Coming in for a landing

[Guest TNT_Hookers]

I imagine we've all been there....

There's the anticipation of the nibble, then the bite.  Then comes the adrenaline pumping fight as you reel in that bass.  Next, you reach down to pull her out of the water...she's just inches away...and SNAP!  Your line breaks.

This happens to me more frequently than it should, at least I think so.  Tonight I lost my favorite lure as I was pulling a bass out of the water and my line snapped.  My guess is that I'm doing something wrong.  I was using 8lb Trilene XT line, which has only been spooled up for a few days, so that isn't the problem.  The bass was probably about a 4 pounder.  How do you pull your bass out of the water?  

[Dyas]

I just reach down and lip it. But I use Power Pro braid so my line dont break very easy either. XT is a pretty good line. I havent known it to do this. maybe your line was frayed or something.

[Gatorbassman]

How often do you check the last four or five feet of your line for abrasions? How often do you retie? Have you considered using a landing net? Do you try to horse the fish in like some of the pros do? Do you play the fish out for a few seconds longer than you think is enough?

[bassdocktor]

I use XT all the time on my bait casters. One thing to consider is the type of cover you are in. I usually have 14lb spooled up and haven't had any problems yet. The other thing you could try is using a net if it is possible. Maybe you should try using 10lb if it is possible. I don't know if you were but try to avoid swinging heavy fish into the boat.

bassdocktor

[DDbasser]

That just plain 'ol stinks !!!

I've broken off 7 or 8 big fish this year, using Trilene big game clear in 14 lb.

At first I thought it was my knot, I was using the trilene knot so I switched to the polymer knot.

Then I broke off a couple more so I switched knots again, after breaking off still more fish, I switched

line.

P-line flouroclear 10lb test, haven't broken one off since.

I was breaking off when I set the hook.  

[bass master]

If you know your knots good, then you should constantly check the last 2 feet of your line. Where do you store your reels? I called Berkley one time to ask why Iron Silk is such crappy line and the operator took me through all the variables that affect line. It was really worth the call. Iron Silk by the way still sucks.

[Rebbasser]

bass master-would you be willing to share the info you got from Berkley?  I'd be interesting in hearing it, because Iron Silk is the worst line I ever tried.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Are you trying to lift 4lbrs in the boat w/ 8 lb test??  I wouldn't expect to keep too many fish if this is the case. You'll snap off 5 times out of ten and that's only if you have incredible luck!

[senko_77]

yea, just reach down and lip um.  think about how much stress that puts on the line.  that is 4lbs. of dead weight.  line is made to pull not lift.  of course with a 1-2lb. you could, but its not worth losin fish over.  when you get um were you are, raise the rod high so there mouth comes out of the water, kneel down and grab em

[Will]

Check your rod guides for grooves or scratches that could weaken your line.

[5bass]

Are you grabbing your line while trying to land the fish right at the boat?If so,that's a no-no.....I would stop doing that immediately.

[bassackwards]

yeah, LBH, you beat me to the point.  lifting 4lb fish out of the water on 8lb line might be where the problem lies.  either that, or you bought a bad spool of fishing line.  

that is, if your knots are good and your line isn't frayed from bites, etc...

[Guest TNT_Hookers]

Wow...tons of good points guys!

1)  I'm using a pretty crappy rod (with a brand new reel no less) so line abrasions from guides could be an issue.

2)  I'm bank fishing, so no...I don't yank em out of the water and into the boat like I've seen some of the pros do.

3)  Yes, I try to make sure I've gotten most of the fight out of them before I pull them all the way in.  I get them to about 10 ft out, then just hold them there for a little while before reeling them all the way in.

4)  My line broke right at the knot, where it was tied around the swivel.  I tie pretty good knots, and this is the first time it's happened at that particular point.

Typically, I lift the fish's head up out of the water, keeping tension on the line, then kneel down and lift her out by the lip.  This is usually where my line snaps...during that lift.  Maybe I need to reel in a bit more so that I don't have so much line under stress.  Bring my pole closer to the water?

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

a.)  Beef up your line, even if it's just to 10 or 12lbs

b.)Check guides by wiping them with a cotton ball, any nicks will grab the cotton

C.) ALWAYS wet your knot (spit works well) before cinching it down and make sure it didn't loop and get caught on the nitch at the hook eye.

[fireandice]

everyone has really good points here and it seems like you're considering most of them.  You mention that you tie pretty good knots...I was just curious as to which knot you're using.  Definitely need to up to at least 10lb. test for bass though in my opinion.  Even guys on TV don't horse a 4lb. fish out of the water usually.  I really like the trilene knot since I switched to it for most mono situations.  I used to tie only improved clinch knots, but you have to get that knot wet and cinched well, or it will slip enough to pull a short tag end through itself.  I have yet to break a trilene or palomar knot since I've started using them.  Check out some knot websites and make sure you're tying correctly.  This is where time and patience pay off.  I'm a fly fisherman and we sometimes land 3-4lb. trout on 2lb. tippet monofilament.  The lighter the line you use, the more you have to finesse your fish.

[Rattlinrogue]

4 lb. test is pretty light line to be swinging them aboard.Either go to 8 lb. test,or lip them at the boat.might  want to double check that drag,too.

[Guest TNT_Hookers]

Several have mentioned beefing up my line selection.  Currently, I'm using 8lb Trilene XT which is the thickest I've used to date.  I was pulling the same bass with 4lb line a month ago, and 6lb a few weeks ago.  My reel isn't rated for 10lb line...I mean, I could spool some up, but it really seems like overkill to me.

I've never heard of the Trilene knot until now.  It seems like the same knot I've been using, except doubling back through the eye a 2nd time.  I'll have to start using this knot instead.  Thanks for the tip!

As for my drag, it should be set right.  I had my wife pull line from the rod's tip until I felt the tension was just right.  I read that was the best way to do it.

[Brad_Coovert]

If it broke at the knot, my bet is you tied a bad knot.  With any knot that has double line around what you are tieing onto, like a Polamar knot or Trilene knot, make sure that the lines are not crossed over each other where they go around the hook, swivel, line tie, etc.  Otherwise, they will cut into each other very easily.

I have heard this from several pros and I always make sure that the lines of my Polamar knot that are going around the hook or line tie are parallel with each other and not crossing over each other.  If they cross, I retie the knot.

I seldom break off since I started doing this.

Brad

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

That's great advice right thar,...I done care who ya arrrre!