Question about strength of braid

[WaukeshaKid]

So i bought some 20 lb test braid over the weekend for my saltwater rod. I tied a knot on one of my lures to test it out and when i pulled to tighten the knot the line snapped. This is supposed to be 20 lb test line and yet i can snap it with my bare hands. Is this normal for braid? or should i return it.

[KenH]

I've only used Braid for ice fishing but I do know I couldn't break 8 lb test braid
with my hands. That just doesn't sound normal.

[steelheader]

you should return it that happened to me a couple of years ago. I never found out why what knot are you using I have found the polomar knot to be the best

[VinnyH]

Welcome steelheader!

I had tried Power Pro braid 3 seasons ago and found it to fray and snag (digging in on the reel) on my baitcasters too much. I'm not a very experienced angler but it wasn't the miracle braid others had told me.

I switched to Spiderwire braid and have been happy since. The Spiderwire braid has a coating that seems to help with snags, and has been more abrasion resistant.

One thing I have learned is that if you ask 10 guys, you may get 10 different perspectives on braid and brands. Sometimes it's the line (bad batch?), sometimes it's the conditions (rocks, etc.), sometimes it's the gear (rough guides), sometimes it's the angler (not sensitive enough to everything combined).

Best to All,
Vinny

[Derek]

try using a double uni knot to connect the two lines

[unionbass3]

Vinny, I noticed that spiderwire braid was a bit too flat.  PowerPro is more of a rounder line which I have noticed that rounder line casts better.  You are right about braid, that it is not abrasion resistant and braks off when fishing around rocks.  Thats why if you are fishing a rocky area use braid with a flourocarbon leader.  When fishing weedy areas with braid the flouro leader is not nessescary.  Braid cuts like a razor through the weeds. 
  Braid is not supposed to break like that.  It usually cuts into my fingers when I pull too tight when tieing on.  try pulling out 20 feet or so and then see what happens there might be abrasions in that area of the line most likely from the factory.  If it still breaks off when you pull on it, return it, it is definitly a bad batch.  Use the knot like derek said to connect two lines together.

[WaukeshaKid]

I just got an email from shakespeare. They are sending me replacement line.

The problem wasn't with the knot or hitting the rocks in the water, this stuff pulled apart in my hands straight  out of the box. Oh well, problem solved.

[VinnyH]

Thanks for all the input guys. I did try 30lb PowerPro again when one of my buddies set me up to fish weeds at Candlewood. That day it worked fine. I'll keep using it for the weeds and have more opinions next season.

Best to All,
Vinny

[unionbass3]

Vinny, powerpro works great when froggin over the top of lilly pads aslo.

[Derek]

I like braid for topwater and jigs

[unionbass3]

I don't use braid for all my topwater applications.  I sometimes use 14 or 16 # mono for walking the dog.  However, I would never be caught dead on lilly pads without braid.

[joel137]

im a big fan of power pro/you have to use uni knots and a little trick is a drop of super glue on the knot.Do not try to break braid in your hands it will slice through your hand like  a razor

[dodgeguy]

powerpro is an outdated braid.there are many others out there that blow it away.one of which is firelines new braid.also read this article on tackle tour.

http://tackletour.com/reviewpremiumbraidroundup.html

[VinnyH]

Thanks Dodge,
I'm in need of some braid, spent all my off season money so far on other stuff. I like Tackle Tour for reviews.

Best Always,
Vinny