Drop Shot Line Breakage

[zachvu]

I decided a few weeks back that I need to get better at fishing various methods instead of my usual go-to's, and decided to start drop shotting almost exclusively for the next few weeks.  I have a reel set up with 6lb fluoro, and catches so far have been great.  However, three times yesterday I caught a fish, set him free, and on the next cast had my line snap while casting.  The first didn't break until it was in the water, the second snapped right above the hook on the cast so I lost both hook and weight, and the last snapped right below the hook sending my weight splashing.  

 

So.....am I doing something wrong in tying the hook?  Or is 6lb to weak for what I'm doing?  Or is the fish just tearing up the line, and I need to retie the knot after each catch??  It only happened after catching a fish each time, so I'm leaning towards the latter, but looking for some input from people that know more than me about this!!

[lmbfisherman]

I decided a few weeks back that I need to get better at fishing various methods instead of my usual go-to's, and decided to start drop shotting almost exclusively for the next few weeks.  I have a reel set up with 6lb fluoro, and catches so far have been great.  However, three times yesterday I caught a fish, set him free, and on the next cast had my line snap while casting.  The first didn't break until it was in the water, the second snapped right above the hook on the cast so I lost both hook and weight, and the last snapped right below the hook sending my weight splashing.  

 

So.....am I doing something wrong in tying the hook?  Or is 6lb to weak for what I'm doing?  Or is the fish just tearing up the line, and I need to re-tie the knot after each catch??  It only happened after catching a fish each time, so I'm leaning towards the latter, but looking for some input from people that know more than me about this!!

First I always check, especially after catching a fish if my line/knot is still ok.  So if you're not doing that now, I'd start with that.  Second it's possible the floro you have is brittle? Maybe the spool was old when you bought it, so the integrity/strength of the line is weak.  6lb floro is not too weak for drop shot.  I've gone down to 4lb leader/floro and had no issue with breakage.  Another thought crossed my mind is maybe you aren't fighting the fish properly?  Meaning when I go down that low, I don't try to horse them in. 

 

Are you using the standard method for DS?  (Palomar knot)  If you are the Palomar Knot to me is almost fullproof, but you must wet the line before cinching down. 

[J Francho]

I retie after catching.

[zachvu]

First I always check, especially after catching a fish if my line/knot is still ok.  So if you're not doing that now, I'd start with that.  Second it's possible the floro you have is brittle? Maybe the spool was old when you bought it, so the integrity/strength of the line is weak.  6lb floro is not too weak for drop shot.  I've gone down to 4lb leader/floro and had no issue with breakage.  Another thought crossed my mind is maybe you aren't fighting the fish properly?  Meaning when I go down that low, I don't try to horse them in. 

 

Are you using the standard method for DS?  (Palomar knot)  If you are the Palomar Knot to me is almost fullproof, but you must wet the line before cinching down. 

 

I'm not tearing them in or fighting real hard, they were actually both really small fish I caught before the break!  I'm using a palomar, and always slobber all over myself before cinching it down tight

[zachvu]

I retie after catching.

 

Maybe I need to just go with this route....losing a hook and sinker on a cast is just painful! 

[Felix77]

First I always check, especially after catching a fish if my line/knot is still ok.  So if you're not doing that now, I'd start with that.  Second it's possible the floro you have is brittle? Maybe the spool was old when you bought it, so the integrity/strength of the line is weak.  6lb floro is not too weak for drop shot.  I've gone down to 4lb leader/floro and had no issue with breakage.  Another thought crossed my mind is maybe you aren't fighting the fish properly?  Meaning when I go down that low, I don't try to horse them in. 

 

Are you using the standard method for DS?  (Palomar knot)  If you are the Palomar Knot to me is almost fullproof, but you must wet the line before cinching down. 

 

x2 on this .... What kind of structure/cover are you fishing it around?  Maybe it is getting jacked up a bit and you didn't know it.  You need to check your line after every catch or every 10-15 casts.

 

Besides this I would consider trying 8lb test and see if your catch percentage remains the same.

 

Worst case as J Fracho said ... retie, retie, retie.

 

Good luck

[zachvu]

x2 on this .... What kind of structure/cover are you fishing it around?  Maybe it is getting jacked up a bit and you didn't know it.  You need to check your line after every catch or every 10-15 casts.

 

Besides this I would consider trying 8lb test and see if your catch percentage remains the same.

