Ever know anybody like this ???

[Sam]

Breakoffs are always my fault.

Not checking the knot or line after a number of casts is the main culprit.

I also use the Palomar Knot 100% of the time as I use snaps with spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, crankbaits and buzzbaits.

This year two guys fishing with me lost monster bass. Both had their drags set way too tight.  I lost my only one when I got lazy and did not check the line after throwing in brush and grass.

Your buddy has to live and learn the hard way but the light bulb should go off in his head soon.

Hope he makes the Classic! 

[SeanW]

     Im not saying its not on him, it most definitely is. If he is fishing light line and setting like that it can be a problem. If he is breaking 20lb Big Game on a hook set, he better change his hook set if he is gonna fish with the big boys. I sometimes get frustrated at how difficult it is to break it when I hang up.

     Then again, since I fish tournaments in the same area, and will also be moving up, tell him to keep at it.

[SeanW]

     Im not saying its not on him, it most definitely is. If he is fishing light line and setting like that it can be a problem. If he is breaking 20lb Big Game on a hook set, he better change his hook set if he is gonna fish with the big boys. I sometimes get frustrated at how difficult it is to break it when I hang up.

     Then again, since I fish tournaments in the same area, and will also be moving up, tell him to keep at it.

[SeanW]

     Im not saying its not on him, it most definitely is. If he is fishing light line and setting like that it can be a problem. If he is breaking 20lb Big Game on a hook set, he better change his hook set if he is gonna fish with the big boys. I sometimes get frustrated at how difficult it is to break it when I hang up.

     Then again, since I fish tournaments in the same area, and will also be moving up, tell him to keep at it.

[farmpond1]

I think the only time I've ever broken off is when I'm using braid and the eyelet on the hook isn't closed completely and the line slips down to the "gap" which is either sharp or too wide (That's my theory, anyway.  It's nearly impossible to prove).  Maybe his knots are otherwise good but he doesn't cinch them down tight enough and they work around to the gap.

[farmpond1]

I think the only time I've ever broken off is when I'm using braid and the eyelet on the hook isn't closed completely and the line slips down to the "gap" which is either sharp or too wide (That's my theory, anyway.  It's nearly impossible to prove).  Maybe his knots are otherwise good but he doesn't cinch them down tight enough and they work around to the gap.

[farmpond1]

I think the only time I've ever broken off is when I'm using braid and the eyelet on the hook isn't closed completely and the line slips down to the "gap" which is either sharp or too wide (That's my theory, anyway.  It's nearly impossible to prove).  Maybe his knots are otherwise good but he doesn't cinch them down tight enough and they work around to the gap.

[Murieta Bass Man]

Everything said so far is something your buddy should take a look at to fix this problem. I had a similar issue a few years ago and a friend of mine suggested I check my drag setting. He told me to tie the end of the line to the trailer hitch of my pick-up and to let out about twenty feet or so.  He told me to hold my rod parallel to the ground and tighten my drag down as tight as it can go. You then start walking backwards until you reach the breaking point of the line. After the line snaps, loosen the drag a little and repeat until the drag is set so you can walk backwards until the line no longer breaks. After doing this I realized I had my drag set way to tight. This has since fixed the issue I was having with breaking off fish. I can't say this is an exact science, but it worked for me.

[Murieta Bass Man]

Everything said so far is something your buddy should take a look at to fix this problem. I had a similar issue a few years ago and a friend of mine suggested I check my drag setting. He told me to tie the end of the line to the trailer hitch of my pick-up and to let out about twenty feet or so.  He told me to hold my rod parallel to the ground and tighten my drag down as tight as it can go. You then start walking backwards until you reach the breaking point of the line. After the line snaps, loosen the drag a little and repeat until the drag is set so you can walk backwards until the line no longer breaks. After doing this I realized I had my drag set way to tight. This has since fixed the issue I was having with breaking off fish. I can't say this is an exact science, but it worked for me.

[Murieta Bass Man]

Everything said so far is something your buddy should take a look at to fix this problem. I had a similar issue a few years ago and a friend of mine suggested I check my drag setting. He told me to tie the end of the line to the trailer hitch of my pick-up and to let out about twenty feet or so.  He told me to hold my rod parallel to the ground and tighten my drag down as tight as it can go. You then start walking backwards until you reach the breaking point of the line. After the line snaps, loosen the drag a little and repeat until the drag is set so you can walk backwards until the line no longer breaks. After doing this I realized I had my drag set way to tight. This has since fixed the issue I was having with breaking off fish. I can't say this is an exact science, but it worked for me.

