Fast River Line Weight And Type

[hjsmyth]

I am fishing my local river which is running very fast and high. I have been having a lot of break offs with large smallmouth. I am fishing 8 pound test P-line with fluorocarbon coating. I fish mainly with large spinner baits and tubes and also believe that I am losing fish because of knots letting go also.I was out tonight with kayak and lost quite a bit of tackle. I have been using trilene knot for years just starting to use polamar knots . Also smallmouth were schooling and feeding on surface tonight could not get them to hit my top water topedo what other suggestions. I could not see what that were feeding on but they were very active taking something from surface. Fishing has been great large fish seem to be very active. I am having great time fishing river again after long time without fishing due to wrist problem and working lots of hours.

[roadwarrior]

Give Yo-Zuri Hybrid a try.

For single hooks I tie a Palomar Knot.

For lures with treble hooks, Sixteen-Twenty,

also known as a Pitzen or Duncan Knot:

http://www.marinews.com/fishing-knots/pitzen-knot/347/

[sodaksker]

My local river has a lot of chunk rock wing dykes. I am constantly checking my line for nicks and abrasions. I use 10 lb p line and 12 lb yo zuri hybrid. In my opinion the hybrid is more resistant to the rocks. I retie frequently and that has helped with the break offs. I use nothing but the palomar. Honestly I can't see using any other knot except when tying on a carolina rig or something that requires two ties.

[Shifty]

I fish the Colorado River almost everyday...River runs fast where im located. I get by with Berkley Vanish Fluorcarbon 12 pound test.

I will retie my set ups about every other day just to be safe. No problems.

[BradH]

I run 20-30 pound powerpro with a 14 lb. flouro leader for hardbaits. Back to back uni and improved clinch or palomar. Same rig but a hair heavier for jigs and plastic, a little lighter for hair jigs on a spinning rod and finesse work. Zero breakoffs this year. Make sure you lubricate your knots well and don't get in a hurry to cinch them down. I do quite a bit of river fishing. I don't get crazy cranking down the drag either.

When it comes to knots I'm a bit of a "knot head", haha. My knots hold well but they have evolved to where I really don't know what to call them anymore. If I'm not mistaken on the trilene knot you go through the eye twice before you continue to tie a regular clich knot, I may be off a little but I'm close. I noticed when I started using flouro lines the knots that require lots of wraps create too much friction and often fail at the knot. When I went back to simple knots my knot failures went away. Try the palomar, clinch or improved clinch and see if your problem goes away. Ensure you use plenty of spit and go slow when tying. Don't trim the tag end flush with the knot, leave about .100" give or take. That should keep you hooked up and save a few bucks on tackle.