LINE WARS

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Comment by Leo Nguyen on September 7, 2017 at 11:40am

LOL Love your simplistic moniker for the salt residue Jeff. Salt residue, or sodium chloride (NaCl), both at the ocean front and the lake front by itself does not harm the line nor alter the polymer's structural integrity under testing conditions. However, what occurs during the outing does:

• Dry salt residue has a crystalline form with jagged edges under the microscope. The jagged edges lacerate the line integrity. Over time, durability of the line is reduced due to the breakdown of the polymer's smooth surfaces, which in term introduce
  
• dry/wet rotting when stored improperly.
• UV breaks down the polymer's ability to retain its elasticity from its and durability from the line's original form, and further enhance UV capacity to break down the polymer's molecular integrity due to the magnification of light through the crystal's body.
• NaCl can react with chemicals used for cleaning the equipment, further destroy the polymer's bonding strength, such as simple hard water coming out of the faucet. Yep...think about what's in the water coming out of your faucet. Better yet, think about what's coming out of a can when you spray onto your reel's spool.

Funny how things get into more aggressive perspectives as we focus down further and further upon an issue. I can keep on going down this path, but everyone else probably goes, "Eeerrrr...shut up Leo!"

Comment by Jeff Soto on September 7, 2017 at 11:16am

Nothing here mentions the different lines and how SALTWATER use affects them.  I noticed,  as I am sure other fishermen who use their freshwater outfits in oceans and bays, that white powdery stuff that has formed on the line of the reel's spool.  You can easily remove it by fishing in freshwater or by winding the line thru a damp sponge or cloth.  But I just wonder if the build up of this substance weakens the strength and shortens the life of various lines.  I use only monofilament in very light lines (2 & 4 lb test) and often times I will go from fishing a local saltwater harbor, then a week later I'll use the same line in a lake with no line weakness noticed.  But what if I didn't use that line again for a few months?

Comment by Leo Nguyen on September 7, 2017 at 8:25am

Water absorption is practically minimal. However, you do have water rotting issues, when combined with UV and heat. Brittling or polymer flaking is due to UV exposure, in combination with reactive oxidizers and radicals. UV breaks down the chemical bonding of the polymers, like little men chiseling away at the Great China Wall. Whatever cracks UV created within the polymer's body, water nested in the cracks. In good stagnant condition, you got rotting process going on. Imagine athletic foot. Heat simply increase the pores/cracks to allow more areas where water can intrude. When you have enough cracks and stretches, the polymer strands break off, which our eyes perceive as flaking.

I wish our lab has still have the time lapse equipment to create a video for you guys during off hours. Thanks to our fearless leaders at the very top, budgets have been slashed left and right, and most our equipment have been either too far behind, or not enough maintenance funding to upkeep the equipment.

Comment by John Sheehan on September 7, 2017 at 7:47am

When line becomes brittle is it usually from sunlight  or heat exposure  and/or water absorption ?

Comment by Leo Nguyen on September 7, 2017 at 7:20am

Now, that's the point we can dwell on. According to the local manufacturers I've been to and discussed with, over time, yes, but that's years down the road. Most formulation for mono and flouro, if left in cool (between 65F to 80F, semi dry (average at 25% to 35% humidity), and dark location, unused spool can last up to 7 years without any loss of its original specs. However, once you expose the spool to UV, high moisture, and heat, even though the spool may not be used, the line is now compromised; degradation process starts.

High end lines get a dip of specialized preservative chemical bath to extend the line's shelf life, and exposure limits. Of course, you're paying $10 more than what you should be paying, for something that you truly don't need. All about the hypes.

So, it boils down to is, how long have you have the spool? Where have you been storing it? Was it exposed prior to storage?

I have a few spools from Carl, the Mr. Crappie 4lbs, from a few years ago. I've done a few tests with the opened spool I've opened ages past, in comparison to a few spools from other manufacturers that exceeded 5 years ago prior to any hot fishing season, even though I may not get a chance to go fishing. It' a habit thing. All have been kept in proper containers in my mini mancave (aka the closet). All criteria on my list for the tests passed for spools ranging from 2 years to 7yrs+. Remember, I'm a scientist by trade. Data collection is my game. Line testing is one of many data I collect.

Comment by John Sheehan on September 7, 2017 at 6:38am

Point taken Leo . Now does  a line lose much elasticity with age do you think even if stored in a cool place ? I still have spools of unused mono.

Comment by Brad Reid on September 6, 2017 at 5:04pm

Sure, Leo is correct. A co-polymer could be two nylon polymers, or two fluorocarbon resins, or I suppose thousands of different combinations. Seaguar uses more than one resin for many of its higher end fluorocarbons. It might have a hard center and then a softer material for suppleness and better casting outside of the denser material.

Regarding the issue of which line is more invisible in water, at least pure water, fluorocarbon is clearer. It simply has a refraction index closer to water than typical monofilament lines. I think it might have been over-sold a bit, this fact, but it is there and so they use the refraction advantage for marketing purposes. But, it is somewhat less visible, for sure.  Here, just as a primer on refraction: take a look at a pyrex glass stirring rod in glycerin. The two share the same refraction values. The results are what we "wish" our lines looked like under water. Brad  Refraction

Comment by Leo Nguyen on September 6, 2017 at 12:58pm

Think about the term John. Co-polymers is secondary plastic enhancement done to the main polymer resin, possibly enhance the characteristics of the main polymer resin. Co-polymers, depending on the manufacturer's specs, can increase elasticity without the rebounce of the flouro, tensile strength, as well as durability. So, we can't just generalize co-polymer type unless you associate to the brand, as well as category of the lines the manufacturer focused on.

Comment by John Sheehan on September 6, 2017 at 12:48pm

Does Co-Polymer really stretch more than Mono ? I have not found that to be true .

Comment by John Sheehan on September 6, 2017 at 12:46pm

Slip -I do need to review the lines here I've been using since my past reviews  . Lets say Power Pro 15/4 has become my Cat fishing Line (Bullheads and Channel Cats) and I appreciate your influence on my current choice in that regard .

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