Breaking strain vs knot strenght vs fish that got away

[Korrie]

During the past weekend's Nymphing Master Class we had an interesting discussion.

I asked the participants on what line breaking strain they where fishing.
The replies where between 6 and 10 pounds.
And they fished so heavy because they loose a lot of fish was the reason.

We discussed this a little bit, using the 10 pound as an example.

If you fish with 10 pounds and use a bad knot, it will reduce the breaking strain by up to 50%, then you might as well fish with a 5 pound breaking strain and tie a good knot.
If you use old mono, the breaking strain reduces with sun, age, etc.
If you use a 10 pound line, you need to fish much heavier/bigger/bulkier nymphs. which will reduce your effectiveness.
Thicker line is easier for the fish to spot, thus rejecting the fly.
Or you are using a good knot, but it is not suited to a specific type of mono i.e. softer or firmer etc.

The same principle applies to a 8 or 6 pound breaking strain line.
You could be fishing with a 6 pound breaking strain, but effectively fishing with only a 4 pound line.
How good is your knots, do you check your line on a regular basis for nicks, bumps etc near the flies?

Maybe you should change your knots that you are using? Or change the brand of mono as some have a better knot strenght than others for a specific knot.

[GGY]

During the past weekend's Nymphing Master Class we had an interesting discussion.

I asked the participants on what line breaking strain they where fishing.
The replies where between 6 and 10 pounds.
And they fished so heavy because they loose a lot of fish was the reason.
If you use a 10 pound line, you need to fish much heavier/bigger/bulkier nymphs. which will reduce your effectiveness.

The same principle applies to a 8 or 6 pound breaking strain line.
You could be fishing with a 6 pound breaking strain, but effectively fishing with only a 4 pound line.

Maybe you should change your knots that you are using? Or change the brand of mono as some have a better knot strenght than others for a specific knot.

Agreed Korrie.

Guys need to move away from talking breaking strength to diameter.
I use Stroft GTM 0.18mm (~4X) as tippet for the Vaal (or sometimes Airflo G3 - same diameter. Never felt like I was fishing too light.
Good tippet. Good knots, tied properly will win every time.

Those guys with "6-10lb Maxima" are limiting themselves.

[smallstreams.co.za]

Used a new brand this weekend - got popped twice by fish I should have landed. 6 spools of this stuff going in the bin, and back to Rio Powerflex thanks.

[shector]

Used a new brand this weekend - got popped twice by fish I should have landed. 6 spools of this stuff going in the bin, and back to Rio Powerflex thanks.

WOW that sucks, Mario! But you know what they say "if it aint broke, then dont try to fix it"

[redhumpy]

I use 6-10lb line. I guess I am not limiting myself as I use fluorocarbon instead of mono
If you tie k@k knots then use fluoro instead of thinner mono

[Korrie]

Tying good knots in Fluoro is more difficult than in Mono.

[Andre]

I use 6-10lb line. I guess I am not limiting myself as I use fluorocarbon instead of mono
If you tie k@k knots then use fluoro instead of thinner mono

How would fluro assist with bad knots? I though that flurocarbon was a lot more vulnerable to bad knots.
What are you fishing for with 6 - 10 pound line?...Tarpon?

[Korrie]

Used a new brand this weekend - got popped twice by fish I should have landed. 6 spools of this stuff going in the bin, and back to Rio Powerflex thanks.

Maybe try a different knot.
I know of a couple of instances where this solved the problem.

What knot where you using?

[smallstreams.co.za]

Maybe try a different knot.
I know of a couple of instances where this solved the problem.

What knot where you using?

Not the knot - same knot I've been using for years. 1st time using that tippet though ... last time as well. Stuff called Linx.

[Glans]

I had also problems with linx. Now I do not use it anymore.
Does not like shocking at all
Take the line wrap around your hands and rip it it snaps. A tipical yellowfish strike will break it. I think it is a very brittle line, probably to much carbon compound?

Jannie