hoosierbass07 Posted October 4, 2013 Posted October 4, 2013 I went, for the first time, to one of Indiana's best bass lakes - Lake Waveland. My brother and I took the canoe out this evening on the lake. I still consider myself a newbie to bass fishing. I started this spring. Anyway, I was using a Texas rigged Yum plastic worm and using eight pound P-Line Florclear. After about twenty minutes of casting I thought my lure was snagged. Then the drag started letting line out. And I was confused. I seen a fish jump and I knew I had a bass on the line. So I reeled it up to the canoe and then grabbed the line with my hand and right then the line broke! And this bass was the biggest bass I have ever caught or almost caught! Now I got thinking - a few weeks ago I was letting my nephew use that same rod and reel with the same line. He caught a big bass bank fishing and when he reeled it to shore I grabbed the line so I could lip the bass. But right then the line broke and the bass jumped back into the water. So what is the deal here? Am I the cause of the line breaks because I'm grabbing the line with my hand? Is it because I'm using eight pound line? Is it the P-Line Floroclear line? Should I be using ten pound line? I will admit when I started fishing this spring, the bass I caught could be easily caught on six pound line. Now I've joined a club and have access to larger bass and am using my canoe more to find larger bass. Should I be moving up to ten pound line? My main bass catchers have been two spinning rods, one with eight pound line and one with six pound line. Also, could it be my knots? I tie the Improved Clinch knot 99% of the time. I know one thing - I don't want to lose any more big bass because of my line/knots breaking. Opinions?
Super User David P Posted October 4, 2013 Super User Posted October 4, 2013 Floroclear is P-Line's worst line, one of the worst lines I've ever fished.. It's limp and manageability is GREAT, but strength wise, it's terrible... It breaks, a LOT. Try a real flourocarbon. P-Line Fluorocarbon, Sunline Sniper FC, P-Line Halo, Trilene 100%. There's tons out there. Floroclear is very weak. Try their flourocarbon instead. 2
gallowaypt Posted October 4, 2013 Posted October 4, 2013 I agree that the line isn't the best. I've had light line do the same thing when I grabbed the line, so I never do that anymore. When you grab the line, the bass will usually make another run or jump and thrash their head, assuming they have any energy left to expend.There is no drag to let out when you are grabbing the line, resulting in the line break. I just hold the rod back with one hand and lip them with the other.
kschultz76 Posted October 4, 2013 Posted October 4, 2013 Could be the line, could be the knot, hard to say. I've had the opposite experience with it, and find it to be a strong and durable line. Hell I got a bait caught up in a tree limb and nothing I could do would snap the 12lb line I was using. I was turned on to it by a guide in AZ who uses it for all his client gear largemouth and striper fishing. I use 8lb on some of my spinning gear. One thing that could be contributing is how well you're lubricating your knot, get it good and wet with spit. I've lost fish in the past grabbing the line like that with other brand lines. I've since learned to not do that. 1
hoosierbass07 Posted October 4, 2013 Author Posted October 4, 2013 Well, when I got the eight pound P-line floroclear hung up on brush or something in the past I usually had to pull very hard before the line would break. I will admit I don't like wetting lines and I only wetting the P-Line sometimes. Hmm, the more I think about it, maybe it is the knots that are breaking. Anyway, I'm going to take it off my spinning reel and put on ten pound Stren mono low-vis green. My brother says Stren has been around for fifty years and is good stuff. I had the P-Line on all summer anyway, time for a change for fall.
motodmast Posted October 4, 2013 Posted October 4, 2013 hey man switch to 8lb yo-zuri. its some excellent line, ill guarante youll love it more than the fluoroclear. and its twice as strong. the yo-zuri 6lb has a breaking strength of like 12lbs, so the 8lb is even higher. is a great line and not to expensive.
hoosierbass07 Posted October 4, 2013 Author Posted October 4, 2013 I'll have to check out yo-zuri. I don't think the local Gander Mountain sales it though. Have to get it online. What kind of knots can you tie with yo-zuri? Can the improved clinch knot be used with yo-zuri?
