Flurocarbon Snapping And Knots?

[Sun Fish]

I recently started using some 6lb P-Line fluroclear and the line is great as far as it's invisibility properties and I attribute it to catching more fish using weightless texas rigged plastic worms. However, I've been tieng on 2/0 BP EWG hooks using the palomar knot and snapped 2 fish off that were only around 1-2 lbs right at the hook trying to thumb them while lifting them out of the water by the line. The fish would shake and SNAP goes the line from I believe the knot. I know this is probably bad practice but in the spur of the moment I tend to do it not wanting to lose the fish. I absolutely hate leaving hooks in fish and have gotten disheartened on this Fluro line but don't want to give it up being I feel it produces more fish.

I did a little searching and see that some say you should use the double uni knot w/ fluro instead of the palomar knot. I'm going to try that and hopfully not snap off anymore fish at the boat. I'm assuming that the line broke in those 2 occasions right at the knot. Has anyone else had any experience with these types of issues? Is it the brand line that I'm using? Is the palomar knot simply just no good with Fluroclear? Any suggestions for other knots?

[Bluebasser86]

6lb is pretty light to be using with a texas rigged worm. You might try switching to 8 or even 10. Make sure you thoroughly wet the knot down before you tighten it because the line will damage itself because of the heat from the friction while you're cinching the knot down. Fluroclear has a reputation of breaking on the hookset too I'm afraid. I have had decent success with it but have also had some breakoffs that shouldn't have happened. Other than making sure your knots are wet before tightening you'll also want to retie, probably after every fish if you stick with 6lb test.

[ripinthem]

Yeah, what he said. I don't use Palomar on flouro-types, unless I'm drop-shotting. Double uni, if you stick to light flouro, and never try to lift one.

[Sun Fish]

Well I prefer fishing weightless T-Rigs on spinning reels and have read that fluro above 6lb causes problems on spinning reels. I have it on an ultra light setup with 6lb being the maximum it's made to handle. I've never had problems lifting fish with the line on 6lb mono which is why this kind of threw me for a loop.

What's the reason for recomending retieng after every fish if the line checks out to be ok? I also read that fluro tends to cut itself at the knot when enough pressure is put on the knot but wasn't really sure what to make of that. I'm assuming this is why you recommend to retie.

I will try picking up some 8 or 10lb for my larger spinning setup tomorrow and hopfully wont have this problem. Is Fluro known for breaking when picking a fish out of the water? It happened to me nearly back to back after retieng which I found strange after catching about 5 fish on the first tie.

[Loop_Dad]

Right when I started using Flouro, I've experienced a series of break offs. I was using improved clinch. I did a bit of research and switched to San Diego jam knot, then the problem went away. Only negative about this knot for me is it takes a bit more time.

[Sun Fish]

Right when I started using Flouro, I've experienced a series of break offs. I was using improved clinch. I did a bit of research and switched to San Diego jam knot, then the problem went away. Only negative about this knot for me is it takes a bit more time.

Thanks I will try this knot instead it seems much easier to tie than the Double Uni.

[BASSclary]

Why is everyone suggesting a double uni?

The only reason to double is so braid doesn't slip.

A regular UNi will be fine.

[hike4steel]

I use a palomar with floro alomost always and don't expierence break offs but i use a lot of lines in higher test. I do retie after a handful or so of big fish, but if I get side tracked with something, sometimes I wait to long and snap! Make sure you lubricate knots with some saliva. Friction will damage the line and compromise the knot.

[NBR]

I don't have a problem and 99% of the time I tie 10 or 12 # fluro. Be sure the knot is not twisted and well lubed with water or spit be fore you tighten and pull the knot up slowly.

[Darren.]

I love Floroclear and never break on hook sets... I use 6-15lb test and absolutely love the stuff. I know there's plenty of folks in the forum that have had bad experiences with the line, but not me.

I use it on both spinning and baitcasting gear - as leader material tied to 10lb PowerPro mainline. My hook sets are not massive jerks, just reel down and sweep. Never break. So I've got two knots in the line, the line-to-leader (Albright), and the terminal knot. I have complete confidence with this setup.

