using copolymer and flouro for first time and need help

[JLWoodman]

First I got some P-Line copolymer in 8 lbs. test.  Used it with a polomar knot for a couple weeks with a chatterbait, lipless crank, and texas rigged with an unpegged weight and plastics with out problems.  All the sudden the line seemed to come undone or break at the knot.  I tried to use some jigs and when I got bites, all of them broke at the knot...it seems.  I also lost two buzzbaits  after I switched to a different knot that was similar to a SDJ knot (watched a vid with Mark Zona), but apparently the knot has no name.  Lost all lures to this knot, made sure I was tying it correctly and tested it out and I could just pull it apart.  I also have some fluorocarbon line that I have not even opened due to my troubles with the copolymer.

What is the hands down best knot for these lines?

What am I doing wrong?

Do these lines need to be changed after a couple weeks on my reels?

Anything I need to know?  And, any other tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

[Choporoz]

I know there's a lot of love for P-Line, but I had exact same experience with 8#.  Any knot...thoroughly slobbered....carefully tied...palomar, SDJ, improved clinch...no matter.  Maybe I got a bad spool, but even when I was particularly gentle cinching the knot, I could break it with what I was certain was extremely little force.

 

I thought it was YZ karma penalizing me for straying....hasn't happened again...promise

[new2BC4bass]

Line shouldn't be breaking if you tied the knots correctly.  I like the Uni Knot.  There are tons of good lines.  For spinning reels I'd pick a soft line such as Trilene XL, Sunline Super Natural or Sufix Elite.

[stk44]

what weight jigs or t-rigs are you using?

1. I keep it simple. I tie the uni-knot for almost everything. It may not be the best, but I can tie it on the fly CONSISTENTLY. 
2. You are either choosing too light a line or tying it wrong.
3. NO
4. If you are fishing around rocks, 8lb test is a little light, depending on the weight of the jig.

[swandog]

Just seems to be to light of line for those lures/applications. I would throw a chatterbaiter and texas rigs on 15-17 lb flouro. Buzzbaits/topwater would be 12-17 pound mono or braid (on baitcasters). I know P-line tests better than the suggested breaking strength, but i don't know. If you are using spinning gear (which I assume you are) you might want to try the Braid/leader thing. Maybe 20# braid with a 12lb mono/copoly/flouro leader.

[Felix77]

swandog beat me to it .... The line needs to compliment the lure you are using.   8lb for chatterbaits seems a bit too light for me.   I use at least 12 - 15 FC for all my fishing applications down to a 1/4 oz.

Another way to think about it ...

Chatterbaits and Lipless CB's are reaction strikes.  Generally aggressive strikes.  That 8lb test needs to handle 1 - the aggressive strike and initial snap of that bite.  2 - the aggressive runs the fish will take with that lure.   While you might be able to get away with it ... the odds are not in your favor.

Trigged plastics are dragged - That same 8lb test may need to go over rocks and stuff causing the line to weaken coming over every rock, limb etc.  Again ... you can do it but the odds again are against you at that weight.

FWIW - I don't like P-Line in general anyway.   Had bad experiences with line breakage at other weights as well.   I much prefer a better quality mono over co-poly.

[fishnkamp]

Which P Line did you pick up. I use Berkley Fireline in 14 pound test with a 10 pound P Line Cxx moss green 10 # leader on all of my spinning reels. I have not had any trouble with that setup for over 5 years now. This has worked on bass, big cats and big stripers. In the spring I travel to deep clear lakes in Tennessee and all season long I fish clear rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. You nay have gotten a bad batch or maybe I would also check you guides. I use a double uni knot to attach my braid to the 14 pound mono backing and the braid to the CXX leader.  I use either a Palomar knot or a Trilene knot when attaching to the lure.  If you up the size line P  Line CXX get too stiff and has bad memory issues to use on a 3000 or smaller spinning reel. It is fine on a baitcaster in the higher pound test.  My wife and I have found we like the Fireline Original and Fused better than any other line we have used on spinning reels. 

[Super Dave Osborne]

Yeah, you guys are all over it. I have been finesse fishing for years with 6 lb test P-Line and I haven't experienced any failures. Rigging up for Fall. Local Reservoir in San Diego County ( San Vicente ) Re-opens 9-22 after being closed for i think 5 years to raise the dam over 100'. Good Luck!

[Mike L]

To me, the Simple answer would be to go up in your line size. Because of the problem you're having and all things being equal, a 2 lb difference can make all the difference.

 

 

Mike 

[bigfruits]

although I would use a thicker line, I do not think that is the issue. you either have a bad spool or you are damaging the line when making the knot.

[JLWoodman]

On September 15, 2016 at 1:44 PM, stk44 said:

what weight jigs or t-rigs are you using?

1. I keep it simple. I tie the uni-knot for almost everything. It may not be the best, but I can tie it on the fly CONSISTENTLY. 
2. You are either choosing too light a line or tying it wrong.
3. NO
4. If you are fishing around rocks, 8lb test is a little light, depending on the weight of the jig.

Using 3/8 - 1/2 oz jigs, and 1/4 - 3/8 oz tungsten bullet weights with my T-rigs.

@Felix77, I think you got most of it in your post and everyone else who replied has some really good advise too!  The other FC line I bought is 10 lbs. test.  So I think I'm gonna buy some FC in 14-16 and start again there.  I should probably practice tying these FC knots too.

Thanks so much for the help, I just don't want to be afraid of using copolymer or fluorocarbon because of my experience with it.

[stk44]

Don't be afraid of it. Just do some research on the correct gear for the application. You are definitely using too light of a line for 3/8-1/2 jigs. 

Check out this article: http://www.another site/blog/fishing-line-guide/

[22hertz]

I tried a spool of 10# P-Line Floroclear last year for the first time and although it wasn't perfect it had a lot of attributes I liked and I had a good experience with that line. When it was time to respool I bought another spool of the same.

The new spool gave me countless break-offs. This line also seemed to not stretch as much and would break with no warning unlike the previous spool that would stretch a lot then come to a point where it didn't want to stretch any further before breaking.

Reading reviews on this line its apparent you play the line lottery when buying P-Line Floroclear, and I don't gamble with my tackle purchases.
If you get a good spool its a fairly OK line, if you get a bad spool be prepared to have random breaks anywhere in the line (not at just the knot).

I wont be buying any more after this experience.

[CrustyMono]

use a clinch or uni knot cinch the knot with moisture, this should help