Mr_Scrogg Posted October 4, 2013 Posted October 4, 2013 If you can't find Yozuri Hybrid, then go with some P-Line CXX. It's a copolymer as well, and is tried and true. Gander sells it as well.
Super User SirSnookalot Posted October 4, 2013 Super User Posted October 4, 2013 My only expriences with P-line florclear are using 20# offshore on a conventional reel using an ordinary clinch knot, have caught fish upwards of 50# amberjacks with no breaking issue. I also use that same 20# as leader material for some inshore fishing, snook, bonefish, bluefish and jacks plus bass fishing in Florida canals, again an ordinary clinch knot with no issues. I have had very few negative issues with mono or copoly lines of any brand, I don't recommend of favor any one in particular. When I have a breakage problem it usually isn't the line at fault, it's me. A fish that is allowed to take out drag generally will not break the line, it's when the drag is too tight. Kid yourself not, if you are using line labeled at 6# and it breaks at 12, you are really using 12# test line, should be fine for most spinning reels when bass fishing IMO. 1
Super User roadwarrior Posted October 4, 2013 Super User Posted October 4, 2013 Floroclear is P-Line's worst line, one of the worst lines I've ever fished.. It's limp and manageability is GREAT, but strength wise, it's terrible... It breaks, a LOT. I had the same experience and many others have, too. Try the Yo-Zuri Hybrid #6 on spinning tackle, #12 for baitcasters. If you want to try another brand of fluorocarbon, Seaguar is pretty good: InvizX for spinning tackle, AbrazX for baitcasting.
Super User BrianinMD Posted October 4, 2013 Super User Posted October 4, 2013 I have one rod with this line, I didn't switch it to fluro due to top water baits. I have not had a single issue. In each case of it breaking you mentioned grabbing the line, that is something you really don't want to do. With the short length of line between the fish and you hand all the pressure is put there. And if you are not wetting the line every knot that could be contributing also, especially with line grabbing.
hoosierbass07 Posted October 4, 2013 Author Posted October 4, 2013 Is there any fluorocarbon or hybrid line that does not require to be wetted before cinching the knot? I'm not a fan of using saliva on line. My thinking - if a line is good why do I have to wet it in the first place?
Super User roadwarrior Posted October 4, 2013 Super User Posted October 4, 2013 It's a lubricant. If you don't like spit, use Chapstick.
Super User WRB Posted October 4, 2013 Super User Posted October 4, 2013 Don't blame the line for your mistakes. P Line FluoroClear is a good premium line. Learn to tie good knots. Re tie knots every few hours fishing and cut off hooks when done fishing for the day. Pull out the line between your fingers to check for any abrasion, if you feel a rough spot, cut off the line and re tie. Heavier or larger diameter line doesn't behave well on spinning reels, 8 lb should be OK, if you use a net and avoid grabbing the line. Set your drag at 2 to 2 1/2 lbs and trust the reel drag. Your problem was grabbing the line and trying to land the bass by had using the line to lift the bass. Tom 2
Super User Jrob78 Posted October 4, 2013 Super User Posted October 4, 2013 Is there any fluorocarbon or hybrid line that does not require to be wetted before cinching the knot? I'm not a fan of using saliva on line. My thinking - if a line is good why do I have to wet it in the first place? Friction cause line to heat up. When it heats up, it breaks. Get a bottle of KVD Line and Lure Conditioner and spray your knots before tightening. I would hate for you to get saliva on your line....eew.
