Introducing TackleTour's FPI - Fluorocarbon Performance Index

Introduction: In case you hadn't noticed, we've been in a bit of a hibernation mode regarding line reviews. With our acquisition of The Machine, we're looking to change that starting right now. Over the last several weeks, we've been in deliberations back at TT Headquarters developing a method of testing line, evaluating data, and translating all the results into something meaningful. Our primary goal? A repeatable and quantifiable method of rating fishing line.

With our acquisition of The Machine, we're ready to restart our line testing efforts.

Recognizing the fact each type of fishing line (braid, nylon mono, fluorocarbon) has its own intrinsic properties, we started with the line with which we have the most experience - fluorocarbon. Drawing inspiration from the NFL's method of rating quarterbacks, leveraging the raw data collected from our 2010 fluorocarbon Showdown articles, and combining data from our new testing methods, we've developed 8 quantifiable measurements with one visual inspection of quality to determine our new, 8+1 Fluorocarbon Performance Index (FPI).

Recognizing the fact each type of fishing line (braid, nylon mono, fluorocarbon) has its own intrinsic properties, we started with the line with which we have the most experience - fluorocarbon.

Our goal with this new rating system is to quickly produce reports for specific brands and lines of fluorocarbon so we can communicate the important performance characteristics of each product in a more timely fashion. It is important to note that in an attempt to stay consistent with our Fluorocarbon Showdown of 2010, our tests and subsequent ratings are derived from tests performed on manufacturer products with line diameters between 0.29mm - 0.33mm. We extended the original range  (0.30mm - 0.32mm) by 0.01mm in each direction to accommodate a wider variance in manufacturers' product.

Our goal with this new rating system is to quickly produce reports for specific brands and lines of fluorocarbon so we can communicate the important performance characteristics of each product in a more timely fashion.

Our FPI has four basic categories: quality, strength, stretch, and abrasion. Three of these four categories are further defined by sub categories, and each sub category will have an associated metric against which we will associate a score enroute to calculating our index. Additionally, we've assigned a different weight to each of the four main categories depending upon how important each is to the overall index. Here's how our FPI breaks down.

Quality (Total of 20 possible points):

An illustration of what we refer to as "Precision Winding".

Precision Winding (PW): Fishing line is delivered to the consumer via filler spools of varying size. An advancement over the last ten years or so involves exactly how the line is wound onto these spools. In the past, and still to this day, the majority of fishing line is wound onto the spool with little regard to how successive layers lay over each other. Higher end brands use a technique where the line is spooled parallel so as to minimize occurrences where the line crosses over onto itself. This “precision winding” helps to ensure the original, round extrusion of the line is maintained all the way up to the point when the line is wound onto your fishing reel. This minimizes instances of pinching, folding, creasing, and any other deformities each of which can affect everything from the strength of your line to how well it casts. This indication of quality is a visual inspection (the + 1 in our 8+1 metric) and worth 5 points in our FPI. Lines that are precision wound receive 5 points. Lines that are not receive none.

Lines that are not precision wound at the factory are subject to unexpected pinching, folding, and creasing - all factors that can weaken your line and affect performance.

Diameter (DIA): The second point in our rating is another indication of quality and involves the consistency of the line's diameter. We use a micrometer to measure five different points along a sample length of the fishing line. We then calculate the standard deviation of those five sample points, factor this as a percentage of the mean, multiply that percentage by 100 to get a solid number, and subtract that value from 5 as the product's score in this category.

We check diameter along five different points to find the average.

Tested Strength vs Rated (TS v RS): One popular description used by anglers when touting their favorite fishing line is, “Man, that xxx brand is strong! Their 10 pound line breaks at 14 pounds!” Our response? Well, then you're actually fishing with 14 pound line. A typical ploy by line manufacturers is to under rate their line meaning they'll take a product that actually performs up to 14 pounds in breaking tests, and call it 10 pound test line. That doesn't work with us because that means you're using a line diameter that is thicker than it needs to be for your application and everyone knows the smaller the line's diameter, the more bites you are likely to receive.

We take the difference between a line's rated strength and tested strength and subtract this value from 10. If the two numbers match, the product receives 10 out of 10 possible points. If not, the score is reduced by the value the product tested over or under its rated breaking strength.