Which is Better 4 or 8 Strand Braided Fishing Line?

8 strand has some advantages over 4 strand but both can be the same strength or lb. test. 50 lb. 4 strand and 50 lb. 8 strand have the same tensile strength. Both only break when more than 50 lbs. of tension is applied.

Lets' define 4 strand and 8 strand braided fishing lines. 4 strand is braided from 4 separate PE or Polyethylene fibers to make a single line. 4 strand braided fishing line is very strong, up to 100 lb. It's smooth and produces little friction over rod guides and tip tops. It's also has just about zero stretch and minimal line memory which means no tangles. 4 strand braided fishing line is very inexpensive.

8 strand braided fishing line, obviously is 8 strands braided together. There are twice as many PE fibers which makes the line smoother and less coarse compared to 4 strand. 8 strand fibers are much smaller than 4 strand fibers. 8 strand braided fishing line is a finer and smoother braid. It will produce less friction over rod guides, has less stretch and no line memory. 8 strand line knots are stronger than 4 strand line knots. 8 strand braids are a better fishing line, all around. It's a little more expensive but worth the expense. They also offer heavier line weights. 8 strand braids go up to about 300 lb.

Above 8 strand is 9 strand, 12 strand and 16 strand braided lines. These lines are even finer and smoother. It's more of the same. Line test weight for the 16 strand maxes at 500 lb. That's pretty heavy!!

Here's the 500 lb. 16 strand braided fishing line from Dorisea.