Annual Line Stretch Test (Updated 2016)

[FryDog62]

The last couple of years I have conducted a stretch test of a variety of fishing lines. I have now tested 20 lines – mono, co-polymer and fluorocarbon. My initial hope was to go beyond line manufacturer’s claims of “low stretch” because I found it varied greatly, and find out for myself.

I’m just an amateur and not affiliated or sponsored by anyone, but this was an interesting exercise for me. It will influence what products I buy going forward.

Like anything in fishing, I don’t think any single product will work all the time. I mostly use braid as a main line but usually tie on a leader for low visibility and abrasion resistance. In these situations I may actually opt for a leader material with more stretch to offset some of the no-stretch characteristics of braid. Other times, like when casting crank baits, I want a line with some give so I don’t tear the trebles out of the fish’s mouth. But then again, I don’t want a long hook set with a line that stretches like a rubber band either…

I hope you find the results as interesting as I did, it was kind of a fun way to kill some cabin fever the past couple years… -Fry

Here are the results, the primary update this year was selecting certain lines to be tested wet vs. dry ~

LINE STRETCH TEST

 

I used a 12 foot piece of each line and hung an 8 pound weight to see how much each line stretched in inches.  Below are the results - least stretch to most stretch.

 

All Lines 8 lb Test Lines

Trilene XT (Mono)                               21-1/4 inches of stretch

Yo-Zuri Hybrid (Co-polymer)               22-1/8 

Sufix Seige (Mono)                              22-5/8

P-Line CX Premium (Co-polymer)      23-1/2 

Maxima Treazure (Co-polymer)          24-1/2

Trilene XL (Mono)                                24-3/4

Tectan Superior (Mono)                       25-7/8

Berkley Sensation (Mono)                   26-1/8

Sunline Sniper (Fluorocarbon)             26-1/2

Gamma Touch (Fluorocarbon)            29-1/4

 Original Blue Stren (Mono)                 29-3/4

 Gamma Edge (Fluorocarbon)             31-0**

 Bass Pro XPS (Fluorocarbon)            31-3/4*

 Stren 100% (Fluorocast)                    31-3/4*

 Seaguar Tatsu (Fluorocarbon)           32-3/4

 P-Line 100% (Fluorocarbon)              33-0*

 Seaguar Invizx (Fluorocarbon)           36-0**

 Berkley 100% (Fluorocarbon)             38-3/8

 

Line snapped once and was re-tested

** Line snapped twice - length estimated

 

Broken Down By Line Type

3 Co-polymer lines average stretch:          23.4 inches

6 Monofilament lines average stretch:       25.1 inches

9 fluorocarbon lines average stretch:         32.2 inches

 

Line Diameter 

Line diameter can have an effect on stretch, but 9 of these lines all had the same diameter (.009 inches).  Those lines are broken out below.  The overall results are similar for the 3 different line types.  

 

    P-Line CX Premium (Co-polymer)      23-1/2

    Maxima Treazure (Co-polymer)          24-1/2

    Tectan Superior (Mono)                       25-7/8

    Berkley Sensation (Mono)                   26-1/8

    Sunline Sniper (Fluorocarbon)             26-1/2

    Gamma Touch (Fluorocarbon)             29-1/4

    Bass Pro XPS (Fluorocarbon)              31-3/4*

    Seaguar Tatsu (Fluorocarbon)             32-3/4

    Seaguar Invizx (Fluorocarbon)             36-0**

 

 

”Wet vs. Dry”

The above line stretch test was conducted with dry lines, which raises the question of whether mono, co-polymer and fluorocarbon lines stretch differently when wet?  Two lines in each category were soaked for 24 hours and re-tested.  Results were as follows:

 

Fluorocarbon lines

Sunline Sniper: dry 26 1/2 inches vs. wet at 27 1/8.

Berkley 100% fluorocarbon: dry 38 3/8 inches vs. wet at 39 inches.

 

Co-Polymer lines

Yo-Zuri Hybrid: dry 22 1/8 vs. wet at 25 1/4

P-Line CX Premium: 23 1/2 vs. wet at 35 1/8

 

Mono

Trilene XT: dry 21 1/4 vs. wet at 28 7/8

Trilene XL: dry 24 3/4 vs. wet at 36 1/2

 

 

Overall observations

*Newer Co-polymer lines being marketed specifically as “low stretch” for the most part seem to be accurate (when tested dry).

 

*Fluorocarbon tends to be the line with most stretch. 

 

*Monofilament tends to be somewhere in the middle, although those with a thicker diameter (i.e. Trilene XT .011 and Sufix Seige .010) did stretch less.  

 

*Line diameter may have an effect on the stretch of certain lines, but overall, lines of the same diameter seem to reflect that Co-polymer and Monofilament lines still stretch less than Fluorocarbon (when tested dry).  

 

*Mono and Co-polymer lines tend to stretch more when wet vs. dry.  Most “catch up” to fluorocarbon in terms of overall stretch, however one co-polymer (Yo-zuri Hybrid) tested lower than any fluorocarbon either wet or dry.  

 

*Fluorocarbon lines tend to break easier when stretched to their maximum breaking strength.  

