Fluorocarbon Tippet Alternative - P-Line Halo

In another thread, Davy recommended the use of P-Line Halo Fluorocarbon as a 10 times lower cost alternative to tippet monofilaments marketed to fly-fishermen. Here is the conversion chart. If you use this product, please let us know what you think. By the way, based on experience, I suspect the quoted breaking strengths are actually much greater.

Pound Test Diameter (in.) Diameter (mm) Tippet Size
20 0.016 0.41 -
17 0.015 0.38 -
15 0.014 0.36 -
12 0.0116 0.29 -
10 0.011 0.28 0X
8 0.01 0.254 1X
6 0.008 0.20 3X
4 0.007 0.18 4X
2 0.004 0.10 7X

I have used various tippet alternatives, but mostly for smallies and steelhead. As Davy says, the PLine rates very high. Berkley Vanish would be much lower as it abrades a good bit, but I can't say that I have lost fish over it...Just have to replace the tippet much more often.

Thanks for posting the comparisons.

Tectan is another mono that l have always favored. I used this for years for my stillwater competition fishing.
I was looking in the new Cabelas catalogue l just received and have a mind to order some Seaguar and the Maxima FC.

OK, the estimated breaking strain of the Halo is in my view a underestimate.
With all respect here guys, l see something like 8000 fish caught a season here by clients, myself and friends when we fish.
Rarely have l seen fish lost due to the line breaking. Breakages or loss are almost always due to hang ups or fly knot not being tied right.
2007 was a unreal year here for trophy Browns, like fish in the 5 to 14lb size range, in almost all cases losses were due to the hook pulling free.
Most of the time l would rig the systems with 4lb Halo.

I have myself put this Halo to the extreme test, like l have hustled fish big time and at times here on the White in fast deep water situations

The two major factors that matter to me are color of the filament in relation to overhead light and color of that body of water and depth, and its diameter in relation to size of fly fished.

I was talking to Aaron that many of the mono and FC material used by the match fisherman in the EU is very high tech filament. Both as reel line and hook length material less than 1 lb BS, tiny spade end hooks are often used when the fish being caught are 2ins minnows, if that is needed to in a match by weight at the end f the day. Simply the deal is to rig a system and use a rod that allows for such fine filaments to be used

Bear in mind also we have tippet available at 8/10/12x.

At the end of the day in many respects it is a matter of personal preference and confidence for the material you choose to use at whatever cost you choose to pay out.
If any thing at the end of the day it is also related to the angler and how they set a hook and thereafter deal with a hooked fish.

Davy

For the Maxima fluorocarbon, I found these diameters:

4lb = 0.007 in (4X)
8lb = 0.009 in (2X)
10lb = 0.011 in (0X)

One thing you will find especially true of spinning line is that they usually underrate the break strength, and often the diameter is bigger than stated. That is VERY true of Maxima, if you mike it out the diameter is usually one or even two sizes bigger than stated, and the actual break strength is much higher. That way 4# Maxima is really "strong", because it is prob about 7# test, and instead of 4x it is more like 3x or even 2x. This is common in the world of spinning lines.

Torrey, you are correct, as usual!

I have four spools of Maxima Chameleon on my tying bench, so I just whipped out the micrometer and did some measuring. In every case, the diameter printed on the spool is at least 0.002in smaller than what I measure!

Lb. test Stated diameter (in.) Measured dismeter (in.)
1 0.003 0.005
2 0.005 0.007
4 0.007 0.009
8 0.010 0.0125

I wonder how the Rio Fluoroflex stacks up?

Rio should be close to the stated size, but I bet even that is slightly over, maybe a half size or so. Most tippet is a little over, some are a lot over. Many are manufactured to a certain mm size, and when they convert that from metric to thousandths of an inch, sometimes they have to round off, and they more often err on the side of rounding down so as to give the consumer a "stronger" tippet.

Most fishermen are happier using a 5x tippet that in actuality is 4x, because it will obviously be more durable, and because the label says 5x they believe it. Line that is actually true to labeled size is often perceived as weak, because it is such a common practice for manufacturers to give you a thicker, stronger line that people aren't used to using a line that is really the diameter & pound test that it says on the spool. The only way to truly know is to test it yourself with a micrometer & scale.

Alain, I'll be curious to see what diameter you get with the Rio, please post it up in this thread.

did anyone ever find any alternatives with a .006 measurement?

Ordered some other material and have that to had now.

Tectan was one of my all time favorites at one time, forgot about it to be honest so renwed stocks.

This line is available in many breaking strains.
I got the 3.1 lb at .10mm
4 lb at .12mm
5.1 lb at .14mm All at 300 m spools for $7.99

Pline CX Premium at 4 lb .16mm

Also some of the Cabelas Seaguar FC, 4 and 6 lb, does not tell me the diameter but it is small.
25m for $7.99

I have a micrometer some place, need to find it.

DW

Just went on a conversion chart, 5x = .006" = .15mm
4x = .007" = .18mm

-pound test will vary by brand & line type. Remember too that many manufacturers understate the break strength to make their line seem stronger, and this is especially true with spinning line. 4# test spin line is often 6-7# in reality, and typically 3x-4x in diameter.