That said, I tie ALL my hooks with a snell knot. Only time I will use a different terminal knot is if it's a jig, or type of hook that has no shank to tie a snell (due to lead head or such).

The snell knot is by far the best *I* have ever used with FC lines. And I do use the snell with pure FC when I tie it on as a leader (terminal end). As said by others, lubricate the knot before you cinch it down.

I tie mine the way

does on YouTube. Very simple after a few times practicing, you can do it in a hurricane while on the water with your eyes closed. :-)

Do be sure to check the eye of your hook before tying, though. I've had cheaper brand hooks have little fraying of the metal in the eye which nicked the line making it break.

Also, once I tie the snell, before I make the first cast, I always do a good pull test.

Hope this helps.

As for pound test for TX rigging, I'll agree with the first response that it is on the light side. However, I've used 6 lb on weightless TX or very light bullet weight (1/16oz).

When the bite is tough, I downsize everything. So if you want to throw a TX rigged worm on 4lb test you can. It's your call.

Heck, you can use light line for just about anything if you're confident in your ability to handle fish with it! Just read Craig DeFronzo's piece on light line right here at bassresource.

Edited July 28, 2012 by DarrenM

[NitroZ9]

When I'm using light line for finesse techniques on spinning gear, I use 10-14# braid with a flouro. leader. The braid eliminates all the problems you get with coiling and line twist when using spinning reels. In addition, you can use the braid for a long time without the need to change it. The flouro. leader gives you your invisibility at the bait. I use a uni knot to attach the two and have never had a problem. If you want to continue using straight flouro., you might try some other brands to see if your problems continue. When I first started using flouro., I had problems with break offs also. After trying different brands, I found a couple of brands that eliminated the problems. Of course, when you're fishing 6# line, you can have a problem with any brand when lifting a fish out of the water. As far as knots, I also changed to the San Diego Jam this year and have had great success with it. I am now only using Palomars with non-flouro lines and drop shot. Also, when using your flouro. or combination braid/flouro., put some KVD Line and Lure on before each trip. It really helps soften the line and makes it a lot more manageable. It's also water based, not petroleum based like the others.

[pondassasin]

Shaw Grigsby knot for Texas rigs and the miller knot for drop shotting. Never had a problem with either. Both can be tricky to learn at first but tired correctly are very strong knots for fluorocarbon.

[SudburyBasser]

have read that fluro above 6lb causes problems on spinning reels.

Really? What sorts of issues? I use 10-14lb fluorocarbon on my spinning reels almost exclusively and haven't seen any problems. To be truthful, the old criticisms of memory and knot strength haven't even been issues.

[Sun Fish]

Really? What sorts of issues? I use 10-14lb fluorocarbon on my spinning reels almost exclusively and haven't seen any problems. To be truthful, the old criticisms of memory and knot strength haven't even been issues.

Line twist and such with fluro above 6 lb. Not sure if it's brand specific I was just googleing for some info before I made this thread.

However ever since I switched to the San Diego Jam knot that Loop mentioned above, I've landed 4 fish without a retie without any snapping yet. After each fish I give the line a good tug to make sure it holds.

[SudburyBasser]

Line twist and such with fluro above 6 lb. Not sure if it's brand specific I was just googleing for some info before I made this thread.

Hmmm, interesting. I haven't noticed any so hopefully it is brand specific and I lucked out.

[Sun Fish]

Hmmm, interesting. I haven't noticed any so hopefully it is brand specific and I lucked out.

What brand are you using? I will have to try some for my heavier spinning setups.

[Jig Meister]

I am sure it has been stated in this thread already, trilene knot for FC is a must.

It is the only knot I trust with FC line, and I have never had an issue with it.

Once you tie it 5 times, you will have it down no problem.

most of the issues people have with it is that they forget to pull the single tag, and main line away to cinch it down tight, and end up with a loose knot. And don't forget to lube it good

[cody161]

I use the San Diego Jam knot and have not had any problems out of it with fluorocarbon. If you have a iPhone download the app called Knot Wars, it is really helpful when trying to learn new knots.