Big Game Keeps Breaking

[wordty]

I use mono on certain applications, BIG GAME mono...if I get any backlash at all down in my bait caster, the line usually is going to break off on a future cast and I lose a bait when it does.  Sometimes it is not even a bad kink in the line and it will break.  Yes, I should be better at not back lashing....yes, I could switch out rods when I have a back lash down in the reel...but sometimes I just can't believe that the line breaks as easy as it does.  I've read about old line getting brittle when sitting in the stores.  I store mono and all lines in a dark, cool closet.  I blame it on user error and looking for any helpful suggestions.  Mainly using Big Game 12 for Crankbaits and 14 for spinnerbaits and chatter baits.

[Mobasser]

Big Game is my #1 line for my casting reels. I've been using it for a long time. I don't seem to have these problems with the line linking or breaking. The only line I've had problems with kinking is flouro. I'll stick with Big Game

[A-Jay]

24 minutes ago, wordty said:

I use mono on certain applications, BIG GAME mono...if I get any backlash at all down in my bait caster, the line usually is going to break off on a future cast and I lose a bait when it does.  Sometimes it is not even a bad kink in the line and it will break.  Yes, I should be better at not back lashing....yes, I could switch out rods when I have a back lash down in the reel...but sometimes I just can't believe that the line breaks as easy as it does.  I've read about old line getting brittle when sitting in the stores.  I store mono and all lines in a dark, cool closet.  I blame it on user error and looking for any helpful suggestions.  Mainly using Big Game 12 for Crankbaits and 14 for spinnerbaits and chatter baits.

Perhaps understanding what's going on & why can help.

A 'Backlash' is a basically a series of 'loops of line' on the spool.

Many times these loops extend 'up' off the spool higher than when the line is on the spool without the over run.

When there is a 'backlash' or an over run on a reel, and it is not removed completely before the next cast, 

any and every cast with all the 'loops' poking high off the spool will invariably Damage the line.

As successive casts are made, the loops strike the reel frame with quite a bit of force and at a high rate of speed.

This will cause friction.

Friction is the arch enemy of many things, including fishing line; every type not just mono.

Add high speed to it and none of them stand a chance.

(We won't get into why I know that ~ )

 

 So while there 's a slight possibility your line is old stock, the more plausible culprit in my mind, and as you've described it here, is the that the back lash is the start of it all.

 My advice is to back up a few steps, become more proficient with your gear and see how it goes.

If not, you may find that changing line brand or type might not make much of a difference.

Good Luck

A-Jay

[garroyo130]

How are you picking out your backlashes? 

 

If youre just pulling on the line until it frees itself thats whats breaking it 

[JLewis134]

1 hour ago, wordty said:

I use mono on certain applications, BIG GAME mono...if I get any backlash at all down in my bait caster, the line usually is going to break off on a future cast and I lose a bait when it does.  Sometimes it is not even a bad kink in the line and it will break.  Yes, I should be better at not back lashing....yes, I could switch out rods when I have a back lash down in the reel...but sometimes I just can't believe that the line breaks as easy as it does.  I've read about old line getting brittle when sitting in the stores.  I store mono and all lines in a dark, cool closet.  I blame it on user error and looking for any helpful suggestions.  Mainly using Big Game 12 for Crankbaits and 14 for spinnerbaits and chatter baits.

Often times, the line sits around especially at Wal Mart, Amazon, etc (anywhere bought in bulk) and degrades. Another thing could be that you are stretching the mono beyond limits which reduces it's strength.

 

Try and buy a different spool and see if it helps. 

[FishTank]

I have used Big Game in the past and my only gripe is that it doesn't last long.  For me, I use to get 3 or 4 weekend tournaments out it on a setup and I would have to change it.  So if you add up the time I get out of it on the water, it's maybe 7-10 hours tops before it starts to degrade but I am fishing pretty hard with big baits and over rocks. 

 

If you consider how long this line last and the kinks you described from the backlashes, it might just be normal wear and tear. 

[islandbass]

4 hours ago, wordty said:

Sometimes it is not even a bad kink in the line and it will break.

No such thing as a good kink, lol. 
 

Exposure to UV can also affect mono in general. 
 

