This is a follow-up to the “nub” connection that I described in my last blog. In this blog I will provide the test results of the “nub” connection that I have so far. Since this mono/spectra connection design is primarily for large mono, the test results are based on Izorline 135# First String mono connected to Izorline 200# hollow spectra.
I recommend that you insert the mono into the hollow spectra 5 feet (others use 3
feet with success, but I use 5 feet because it has been very successful for me). I made
up five test specimen connections with way less than 5 feet of insertion
(due to the limitation of the testing machine.) I tested
these five specimens on the same Izorline test machine that is used for the knot-tying contest at the Fred Hall show. In all five tests, the “nub” connection was a 100% connection with either the spectra or mono breaking. The breaking loads ranged from 170# to 196#. The spectra broke in four of the test, but in all four tests, the spectra broke where it was anchored to the test machine. On the test where the mono broke, I ran the load up gradually until I reached 183# and then stopped the test machine. As the mono stretched, the load reduced down to 140#. After 1 hr and 20 minutes, the mono broke d
ue to the necking down from the stretching over time.
The photo with the lavender background is one of the test
specimens. Notice the black mark on the mono. That was the point on the mono that was at the top of the red nail knot before being pulled. This indicates how much stretch the mono goes through (under 183#
of load). The wrinkled spectra between the dark green and red nail knot is an indication of how much more the mono stretches than the spectra. This also indicates that if you have more than one nail knot on top of the hollow spectra, at least one of them will have to slip to accommodate the difference in stretch between the mono and the spectra. This may indicate that you only want to use one nail knot (or crimp) on a connection. I am still evaluating this affect to determine if it is advisable to use more than one nail knot on the outside of the spectra.
As further verification of the “nub” connection, Accurate Pro Staff, Leo Reihsen tested a prototype “nub” connection on the Red Rooster 3 June Heat trip sponsored by Accurate. I installed this connection on an ATD 50 reel. Leo hook around 15 sharks and in his impatience he cranked the sharks to the boat with the reel drag at full (he did not care if anything broke, as it was not a tuna). Leo mailed the connection back to me and you can see what it looks like in the green background photo. Note that the connection looks very
similar to the test specimen with the wrinkled spectra. This connection did not fail. Leo replaced it because he did not understand the wrinkled spectra.
In an attempt to make further improvements to the “nub” portion of the connection, I have made tests that show the nub can hold between 40# and 100# of load. These loads are driven by the fact that the mono necks down at these loads. I have successfully tested four gluing approaches for the nub that can maintain a non-slipping grip on the mono when the mono is loaded and stretched to 177.5# (mono broke).
Given all of this data, I believe that the nub system is showing promise as a viable system for connecting mono to hollow spectra. I will continue to do lab testing at Izorline and can not wait for the fall to do some ocean testing when the long range boats go down to “the Beach” looking for Cows. I will be on the following Accurate sponsored trips: Red Rooster 3 on Dec 12 – 22 and American Angler Jan 5-16. I will be happy to share detailed information on the connection with you on any of these trips. I will also be happy to make one of these connections for you to try and would love to hear what you think. Each of us will have to decide what we think works and what we are capable of using/installing. I am trying to provide you my data so that you can make your own evaluation without having to do all the testing and data collection. (The on-ocean testing is a lot more fun than the lab testing,
Thanks for looking at my blog,
Gary Teraoka
I recommend that you insert the mono into the hollow spectra 5 feet (others use 3
feet with success, but I use 5 feet because it has been very successful for me). I made
up five test specimen connections with way less than 5 feet of insertion
(due to the limitation of the testing machine.) I tested
these five specimens on the same Izorline test machine that is used for the knot-tying contest at the Fred Hall show. In all five tests, the “nub” connection was a 100% connection with either the spectra or mono breaking. The breaking loads ranged from 170# to 196#. The spectra broke in four of the test, but in all four tests, the spectra broke where it was anchored to the test machine. On the test where the mono broke, I ran the load up gradually until I reached 183# and then stopped the test machine. As the mono stretched, the load reduced down to 140#. After 1 hr and 20 minutes, the mono broke d
ue to the necking down from the stretching over time.
The photo with the lavender background is one of the test
specimens. Notice the black mark on the mono. That was the point on the mono that was at the top of the red nail knot before being pulled. This indicates how much stretch the mono goes through (under 183#
of load). The wrinkled spectra between the dark green and red nail knot is an indication of how much more the mono stretches than the spectra. This also indicates that if you have more than one nail knot on top of the hollow spectra, at least one of them will have to slip to accommodate the difference in stretch between the mono and the spectra. This may indicate that you only want to use one nail knot (or crimp) on a connection. I am still evaluating this affect to determine if it is advisable to use more than one nail knot on the outside of the spectra.
As further verification of the “nub” connection, Accurate Pro Staff, Leo Reihsen tested a prototype “nub” connection on the Red Rooster 3 June Heat trip sponsored by Accurate. I installed this connection on an ATD 50 reel. Leo hook around 15 sharks and in his impatience he cranked the sharks to the boat with the reel drag at full (he did not care if anything broke, as it was not a tuna). Leo mailed the connection back to me and you can see what it looks like in the green background photo. Note that the connection looks very
similar to the test specimen with the wrinkled spectra. This connection did not fail. Leo replaced it because he did not understand the wrinkled spectra.
In an attempt to make further improvements to the “nub” portion of the connection, I have made tests that show the nub can hold between 40# and 100# of load. These loads are driven by the fact that the mono necks down at these loads. I have successfully tested four gluing approaches for the nub that can maintain a non-slipping grip on the mono when the mono is loaded and stretched to 177.5# (mono broke).
Given all of this data, I believe that the nub system is showing promise as a viable system for connecting mono to hollow spectra. I will continue to do lab testing at Izorline and can not wait for the fall to do some ocean testing when the long range boats go down to “the Beach” looking for Cows. I will be on the following Accurate sponsored trips: Red Rooster 3 on Dec 12 – 22 and American Angler Jan 5-16. I will be happy to share detailed information on the connection with you on any of these trips. I will also be happy to make one of these connections for you to try and would love to hear what you think. Each of us will have to decide what we think works and what we are capable of using/installing. I am trying to provide you my data so that you can make your own evaluation without having to do all the testing and data collection. (The on-ocean testing is a lot more fun than the lab testing,
Thanks for looking at my blog,
Gary Teraoka
