Why Crimps Fail Under Shock Load
Crimps usually don’t fail from steady pressure — they fail when hit with sudden shock, like a strike, head shake, or explosive run.
Here’s why shock load is the real enemy:
- Shock creates force spikes beyond rating
A steady pull spreads load evenly.
A sudden hit creates a split-second force surge that can exceed the crimp’s holding strength — even if it handles normal tension fine.
- Crimps concentrate stress at one point
Unlike knots (which spread load), crimps focus pressure on:
- The pinch zone
- The edge of the sleeve
Shock = instant stress concentration = line slip or snap.
- Incorrect crimp compression weakens grip
If a crimp is:
- Under-crimped → line can slip
- Over-crimped → line gets crushed and weakened
Shock load exposes these flaws immediately.
- Shock causes micro-slip and heat
Sudden load can cause:
- Tiny internal movement
- Friction heat
- Surface damage to mono/fluoro
Even microscopic slip can lead to instant failure.
- Salt & corrosion reduce crimp integrity
Salt weakens:
- Crimp metal
- Coatings
- Grip pressure over time
Shock finds the weakest point fast.
- Big fish amplify shock forces
Hard runs, violent head shakes, or directional changes multiply load — and crimps take the full hit if drag and rod don’t absorb it.
Takeaway
Crimps don’t fail because of steady pull — they fail because shock delivers instant overload.