test you can do is to pinch two parts of the line approx a couple inches apart, and then press the line together into itself, then release one hand and if the line springs back to its original position then it has stretch. However if it doesn't bounce back and stays when you release it then it doesn't have stretch. My guess is if you paid $40 it is nylon and has stretch. Very rarely will you find a good spectra line for under $75 unless its used or something. Generally you can expect to pay like $80-110 for a good line, thats not even including the handle. The good new is that they generally last a while. Hope this helps, if you don't understand the pinch and push technique let me know and I'll try to explain it a different way.