Tippet Size and Break Strength

[Alain Barthelemy]

(again, common knowledge here, but I made up a neat plot    )

Tippet "X" rating is NOT related to break strength at all, only to tippet diameter.  I never even think about break strength.

"X" rating was never intended to relate to break strength.  Tippet rating only follows the "Rule-of-11."  This means that the diameter of the tippet in thousandths of an inch plus its "X" rating equals 11.  For example 6X is 0.005in in diameter.  That's it.

Think about it, you could take the same diameter of wire and pasta, and call them both 3X.  One would break at 30lb, one would break at 3oz.

If you are concerned about break strength and not diameter, this is a different thing.  In this case, you might want to use Maxima which has a reputation of being true to its quoted break strength.  Spinning line monos are usually much stronger than the quoted break strength.

Fly anglers are interested in tippet diameter because it greatly affects presentation.  Regular mono versus fluorocarbon also has a big impact.

I made this for you:


If you make the same plot, but make the horizontal axis cross-sectional area, the curve becomes close to linear.  Break strength is nearly directly proportional to cross-sectional area.

I am no expert, but I can think of many properties of monofilament that would alter its break strength: cost, suppleness, opacity, color, shelf life, additives to prolong shelf life, specific gravity, abrasion resistance, knot strength, memory, stretch, and so on.  The most supple tippet I know of is Orvis Super Strong, the most abrasion resistant is Maxima Chameleon.  Each mono is marketed for specific applications, so the manufacturers are willing to trade certain features, such as break strength versus memory.  That's all I can think of.

[John Dunn]

                  Good post Alian

             When I'm on the stream ,I use this (Not fool prof but close)

              TO DETERMINE THE POUND BREAKING STRENGTH OF A 5X TIPPET; DEDUCT THE X FROM 9.

 9-5x= 4 pound test

9-1x= 8 pound test

9-6x= 3 pound test

                                                        jOHN DUNN

=========================