It is so economical to use that I don’t mind replacing the line like big game when I need to. 
 

my experience with this and other mono brands is that be ideal for about 6-8 weeks where the line performs optimally for strength, castibility, and just how the line behaves and feels. 
 

After that, usually line just feels different, castibility suffers a bit but overall line strength seems fine. At this point I might continue using it or not. 
 

I think another thing affects the line is how “dirty” it is. Even “clear” water has particulates in it that I think can cling to the line that will eventually affect castibility which is sometimes why I still might not change the line. 
 

The reason have I arrived at this conclusion is fishing brackish water. I can actually see the filth on my line and after time, the line is useable but not ideal. Then in fresh, clearer water, the same thing occurs to the line but over a longer period of time. 
 

Kinks are a different thing. They are a potential culprit all the time regardless of the age of the line. Kinks hold no prejudice. They’ll break $100 line and $0.10 line equally. 

[jimmyjoe]

5 hours ago, wordty said:

 Mainly using Big Game 12 for Crankbaits and 14 for spinnerbaits and chatter baits.

  

   I didn't know that there was a 14 lb. test Big Game.     jj

[jbrew73]

What? Big game can cure cancer.........surely there can’t be any issues with the line. Must be operator error. 

[Fishes in trees]

Not a fan of Big Game mono.  At all.   Had issues with it in the distant past & moved on.  I think that there are better monofilament lines out there.

[wordty]

Hey thanks everyone!  Some good information and I'll use this to see if I can get this problem fixed.  I appreciate the feedback.

[basser27]

3 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

  

   I didn't know that there was a 14 lb. test Big Game.     jj

There’s not

[bogfrog]

To be blunt, Berkley mono is junk. Im sure this will get a lot of the guys running for the torches and pitchforks when they hear this, but in my experience its the absolute truth. Big Game is one of the worst, surpassed only by their Abrasion Resistant line. These days I rarely use more than a couple feet of mono at a time, but when I was still using mono the 3 brands I found to be the best were, in order, Stren, YoZuri, and (believe it or not) Shakespeare Cajun Red.

Question....If Berkley is giving you problems, why do you still use it?

Mono is cheap. Ignore the advertisements and endorsements and do your own research, you might be surprised....like I was when I saw how many big muskies caught on bass gear were landed by Cajun line, one of the cheapest lines available.

[jeffo21]

Not a fan of big game either. I started using Ande back country mono instead and love it

[JustJames]

On 3/26/2020 at 1:28 PM, garroyo130 said:

How are you picking out your backlashes? 

 

If youre just pulling on the line until it frees itself thats whats breaking it 

This, and you haven’t answer. The problem might not be the line itself but operators error. I’ve seen a lot here when ppl blame equipments before user.

Another backlash fix which very popular, “apply some pressure on spool and reel the line in”. This method shouldn’t be use with FC line or small diameter line, period. 
 

Now snap off lure, are you sure it is at the kinks where you get backlash. There are more that can cause lure/line snap off.

[MickD]

Where is it breaking?  If at the knot, it could be your knot.  If not at the knot, it may be a cracked guide or tiptop ring is damaging the line.  Use a Qtip and twist it in the ringss-if one is cracked it will catch the fuzz on the Qtip.

 

So many on this forum have used Big Game successfully, I don't go along with the "bad spool" theory, although mono doesn't age as well as braid, so should be changed more often depending on how often it's used.  If new Big Game is breaking, it's more likely something about your equipment or techniques in handling it.

[wordty]

On 3/28/2020 at 11:08 AM, MickD said:

Where is it breaking?  If at the knot, it could be your knot.  If not at the knot, it may be a cracked guide or tiptop ring is damaging the line.  Use a Qtip and twist it in the ringss-if one is cracked it will catch the fuzz on the Qtip.

 

So many on this forum have used Big Game successfully, I don't go along with the "bad spool" theory, although mono doesn't age as well as braid, so should be changed more often depending on how often it's used.  If new Big Game is breaking, it's more likely something about your equipment or techniques in handling it.

Not breaking at the knot - breaking down in the spool - I think from what I've read on here that I have figured out what I was doing to cause it.  Thanks for your help!