them to get nearer the 43lb braid strength.

Can I ask that people suggest your favourite braid to shockleader knot and a link to show how it's done and I'll try a few next week at work and post some more detailed results.

[Tadpoleman]

Tie a little half hitch in the end of your braid to stop it pulling thru !

[moocher]

Albright Special - How to tie a Albright Special

[Mogthemackem]

Only thing I've found from cheaper braid is how abrasive it is or isn't as the case I found with the couple I tried. After a few sessions it seemed to snap quite easily but not sure if that was also due to sea salt rotting it?

[Karl M]

Always an albright. A knot can reduce the breaking strain by as much as 50%, so your never going to get the same breaking strain when adding knots to line. Hope this helps

[Prof Peach]

Cheers for the replies. I'll test more, specifically the Albright versions next week.

I work in the terminal tackle industry and weak inconsistent knots are par for the course and figures vary widely from 10% to 75% line strength lost due to knots and crimps. Even the Alan Yates's and Barney Wright's of this world weaken lines when disfiguring it with knots and crimps.

We tested a well known, off the shelf brand recently and didn't get a single sea rig with even half of the claimed body strength in tests. Frightening when you think anglers are up and down the coast pendulum casting them thinking they are safe as it's a "quality" brand.

What I'm looking for is the best, strongest, practical to tie knot out of the bunch but unlike others who might have tried a few, I'm able to test the options accurately as I have access to a tensile test machine. I'm assuming (and I will test to confirm) the best knot for cheap braid will work equally well if not better with branded expensive options.

I've found similar straight pull tests and results for pricey braid but nothing to test different knots.

[Kev1n]

Interesting results. I wonder how the other brands of braid compare with the cheap imports.

[Bolta]

I always use the GT Knot for braid to mono shock leader knot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R3_znSAPz8

[Karl M]

Cheers for the replies. I'll test more, specifically the Albright versions next week.

I work in the terminal tackle industry and weak inconsistent knots are par for the course and figures vary widely from 10% to 75% line strength lost due to knots and crimps. Even the Alan Yates's and Barney Wright's of this world weaken lines when disfiguring it with knots and crimps.

We tested a well known, off the shelf brand recently and didn't get a single sea rig with even half of the claimed body strength in tests. Frightening when you think anglers are up and down the coast pendulum casting them thinking they are safe as it's a "quality" brand.

What I'm looking for is the best, strongest, practical to tie knot out of the bunch but unlike others who might have tried a few, I'm able to test the options accurately as I have access to a tensile test machine. I'm assuming (and I will test to confirm) the best knot for cheap braid will work equally well if not better with branded expensive options.

I've found similar straight pull tests and results for pricey braid but nothing to test different knots.

Good info, Thanks

[tatch]

Bimini Yucatan you wont find stronger

Bimini in braid then Yucatan to attach leader this one as many descriptions are of an Albright Yucatan Knot - How to tie a Yucatan Knot you wont find a stronger knot a very good site here for line test results as well as knots Paulus Just Fishing

[DaveH]

.

Really interesting read mate, looking forward to your further posts on this.

[Lynnzer]

Superglue

I'd be keen to find out if the knot strength is increased with superglue.
I always dab a bit on a leader knot for safety sake.

[Prof Peach]

A dab of glue is one option I'll test. Not sure superglue might brittle the line.

[Lynnzer]

A dab of glue is one option I'll test. Not sure superglue might brittle the line.

I'm guessing it'll make a rigid contact which may be prone to snapping.
Hope not though. Or should I say" hope knot".

Lost another 2 leads last night from what I'd say were bad knots.