Question here from a guy who has admittedly not paid much attention to line diameter over many years of fishing. I am primarily a monofilament guy. I have braid on one bait casting outfit and I don't remember what weight it is. I don't fish that rod and reel much at all. Usually I just buy my monofilament based on the labeled weight. If I was dissatisfied with how the line behaved and performed I just bought something else next time. It was all about the fishing and I never paid a lot of attention to the technical aspects of the equipment. It either worked to my satisfaction or I moved on. For most of my last thirty years of fishing I have fished ultra light gear with 4# monofilament. I caught a few fish along the way.

I recently got tempted into trying Varivas Twitchmaster in 4#. Along the way I have been reading much about how American market mono is actually a good bit stronger than rated. The Varivas lines are supposedly rated more accurately for weight. They are also thinner in diameter for the rated weight hence the difference in weight rating accuracy.

Then along comes braid and the differences it introduces. I read people discussing the weight rating of braid and see questions asked whether a person is referring to the weight of braid or the diameter of the equivalent weight of mono. A braid rated at 4# test is supposed to be the diameter of 1# mono from what I read.

Then of course there are lines made of other materials as well and where they fit into the diameter scale.

Sorry to be so long winded but finally to my question. Is there a comprehensive article, tables or other info that would provide someone with a good understanding of lines, weights, diameters, accuracy of breaking strength and other issues around choosing a line to use. It is as much for me to understand some of the technical discussions that take place here as anything else. Or I guess I could just be proud of my ignorance and just go fish.