P-Line

[FishermanJohn]

I was out today and had some breakage problems with P-Line fluoro (the blue box) 12# that I have never had before.  I had 2 backlashes today and when I was picking them I found that the line had frayed apart in two each time.  The breakage point was deep on the spool (about 15 yards from the lure).  This was a brand new spool, and I had not had any backlash, snag, or tangle to create any known weak point.

I've never had a problem with P-line before and I've never had my line just fray apart deep in the spool like that.  Any ideas?  Do you think I just got a bad spool?  I've emailed the company and am awaiting a reply.

Thanks.

[Firefighter Jeff]

  Is it possible you had a small loop of line in the spool and when you cast it hit on each revolution??  I've had that put bad spots in my line. Just a guess.

[djkimmel]

Fluorocarbon is more stiff and more dense than mono. It builds up heat much faster. So it is easier to snap a kink during a hard cast and backlash if the line folds over itself. It can also literally burn or cut through itself given enough speed. I have had this happen with every fluorocarbon line I have ever used and many of the stiffer monofilament lines such as XT or Super Tough.

I would not throw out the whole spool with the knowledge that you had the two backlashes. I would first blame the backlashes and give the line some more time. I can't tell you how many times I have done this throwing trap type baits especially. I have even snapped some braided lines in the past doing this when I was trying to get that extra 20 or 30 feet during and exciting moment.

There's actually a trick knot some unsavory line reps and others tie that looks harmless but when you give the line a decent pop, it snaps every time. I have seen them do this at outdoor shows to make one line appear bad compared to another.

If you see any actual kinks / hard bends in the line, you are at a much higher risk of snapping with fluorocarbon. If the rest of your line looks okay, it's not several years old and it hasn't been sitting outside in the sun for weeks, I would keep using it. If it happens a couple times again, then maybe you should try another spool, but I'm going to suggest it might be early in the year enthusiasm first (maybe? unless you were just slowing pitching baits close to the boat and the line is real new?).

[FishermanJohn]

Thanks for the replies.  I suppose that I could have developed a loop that folded over or rubbed on part of the reel that I just did not notice.  I'm going to blame that since the rest of the line including knot and abrasion resistance seems up to par.  I am not new to a baitcaster but it is still new in the season. I have snapped fluoro and braid on exuberant casts before, but those have always been at the knot, never deep in the spool like that.  It was just odd to see it twice in one day when I had never done that before.

[djkimmel]

Have you been working out?!?

[FishermanJohn]

Only my 16 and 22 oz curls twice a week.    

Thanks for the insight.  I've respooled and will be hitting the lake tomorrow morning so we'll see how it goes.

[djkimmel]

Good luck with that.