P-Line CXX Breaking Strength

[BassThumb]

I read online : that P-Line CXX has greater strength then what it lists, and that the breaking point of the 6# test line is closer to 10 lbs.

I'm very skeptical. Is this nonsense? This would be a terrific selling point if it were true, yet it's not being used to market CXX.

Thanks for being patient.

[David P]

CXX breaking strength can be described in one word, well two. Absolutely UNBELIEVABLE.

I have pulled up entire trees pretty much with 15lb cxx, and have never once broke off with the 20 or 25lb that I use. (I have broken off 20 and 25lb fluoro from several companies).

I don't know the exact numbers, and have never used 6lb test, but everything from 12-30 I have used, and it has not broken. The one thing I will say is it's not a very manageable line, more memory then fluorocarbon, that's why I use it mostly as a leader.

[BassThumb]

Good to know.  I've only used the 4, 6, and 17# tests.  I like the lighter tests quite a bit, but I wasn't happy at all with the 17# test for pitching.  My distance was very limited and the memory was like nothing I've used before, and I ended up stripping it off after a few trips and using it for C Rig leaders around nasty snags.

[J Francho]

KVD Line & Lure Conditioner alleviates the management issues.  In general, I stick to 8, 10, and 12# diameters.  For super heavy cover, where zebra/Qragga mussels will make mincemeat of braid, I go with 15#.  Quite a few buddies use 20# for swimbaits.

[burleytog]

If you want strength and abrasion resistance, you must sacrifice other qualities. 

CXX in 15+ is an acquired taste.  I run 4 and 6 on a couple of spinning reels, the 6 is almost impossible to break.

[ChrisAW]

I was doing some knot tests the other night with some 8# CXX. The line was breaking around 14 pounds every time, if the knots I was testing didn't break first.

[Triton20XSD]

CXX is very strong.  I only use it in 15# test for spinnerbaits & buzzbaits.  I did use if for pitching creature baits but switched to braid this year.

[Big Bait Fishing]

here is a chart with some different line strengths - http://www.gamefishin.com/wa/features/linetest.htm you have to scroll down a bit , but yeah CXX is very strong , alot of people will say "but it has a thicker diameter than others at that line weight " . CXX's dia. IS bigger , for example , their 10 lb. line is most everyones 12 lb. line size , but it is usually stronger than their 12 lb. line by alot . the only other lines that averages out to be as strong is Gamma co-poly and trilene XT . but anyhow 10 lb. CXX tests out to 22.737 lbs.

[Jason Penn]

I use PLine sometimes and it is very tough.  I use the 12# for jigs & plastics and that's about as high up as I get.  I tried the 15# one time and it was just too stiff. 

I've never broke off the 12# so I don't see any need to go higher than that.  I feels very similar in diameter to 15# Triple Fish perlon, but I don't know the actual measurements.  The TF line is a very good value and one of my favorite lines.

[J Francho]

here is a chart with some different line strengths - http://www.gamefishin.com/wa/features/linetest.htm you have to scroll down a bit , but yeah CXX is very strong , alot of people will say "but it has a thicker diameter than others at that line weight " . CXX's dia. IS bigger , for example , their 10 lb. line is most everyones 12 lb. line size , but it is usually stronger than their 12 lb. line by alot . the only other lines that averages out to be as strong is Gamma co-poly and trilene XT . but anyhow 10 lb. CXX tests out to 22.737 lbs.

For the most part, its just the 10# line that is bigger.  If you use Trilene XT as a benchmark, you'll find that CXX is actually smaller in diameter in many other sizes.  However, it "feels" and "fishes" bigger. 

[Raul]

With the exception of Ande Tornament all lines break above the breaking strength that 's printed on the label. Some a little bit more, other way more than what the label says; CXX is one of those lines that break way above what 's printed on the label.

So there 's no "terrific selling point" in there, Ande Tournament 's terrific selling point is that it 's IGFA approved and for those seeking line class records is what matters, that the line they are fishing with doesn 't over test.

[Paul Roberts]

Line break "ratings" are pure marketing BS. Wish they'd just tell it like it is. We can handle it from there.

[burleytog]

Line break "ratings" are pure marketing BS. Wish they'd just tell it like it is. We can handle it from there.

Which is why line purchases should be made based upon diameter rather than arbitrary line test ratings.

[Paul Roberts]

Line break "ratings" are pure marketing BS. Wish they'd just tell it like it is. We can handle it from there.

Which is why line purchases should be made based upon diameter rather than arbitrary line test ratings.

That's where I start. Then I look at other specific properties I might need: abrasion resistance, handling, density, color, stretch, ... .

Most premium lines are close enough in break strength/diameter to work just fine. P-Line and some others come out really well in the "splitting hairs" tensile strength tests. Enough that if you're going to fork over 6 to 8 bucks for line, might as well split hairs.

Just realize that diameter affects presentation the most -in terms of depth and speed control, as well as sensitivity, lure response, flotation, etc... . If your present "10lb line" mics at .011 and you switch brands, esp to one of the "XTRA..." lines, your new "10lb" could come in at .014! Read the box, or consult a chart, before you fork over your 8 bucks.

CXX is a GREAT line. It kills me to read the reviews of people hating it bc "it tangles". Well it's way under-rated in break strength (bc the 10lb is NOT a 10lb line) and it's an abrasion resistant formula making it somewhat wiry to boot.

I guess I can, reluctantly, understand the marketing issues line companies have, in that most people don't care to know all the properties line formulas can possess, and the need to balance them to create a named product that people will buy.

[BassThumb]

With the exception of Ande Tornament all lines break above the breaking strength that 's printed on the label. Some a little bit more, other way more than what the label says; CXX is one of those lines that break way above what 's printed on the label.

So there 's no "terrific selling point" in there, Ande Tournament 's terrific selling point is that it 's IGFA approved and for those seeking line class records is what matters, that the line they are fishing with doesn 't over test.

This is all good to know.

[Raul]

CXX is a GREAT line. It kills me to read the reviews of people hating it bc "it tangles". Well it's way under-rated in break strength (bc the 10lb is NOT a 10lb line) and it's an abrasion resistant formula making it somewhat wiry to boot.

I guess I can, reluctantly, understand the marketing issues line companies have, in that most people don't care to know all the properties line formulas can possess, and the need to balance them to create a named product that people will buy.

That 's the whole "black hole" in the question, most people just go and purchase line under the assumption that all lines are equal when in reality they are not, people never care to ask before the properties of the line, in theory the people at the store should know the reality is that they do not, or at least in my experience, I 've been to the following BPS stores: St. Louis, Springfield, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, from 5 stores only at St. Louis I found a couple of gentlemen ( seniors ) that knew about fishing tackle in depth, the same applies to other stores like Academy, the people over the counter don 't know tackle !  ; so what kind of advice you can expect about fishing line from somebody that doesn 't know tackle ?

Well, you got BR to ask about tackle cuz there 's a lot of knowledgeable and professional tackle junkies in here.

In the case of CXX, it 's a great line but for crying out loud, don 't push it, you can get away with in most of the situations with the lower tests available ( 6-8-10 ), if you need to uproot stumps, well go to the higher tests ( 12- 15- 17 ).

[BassThumb]

Well put, Raul.