 

[kickerfish1]

Interesting. Good research. Thanks for posting your findings. 

[Team9nine]

Nice job, FryDog62 

- and now you see why all the "dry tests" people do are fun to look at but somewhat meaningless. Nobody fishes with "dry" lines except during the first several minutes of a given trip. Taking your "wet" elasticity readings and looking at the data another way, you have the two fluorocarbons only averaging a 2.0% increase in stretch when wet, versus a 31.8% average increase for copolymers and a 41.7% average increase in monos. If you had also devised tests that compared these "wet" lines for knot strength and abrasion resistance, you'd see a big decrease in performance that the copolys and monos would exhibit when "wet," very similar to the decrease in performance for elasticity.

P.S. - and yes, there is a direct correlation between line diameter and % elasticity, which is why you can't compare equally "rated" lines, but instead have to compare equal "diameter" lines (regardless of rating).

-T9 

[WIGuide]

Nice work fry! Definitely love that you did a wet test too. I knew mono took on water and when it did would stretch more, but it's interesting to see just how much more it does. Very cool!

[iabass8]

Good work. 

The only issue I have /w the test, and it's not something that I would expect you to do since you're paying for your own line, is that all your tests are done on line that is all in the ballpark of 8# line. Lower diameter line definitely has quite a bit of stretch. I don't think people expect low stretch in lower pound lines as it's geared towards the finesse end of things. I'd be more interested in seeing this same type of test in the 15-20# class as these lines as you move up in fluorocarbon have significantly less stretch than their offerings in lower pound tests. 

[buzzed bait]

very cool! awesome job!

[rippin-lips]

Another reason to stick with #12 yozuri for any non braid uses. Thanks for the testing.

[S. Sass]

Nice of you to test all that and document it. 

There are probably a 100 other varying ways to test line but you have to start somewhere. Great job. I always like looking at facts and data.

I cringe when the "Pro" says it has just enough back bone or just enough stretch and throws his plug in for what ever brand. There is no standard and there is no telling what the "just enough" is but by golly the hoards will buy on that statement because of who said it as if it was God. This goes for the YouTube "Pros" as well once they sell out to a company its all about pushing that company no matter what they say. They aren't going to make a living long if they push a non sponsor item over their own their sponsor so immediately they have become biased. 

Its really refreshing that you went beyond line manufacturer’s claims to get actual data to see where each brand stood. Always the more unadulterated data collected the better decisions can be made. 

[cottny27]

I wonder about the Yo-Zuri Hybrid "ultra soft".  I spooled some up the other night, hooked up to the front door handle and walked off about 20yds.  It sure felt like some very stretchy stuff.  Perfect cranking line I'm hoping.

[bassheel]

Love to have seen the results of pline cxx. Great job!!

[Raul]

2 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

*Fluorocarbon tends to be the line with most stretch. 

So who said FC doesn´t stretch ? 

[FryDog62]

16 minutes ago, Raul said:

So who said FC doesn´t stretch ? 

I don't think anyone says that it doesn't stretch but I have heard many pros (and TV personalities) say that fluorocarbon is "low stretch," or I use this because it "stretches less than mono," etc...  Some of the packages of the lines I bought tout that too.  Heck, I even heard Al Lindner say it in a TV show this season - that one hurt especially!  He may not drink alcohol any more, but might have had a little "Kool-Aid."  

[Catt]

That's a fine bit of work!

Here's a little fuel for thought on line stretch

After making a cast my t-rig is on the bottom in 15' of water & 25 yds away from the boat. I detect a strike, drop the rod, reel any slack,& set the hook on a 3# bass.

My rod is a Shimano Crucial 6' 10" medium heavy extra fast

Using 15# Big Game how much stretch do y'all think I'll encounter.?

[Rich in Co]

Great job and thanks for the work you put in

[Molay1292]

10 minutes ago, Catt said:

That's a fine bit of work!

Here's a little fuel for thought on line stretch

After making a cast my t-rig is on the bottom in 15' of water & 25 yds away from the boat. I detect a strike, drop the rod, reel any slack,& set the hook on a 3# bass.

My rod is a Shimano Crucial 6' 10" medium heavy extra fast

Using 15# Big Game how much stretch do y'all think I'll encounter.?

Still working on it, let you know when I am done.

 

Some told me a story one time.  The owner of a shop comes to visit the manager of his worst performing store, when he notices the manager he asks how things are going.  The manager with a huge smile on his face replies that sales are 100%.   The owner walks to the register to find only two dollars in the cash register.

Moral of the story, numbers don't lie, but liars use numbers.......

[Raul]

 

 

1 hour ago, FryDog62 said:

I don't think anyone says that it doesn't stretch but I have heard many pros (and TV personalities) say that fluorocarbon is "low stretch," or I use this because it "stretches less than mono," etc...  Some of the packages of the lines I bought tout that too.  Heck, I even heard Al Lindner say it in a TV show this season - that one hurt especially!  He may not drink alcohol any more, but might have had a little "Kool-Aid."  

3 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

6 Monofilament lines average stretch:       25.1 inche

In my neck of the woods 25 is less than 32.

