{"id":3832,"date":"2025-05-20T21:50:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T02:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mickeylieberman.com\/fishing\/?p=3832"},"modified":"2025-05-29T15:16:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T20:16:10","slug":"what-does-pound-test-mean-for-fishing-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mickeylieberman.com\/fishing\/what-does-pound-test-mean-for-fishing-line\/","title":{"rendered":"What Doe Fishing Line Pound Test Mean?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fishing Line Pound Test<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you fully understand what is on the packaging when buying a fishing line?<\/span><\/p>\n

The package information can be misleading and does not provide all the details behind what is shown on the package.<\/span><\/p>\n

A prime example of this is how the fishing line pound test is misunderstood.<\/span><\/p>\n

What does the pound test mean for the fishing line?<\/span><\/p>\n

The pound test, also known as the line test, refers to the fishing line\u2019s strength in terms of pounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is defined as the maximum weight that a particular line can hold before breaking.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, if a fishing line is labeled as 20 lb test, then this means that the fishing line can hold up to 20 lbs without breaking.<\/span><\/p>\n

The concept of the pound test or line test is relatively simple.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, when evaluating what line tests to select, there is some information that you will need to know.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whenever you look at the labels of fishing line packaging, you need to be thinking about what they are not telling you on the packaging.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generally, in most places, it is against the law to advertise false information or put false information on the packaging.<\/span>
\nHowever, there are no rules regarding how realistic the information is.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can always trust what you see on a package, but never believe what you see on a package.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let me explain myself because I understand how that can seem contradictory.<\/span><\/p>\n

A manufacturer has to be able to prove their claims on the fishing line packaging through testing and data collected.<\/span><\/p>\n

If a package states that a fishing line has a line test of 20 lb, and a customer challenges that information.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe because their fishing line keeps snapping at 15 lb instead of 20 lb.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then the manufacturer needs to be able to prove that their fishing line can withstand 20 lbs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hence, you can always trust what you see on a package.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most manufacturers understand how to test the fishing line in order to squeeze out any bit weight as possible from the line.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, these tests do not always translate to the real world.<\/span><\/p>\n

The issue becomes the difference between testing fishing lines in a lab vs using fishing lines in the real world.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before a manufacturer tests a fishing line, they inspect the line to make sure the sample is free from defects and moisture.<\/span><\/p>\n

When a load is applied to the fishing line, the load is generally clamped by a device and not secured by a knot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Knots are generally considered to be a weak point.<\/span><\/p>\n

A lab can be controlled to optimize the temperature and moisture content in the air.<\/span><\/p>\n

These are some of the items that can be controlled and optimized to get a better test.<\/span><\/p>\n

If a manufacturer has a testing procedure, then all tests should be conducted under the same procedure to ensure all tests are performed in the same manner.<\/span><\/p>\n

Never believe what you see on a package.<\/span><\/p>\n

The reason for this is that fishing lines can become slightly weaker when wet, when exposed to water or high moisture for a period of time.<\/span><\/p>\n

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) recognizes that the information on fishing line packaging was collected in a very controlled environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

This could result in different fishing lines having sufficiently different strengths when wet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Therefore, the IGFA requires competitors to submit their fishing line that will be used in the competition.<\/span><\/p>\n

The IGFA will then perform its testing, which will better represent the real world.<\/span><\/p>\n

These tests will load the fishing line when wet. In some competitions, the lines may even have knots present to better represent the real world.<\/span><\/p>\n

The purpose of these tests is to determine the fishing line\u2019s wet-breaking strength.<\/span><\/p>\n

Typically considered to be the actual breaking strength of the fishing line.<\/span><\/p>\n

Line Test vs Line Class<\/span><\/p>\n

Line Test and Line Class are two different ways to describe the overall strength of a fishing line.<\/span><\/p>\n

A fishing line with the designation of Class is tested using the test parameters that the IGFA follows.<\/span><\/p>\n

Therefore, the weight specified on the packaging, ex. 20 lb Class refers to the line\u2019s breaking strength measured at 20 lb in wet conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

The class designation guarantees that the line will break at or under the specified strength.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whereas, a fishing line with the designation of Test provides no guarantee that the line will break at the specified weight.<\/span><\/p>\n

The line could break under, at, or above the weight indicated on the packaging.<\/span><\/p>\n

Line Strength Changes With Different Lines<\/span><\/p>\n

Different types of fishing lines, such as monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided lines, will experience different wet-breaking strengths for the same line test rating.<\/span><\/p>\n

Monofilament lines are affected the most compared to the other fishing lines regarding the wet breaking strength.<\/span><\/p>\n

These lines are known to absorb water, thus causing the line to become weaker.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nylon monofilament lines have been known to have a decrease in strength when wet between 20% to 30% compared to their dry state.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fluorocarbon and braided lines do not absorb water. For this reason, these lines do not experience a change in their strength when wet.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there are a lot of considerations that need to be taken into account when selecting a fishing line type.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because a certain type of fishing line does not decrease in strength when wet, it does not make it better.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fluorocarbon and braided fishing lines have many different properties that could make them less desirable to use.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tips for Selecting Fishing Line For Strength<\/span><\/p>\n

Different considerations need to be taken into account when selecting the appropriate fishing line.<\/span><\/p>\n

Castability, line stretch, line memory, and line buoyancy are just some considerations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here we will look into the considerations that can affect the line strength.<\/span><\/p>\n

Knots Reduce Line Strength: Knots can cause the fishing line to experience a reduction in strength at the knot location.<\/span><\/p>\n

The line can experience a reduction in strength by 1\/3.<\/span><\/p>\n

Selecting the proper knots for the right use can greatly minimize the impact of the knot on the line strength.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shock Resistance: The fishing line will have some load on it when trolling or fishing in very strong currents.<\/span><\/p>\n

When a fish bites onto your bait, it will result in a large force.<\/span><\/p>\n

This will be in addition to the load that the fishing line is already having due to trolling or the current.<\/span><\/p>\n

Therefore, you need to account for this when selecting your line.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is usually resolved by upsizing your line test.<\/span><\/p>\n

Overall Fish Weight and Aggressiveness: Select a line test that exceeds the weight of the fish at the very least.<\/span><\/p>\n

If a certain fish is known to be a fighter, then you might need to upsize your line.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rule of Thumb to Select the Proper Line Test: Select a line test that is about 50% over the average weight of the fish you are fishing over.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, if you are fishing for a 20 lb fish, then select a 30 lb line.<\/span><\/p>\n

This will provide enough strength to make up for losing strength on knots and other factors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make sure not to select a line that has too much strength.<\/span><\/p>\n

It could cause you problems if you got snagged, and having to cut the line to break free will be a waste.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Fishing Line Pound Test Do you fully understand what is on the packaging when buying a fishing line? The package information can be misleading and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3832","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fishing","wpcat-21-id"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t