 

Worst case as J Fracho said ... retie, retie, retie.

 

Good luck

 

Structure yesterday was minimal to non-existent!  Our local lake was a sand dune that was flooded to make a lake, so not much for underwater structure.  The spot I fished has two humps that drop to 14', with a slight channel running though the middle.  I guess I just need to keep a closer eye on the line after a catch!

[WIGuide]

6 lb flouro is what I used last year for drop shotting and I never had that issue. I think I snapped a weight off once, but that was my fault because the line was absolutely jacked. Make sure when you're tying your knot don't let the lines twist over one another, keep it wetted like it sounds you do, and synch it down S.L.O.W.L.Y.

[MikeinFresno]

is the line getting down around the eye of the hook where its tied and getting cut there? Also I have a few times had too much slack on a hook set and snapped my line at the hook. Maybe your line is weakened by this hook set?

[zachvu]

Something else I don't think I mentioned is that two out of the three times it broke off just below the hook.  I still had my hook and bait on, so I don't think it would have been the hook set, as it wasn't breaking at the knot.  I wonder if maybe I'm pulling the knot too fast, as I am used to puling the tag end, which would end up just below the hook on a drop shot.

 

Another thought...yesterday is the fist time this has happened, but it's also the first time I've tried send the tag back through the hook eye to keep the direction correct.  Is this something you guys do?  Is it something that could be contributing to the problem??

[lmbfisherman]

Something else I don't think I mentioned is that two out of the three times it broke off just below the hook.  I still had my hook and bait on, so I don't think it would have been the hook set, as it wasn't breaking at the knot.  I wonder if maybe I'm pulling the knot too fast, as I am used to puling the tag end, which would end up just below the hook on a drop shot.

 

Another thought...yesterday is the fist time this has happened, but it's also the first time I've tried send the tag back through the hook eye to keep the direction correct.  Is this something you guys do?  Is it something that could be contributing to the problem??

I always do what you stated, still no issues.  I have never experienced the problems you are having, I've even caught numerous fish without having an issue with breakage at all.  Heck I've even used the same setup after inspecting the line to see if it's ok and still catch fish the next day. Only thing maybe it is your cinching or possibly the line is bad..that is the only thing I can think of. 

[motodmast]

i fish a drop shot 90% of the time i spend fishing. i use 15lb braid to a 6lb fluoro leader, or 6lb fluoro. depending on what rod im fishing.

 

i use 6lb Seaugar red label, have not had line break yet. i use a palamor knot, and then stick the tag end back through the eye of the hook. when you are tieing your knot, its up against the hook right? not up high then sliding it down as its tight? ive seen some people do it that way and that just destroys your line. 

 

with a dropshot, you dont need to set the hook hard at all, the hooks are so small, the penetrate the basses mouth very easily. i use either the vmc spinshot hooks, or the vmc sureset dropshot hooks. 

 

what brand line are you using? the red label i use is pretty tough stuff, the part between the weight and hook is so abraized its not even funny lol i never change it though cause it just dont break. ive had the same hook on now for the past 5 fishing trips with out re-tying. i just feel the line from the hook up and if it feels smooth, i cast it back out. 

[zachvu]

I'll make a short video tonight of how I have been tying the Palomar, and I guess we can go from there!

[WRB]

The answer is in the details. What brand FC line? What brand and hook size? What is your drag set at?, what rod?, what reel?

We know 6# FC and Palomar knot.

Tom

[zachvu]

The answer is in the details. What brand FC line? What brand and hook size? What is your drag set at?, what rod?, what reel?

We know 6# FC and Palomar knot.

Tom

 

Stren Fluorocast, 1/0 Gamakatsu worm hook on the one that broke above the hook, same thing on the one that broke below the hook, and a #1 finesse wide gap Gamakatsu on the other that broke below the line.  Drag is set pretty light, on a set it is pulling out line. 6'6" M Abu Garcia rod and a Lew's SS Tournament.

[MikeinFresno]

Im guessing bad line or tightening the knot is it

[WRB]

With a standard worm hook you must be careful that the line doesn't contact the hook shaft barbs and nick it.

You also need to be careful the hook eye where it wraps around to the hook shaft doesn't cut the line when tightening the knot. Drop shot hooks don't have barbs, nose hook the worm. Owners 5133 down shot hook is good for weedless hooking worms, no barbs.