[Jig Man]

If he is breaking that many off, maybe it is time for you to make some money with some side bets.  When his mistakes start costing him money which will quickly relate to pride, I'll bet he makes some changes.

[Jig Man]

If he is breaking that many off, maybe it is time for you to make some money with some side bets.  When his mistakes start costing him money which will quickly relate to pride, I'll bet he makes some changes.

[Jig Man]

If he is breaking that many off, maybe it is time for you to make some money with some side bets.  When his mistakes start costing him money which will quickly relate to pride, I'll bet he makes some changes.

[gobig]

I had a big problem breaking off when I was punching. I had gone to a 8ft rod and 75lb power pro. This set up was what everyone was saying you needed at the time. I was snapping that braid like it was 6lb test and I was blaming it on the weights cutting the braid (there was one brand it was happening with more than others).

Obviously the proper drag setting is critical but here is what I found. It was not the rod or the line. I was allowing slack to form in the line by dropping the rod before the hook set. The shock to the line created from the slack was a big part of the problem. Try testing this using weights. You will see the difference in breaking points. I read an article put out by Bill Siemantle on hook sets. The article was big baits specific but I have applied this technique with great success to many other baits. As mentioned in a previous post its the reel-set. The reel-set is all about line movement and maximum energy at the hook point. The specifics in this article will blow you away. You can google "the bbz articles" the article is called "Reel Force The Right Stuff."

[gobig]

I had a big problem breaking off when I was punching. I had gone to a 8ft rod and 75lb power pro. This set up was what everyone was saying you needed at the time. I was snapping that braid like it was 6lb test and I was blaming it on the weights cutting the braid (there was one brand it was happening with more than others).

Obviously the proper drag setting is critical but here is what I found. It was not the rod or the line. I was allowing slack to form in the line by dropping the rod before the hook set. The shock to the line created from the slack was a big part of the problem. Try testing this using weights. You will see the difference in breaking points. I read an article put out by Bill Siemantle on hook sets. The article was big baits specific but I have applied this technique with great success to many other baits. As mentioned in a previous post its the reel-set. The reel-set is all about line movement and maximum energy at the hook point. The specifics in this article will blow you away. You can google "the bbz articles" the article is called "Reel Force The Right Stuff."

[gobig]

I had a big problem breaking off when I was punching. I had gone to a 8ft rod and 75lb power pro. This set up was what everyone was saying you needed at the time. I was snapping that braid like it was 6lb test and I was blaming it on the weights cutting the braid (there was one brand it was happening with more than others).

Obviously the proper drag setting is critical but here is what I found. It was not the rod or the line. I was allowing slack to form in the line by dropping the rod before the hook set. The shock to the line created from the slack was a big part of the problem. Try testing this using weights. You will see the difference in breaking points. I read an article put out by Bill Siemantle on hook sets. The article was big baits specific but I have applied this technique with great success to many other baits. As mentioned in a previous post its the reel-set. The reel-set is all about line movement and maximum energy at the hook point. The specifics in this article will blow you away. You can google "the bbz articles" the article is called "Reel Force The Right Stuff."

[clipper]

Have him do his practice fishing with light weight spinning gear and 4 lb test line.  He will get in the habit of sweeping the hook. Knowing he has 4 lb line will help him remember to be gentle. Light guage extremely sharp hooks and soft plastic are necessary with this light tackle.

[clipper]

Have him do his practice fishing with light weight spinning gear and 4 lb test line.  He will get in the habit of sweeping the hook. Knowing he has 4 lb line will help him remember to be gentle. Light guage extremely sharp hooks and soft plastic are necessary with this light tackle.

[clipper]

Have him do his practice fishing with light weight spinning gear and 4 lb test line.  He will get in the habit of sweeping the hook. Knowing he has 4 lb line will help him remember to be gentle. Light guage extremely sharp hooks and soft plastic are necessary with this light tackle.

[Catt]

I use Berkley Big Game 15 pound test for 80-90% of my fishing including saltwater & I seldom experience break offs due to line failure. Like Chris I am very meticulous when it comes to tying knots, (braid or mono) the Palomar is the only knot I tie. If the line has crossover it will cut into itself and break almost every time.

What I've found over the years in teaching anglers of all experience levels is that they are not 100% certain they had bite so they will try to compensate for setting hook late by setting hook harder. The break off occurs when about ¼ of the way through the hook set they feel the fish, realize they are late, & the brain goes in panic mode.

[Catt]

I use Berkley Big Game 15 pound test for 80-90% of my fishing including saltwater & I seldom experience break offs due to line failure. Like Chris I am very meticulous when it comes to tying knots, (braid or mono) the Palomar is the only knot I tie. If the line has crossover it will cut into itself and break almost every time.

