Line breaking on hookset

[N Florida Mike]

Ive been bass fishing for around 40 years now.I have caught tons of bass, big and small.I used to fish tournaments for a couple years.But I have a problem Im hoping yall can help me with.Im somewhat embarassed to admit it though after all these years.I just cant figure it out.

The problem is : My line breaks way too often when I set the hook.Oh I will catch 20-30 maybe but it always happens again.It haunts me.No telling how many big fish Ive lost on the set.

I know about drag.I know about abrasions.Im very careful with knots.And it just keeps happenning.Its not the guides.It always breaks near the fish.

I tried power pro today.10 pound.Fished a pond on the jobsite.I used a palomar knot.Caught a 2 pounder.Got another good bite, set the hook, and it happened again.I have GOT to get to the bottom of this!!!

 

[Scott F]

What kind of lures is this happening with? Are you using the same amount of force when you set the hook with braid as you do when using mono?

[Big Bait Fishing]

take time to re-tie ....

[Wildbillb]

Are you wetting your line before  you cinch that polamar knot?

[FrankN209]

I'm not saying that you do this, but I've watched people do the Bass Master massive hookset on every fish, to me this is not necessary.

[flyfisher]

10lb braid is what, 2lb mono equivalent?  if so braid doesn't have a great shock resistance.  I have snapped 40lb braid on a cast when i get a backlash.  It also doesn't take much to nick it up and pop later on.

[N Florida Mike]

I use soft plastics primarily.

I do re-tie often, esp. if theres any fraying on the line.

I wet the palomar, but not always the clinch.I use the clinch only with mono.

I dont do an all out hookset anymore but sometimes when a fish hits suddenly or if Im on a roll I tend to overdo it a little.

1 minute ago, flyfisher said:

10lb braid is what, 2lb mono equivalent?  if so braid doesn't have a great shock resistance.  I have snapped 40lb braid on a cast when i get a backlash.  It also doesn't take much to nick it up and pop later on.

Yeah, Im finding that to be true.So I reckon a light hookset with no stretch line would be enough.

[flyfisher]

yeah it seems like a pop with sharp hooks is enough.  I know i have an adjustment period when i switch between lines cause of the no stretch properties of braid.

[N Florida Mike]

Im starting to think that may be most of the problem.I do have more breaks when I get over zealous with the set.

But once and awhile I seem to do everything right and it still happens.

Does that happen much to you?

[flyfisher]

not too often for me unless it was a toothy critter which frequent my lakes....d**n chain pickerel bite me off a few times every trip but i am ok with it cause it forces me to retie lol

 

[Scott F]

I use 10 pound braid on all my spinning gear. I thought my line was breaking too. After examining the line, I saw my knots were still intact. I was using hooks that had a gap in the eye that allowed the thin braid to slip out. I make sure the eyes are closed on my hooks now.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

3 minutes ago, Scott F said:

I use 10 pound braid on all my spinning gear. I thought my line was breaking too. After examining the line, I saw my knots were still intact. I was using hooks that had a gap in the eye that allowed the thin braid to slip out. I make sure the eyes are closed on my hooks now.

I had that happen 2 weeks ago 1st time ever. I just so happened to tie my knot differently on that hook. I usually pass line through eye twice to a 6 turn uni knot. Well I only passed it through once on the hook that slipped out. I set hook and pop lost lure. Examined end of line and knot was there with the small loop at end. Maybe I got in hurry and didnt cinch it down tight enough

[d-camarena]

Loosen the drag a little with braid

[Fisher-O-men]

Are you using a leader?

[N Florida Mike]

This is all helpful.

Keep hookset from being too strong.

Keep hooks sharp so a lighter hookset will do.

Close hook eyes .

Loosen drag, esp. With braid

Moisten knots before cinching

Watch for abrasions.

Retie often.

All stuff I knew but i dont do all consistently.Thanks - great advice!!

 

[Ray K]

11 hours ago, N Florida Mike said:

Ive been bass fishing for around 40 years now.I have caught tons of bass, big and small.I used to fish tournaments for a couple years.But I have a problem Im hoping yall can help me with.Im somewhat embarassed to admit it though after all these years.I just cant figure it out.

The problem is : My line breaks way too often when I set the hook.Oh I will catch 20-30 maybe but it always happens again.It haunts me.No telling how many big fish Ive lost on the set.

I know about drag.I know about abrasions.Im very careful with knots.And it just keeps happenning.Its not the guides.It always breaks near the fish.

I tried power pro today.10 pound.Fished a pond on the jobsite.I used a palomar knot.Caught a 2 pounder.Got another good bite, set the hook, and it happened again.I have GOT to get to the bottom of this!!!

 

Well, if you are fishing a soft bait and you are breaking off on the hook set, I suspect your 10 lb line is part of the problem.  I can't imagine fishing for bass in weedy waters with less than 14-17 lb line.  For worm fishing I won't use less than 17 lb mono and prefer 30 lb braid or more.

[WIGuide]

These guys did a pretty good job of covering what could be the causes, so there's no need for me to list them all agian, but one I didn't see has to do with your hookset itself. Not knowing what your hookset itself is actually looking like I can't say for sure, but you could be snap setting which is where you don't reel down on the fish enough before you set it on them. It produces a rather large amount of stress on the line vs a tight line hookset. Try to make sure you either reel down on them until you feel a little pressure, or don't bow to them or move the rod in their direction. 

[Turtle135]

My everyday bass fishing line is Trilene XT in 17 pound test. That stuff is hard to break. When I get snagged it is 70% to 30% where I straighten a hook or pull up the obstruction over actually breaking my line. Anyway, over the winter I dropped down to 10 pound test as an experiment with line management in cold weather and hoping to generate a few more bites. I found my regular hookset could pop that 10 pound test regularly. I really had to tone it down for the lighter line.

[N Florida Mike]

Heres another good point.What pound test to use?.

I have tried to stay at 10 because I just feel like i will  catch more fish.I was considering 12 for some of my reels.But you are right also.I need a line that is super strong, but small diameter so the fish dont see it and it casts good.Isnt that what we are all looking for?

On the hookset i get a little pressure from the fish and pop him.Im generally good on this- once the fish is hooked I rarely lose one.And I sometimes catch 30 or so before a break including some big fish.And then it happens....

I guess sometimes you just need to ask fir help and re- boot.Thanks for helping me do this.

[roadwarrior]

Try a spool of #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid. Most guys like it, some don't. #6 has a breaking strength of 11.9 lbs. I have NEVER broken this line on a cast nor hook-set. Another suggestion is 20 lb braid with #6 Hybrid leader.

 

[BassinLou]

I'm late on this one. Two things stand out Mike. The braid is very thin and the hooksets may be harder than you think. To offset the impact of the hookset, you may want to loosen the drag a little. Lastly, RW beat me to it. YZ Hybrid in 6lbs is great. I use it on my spinner and have had 0 break offs from hooksets or fish. Sounds like a minor adjustment, you should be fine. Goodluck!! 

[N Florida Mike]

I appreciate it!

[DanC]

I had the same problem with 8 lb thickness power pro. 12 lb thickness I don't have the problem. This year I switched to Suffix 832 for my 8lb reels and haven't had the problem yet. 

[Catt]

Berkley Big Game Mean Green 15#!

Problem solved!

[N Florida Mike]

Thanks,Catt.I was already considering big game.I know its tough, but would 15 be too visible in clear water?