FOUR breakoffs (3 knot failures) in one trip!

[BigAngus752]

I posted awhile back that I was putting together a spinning set-up just for skipping weightless plastics under docks.  I bought a 6'6" spinning rod and a new 2500 size reel.  I was going to use one of the spools of line I already had but instead of using mono or braid I decided to order some Yo-Zuri Hybrid.  That has been my go-to line for my baitcasters for three years now.  I have never, ever had a problem with the 12lb Hybrid and I have it on multiple baitcasters.  This time I bought 6lb for the spinning setup.  

 

Today was my first trip out with the new set-up.  I was on the water before the sun came up.  I tied on an Owner Mutu Light Circle hook using a Palomar knot and I threw it wacky rigged.  The first fish that bit was 2lbs or less.  The fish started to run and with only a slight pull the line broke.  Closer inspection confirmed it broke at the knot.  I tied on another Owner Mutu Light hook but this time I used the Trilene knot (this is my favorite knot and it is extremely rare that it fails me).  I skipped another wacky deep under a dock, got a bite, and again the line broke.  Again confirmed that it was the knot at the hook.  I couldn't have been more stunned because I love the Yo-Zuri Hybrid.  I thought maybe there as something with the circle hooks so I used a Palomar knot to tie on a VMC Neko hook.  Again, wacky rig but this time on a shoreline under some shady trees.  Again, good bite, fish runs, line breaks at the hook.  

 

I'm interested in hearing opinions, but there isn't much that will change my mind at this point.  I am switching to 10lb braid.  I would, however, like to know what everyone thinks about this.  I've always talked up Yo-Zuri Hybrid and I still love the 12lb on my BCs.  Never had a problem with it.  

 

Of course the title of this thread says FOUR breakoffs and I only described three.  Here is the end of my unlucky day.  I was headed back to put the boat on the trailer and decided to throw a T-rigged U-Vibe at the docks before I loaded up.  I got a good bite and set the hook.  This was about a 3lb fish and she immediately did a 360 around one of the metal dock posts.  I pulled too hard and "snap" went my 10lb Sufix 832.  

 

I had a good day of fishing.  I boated five fish (four were "keeper" size) and that's a good day around here, but I really, really, really hate to leave FOUR fish swimming around with hook/worms in their faces.  In the words of John Wayne, "That causes me great annoyance and displeasure".  

[A-Jay]

In my world, as long as my gear is balanced; meaning the rod & line are close as far as power & line test are concerned, knot failure is caused by one of two things.

Either I tied a bad knot or the line is bad.

Can't speak to why your knots failed.

Finally, pitching plastics under docks with 6lb test is an accident waiting to happen.

I'd expect to be able to move perhaps keeper & smaller size fish, but I'd feel seriously under gunned and at a real disadvantage when a fatty slurped down the bait.

YMMV

A-Jay

 

 

[Black Hawk Basser]

Heck, go with 20 lb Sufix.  It's still only like 6 lb mono diameter.  I use 20 lb 832 on my spinning reels and I have literally had no break offs from fish in years.

[BigAngus752]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

In my world, as long as my gear is balanced; meaning the rod & line are close as far as power & line test are concerned, knot failure is caused by one of two things.

Either I tied a bad knot or the line is bad.

Can't speak to why your knots failed.

Finally, pitching plastics under docks with 6lb test is an accident waiting to happen.

I'd expect to be able to move perhaps keeper & smaller size fish, but I'd feel seriously under gunned and at a real disadvantage when a fatty slurped down the bait.

YMMV

A-Jay

 

 

It was definitely the knots and not abrasion.  Two of the three breakoffs weren't near any obstructions.  I use 6lb Trilene XL on another rod with the same ratings.  I cannot tell you the number of bass I've caught with that rod and I've never had a knot fail.  I could very well have done something wrong with the knots but it also has to have something to do with the Yo-Zuri Hybrid in addition to how/what I'm tying.  I tie the same way with the Trilene XL.  I love the light line stuff!  That makes it more challenging!!!

1 hour ago, Pickle_Power said:

Heck, go with 20 lb Sufix.  It's still only like 6 lb mono diameter.  I use 20 lb 832 on my spinning reels and I have literally had no break offs from fish in years.

I have 20lb Sufix 832 on two other spinning setups.  I love the stuff.  I use those for T-rigs, Carolina rigs, etc.  I'm going to use the 10lb for this because it will be all weightless stuff.  Plus I already have two spools of 10lb so I don't have to buy more LOL! ?

[Darren.]

I had one inexplicable breakoff with Yozuri Hybrid 10# as leader

about 10 years ago. Scared me off it for a while, but I've been

back for a number of years.

 

That said. I bought some clearance hooks at Walmart - Daiichi.

I lost several hooks when fishing. One day, as I was tying on a

snell to a worm hook I broke the line as I tightened/tested it.

 

Did it twice and on the third time I paid closer attention. Broke

again. But this time I ran my fingers along the hook eye and 

found it was rough and a snell was rubbing on it. I lost all 

confidence in the hooks, went back to Gamakatsu and no probs

since.

