Why is the PE line prone to breaking (in the winding spool)?

The PE line is prone to “line tangles” (i.e., messy lines or line entanglement around the spool during casting or retrieving) for several main reasons:

1. The surface is too smooth.

PE braided line is made by weaving together multiple strands of polymer fibers. Its surface is extremely smooth and lacks friction. When the line is wound onto the spool of a reel, if the underlying layer isn't properly prepared, the newly wound line can easily slip and shift under tension, leading to uneven winding or even loosening, which in turn can cause line breakage.

2. Almost no ductility

The PE line has an extremely low elongation rate (typically less than 3%), which means it cannot absorb the impact during casting or retrieving by relying on elastic cushioning like nylon lines can. Once the line is released too quickly or the brake force is insufficient, the line will suddenly pile up at the edge of the spool without having the chance to “stretch and buffer,” leading to tangles.

3. Lacks memorability but relies on entanglement tension.

Although the PE line itself is non-memory (and doesn't easily curl), it has very high tension requirements during winding. If sufficient and uniform tension isn't maintained during threading, the layers of the line will become loose, making it prone to "collapse" or slip when the line is fed out at high speed, which can then lead to knotting or line breakage.

4. No underlay thread (bottom thread) used.

Many anglers simply wrap the PE line directly onto the empty spool, which is a common cause of line breakage. This is because the PE line has poor adhesion to metal or plastic spools, making it easy for the first layer of line to slip entirely during casting. The correct approach is to first wrap a layer of nylon or carbon line as a “buffer,” then secure the starting end of the PE line with tape or a knot.

5. The release force (braking force) setting is too loose.

When using a spinning reel or a baitcasting reel, if the drag adjustment is set too loosely, the PE line may suddenly spool out in large quantities during a powerful run by a big fish or a fast cast—due to insufficient resistance. Since the line doesn't have enough time to be released in an orderly manner, the remaining line on the spool can become tangled, form loops, and even snap apart.

How can we effectively prevent the PE wire from fraying?

• Padding line: First, wrap 5–10 meters of nylon line or a dedicated padding line around the line cup, then connect the PE line.

• Maintain tension during winding: Use your hands or a tool to apply steady, moderate tension throughout the winding process, ensuring that the wire layers are tightly packed.

• Adjust the appropriate drag setting: Set the brake force reasonably according to the target fish species and line diameter—neither too tight nor too loose.

• Uses 8-strand PE line: Compared to 4-strand lines, 8-strand lines are rounder and denser, offer better winding stability, and are less likely to get embedded in the layers below.

• Regularly organize the spools: After prolonged use, the surface thread may become loose. You can rewind the thread and reorganize it to maintain proper tension.