[Catt]

24 minutes ago, Molay1292 said:

Moral of the story, numbers don't lie, but liars use numbers.......

Moral of the story is in the real world the bass will move & the rod will flex before maximum stretch is obtained. 

Your numbers do not reflect real world conditions!

[K_Mac]

Nice work. The wet testing really shows the real world results.  Catt has caught more fish on Big Game than most of will ever catch, but that he does is more of a testament to his abilities than the line in my opinion.

I don't like the cost of fluorocarbon and would not use it if I wasn't convinced of its value based on my empirical evidence. For some techniques it is much better than copolymer or monofilament ( and yes, I know that technically copoly is one filament made of two or more polymers) in my experience. How a line "feels" or transmits vibration if you prefer, is a critical measure of its value to me in some applications. For those I will always choose fluorocarbon.

[Team9nine]

2 hours ago, Catt said:

That's a fine bit of work!

Here's a little fuel for thought on line stretch

After making a cast my t-rig is on the bottom in 15' of water & 25 yds away from the boat. I detect a strike, drop the rod, reel any slack,& set the hook on a 3# bass.

My rod is a Shimano Crucial 6' 10" medium heavy extra fast

Using 15# Big Game how much stretch do y'all think I'll encounter.?

That experiment has been done. Since you are barely generating over a pound of hook-setting force at that distance, and taking into consideration the bend of the rod, the mass of the fish, your stated depth of water and the drag effect on your line in water (and the non straight-line nature of the line in these circumstances), I believe the answer to actual line stretch is very likely less than 2' at that distance.

-T9

[Molay1292]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

Moral of the story is in the real world the bass will move & the rod will flex before maximum stretch is obtained. 

Your numbers do not reflect real world conditions!

Not my numbers brother, you're preaching at the quire.

[WRB]

When testing elastomeric polymers like fishing line hanging a dead weight over long time periods introducing time over stress factors called creep not normally experienced when fishing, except leaving knot tied over 24 hours.

The physical strength of Nylon 6 vs FC (PVDF) monofilament fishing line, elongation before break is 90% for Nylon and 200% for FC. Nylon gets stronger when it absorbs water, FC doesn't absorb water. The experiment is accurate, Nylon stretches less than FC everything being equal. 

What anglers feel as stretch is higher coefficient of drag going through water with Nylon/mono fishing line creating a bow in the line.

Tom

[Deleted account]

Those must be some cold winters...

[Molay1292]

6 minutes ago, WRB said:

When testing elastomeric polymers like fishing line hanging a dead weight over long time periods introducing time over stress factors not normally experienced when fishing, except leaving knot tied over 24 hours.

The physical strength of Nylon 6 vs FC (PVDC) monofilament fishing line, elongation before break is 90% for Nylon and 200% for FC. Nylon gets stronger when it absorbs water, FC doesn't absorb water. The experiment is accurate, Nylon stretches less than FC everything being equal. 

What anglers feel as stretch is higher coefficient of drag going through water with Nylon/mono fishing line creating a bow in the line.

Tom

”Wet vs. Dry”

The above line stretch test was conducted with dry lines, which raises the question of whether mono, co-polymer and fluorocarbon lines stretch differently when wet?  Two lines in each category were soaked for 24 hours and re-tested.  Results were as follows:

 

Fluorocarbon lines

Sunline Sniper: dry 26 1/2 inches vs. wet at 27 1/8.

Berkley 100% fluorocarbon: dry 38 3/8 inches vs. wet at 39 inches.

 

Co-Polymer lines

Yo-Zuri Hybrid: dry 22 1/8 vs. wet at 25 1/4

P-Line CX Premium: 23 1/2 vs. wet at 35 1/8

 

Mono

Trilene XT: dry 21 1/4 vs. wet at 28 7/8

Trilene XL: dry 24 3/4 vs. wet at 36 1/2

 

 

Not sure that is what these number indicate or am I reading it incorrectly?

[WRB]

FC elongation should be affected by moisture, it isn't hygroscopic.

Nylon is hygroscopic and absorbs water, cross linking the polymer chain, increasing it's elongation property. Copolymer is 2 Nylons or 1 Nylon and 1 another polymer like polyester blended, both hygroscopic behaving like Nylon. Hybrid should behave like FC if the out jacket is homogenous. Increased elongation doesn't indicate weakness, it could indicate a lower yeild strength, however long term creep was introduced in this experiment.

Force should be applied about 1/4" to 1/2" per second rate.

Tom

[PitchinJigz]

3 hours ago, WRB said:

FC elongation should be affected by moisture, it isn't hygroscopic.

Nylon is hygroscopic and absorbs water, cross linking the polymer chain, increasing it's elongation property. Copolymer is 2 Nylons or 1 Nylon and 1 another polymer like polyester blended, both hygroscopic behaving like Nylon. Hybrid should behave like FC if the out jacket is homogenous. Increased elongation doesn't indicate weakness, it could indicate a lower yeild strength, however long term creep was introduced in this experiment.

Force should be applied about 1/4" to 1/2" per second rate.

Tom

I think I need an Aspirin...