Got on a decent bite this past weekend on a Carolina rig but after it was all over with I had broke off three different times. My set up initially consisted of medium heavy rod, 50 lb braid mainline ,1oz weight, glass bead, brass ticker , glass bead, spro swivel , and 20 pound Sunline Sniper leader. Broke off twice on the Sunline both times about ��� below my leader to swivel knot. Went to 15 lb big game for leader and broke off again in the same area. I am thinking my line is being damaged somehow while casting or dragging and being damaged by swivel or weight?? Possibly my hook set and braid are overpowering the other lines and breaking them?? Not sure what the deal is or if anyone can offer any advice or tips as to what I may be doing wrong or what may be causing me to break off but I am all ears.

Get rid of the braid. All it is doing is transferring all the shock to the leader.

I used 20 lb fluoro, and 15 lb big game leader.

I use a very similar set up and never had an issue?

Maybe a good run of bad luck?

Remember on a C rig the hook set should be a sweep not a jerk.

Truth.

Truthx2

Regardless of the size of the braid, and 50 lbs. seem so very excessive to me, if you are breaking off at the swivel leader junction consistently, it really sounds like something amiss with your knot there. I just can't imagine a hard hook set being the issue, whether it was 50 lbs. braid or 10 lbs. braid, though Skeeterbrain is spot on about it usually calling for a sweeping action.

What's going on at your knot? What are you using?

I ask because with that rigging, it would seem to me if you hanged up, you'd normally have a real workout if you attempted to break free just using rod action.

Knot?

Brad

This and it doesn't take a lot of pressure when sweeping to set the hook. If I read correctly and the breakage occurred not at the swivel then I suspect it is your hook set. I don't use braid but have in the past. The hook set is not nearly as violent as most people use on a texas rig.

Brad its not breaking at the knot, it's breaking about 1/4" below the knot. It kinda sounds like I'm not sweeping correctly and over setting the hook.

When sweeping do you just real down to the fish and ease your rod back in a semi circle parallel to the water while cranking in quickly? No real jerking motion?

I use 25lb InvisX and 20lb leader, I rip the damn lips off on a hook set. Two things if you are using tungsten weight get rid of the glass bead and get rid of the braid over kill.

Loose the 50lb braid it's overkill. Also check your drag,if its set properly you should be able to set the hook on a stump and not break off.Use it, its there for a reason, and lastly when you feel the fish point your rod at the fish and use a sweeping hookset until there's a nice bend in your rod. Any line 12lb test and over should be fine. Good luck hope this helps you.

Yes. I had similar issues breaking my 20# mono or fluoro leader when I use braid as my main line too. You have to do one of two things.

1. Adjust your hookset

or

2. Go down one power in rod strength

Stop setting the hook on stumps!!!