Line Diameter - What for These Days?

[Martin56]

I hate line being expressed only by diameter in general discussions.

Surely this was all started with Line Manufacturers "Bragging Rights" as to which one could make the smallest diameter to b.s ratio as a "Selling Point"

 

I just need to know what b.s. is on my reels & hook lengths - That's All - I can compare the dia's in the shop.

Give me just the old money, b.s. all day long. All today's line (The top brands anyway) are pretty much of a (super thin) muchness re Dia/b.s.

I remember line in the 60's - 6 Lb was like Clothesline!!

Today's 6 Lb line is more like the old 3.

Edited April 9, 2017 by Martin56

[chesters1]

I just use the brown stuff i bought IN the 70's lol

Theres a mystery hanging in a tree down the pond ,a weighted feeder with another large weight attached hanging out of reach for over ten years in a tree ,perhaps sunlight doesnt effect line as much as the makers want you to think.

Every day as we go past and see it the pair of us (me the fat guy and him the 85 year old) wonder if it will be there long after weve gone

Modern line doesnt seem to be as stretchy as the old stuff so its thinner but theres little give in it so seems to snap easier

I think if you use line right through to the hook it matters how thin it is but not if you use a hook lenght

Perhaps being thin and less twangy it cuts through rings quicker or perhaps casts easier who knows i havnt bought any for decades ,if it doesnt snap when i tug hard it its fine with me

I have miles of the stuff from magazines in a box along with my bulk spools of brown stuff

Edited April 9, 2017 by chesters1

[RUDD]

Line diameters are just unregulated lies.

[lutra]

Line diameters are just unregulated lies.

 

And b.s. stands for bull s........

 

It's all just a bad guide at best and you just have to fine one that gives you the best results you want.

[Phone]

All,

 

And fish don't care.

 

Phone

[BoldBear]

Most of the line manufacturers print the breaking strain on the spool as well as the diameter but if only one specification was printed on the spool I would rather it be the breaking strain and like Martin said; reading an article where lines are only expressed in diameters can be a little disconcerting.

 

There's a lot more things to worry about in a line than its diameter; like abrasion resistance, shock resistance, amount of stretch, visibility in water, suppleness, memory etc.

 

Keith

Edited April 9, 2017 by BoldBear

[Tigger]

I go off breaking strain rather than diameter. Diameters to breaking strains varies so greatly that i'd be lost if I had to go off the diameter alone....nice to see the diameter on the spool as well as the breaking strain though.

[John S]

Breaking strain for me too, and as with Keith above, reading an article where they only give line diameters tells me next to nothing. Could be 4lb BS, could be 8lb

[ayjay]

Line diameter is a match-fishing paranoia is it not?

[Tigger]

I've caught most of my larger specimens on quite heavy line compared to a lot of people who actually target some of them. I do think a light B/S and low diameter line is often a plus if your targeting finicky fish and so there are times when it'll catch much more fish than my much cruder lines and fishing styles.