I need a knot with relatively low breaking strength.

[tstraub]

My wife and kids like to do a lot of slip float fishing for bluegill and crappie near lily pads.  It seems like somebody is always throwing just a little to far and gets snagged in the pads.  Then they break off and lose the entire rig because there is nothing on the end of the line to keep the slip float on the line.  This year I want to try rigging all of the rods with a bobber stop, a float ,a couple of weights, and a snap.  Then make up several short lengths of line with a hook on one end and a loop to attach to the snap on the other end.  This way hopefully when they break off they only lose the hook. The snap should keep everything else attached to the main line and we can easily attach a new pre-tied hook and leader.  My question is what type of knots would be best to use at the hook and the loop knot to attach to the snap.  One of those two knots needs to be the week link.  I suppose that I could also use a lower pound test line for the pretied hook rigs but all of the rods are currently spooled with 4 pound test line and I really don't wand to drop all the way down to two pound line at the hook. We have a lot of lily pads on the lake and I would like to have some line strength if a fish takes the bait into to the lilys.  

Thanks

Tyler

[J Francho]

Why not just use a lighter leader below the float?  We do this float fishing for steelhead.  Run a 10# mainline, and a 4# leader.  Then you only lose the hook and leader, not the expensive float.  A crappy, weak knot is unpredictable.  I wouldn't want that.  I think the best plan is to step up on the mainline, and step down on the leader.  Well, maybe have them not cast too deep in the pads as well, lol.

Good luck!

[BassThumb]

As a kid, I was taught to tie fishing line with a simple overhand knot with 5 passes.

I can tell you from experience, that's one weak knot!

[IndianaFinesse]

Just use a lighter leader, if you stay with four pound use two or three pound test for the leader.  Although you run the risk of breaking off on a fish, it's the same risk as using a weak knot.  I would personally switch to using eight pound mono as the main line with a six or four pound test leader.

[tstraub]

OK sounds like stepping up the main line and using a light leader is the best answer.  I had 8# on these rods a few years ago and had a lot of line management issues.  So I guess I'll try 6 or a higher quality 8# mono.

Thanks

[Bologna2202]

Try a 6# mainline, and 3# or 4# leader. I think 8# is unnecessary and will cause management issues. 

Bologna