Line Snapping When Casting Lipless Cranks?

[JLindsey]

Twice today my line snapped while casting a 1/4 oz lipless crankbait. I was using a 6’6” M/F spinning rod spooled with 6lb fluorocarbon. I tied the crankbaits on with a palomar.

 

What gives? Is that line too light? I throw plenty of other 1/4oz lures on this outfit with no issue, it’s only lipless cranks that have me making these 100 yard casts. It was windy today - maybe my line is wrapping around my rod tip and I’m not noticing? This happened a few times last year as well, again, only with lipless crankbaits.

[Dens228]

If it's the line and not the knot my first guess would be line wrap at the tip. 

I lost a brand new spinnerbait today for that exact reason.   

 

Looking at it as the glass being half full.......I can cast a spinnerbait extremely far if the line isn't dragging it down......LOL

[bassguytom]

6 lb. Flourocarbon seems a little lite for a lipless crankbait. I use 30 lb. braid on a MH rod. My favorite way to fish a lipless is to rip it out of weeds when it gets caught up. I get most of my fish this way. Nothing finesse about a lipless. Good luck!

[dodgeguy]

Or you have weak spots in your 6lb flouro.

[DaveT63]

I had the same problem last summer.  Turned out  my bail was closing on n its own mid-cast and the momentum of the trap snapped the line.  I lost about 4 baits before I figured it out.  Make sure when you open your bail it's not too close to the spot where it gets tripped closed.

[Schuyler co]

I’ve done it a few times with heavier lures using an overhead cast...a lot of torque on an overhead cast when you start to come forward. I’d say use a roll cast off to the side may help you if you’re using 1/4 oz bait and just 6lb line 

[scaleface]

Check your guides for cracks . Take a q-tip and twirl it in the guides and see if it snags .

[MickD]

6 pound test is too light, and FC is too fragile.  Also check your tiptop with a Q-tip to see if it's cracked.  The fuzz on the Q-tip will catch on the tiptop ring if it's cracked.

 

Try 10-15 pound test braid and you'll be amazed at the casting distance and better hook sets, especially at long range.

[Schuyler co]

Exactly...the real answer to your problem is to throw a 1/4oz lipless on heavier gear...I use a med/heavy baitcaster with 15lb big game 

[primetime]

I try not to go lighter than 8-10lb test with Fluoro, and for a moving bait like a lipless crank, I would typically throw it on 12-20lb test Mono or Fluoro, braid if ripping off weeds, but 6 is kind of light but shouldn't be snapping.

 

I would say maybe it was a bad batch of line, I have had that happen with fluoro in the past, I also never use a palomar knot with Fluorocarbon. I tie an Improved Clinch knot, and pull the knot down carefully not to create any kinks. I have had knots fail too many times with Fluoro in past and Clinch Knot works better for me.

 

Try 6lb mono like Trilene XL or Stren, improved clinch knot and see if it breaks. If it does than it is maybe a chipped guide or equipment issue. 6lb test can handle a 1/4 oz lure for sure. if fishing open water, shouldn't be an issue with 6lb, just don't try to bomb a cast as hard as you can. That could be part of issue.

 

The "bad" fluoro I have purchased in the past were usually clearance sales and older line. I believe Fluoro now compared to 5 years ago is much better, but maybe that is just me.

[Jcj90]

Check guides for cracks and nicks. If the guides are fine I would up your line size to  10-12lb and fish mono. 

[J.Vincent]

1 hour ago, scaleface said:

Check your guides for cracks . Take a q-tip and twirl it in the guides and see if it snags .

Yes, strongly heed this advice and check those guides, with a magnifying glass and a q-tip. 

[JLindsey]

Thanks guys, I’ll definitely check the guides for cracks. 

 

Normally I fish a lipless on 10lb braid, but I got lazy today and didn’t feel like taking a third combo out with me. Lesson learned.

[NYWayfarer]

I threw some lipless cranks on my spinning setup yesterday because that was all I brought. It was spooled with 6# Sufix Promix monofilament line. I had no issues and was even able to straighten the hook on a Ned Rig jighead that got snagged by pulling on it. Line held up without breaking. 

 

I wouldn’t go lighter than 8# line on Fluorocarbon line. Lighter than that and I find it too fragile. 

 

Problems arise with cheap Fluoro, like Berkley Vanish and Stren Fluorocast. What brand were you using? 

 

Also when tying the palomar knot with fluoro, remember always to wet the line with saliva before cinching it down. I do that with all lines but it is especially important with fluoro.