Fishing Line lbs. Test

Question
I have a question about the fishing line pounds test ratings. I just read about a guy who caught a 1,200 hammer head shark using 130 lbs test line. I always thought that the weight test number was how big of a fish you could reel in without snapping. Can you explain how the ratings are done and what the numbers mean?
Thanks
Gene

Answer
The pound rating system is what PRESSURE the line will take before it breaks. Essentially you are right in that NORMALLY 130 pound test line would break with a 130 pound or thereabouts fish on it dead weight all the weight on the line. However the drag system on a reel allows you to set the amount of pressure that it will take before letting the line release slowly to reduce pressure. Also the rod will flex reducing the pressure of the fish so the amount of weight put on the line may not be 130 pounds even though the fish weighs many times that amount.
I guess the best way to explain it is this.. When you excercise you lift a LOT of weights numerous times. You do not go directly to a weight you can not pick up.
The pressure on the line directed at the fish tires him. It does not take 130 pounds of pressure to tire an 800 pound fish if you fight him long enough. Eventually he tires from the exertion.. (Reps to a weight lifter)
The fish in essence is working out on the line and weakening as he works out. He is not allowed to put all his weight INTO the line so he will not break it so he has to keep pulling ( Or lifting like a weight lifter ) so he eventually tires out, just like a weight lifter lifting a small amount of weight numerous times.
Let me know if that is a good explanation... if not I will try something else.
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