The San Diego jam knot works good with FC line, single line knot is easier to tie without getting into the hook eye or barb issues. The Palomar knot is OK, if tied correctly.

Set your drag with a scale at 2 lbs!

Test your knots by pulling on the line/ hook before using it. Test the line by wrapping around your hand and giving it a snap test, bad line breaks easily.

Tom

[zachvu]

I think I figured out the problem....

 

I lost another one last night and inspected it closely.  It snapped where the line is going back through the eye of the hook, and 1/8 of an inch down the tag line/weight side.  I think the tag/weight end is being pinched where the wire closes to form the eye of the hook on hookset.  I believe this would explain why it is breaking in the same spot, and only after landing a fish.  

 

Thoughts?

 

I'm also curious as to why this is happening to me, and not to most.  Would it be the hook selection and line combo??

[WRB]

Could be the hook,more likely how you clinch the knot tight.

Palomar knots and FC line are not a good match. When you do the overhand double knot, like tying your shoe, the overhand knot portion of the knot should be snug, but not tight. Put the hook through the loop, wet the overhand knot and loop, pinch the loop forward, then draw down the loop with the tag end of the line until tight, then clinch the knot tighter with the tag end only. Now look closely at the line exiting the knot....there shouldn't be any shiny or flatten line next to the knot!! iF you see flattened line retie.

Your drop shot hook should be point upright, if it isn't retie the knot.

Hold the hook so the point is facing away from you, the end of the line is inserted through the hook eye so it comes out the hook point direction, then doubled back to make your loop.

Good luck and practice the knot until you get it right.

Tom

[martintheduck]

Palomar knots and FC line are not a good match. 

 

 

I respectfully disagree.

 

 

But on another note ---- I fished dropshots on straight 10lb powerpro braid last year (no FC leader) and crushed some fish. I started using a FC leader (8lb's) this year and love it. I will say too, I set my drag relatively loose... just enough to get a hook set and then I let them take drag often.

[mod479]

"Breaking 1/8" down the tag end..."

 

Bad line, or you're not cinching the knot right. Could be simple: Slobber all over that knot when you tie it, if any of that FC gets hot from friction, it loses a lot of strength right there. Take your time and if it don't feel or look right, start over.

 

A loose and smoooooooth drag is key if youre gonna use light line. Let em run...dont let em jump if you can help it, seen many a DS weights get flung into orbit by acrobatic bass. This is why I now tie a single overhand knot after attaching with the clip on the weight.

 

I run 5lb sniper and 6# tatsu / palomar knot as well. Rarely break fish off because I re tie after any decent fish. Only takes a minute. 

 

If youre gonna use light FC, gotta re tie often. You might like the fluorocast, but I'd also suggest trying another brands 6# FC if you keep breaking off.    

[Big Texan]

This is my set up and I have very few if any breakages. Largest fish to date was last spring at 9lb 6.

20 pound Samuri braid to 8 lb Pline halo fluorocarbon with a double surgeons knot. 1/0 Gama Glock worm hook, palomar with about a 8 to 10 inch leader 1/8 oz weight. I fish a wacky style baby senko type worm most of the time. Them some times use a full size and remove the weight.

I retie the braid to leader every day if I'm catching a lot.

The thing is when reeling in a fish a lot of time the weighted leader is spinning around the whole rig, literally some times it takes 2 or three minutes to untangle the whole mess. Most of the time the leader will be pulled through the worm. That's why I use 8LB.

My line doesn't twist at all in the set up for some reason. Good luck.

[Lucky Craft Man]

I retie after catching.

 

You must spend a lot of tie retying.  A drop shot rig is a pain in itself to tie on to start the day let alone to retie this whole rig after every fish.

[J Francho]

Takes two seconds. It's also why I roll with four rigs. If I don't retie, I often lose the tag end with the sinker on the next fish, so I'd have to retie anyway.

[WRB]

I respectfully disagree.

But on another note ---- I fished dropshots on straight 10lb powerpro braid last year (no FC leader) and crushed some fish. I started using a FC leader (8lb's) this year and love it. I will say too, I set my drag relatively loose... just enough to get a hook set and then I let them take drag often.

The Palomar knot on FC line has about 65-70% knot strength, about 4 lbs with 6 lb line and you think that is good? By using 10# braid direct you gained close to 10# knot strength, good choice. The 8# FC will give you about 5# knot strength with 2 knots!

Tom