Mark Romanack
The Precision Trolling Data apps incorporate a number of different line types and diameters. For most crankbaits the line featured in the PTD apps is 10 pound test (.0135 diameter) Berkley XT monofilament line and also 10/4 Berkley Fireline super line. Both of these lines are highly popular among serious trollers. Because 10/4 Fireline is substantially thinner in diameter than 10# test monofilament line, lures and diving devices achieve deeper depths when this line type is used. Thinner lines have less friction in the water, allowing lures and diving devices to enjoy deeper depths.
In some situations, larger diameter monofilament line and or super braid line is used in the PTD testing and reflected in the phone apps. For example, the Yakima 3.5 Mag Lip is a popular salmon trolling lure. This bait is not only tested on the standard 10# test Berkley XT and 10/4 Fireline, but also on 20# test Berkley XT a more common line diameter used for salmon trolling applications. To see if additional line types and diameters are available, simply touch on Line Types on either the Android or iPhone PTD apps.
Also noteworthy the Luhr Jensen Dipsy Divers are tested on 30# test super braid a line type and diameter that is popular among big water trollers who routinely fish with the Dipsy Diver and other larger diving planers.
Unfortunately it’s not practical for the staff of Precision Trolling Data to test all lures and devices featured on the PTD apps on the many line diameters and line types currently available. In most cases the line type and diameter selected for the PTD apps is the most common or popular for that particular lure or device.
It’s interesting to note however that a lot of different fishing lines share the same diameter, but not the same break strength. For example, the 10# test Berkley XT used in much of the PTD testing is about .0135 in diameter, which is the same diameter of most 40# test super braids. This means anglers could substitute 40# test super braid and enjoy the same depth data published for the 10# test Berkley.
Other examples worth noting include 12# test Berkley Big Game, a popular trolling line, is the same diameter as 10# test Berkley XT. In most instances the manufacturers of fishing lines publish the diameter of various break strength lines on the package. A number of co-polymer lines these days are exceptionally thin for their break strength. Anglers who need a stronger line than 10# test XT will find that some co-polymers with a break strength of 14, 15 or even 17 pound test actually share the same.0135 diameter of Berkley XT.
Another common question regarding line types focuses on fluorocarbon line. It’s true that fluorocarbon line absorbs water and sinks, while monofilament line floats. Despite these differences, both fluorocarbon and monofilament lines of the same diameter produce the same depth diving characteristics. The sinking characteristics of fluorocarbon line are so subtle that it doesn’t impact on the diving depth of crankbaits and other popular trolling hardware.
It’s important to note however that fluorocarbon line has better abrasion characteristics, less stretch than monofilament and is harder to see in the water. For clear water trolling applications, the PTD staff encourages anglers to use 12 pound test Berkley’s Trilene Pro 100% Fluorocarbon line which is .013 in diameter or about the same as 10# test XT.
By understanding line types that share similar line diameters trollers have many more options than just fishing the 10# test XT or 10/4 Fireline featured on most of the lures and diving devices in the PTD phone apps.