Super User Darren. Posted October 4, 2013 Super User Posted October 4, 2013 It is probably the knots you're tying. I use P-Line Floroclear and love it. But I also use Yo-Zuri Hybrid. Both are excellent lines. My personal opinion is the Floroclear has better coloring (I use mist green) over YZ's camo green. The FC disappears better to my eyes. But I have caught some hefty bass on P-Line Floroclear with 6, 8, 10, 15 lb test. I've rarely had the line snap on me unless I was into toothy critter areas, or in timber with too-light test. As well, if you had any snags and hard pulls to free it, it may very well have lost some strength. Don't think Yo-Zuri Hybrid is THE answer. It isn't. It IS excellent line, but I've had it break on me. On one of my rigs I use YZH 10lb test leaders. My knots don't break, but the line can - any line can. As well, make sure your drag is set correctly. So before you strip it off your reel, try using the Palomar, Uni (5-7 wraps), or Snell knots when tying your hooks. Definitely moisten the knots before cinching down.
dave Posted October 5, 2013 Posted October 5, 2013 The only thing I can add to what some have said, is that there is a difference between the strength of a line at a dead pull, and it's "shock" strength. You may be able to pull up a branch with 6# line but, it's shock strength against an improperly set drag will break lots of different brands, tests and types of line. But yeah, you caused the break off by grabbing the line.
Super User roadwarrior Posted October 5, 2013 Super User Posted October 5, 2013 No... I quit using this junk because it broke while casting.
Super User Team9nine Posted October 5, 2013 Super User Posted October 5, 2013 Floroclear is P-Line's worst line, one of the worst lines I've ever fished.. It's limp and manageability is GREAT, but strength wise, it's terrible... It breaks, a LOT. Try a real flourocarbon. P-Line Fluorocarbon, Sunline Sniper FC, P-Line Halo, Trilene 100%. There's tons out there. Floroclear is very weak. As you've seen, like every other line, some people think it's great, and others can't stand it. Throw me in the latter category like David (above) and others. I tried 2 different spools for nearly 6 months and had more unexplained breakoffs in that time than all other lines I've ever fished, combined...finally pulled off all the line and also tossed the remainder of the spools - problem solved. Not saying it's not the greatest line for some, but it will never make it onto a reel I own again. Just not worth trying to figure out the problem when so many other great lines are out there that I've never had issues with. And for the record to reflect that I'm not just a P-Line "hater", I've never had any problem with the several spools of CXX I've tried over the years, from 6# to 17#, or the spool of P-Line (100%) fluorocarbon. They've all been good to me. -T9
moguy1973 Posted October 5, 2013 Posted October 5, 2013 I use P-Line CX Premium and I really like it. Almost as much if not more than Yo-Zuri Hybrid. It seems to be more manageable and doesn't curl as much as Yo-Zuri does, at least for me... 1
Super User WRB Posted October 5, 2013 Super User Posted October 5, 2013 No... I quit using this line because it broke while casting. If the lines is old or poorly handled then brand has nothing to do with performance. Tom
Super User SirSnookalot Posted October 5, 2013 Super User Posted October 5, 2013 No... I quit using this line because it broke while casting. User error If the lines is old or poorly handled then brand has nothing to do with performance. Tom Agree........have had very few negative issues with any line.
hoosierbass07 Posted October 6, 2013 Author Posted October 6, 2013 So I yanked off all my P-line floor clear from my spinning reel and baitcaster. Got new line on all three, all lo-vis green mono. 8 pound Stren on one spinning reel. 10 pound Stren on another spinning reel. And 12 pound Sufix Elite on my baitcaster.
aquaholic Posted October 6, 2013 Posted October 6, 2013 How many times have you changed your line out this year?
hoosierbass07 Posted October 6, 2013 Author Posted October 6, 2013 When I started in the spring I changed out two or three times until I found a good set up - six pound clear Sufix Elite that was my main bass catcher, on a spinning reel. Also eight pound clear P-line floroclear that did the job. But I was mostly fishing at a lake/reservoir state park bank fishing and those lines could handle the bass. As summer has moved forward I have found more and more places to fish that have larger bass. Looking back over the summer, I remember a few more times when that Floroclear broke. I remember using that six pound mono Sufix in early spring and holding the line in my hand with a bass on the line and it not breaking. I'm starting to think that Sufix mono line is very good mono. I'm starting to get suspicious of fluorocarbon and knot problems.
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