In about half of our fishing reports I read that I got broken off by a fish. I would like to get some input from members on why they think they get broken off so much. I think the following are the top 3 reasons:

1) Old line (keep your reels indoors) and change it at least 3 times a year.

2) Knick in the line. Fisherman hate to re-tie and most don't

check for knicks often enough

3) Not using the correct lb test for the environment you are fishing.

I think many of you feel you get broke off because you had a giant you couldn't turn and your test line strentgh was not enough. My guess is that old line, not re-tieing, and knicks in the line loose more fish that not having strong enough test line.

Steve,

I am guilty as well, but I think a lot of us have been using the same knots we learned as kids.  There are some great sites to teach us old guys some new and improved ties.  Animatedknots.com is a cool site and has many new ways to attach lures and lines.  

How do I update my member photo??

I break off two or three fish almost every year, but it's almost always my own fault. When it's at the knot, it's usually because I got lazy and didn't re-tie often enough. Sometimes I've tightened my drag down too far. Once in a while I get sloppy when tying braid to leader. Very rarely it's because I was "underlined" for the existing conditions. Once in a great while, though, I do get wrapped up by a fish I couldn't turn. Rather than breaking me off, the big bass wraps me up in timber or submerged brush, and then I end up having to break my line to get fishing again. That's what happened to me at Yates Place last Tuesday - I couldn't turn the fish and it wrapped me around a log - and got off. FYI, I usually use a Palomar knot for my terminal tie. Even with braid and fluorocarbon, it's plenty strong - if tied correctly. Cross those lines wrong, though, and it's way too weak before you even make your first cast!

i dont seem to break off much at all (now ive jinxed myself). over many years of fishing i have tried every line ever put out,, the last 10 years i have stuck with Silver Thread AN line in 14lb test and have caught bass all the way up to 11 lbs.. and drug bass out of just about everything.. now i know everyone will say use 20lb test in places like Timber Lake or Marshall 10/10.. but i still keep my 14 lb on all my reels and never have any troubles... Silver Thread AN is very hard to find so when i see it on EBAY i usually stock up.. i have always been a stickler for details like steve says when it comes to retie or knot selection (i always tie a palmar knot)... i do know that during my years of trying different lines, Trilene XL was the one i had the most constant breaks with. it is a mono filament, very popular line ,, Silver Thread is a co-polymer line that is also very limp and stout and very controlable in casting...   i change line once every winter.. for any one frustrated with their line, give it a try.. one last note, what Tom said in his post is SO true,, when tying a palamar knot DO NOT let the 2 tie ends cross over each other and wet it down before sinching the knot down

Originally Posted by Mark Levock

How do I update my member photo??

I'm glad you asked. Go to the Partner Finder name; which is located in the maroon section of most paages where it says Welcome back Mark Levock. You can enter a picture by browseing from your computer or smartphone that is less than 2 Mb)

I'm not sure this is the best way to do this for the long term, but this the current procedure. As we grow, I will continue to add new and hopefully improved feattures to the site.

If any of you have any ideas on what you would like to see and how to format it better we would love your input. Not sure we can always afford it, but we want to get better.

Steve

One other thing I might add is that I've seen some people that have their drag set too tight.  It's important not to have the drag cranked all the way down as it can create some issues with breaking off during a hookset.

I rarely use drag. Mine's generally cranked all the way down.

I prefer the "thumb and button" method of controlling a big fish once it's hooked. Better hookups and better control on surging fish.

Great discussion guys.  It's funny how we adhere to strict rules as anglers only to find others that share the same success and  believe things that are almost the complete opposite.  The Bassmaster professional Aaron Martens goes into great detail regarding line diameter and how it impacts his results.  He once said in an interview that drop shotting with six pound line was surely why he didn't win a tournament.  He felt he would have gotten more bites using four pound line.  On the flip side of that is my good friend Gary, a former FLW professional, who guides on Lake Fork full time and says that fish don't care what your lure is tied on with.  He buys the large spools of 20 pound Berkeley Big Game when it is on clearance for eighty eight cents a spool at Academy.  The question that I think needs to be asked as if line diameter is really that important, how important are the hooks hanging out of the bait?  Don't you think the fish would be much more concerned with the shiny hooks that are soon to impale them then the line visibility?  I don't think there is a simple answer or we would all follow the same rules.  I think reaction strikes are just that..... reactions, and line type and visibility aren't an issue.  I think feeding strikes may be different and tricking the fish into striking may have some dependence on line visibility.  However, many of the lakes we fish are a far cry from the super deep, super clear lakes throughout the rest of the country and I'm not sure it matters as much as we think it does.  All of that rambling just to say that I use very heavy line, 50 to 65 pound braid on most reels unless I have a bait that needs light line to improve it's action like a suspending jerk or weightless Senko.  I break off once or twice a year which is really saying something for as much as I fish.  Steve I agree....  You have to retie often if you are using monofilament or fluorocarbon and that convenient garage many of us use for storage degrades line quickly during those summer months.  Regarding what Mark said about knots...  If you guys don't know the Palomar knot I would encourage you to learn it.  It's simple, fast, and one of the strongest in all line types.  And so true Brad.....  That drag needs to match the line type.  Love the new forum format!

i feel same in many ways as dr bean, thats why i dont have a different line size on each rod,, i have 14lb silver thread on every reel i own,, crappie or bassn .. its just a good all around size for all uses..just re tie occasionally and use the palamar knot and have at it..