Braid breaking strength

[Bikemabcock]

Hey guys,
Was redoing my mono top shots before my first trip and decided to test the breaking strength of some of the braid. I purchased a used reel that had has unused 60lb hollow core braid and upon testing I haven’t gotten it past 42lbs before breaking and usually in the 30s. Never broke around the knot. Usually pretty close to middle of the 6 foot section. The line looks brand new and was curious how worried I should be using this as my 50# reel. Fairly new to braid backing but everything I’ve read here has the breaking strength consistently +10% over line rating. May just have to swap for 80lb backing for a 50# set up.

Any advise welcome.

Thanks!

 

[MikeC.]

you bought a reel with china braid. Toss it and get something good like jb, izor (either) or some other major brand

 

[hucklongfin]

What makes you think it was 60#? I use 65# solid for a 50# leader/top shot.

 

[Rhett121]

I was respooling some PE2 braid (supposedly 40lb breaking strength) from a reel I bought used online to another reel I had and when I tied an FG to the 40lb flouro leader, I broke the line before the knot with my bare hands as I tightened it down. Sometimes you just can’t trust the line that comes from an unknown source.

 

[hucklongfin]

Line on a used reel of unknown source and provanence should be assumed to be defective junk from China bought on eBay. When buying a used reel I attach no value to any claims of what it had been spooled with. I may have been born yesterday but it was early in the morning.

 

[Mr. DRE]

Toss the line and start over with quality line bought from a reputable dealer.

 

[Pjstevko]

ALWAYS replace the braid on a newly purchased used reel even if the seller states its new!!!!

 

[Bikemabcock]

I’m glad I tested it and will just toss it. I see most guys running 80# braid backing for a 50# set up. Is there a benefit to that over just getting a little more capacity and running 65# backing ? It’s on a Speedmaster 16 so capacity won’t be an issue either way

 

[SandyClaus]

I’m glad I tested it and will just toss it. I see most guys running 80# braid backing for a 50# set up. Is there a benefit to that over just getting a little more capacity and running 65# backing ? It’s on a Speedmaster 16 so capacity won’t be an issue either way

Other than having more drag in the water, no real problem running 80#

 

[Pjstevko]

go with 50 or 65# braid for 50# topshot....the thinner braid will let a smaller/weaker bait swim easier.

I run 80# braid on my SPM16 but I use it for 60# topshot for sinker rigs, dropper loop and daytime jigs