What I've found over the years in teaching anglers of all experience levels is that they are not 100% certain they had bite so they will try to compensate for setting hook late by setting hook harder. The break off occurs when about ¼ of the way through the hook set they feel the fish, realize they are late, & the brain goes in panic mode.

[Catt]

I use Berkley Big Game 15 pound test for 80-90% of my fishing including saltwater & I seldom experience break offs due to line failure. Like Chris I am very meticulous when it comes to tying knots, (braid or mono) the Palomar is the only knot I tie. If the line has crossover it will cut into itself and break almost every time.

What I've found over the years in teaching anglers of all experience levels is that they are not 100% certain they had bite so they will try to compensate for setting hook late by setting hook harder. The break off occurs when about ¼ of the way through the hook set they feel the fish, realize they are late, & the brain goes in panic mode.

[Fish Chris]

I'm glad I posted this, as it has been an interesting thread. I appreciate all your replies.

One thing I have to admit though, I have just never been a hard hook setter. In fact, if anything, way back in the day (from 17 years ago, and before) when I used to use mono, I probably didn't set the hook hard enough. So, while some guys who are hard hook setters, run into problems after switching to braided line, I actually saw a great improvement. I really didn't (have to) make much of an adjustment. I just went from a weak hook set, to an appropriate one.

Oh, and one more thing;

Lately, I've been fishing for my little bait fish, for my Striper fishing (Split Tails... trying for 6" to 10") which have tiny mouths. I'm using a size 16, light wire, dry fly hook. So, it's not really even a matter of breaking my 4 lb mono leader, but rather, straightening, or ripping out that tiny hook ! Consequently, I run the drag on my micro-light about as loose as it can be ran. Only a few ounces of pressure is required to make it slip. Basically, I just pick up the pole and start reeling.

I can only imagine (as hard as those darn Split Tails are to catch in the first place) that my hard hook setting buddy couldn't catch one if his life depended on it !

I dunno'. To me, it's all just a matter of physics. And Physics has always come to me quite naturally.

Thanks again,

Fish

[Fish Chris]

I'm glad I posted this, as it has been an interesting thread. I appreciate all your replies.

One thing I have to admit though, I have just never been a hard hook setter. In fact, if anything, way back in the day (from 17 years ago, and before) when I used to use mono, I probably didn't set the hook hard enough. So, while some guys who are hard hook setters, run into problems after switching to braided line, I actually saw a great improvement. I really didn't (have to) make much of an adjustment. I just went from a weak hook set, to an appropriate one.

Oh, and one more thing;

Lately, I've been fishing for my little bait fish, for my Striper fishing (Split Tails... trying for 6" to 10") which have tiny mouths. I'm using a size 16, light wire, dry fly hook. So, it's not really even a matter of breaking my 4 lb mono leader, but rather, straightening, or ripping out that tiny hook ! Consequently, I run the drag on my micro-light about as loose as it can be ran. Only a few ounces of pressure is required to make it slip. Basically, I just pick up the pole and start reeling.

I can only imagine (as hard as those darn Split Tails are to catch in the first place) that my hard hook setting buddy couldn't catch one if his life depended on it !

I dunno'. To me, it's all just a matter of physics. And Physics has always come to me quite naturally.

Thanks again,

Fish

[Fish Chris]

I'm glad I posted this, as it has been an interesting thread. I appreciate all your replies.

One thing I have to admit though, I have just never been a hard hook setter. In fact, if anything, way back in the day (from 17 years ago, and before) when I used to use mono, I probably didn't set the hook hard enough. So, while some guys who are hard hook setters, run into problems after switching to braided line, I actually saw a great improvement. I really didn't (have to) make much of an adjustment. I just went from a weak hook set, to an appropriate one.

Oh, and one more thing;

Lately, I've been fishing for my little bait fish, for my Striper fishing (Split Tails... trying for 6" to 10") which have tiny mouths. I'm using a size 16, light wire, dry fly hook. So, it's not really even a matter of breaking my 4 lb mono leader, but rather, straightening, or ripping out that tiny hook ! Consequently, I run the drag on my micro-light about as loose as it can be ran. Only a few ounces of pressure is required to make it slip. Basically, I just pick up the pole and start reeling.

I can only imagine (as hard as those darn Split Tails are to catch in the first place) that my hard hook setting buddy couldn't catch one if his life depended on it !

I dunno'. To me, it's all just a matter of physics. And Physics has always come to me quite naturally.

Thanks again,

Fish