Braid Issues

[Vinny Chase]

Hey guys,

I started using a punching setup and had gold success getting bites, but 2 out of 3 bites I broke my line...here is my tackle: 7'6" have rod, 50 lb power pro, gammy flippin hook, bobber stopper, and snell and palamar knot....what could my issue be?

VC

[Tywithay]

Too strong of a hookset. Braid is very strong when pulling, but has very little shock resistance. Have to use a leader to absorb the blow, or lighten up on hooksets.

[gulfcaptain]

Do a lot of punching, first I use a marker on the first 12" of my line(useful in keeping tabs on the braid there incase of wear spots.  Next, your drag may be too tight.  No stretch can cause you to part at the knot as it's the weakest spot.  I'm betting you broke off on the hook sets, try loosening your drag a bit.  I keep mine a bit lighter to obsorb any stress from my hook sets and once the fish is on use my thumb to help control the spool if I need more drag and power to pull them from the grass. 

[iabass8]

Absolutely never use a leader when punching...

 

I use the same set up except 65# PP for punching. My drag is locked. I can't recall the last time I've lost a fish due to braid breaking and I don't mess around on hook sets in grass/mats. You can't really set the hook too hard punching if you are using the right set up.

 

Dobyns DX795

65#pp

Gammy 4/0 Flippin hook

Snell knot

Bobberstop

 

I will say when i switched to a mod fast tip for punching, my hook ups went way up. I am not a fan of XF for punching. 

 

The only thing I could think of is your snap setting your line /w slack on a tip that's too fast for punching. no idea. Maybe a nick in your guides causing the braid to fray? Are you using good tungsten /w smooth edges? It's just little things to check. I personally use inserts on the larger 1 oz -1.5oz just because that large is always on braid and braid just frays so easy.

[Jrob78]

Your gear sounds ok and 50lb PP doesn't just break on hook sets.  Something is causing it.  Check your line, if it's really old I suppose it could get bad, I've never had braid go bad though.  Check your guides for cracks.  Run a Q-tip around each guide, especially the tip.  If it leaves cotton behind you have a crack.  Check your weights, like Iabass mentioned, if they have sharp edges they can cut your braid.  Also check your knots, make sure you are tying them well and they aren't slipping.  

[MarkH024]

What IA and Jrob said. Im willing to bet your weight might be the issue. I use 50# on a Dobyns 766c, .75-1.5oz tungsten, and snelled 4/o Dennny Brauer flipping hooks.I have yet to break off on a hookset.

[WRB]

Palomar knot is slipping.

Tom

[roadwarrior]

On 7/13/2014 at 7:47 AM, WRB said:

Palomar knot is slipping.

Tom

Try the Duncan Knot, also called a 16-20 or Pitzen knot:

 

Note: I make a slight modification wrapping the line from the eye up. Put the tag yhrough the loop so

that it comes out on the same side as the main line. This knot is similar to a noose: https://www.google.com/search?q=noose&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=gJ7CU42rNYrS8AGh2oDQDA&ved=0CC0QsAQ&biw=1536&bih=884

[F14A-B]

I believe it is you're knot as well

[Kevin22]

If you watch the scott martin challenge where he fishes with roland for bedding bass (they catch a 10#) he explains what gear you want. 

 

H or XH rod, 7'6 minimum length

Parabolic bend on the rod

Fast gear ratio reel

80# braid

1-3oz tungsten weight

flippin hook

 

I remember him mentioning that if you use less than 80 your risk of breaking off goes way up. Now, I doubt you are fishing for 10# fish (that would be a near state record!) so I would say try 65# and see if that helps. Its the shock of the big weight and heavy rod that is needed to punch, when all of that makes contact with the fish there is a heavy shock load capable of breaking lighter braid. Especially if it is older braid. 

 

You might also try the slick8 version of power pro, in 65# it breaks at 102#. Regular power pro 65# breaks at 79#. Regular power pro 50# breaks at 60#. 

 

Also, put a bic in your pocket and burn that tag end! 

[WRB]

The Pitzen knot is the same as the San Diego jam knot, good for FC, haven't used it for braid.

The braid knot, today called the Berkley braid knot, is very strong; basically the clinch knot tied with double line, you end up with 3 ends to cut off.

You could anchor your boat with 50 braid. The only reason to use heavy braid is the larger diameter is easier to handle with getting line cuts, you could use 80 lb braid to catch 500 lb Black Sea bass in kelp beds!

Tom

PS, just read the TT test on braid Suffix 832 and was surprised that knot strength for all braids is poor, less than 50% of rated line strength! Impact strength is very high, well over 100% of line strength.

[CJV]

Ditch the power pro and get some fx2

[Jrob78]

Ditch the power pro and get some fx2

I'm not a big fan of PP either but it is a quality line and isn't going to break for no reason.

[Fisher-O-men]

Palomar knot is slipping.

Tom

This was my initial thought.  I use a uni with 6 wraps.  Very easy knot to tie.

[F14A-B]

Yum... Sea Bass

[jignfule]

bullet weight if not pegged tight may slide up and down a bit, fraying the braid.

[SirSnookalot]

It's probably just the way the knot is tied.  I do not use a palomar myself, I use an improved clinch with 2 wraps.  Any of the other mentioned knots will work just as well as long as they are tied correctly.  I generally use PP 10-15 and 20#, only time I have a knot issue is when I've tied a bad one.  80# braid that breaks at 102#, IMO is pressing it a bit for bass fishing.

[Tim Kelly]

Knot either tied badly or getting nicked by the hook eye or tungsten weight fraying the braid would be my guesses.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Do your tungsten weights have inserts? If not they may have burrs fraying the line.

[Vinny Chase]

Thank you BR for the quick responses! That is the reason this site is so great...

I took a look at my drag and it was set as tight as possible, so I loosened that up, got back out, and put a few fish in the boat without any issues..Hopefully that was my issue! 

 

Thanks again, 

VC

[Catch and Grease]

It may be a toothy species cutting your line.