tackletour flouro "showdown" article

[MikeD]

interesting read, their tests show that the flouro stretches as much as Trilene XL in some cases

http://tackletour.com/reviewfluorocarbontest.html

[R. Duzac]

Remember that it stretches the same "Dry". I think the assumption is that after fishing awhile the standard Mono will assorb water and stetch more.

One other topic not touched on is the invisible factor. Hard to compare these.

I've always have liked the Trilene XL "great line".

I think the Flourcarbons do offer a better line, but it's up to you if you want to pay the price.

Just my 2 cents.
R. Duzac

[TTCal]

Remember that it stretches the same "Dry". I think the assumption is that after fishing awhile the standard Mono will assorb water and stetch more.

One other topic not touched on is the invisible factor. Hard to compare these.

Yup... thanks for pointing that out RD...

We were concentrating on the tensile tests when the stretch factor took us by surprise, so we're working on a viable way to really compare this characteristic.

We're also working on a way to check out the invisibility claims.

[mark poulson]

Great job, Dennis. Could you include where the lines are made in the next test? Just curious if there's a big difference in manufacturers.

[RipnRog]

You may want to reread the story as they did include where the lines are made.

[TTCal]

Thanks guys... i think we mentioned some are made in Germany and some are made in Japan, but i don't think we stated, specifically, which are manufactured where.

We usually try to include that information in the individual review of products, but it's looking more and more like we need to do a follow up to the first article with some additional, group tests and comparisons.

I'll make note and try to include the "made in" info for each product in the next article.

But as I recall, the only two lines we have that said "Made in Germany" were the Triple Fish and Maxima.

Interesting caveat, the Berkley Vanish Transition, says "Made in USA".

[RipnRog]

Hey Cal I was going to purchase soem of the triple fish as the price seems to be right. I went to there website and they are not so low is there another place that would have a better price?

[TTCal]

I think I got our test spools of TripleFish from TackleWarehouse...

[MikeD]

Dennis - great article, nice to see someone test manufac. claims with real world comparisions. I'm a seaguar user and noticed that you ran out of line - are you planning on going back and filling in the blanks?

any thoughts on the "wet stretch" issues noted above with mono?

Now if you could do some rod testing so that we can better understand flex and power vs trying to guess based on "line weight" and "action" when I attempt to buy a rod

edit: just saw this:

We were concentrating on the tensile tests when the stretch factor took us by surprise, so we're working on a viable way to really compare this characteristic.

[cLanderman]

That was a great article... finally some numbers to go with the legions of bias arguments.

[TTCal]

Now if you could do some rod testing so that we can better understand flex and power vs trying to guess based on "line weight" and "action" when I attempt to buy a rod

Thanks Mike,

Have you seen our recent rod reviews? We've been taking some measurements for deflection and comparing rods against one another so you can kind of get an idea how a rod might behave on the water. Here's a chart from a recent review:



Granted, this does not tell you anything about the taper of the rod, and it's not fool proof, but for the majority of rods we've measured thus far, the ones that share similar deflection curves do have a similar feel to each other with they way they load up for casting and working your bait.

[MikeD]

Have you seen our recent rod reviews?

I have not seen that. I'll get back in there and have another look, that's excellent, thanks!

[Triton Mike]

Ripnrod, The reason the prices on the Triple Fish site are HIGHER than elsewhere is so that they don't undercut their dealers. Cal is right Tacklewarehouse sells Triple Fish.

Mike

[Topwater All Day]

Great article!!! Tons of great info in there!!!

What about the Fluoroucarbon coated lines? I am curious how these measure up with 100% Fluoro and mono. I would love to see this test in the future.

I have been using the Cuda fluoro coated lines and I am sold on this stuff!!! It takes a little getting used to and it can coil up a lot...until it gets wet! Then it is awesome! Abrasion resistance seems great with this line, but I have no idea if it is really "invisible under water" like 100% fluoro.


Rob

[Cooch]

Great review guys! I do have one question for ya Cal, in the ending statement and conclusion, you guys speak of, "individutal on the water reviews", MANG, I knew you guys were inta some strange and exciting stuff, but I can't wait ta hear more about this experience!!

[Vernonn]

Cal,

I've bought and used several brands of fluorocarbon lines over the years and couple lines have turned milky after a few hours of use. They all start out clear and hard to see under water, but a few brands have turned white after fishing for half a day, which isn't supposed to be the case. In the invisibility test you might want to let the lines stand in the water for a several hours before seeing how invisible they really are.

