I keep losing Strike King lures.

[ACGOG]

Hey ya'll, thanks for all the tips!!!

 

Turned out it was the knot. Big thanks to @rtwvumtneer6, @txchaser, @AManWearingAHat and @Spankey (sorry if I missed anyone else who mentioned it).

 

I took what RT said originally and tied a palomar knot for the first time. I had zero issues fishing my replacement lure for hours.

 

Side note, I gotta say that I'm absolutely loving braid. This is the first time I've used it as I mostly avoided it for visibility reasons but saw it recommended for crankbaits, etc. and holy smokes - the cast on it is absolutely insane. I couldn't tell you the distance but I find myself able to hit the bank on what feels like 100+ feet away and super smooth the whole time.

 

I'll keep using fluero for my TX rigs since Lake Travis is clear as day most of the time and the bottom is super rocky but I keep eyeballing it and thinking what my TX rig rod would look like with braid ?.

 

Thanks again everyone, going to save me a few bucks in the future lol.

[Bankc]

Yeah, I wind up using different knots for different lines.  I use the Fish n Fool for braid.  The Palomar more fluoro and co-poly, and the improved clinch for mono.  In my experience, those seem to be the best for knot strength for each line in the diameters that I typically use.  Though if you go up higher or lower in diameter, sometimes you have to switch out knots again.  What works best is often what you can tie the best, so you really have to just experiment to find out what works for you.  

 

I keep loosing spinnerbaits.  I use braided line and tie on a mono leader to keep the braid from getting wrapped up in the blades.  But then, since I'm pulling it through standing timber, the mono gets nicked and I don't check it as often as I should.  Then I bomb it half way across the lake and for a split second think, "man, that was a good cast" before realizing what I've done.  

[ACGOG]

3 hours ago, Bankc said:

Then I bomb it half way across the lake and for a split second think, "man, that was a good cast" before realizing what I've done.  

 

Booooooy do I know that feeling man. I can just kind of tell though because it arcs way higher than it should and I wind up just standing there like a dumb*ss with my jaw dropped before I start cursing again ?

[WRB]

Back in the 50’s we had issues with the clinch knot using Dacron braid. The solution was double line clinch knot, you end up with 3 tag ends but the knot is 100% strength, line break 1st!

Another problem tying direct to split rings is sharp ends cutting the line. Suggest using Owners Hyper Weld light weight size 2 clip in lieu of tying to a split ring.

Tom

[rtwvumtneer6]

8 hours ago, ACGOG said:

Thanks again everyone, going to save me a few bucks in the future lol.

You're welcome.  You can use the money you save to buy me lunch next time I make it to The Oasis ?