Braided Line Strength

[Andrewphe]

Hey Guys,

I am new here though I have been fishing for quite some time. I have read some posts and forums from this site and thought I would give it a go. I was wondering about braided fishing line and its test strength. I currently use 15 pound test as a finesse fisherman. I have looked up many videos and posts about braided line quality and strength and have seen videos where the braided fishing line breaks with only 80-85% of its break weight applied (ex: 15lb breaks with 12-13 lbs applies; 50lb breaks with 40-42lbs applied). Is this normal or is the line shown (Kastking, Suffix, Powerpro, Spiderwire) just faulty or bad line? Thanks, hope my question is clear! 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Most of the many braids I have tested the knot strength has been higher than rated test. Seagar kanzen and smackdown are two that break under their rating. My 15# rated kanzen the knot breaks 9-12 pounds. My 30# rated smackdown gives out around 22 pounds. 

15# powerpro super 8 slick holds to 19-20 pounds. 20# pps8s holds 24 pounds. Knot I use to test Palomar and fish-n-fool.

[Team9nine]

It's variable and will depend upon the rating used by a particular manufacturer (there is no standard). Understand that when considering absolute line strength, braid is the worst of the many types of available line in regards to knot strength. Knot strength commonly ranges from 40-60% of actual line strength. Manufacturers have to take this into consideration when rating their line (braid). They don't know which knot you'll tie, and how well you'll tie it. They thus tend to rate their braided line at around half actual strength to adjust for this, but again, no standard, so some will rate a little higher, some lower. Given the variability around knot types, I wouldn't be overly concerned as to ratings as a whole. Instead, its better to pick a brand and then get comfortable with the variations you see within a particular line so you don't end up surprised or disappointed.

[LxVE Bassin]

I have fished 30#-50# braid. Never had a fish break me off with any of these pound tests. I only use palamor and snell knots. I have pulled everything from large pipes and large branches out of the water with  30# braid. Then only time I have experience break offs is when I get caught on something that can't be moved. I mainly used Power Pro and Suffix but have used spider wire.