Sunline Assassin FC keeps breaking where it shouldn't

[RipHair]

I rigged up 20lbs braid backing and 12lb Sunline Assassin FC on my Shimano baitcaster and at first I had way too much line and kept getting nests so I pared it back until it seemed fine. I also noticed when I stripped the line to the braid that the braid wasn't packed straight and tight and it almost looked as though there were deep channels in the spool of braid. I put the braid on fairly tight so I was a bit surprised by this.

 

After a half day of use casting weightless wacky rigs and I noticed the FC was on too loose at the end of a cast I stripped a bit off and 2 separate times the line broke when I was stripping without any pressure or anything. It broke deep in the spool to where I didn't have any knots or nests as it much about 5-10 strips past my max cast. It's my first time using this FC and I'm not sure what to think about it. The spool is 8 months old and I spooled it up last night. Is this an expected issue?

 

Now I'm stuck with about a max cast until I get to my knot. I think I may strip off all the braid to the bare reel and spool on what I have left of this Sunline Assassin FC. I'll order up some 12lb Tatsu in the meantime as I didn't notice this happening on my spin setup that has 8lb Tatsu.

[bigspirit]

I’ve heard of people having similar issues like they get a bad batch or something. Maybe contact Sunline? Who knows, maybe they’ll send you a replacement. I’d be hesitant to respool with it. My luck id hook into my PB and lose it. 

[MickD]

I keep hearing about "bad batches," but I don't believe there are as many as reported.  FC is very fragile, and you may not even know what's causing its failure.  However, I think using FC on a baitcaster for weightless wackies is a tough assignment for it.  A recipe for line loose on the reel , and then about anything can happen.  

 

I recommend using spin for weightless wackies and save the BC for heavier stuff.  I know, I'll get responses from all the light BC purists saying I'm nuts.  But I know I'm not skilled enough to do weightless wackies with FC on a BC outfit, and maybe most others are not either.  And their life would be simpler, with more time fishing rather than fixing, if they used spin where it makes the most  sense and BC where it makes the most sense.   Rather than challenging the boundaries.

 

OK, unload.  Be gentle.  ?

[FrnkNsteen]

Have you backlashed the reel at all? I've read that FC lines are susceptible to damage if backlasked and tugged on hard. 

 

I've never had flouro line break in the spool, but a bad backlash would be the only thing I could think of that could damage the line on the spool. 

[RipHair]

41 minutes ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Have you backlashed the reel at all? I've read that FC lines are susceptible to damage if backlasked and tugged on hard. 

 

I've never had flouro line break in the spool, but a bad backlash would be the only thing I could think of that could damage the line on the spool. 

 

Hard to say - I did suffer many backlashes but they occurred at maybe 20 yards when I was learning to skip with the weightless wacky. Both breaks happened at my max cast (let's call it 40yds give or take) + 4-5yds of stripping then the line literally just from stripping with no knots or anything literally broke like it wasn't even connected... Never saw this before except maybe in the 80s using 4lb mono I never replaced after 4-5 seasons!

 

Anyway, I stripped the whole shebang off and managed to spool up a full spool of what I had left of the Assassin - will see if it happens again and I'll be sure to pay close attention if/where I get backlashes and how bad the line is crimped, etc..

 

Thanks for all the replies!

[FrnkNsteen]

Wow! No, I've never hear of that either.

[Boomstick]

I never have had any of these problems except when I fished some 12# line heavily around rocks.

 

I never have used Assassin, but Sniper is a pretty decent fluorocarbon and I've never had any issues with that. I've had some spooled up a couple of seasons with out any issues.

[T-Billy]

It's flouro. They're all bad batches. ? Spool it up with XT and never look back.

[Team9nine]

22 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

It's flouro. They're all bad batches. ? Spool it up with XT and never look back.

                                   

[J Francho]

You could be over spooled and the line is rubbing the frame and weakening it. 

[bulldog1935]

Quote

...I also noticed when I stripped the line to the braid that the braid wasn't packed straight and tight and it almost looked as though there were deep channels in the spool of braid. I put the braid on fairly tight so I was a bit surprised by this...  

 

It sure sounds like winding over backlash to me. 

[Tatulatard]

I've reeled against a tip wrap with an 8:1 for a few cranks before realizing it was wrapped and had the guide frames shred the line. Unwrapped and continued to fish until I discovered the ruined section of line.  I had no idea what caused it until I did it a few more time.  Maybe this has been happening to you?

[RipHair]

40 minutes ago, Tatulatard said:

I've reeled against a tip wrap with an 8:1 for a few cranks before realizing it was wrapped and had the guide frames shred the line. Unwrapped and continued to fish until I discovered the ruined section of line.  I had no idea what caused it until I did it a few more time.  Maybe this has been happening to you?

Doubtful as the break happened deep in the reel past my max cast. I think the most likely culprit are the birdnests as others are saying.

 

I spooled straight FC on and so far no nests and no breaks but will keep an eye on it. Also got my brother to bring up some Tatsu 12lb in case.

 

 

[Fishingmickey]

Riphair,

     Fluorocarbon line really hates to be kinked at all. When it is kinked hard like tugging on the line to get out a backlash it creates a very weak spot at the kink.

    When you pick out backlashes it has to be done gently. I've had the same problem happen to me and wondered how in the heck did the line break that deep in the spool. It was because I was picking out backlashes the same way I used to with mono. Once I changed my technique the problem went away.

     Just be gentle when your picking out a backlash and don't tug hard when it comes tight. Also make sure you get the backlash completely out before you crank the line back in. Fluorocarbon really is good line, it just has it's own set of idiosyncrasies. Once you learn the do's and don'ts it's pretty good stuff!

FM 

[RipHair]

4 minutes ago, Fishingmickey said:

Riphair,

     Fluorocarbon line really hates to be kinked at all. When it is kinked hard like tugging on the line to get out a backlash it creates a very weak spot at the kink.

    When you pick out backlashes it has to be done gently. I've had the same problem happen to me and wondered how in the heck did the line break that deep in the spool. It was because I was picking out backlashes the same way I used to with mono. Once I changed my technique the problem went away.

     Just be gentle when your picking out a backlash and don't tug hard when it comes tight. Also make sure you get the backlash completely out before you crank the line back in. Fluorocarbon really is good line, it just has it's own set of idiosyncrasies. Once you learn the do's and don'ts it's pretty good stuff!

FM 

 

I was picking the birdsnests out like I do with braid so yup it's completely on me.. Anyway without braid backing and just FC the line seems to sitting much better which is also helping with the backlash frequency.