 

That said, I believe a NON-snell knot would have been fine.

 

And as intimated above, the entire package: line, rod/rod rating,

reel, drag, all contribute to the experience. If drag is too tight when

using lighter line, boom. Disaster.

[Glaucus]

I had one inexplicable break off with 6lb YZH earlier this year. Still don't know what happened exactly, but what I can tell you is I consistently catch fish with massive amounts of weeds attached to them using 6lb as well as uproot cattails. Sometimes on a snag the stuff just won't break and I get scared I'm going to snap my rod. Seems you got a bad spool.

[BigAngus752]

30 minutes ago, Darren. said:

I had one inexplicable breakoff with Yozuri Hybrid 10# as leader

about 10 years ago. Scared me off it for a while, but I've been

back for a number of years.

 

That said. I bought some clearance hooks at Walmart - Daiichi.

I lost several hooks when fishing. One day, as I was tying on a

snell to a worm hook I broke the line as I tightened/tested it.

 

Did it twice and on the third time I paid closer attention. Broke

again. But this time I ran my fingers along the hook eye and 

found it was rough and a snell was rubbing on it. I lost all 

confidence in the hooks, went back to Gamakatsu and no probs

since.

 

That said, I believe a NON-snell knot would have been fine.

 

And as intimated above, the entire package: line, rod/rod rating,

reel, drag, all contribute to the experience. If drag is too tight when

using lighter line, boom. Disaster.

My initial thought was the Owner hooks also.  I wondered if the odd shape of the hook was causing leverage when the fish pulls that was too hard on these knots.  I may experiment a little with different knots and the Yo-Zuri just to satisfy my curiosity.  Thanks for the info. 

[NHBull]

I am in the same boat today.  Had 3 breakoffs, but mid line, not at knots.

It was 10 lb Tatsu on a light caster with NECO rig.  Just spooled it last night.  ?

[Russ E]

I have had sporadic breaks at the knot with flouro and hybrid line. I have tried every knot I could find.

I was using the shark knot, but it slipped a couple times on a hard hookset.

By chance I came upon a video with Shaw Grigsby on the double pitzen knot. It is very easy to tie and very strong.

I have not broken off at the knot since then. I use it for all fluoro and hybrid lines.

Gary Klein has a video also on the same knot.

[BigAngus752]

16 minutes ago, Russ E said:

I have had sporadic breaks at the knot with flouro and hybrid line. I have tried every knot I could find.

I was using the shark knot, but it slipped a couple times on a hard hookset.

By chance I came upon a video with Shaw Grigsby on the double pitzen knot. It is very easy to tie and very strong.

I have not broken off at the knot since then. I use it for all fluoro and hybrid lines.

Gary Klein has a video also on the same knot.

And here it is:

 

This looks very easy.  Definitely worth trying IMHO.  I also like his idea for testing knots to find what works best for you.  Thanks for mentioning this.  

[WRB]

IMO Yo-Zuri Hybrid is the most over rated line availble.

6 lb Yo-Zuri is .010 dia line and no way a 1 1/2 lb bass should be able to break it using a good Palomar knot on a hook.

The op is having knot failure not abrasion line breaksand using good knots.

8 lb Maxima Ultra Green Copoly line is .010 dia and would not break under those circumstances, in fact you will have a hard time breaking it off using spinning tackle.

Tom

PS,both the Palomar and Trilene knots shouldn't fail fighting small bass using .010 dia line regardless of drag tension 

[elbaito]

Is it possibly just a bad spool of line?

[hwright38]

I would guess you got a bad spool. I've never had problems with Seagaur line, and never really bought the hype of the Yo-zuri stuff. Maybe try another spool of the Hybrid, and if that doesn't work switch to something else. Though at $9 a spool, it's not exactly Berkley Big Game levels of expendable lol.

[MickD]

Seems like if it is really .010 it would be stronger than 6  # test.  But if it's really around 6 pound test, it is too light.  For casting quality I use braid with about a 10-15 pound premium FC leader grade leader.  Works very well.

[JustJames]

The reason I switch to Izor line from Hybrid becuz of a lot of break off on my 8lb . Also I almost completely switch to uni knot from trilene knot. But different than your most of my break off happened when set hook which there is a lot of things to consider not the line itself, like distance and rod tip stiffness.

if line break off after the first  initial hookset then there is possibility of you pulled to hard with drag lock down.

[JustJames]

2 hours ago, MickD said:

Seems like if it is really .010 it would be stronger than 6  # test.  But if it's really around 6 pound test, it is too light.  For casting quality I use braid with about a 10-15 pound premium FC leader grade leader.  Works very well.

 Not so true, there are a lot of factors, how you set the drag and how smooth, how you play the fish, how soft/stiff of you rod tip and bend. I caught quite a bit of nice size bass on #4 izorline and #6hybid. Just last night I caught my new PB of 8.5lb on 10lb braid with 6lb leader(Maybe 90% pure luck on this one that I can land her)