What Am I Doing Wrong

[scbassman28]

It seems like almost everytime I go fishing and catch a few fish that some time during that day I am going to break my line on a hook set. I used to think that it was the tungsten weights that I use cutting the line. So I started usineg a little rubber bobber stopper between the weight and hook. Yesterday I broke one on the hook set with a jig adn 15lb Floro. What could be causing this? You see the guys setting the hook as hard as they can no matter how close to the boat the bait is. I am about to just rig all my rods with braid and go at it like that. I dont know what I can change? Any suggestions?

[Marty]

I think you need to look at the various causes, since hooksets shouldn't break lines.

Poor quality line

Line damaged from scraping against cover or defective guides

Drag set too heavily

Poor knots or poor tying of good knots

Probably others that escape me at the moment.

By the way, I have -0- experience with fluoro.

[CoBass]

Are you sure you're breaking the line and not coming undone at your knot? I was having a similar problem and it stopped when I started re-tying more often.

[ccummins]

I agree with CoBass; check your knots. What type of knots are you using? Some are better than others with different line types.

[MIbassin]

I've had the same problem you have. the two things that i learned was make sure you are using appropriate pound test line for your lure selection and to tie a solid knot.

also make sure your line isn't frayed, that could be likely cause

[aceman387]

I would repeat what marty said about the guides.I had something like that happen to me once on a brand new spool of braided line,turns out the top guide was cracked.

[Shewillbemine]

As posters have said, check your knots, then your line.

Are you breaking off at the exact moment of hook set? Are you sure it isn't some kind of snag like an immovable tree trunk? I can count on 1 hand the # of busted lines I've had on the actual hook set so for this to happen a few times a day for you means you're probably doing something wrong.

[bknap]

Like everyone is saying check your knots, i use floro and if you dont have a good knot it will come undone easily

[drew4779]

A little outside of the box here... But I had a reel that had a small nick on the bail that cut line with any bit of tension. If the obvious stated above isn't the culprit, check your equipment.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Yop check your knots.. i had the same using 10 pound fluo.. up its to 15 plus a better tied knot it did the trick for me.. ohh and i lost about 30 bucks on lures dagomti!!

[scbassman28]

This happens with different rods and any line from 10 lb to 15lb. I actually had a fish swimming off with a jig yesterday and broke the line on the hook set. I was using a brand new rod and brand new 15lb stren Floro. I had a Polimar knot tied. Maybe I am getting the knot wrong or something. I appreciate all the feedback from you guys. I will look at the knot and see if I am doing something wrong.

[slonezp]

Check for nics on the levelwind guide. Do you have zebra mussells in your lake?

[Knightiac]

You can usually tell if it's the knot - just by simply looking at the end of the line. It will still have a good amount of curl to it if the knot failed.

If you know you have quality line, I would first check the spool for imperfections, then the levelwind or bail, then each guide. If you find nothing suspicious, loosen the drag. The next step would be to keep your rod lower on hooksets.

I have little experience with Floro so this may not apply, but do you wet your line prior to tightening them? I use mono and use an improved clinch knot 70% of the time. It's not needed, but when I do wet the line before clinching the knot, it tightens much more and the line shows much less wear. Palomar knots can also be tricky if you don't get the right tension, try a different knot if all else fails.

[Shoop05]

If it's a knot issue, you can usually tell because the end of the line will seem to be twisted every once in awhile. I would say retie twice as often as you do now.

Also, you said you catch a few fish then seem to break the line, so you aren't doing it on the first few fish. It sounds like the cover or structure you have been fishing is weakening the line or knot. I would say retie more, and if that doesn't work, start looking over all your rods and reels. Not just the eyes, but the actual shafts of the rods too.

[Tuckahoe Joe]

Im just going to echo pretty much what every one else said. First of all make sure your knot is right. If you wet the knot before pulling it tight, not only does it tighten better but it also reduces friction which can cause a weak spot in the line. Once tied, give the line a good pull or two. If its a bad knot it will often slip or come undone. Check your line for fraying every few casts, especially if your dragging through heavy cover. If your feeling comfortable with the knot, then check the guides/spool/bail arm for knicks or chips. If the line breaks and is still curly at the end, it was the knot. If its a clean break, it was probably frayed.

[Loop_Dad]

scbassman28, I use Stren 100% Flouro up to 17lbs (not Florocast). I use either San Diego Jam or Pitzen knot. With 17lbs, I do 5-6 turns. No problem at all. Try if you haven't try. I used to have problem with Improved Clinch.

[Nitrofreak]

What rod are you using?

The rod may be too fast for really heavy hook sets you are speaking of, just ease up on the hook set a little, with the hooks today it really does not take a home run kind of swing to set the hook, a quick set from the 9 o-clock straight up will get you what you need.

[scbassman28]

I am using a Denali Heavy action worm and jog rod. I am thinking it is the knot because a lot of times the line is curved a little bit at the very end when it breaks. I will work on this knot or try another one. THanks Guys.

[quanjig]

I started tying the Zona shark knot half way thru the season this year and that knot surprised me, strong and simple!!

[roadwarrior]

I think you need to look at the various causes, since hooksets shouldn't break lines.

Poor quality line

Line damaged from scraping against cover or defective guides

Drag set too heavily

Poor knots or poor tying of good knots

Probably others that escape me at the moment.

By the way, I have -0- experience with fluoro.

Fish come unbuttoned for a variety of reasons, but a break-off should be a very rare experience.

[BassAssassin726]

Try a different knot. Make sure youre tying it right and always make sure to moisten the knot with some spit before cinching it down. I use a Palomar knot for everything and have never had a break off.

[Gavin]

Lube your knots with some spit before you tighten them...and make sure the knot is seated well. If it doesnt look good in your hand after you've tied..try again. Good Luck.

[Marty]

I am using a Denali Heavy action worm and jog rod. I am thinking it is the knot because a lot of times the line is curved a little bit at the very end when it breaks. I will work on this knot or try another one. THanks Guys.

That curl in the line is a telltale sign of knot failure. I mentioned earlier that I have no fluoro experience, but I think I've heard that fluoro and the Palomar knot don't do well together. You might want to check that further.

[SirSnookalot]

That curly end sounds like a knot pull thru. There are a ton of good knots, use what's easy to tie but just make sure it's done right, if not do it over. I personally am a lousy at tieing knots, but I use what works for me and knot failure isn't a concern. For braid I use an improved clinch, a double wrap if I'm targeting offshore species like amberjack, an ordinary clinch for attachment of leaders and hooks (an alberto when going line to line) and a loop knot for lures, I make an extra wrap.

[Sam]

Suggestions to consider regarding your line.

1. Make sure the line is fresh. Old line can be a problem.

2. Purchase your line from a store that sells a lot of line so the line you get is the freshest they have.

3. During the day when fishing and after five or six casts into structure or cover run the line under your thumbnail to feel for any nicks or cuts. You can easily feel any "bumps or nicks" when doing this. When you find the "kinks" cut the line above them and retie.

4. Retie your hook knots after two or three fish.

5. Remember to use fresh line after two or three outings and fresh line for all tournaments.