Braided lines breaking easily like thread...

[CHUNQX]

I've recently had some friends as well as myself experiencing braided (or more accurately, fused braided) line breaking like thread when put under the slightest of pressure or when trying to tie a leader to line knot. First i thought it was just Fireline being the bargain basement lines of the braided world but recently also had a friend with a japanese made fused braid do the same thing. I'm wondering if its something to do with what we might not be doing right when trying to clean the reel... What is the ideal way to "maintain" the line so it doesn't break like thread all of a sudden?

[Shane]

I dont clean my reels after usage *shame* but have no issues with fireline breakage. I am more likely to slice my hand that break the braid on load test.

[breamN2wheels]

As CHUNQX said i have also recently had this problem too. i thought i was just crummy fireline but my Platypus braid breaks to have you used any spray on your reels recently im starting to conclude that may be the issue?

[luke_H]

yeah oils or lubricants of some type could be the problem if coming in contact with the line. i got a tiny bit of reel oil on my fireline a while back and the next time i used it it broke with less than a pound of pressure in the area that touched the oil.

[Richo]

Never had the problem either, and im also a lazy cleaner. But I have sprayed mine with lanox (reel and line) many a time with no dramas.

Last year had a brand new batch of Fireline that was impossable to tie a knot to. Fresh out of the box and broke if you sneezed near it.

[Shortlite]

Some insect repellants contain stuff that is harmful to the fibres.

[Conehead]

Maybe before you tie your leader knot, make sure you get all the salt out of the fireline with your spit (sorry if sounds a bit feral )

I had a bad batch of fireline too. 8lb that was. Now using 6lb and havn't had any dramas.

How old is your line?

Ryan.

[Piscineidiot]

mmm...I had the same problem with some FINS a while ago. Strange really, tied a leader knot, tested it, cut the tag off, tested it again, and 'pop'. Only really happens in sections at a time if you know what I mean...Cut off about 4" and the next stretch's fine. No idea what's going on there, to be honest.

Owen

[Shortlite]

Salt abrasion? The same happened with 4lb, 8 lb Fireline, and 4lb FINS. Just thinking fine salt crystals in the line from when it dries might be rudbbing through some of the fibres over time.

[Conehead]

Originally posted by Shortlite
Salt abrasion? Just thinking fine salt crystals in the line from when it dries might be rudbbing through some of the fibres over time.

Especially when you're sliding flourocarbon down your gelspun/braid to connect a leader, for sure. It would build up and drag a whole lot of stuff into your leader knot.

[CHUNQX]

It doesn't break at the leader knot though, it breaks just before the knot on the main line. As for salt crystals, I run the spool part holding the line under a slow running water and take special care not to get water into other parts of the reel. I used to gently rub the line with my finger while under the running water to loosen the line a little so the water can reach the tighter areas and wash off the salt. I don't do that anymore because, it frays up the fireline earlier and the colour fades as well. As a final test, I also used to run my tongue on the line after that to taste if its still salty (anyone want to borrow my reel?). Obviously I don't do that if I fish the yarra or the nong.

[Shortlite]

Gotta lube up the braid too. The fibres, once they wear and start fluffing, are exposed, and very thin. Doesn't take much heat (friction) to weaken them, and over time this may cause the breakages.

[CHUNQX]

Back to the original question, how should we treat the reel and line after a fishing session in the salt that would increase the life of the braided line on the reel?

[ruski]

To be honest, I've never had a problem with breakages...

After fishing, we lock the drags up, give them a light rinse, shake the excess water off, undo the drags and store them away.

If we are washing the boat, I'll use the sponge/soapy water and give them a wash with the drag locked up, but only before we've started washing the boat. No point doing it after and getting bits of sand or other dirt that's come off the boat onto your reel. Then just a light rinse, back the drag off and store.

I've had my braids for over a year, and they've been used plenty of times, and they dont fluff or lose their strength

Cheers