Just a thought!!

Thanks for the great reports!!!

-vernon

[TTCal]

Great review guys! I do have one question for ya Cal, in the ending statement and conclusion, you guys speak of, "individutal on the water reviews", MANG, I knew you guys were inta some strange and exciting stuff, but I can't wait ta hear more about this experience!!

LOL... see what happens when you test lines? Gets your fingers all tied up in knots!

[TTCal]

Cal,

I've bought and used several brands of fluorocarbon lines over the years and couple lines have turned milky after a few hours of use. They all start out clear and hard to see under water, but a few brands have turned white after fishing for half a day, which isn't supposed to be the case. In the invisibility test you might want to let the lines stand in the water for a several hours before seeing how invisible they really are.

Just a thought!!

Thanks for the great reports!!!

-vernon

Thanks for the thought Vernonn... yes, actually, some turn this way just sitting on the shelf with no exposure to water or the sun..

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

I wonder how much variation you may find in different manufacturing runs from the same brand.
I know that this could go on forever but it is very interesting. It looks like you could make a book out of this research. I for one will buy it

[Tobe]

*NM*

[tunaman]

The one point none of this addresses is RECOVERY... all lines stretch - even braid. However, braid and flourocarbon don't recover like mono. So, once they stretch out, they remain stretched for long periods of time rather than stretch and recover like mono. This is a significant factor, and a major difference between the three types.

[Nicholas H.]

Tobe, if you go back and read the testing and what the charts actually show, I think you will find that the Gamma and XPS didn't test out that well, while the Sunline product did. The key to this Part one of the test is to look at the line diameters. You will see that Gamma is simply taking a 14lb test line and slapping a 10lb label on it. Therefore, the "FC Rated Strength Comparison" test clearly proves this with the variance of breaking strength say, for the Gamma product. If you go to the "FC Material Strength Chart (psi)", you will see here where the Gamma while still rating well, falls short of the Sunline product which you claim to test low. As far as knot strength tests go, one: using a Palomar knot (which is the most common knot) there are many variables. While I would have liked to see the test conducted with the use of a San Diego Jam Knot (as this not will not cut into itself), I'm happy to see this overall comparison done. I know in the end the best products will ultimately be on top. I know which 2 lines should be at the top when all is said and done. Time will tell. I will save my overall critique of this complete testing until the end. I have already noticed some "red flags" with this first part of the test, we'll see if they are cleared up by the end of the complete test. Until then, enjoy what are sure to be some Monster weights on Clear Lake this week!!!!

[mark poulson]

Cooch,
I asked sTony for spellcheck. He suggested I do a smellcheck instead.

[Cooch]

Tobe,

I was surprised to see that the high end lines like Sugoi and Sunline performed so poorly.

I actually thought, consistantly accros the board, that the Sugoi and Seagaur performed well. Along with Torray, all made by Koreah Chemical Company. I also felt it was very strong in the rated area, where it tested for breaking strength at 12 pound test, versus lines that are breaking much higher than they are rated. Seems to me to be a misrepresentation of yer line test if it's breaking 2-3 pounds higher than what it's rated for. Now the Berkeley Transition, that is a line I use that performed poorly! I can hear the "I told ya sos" comming!

[mark poulson]

I actually thought, consistantly accros the board, that the Sugoi and Seagaur performed well. Along with Torray, all made by Koreah Chemical Company. I also felt it was very strong in the rated area, where it tested for breaking strength at 12 pound test, versus lines that are breaking much higher than they are rated. Seems to me to be a misrepresentation of yer line test if it's breaking 2-3 pounds higher than what it's rated for. Now the Berkeley Transition, that is a line I use that performed poorly! I can hear the "I told ya sos" comming!

That's why I'm curious/interested in which line is made where. I noticed that Dennis says Vanish is the only line labeled "Made in USA", so I would guess Berekley makes it inhouse.
Anyway, the tests so far have confirmed my suspicions that most of the lines are very similar, except in price, and that all of them work well. How well we monitor line abrasion, check for kinks and nicks, and how well we tie our lures, as well as how well we play the fish, probably has more to due with line failure than the actual product. I did have a very negative experience with both Vanish and Transition, but my partner is still using the Transition I gave him, and he doesn't break off any more than I do. I guess it was me. After all, you seem to do pretty well with Transition.