Every time I tie on a crankbait with a split ring I think about the edges of the "split" and wonder how that does not damage the line.

I purchased a 1/2 dozen Googan Baits recently. Fishing Bridgeport Thursday, my line broke at the knot 3 times while giving the knot a good test pull after tying on. 3 different baits. At first I thought bad line, but it was fresh. I always give the last 3 or 4 ft of line a feel test before tying on to check for rough sports. I know how to tie a knot, and I use my best beer infused spit which is a proven effective lubricant for a variety of activities.

Do you remove split rings. Do you think they give the bait appreciatively more action?

I have NO confidence in them now.

What knot are you tying? Assume mono or fluoro? I use split rings on most hard baits and some topwater.

I don’t think it is the split rings causing your line to break .

you tying a slip knot?

Probably line burn with flouro. Certain brands of flouro, particularly the lighter stuff, you have to lubricate the knot well and the cinch the knots VERY slowly. After the cinch I always give them the pull test.

I use a UNI KNOT and that was McCoys Mean Green 12#.

Personally I use mono with crankbaits and have always tied a Palomar knot. I have been fishing 45+ years and have not had the line fail at the knot. For topwater baits I like a loop knot especially walking type stick baits. A Palomar not CAN fail as well if tied wrong.

Split rings can cut your line. Be very careful when you tie your lure on to never cinch down the knot in the open part of the split ring. Many times the edges of the wire in the opening are very sharp and can cut you line.



https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/fishing-knot-rules.html

See #15

It could be faulty split rings. Are the they round split rings or oval split rings on the bait? If they are the round ones be careful where the line ends up when you cinch it down so it doesn’t end up in those cracks, that could fray your line. Other suggestion, swap to oval rings, 6th sense makes som, Better overall at protecting your line against these problems.

I always remove them and use the interlocking snaps.

You know, I thought about doing that, but then I always thought, heck man if every bait company uses them and Ive never heard anyone say do what you say do then I must be overthinking this stuff. So what keeps the ring from rotating back to where the split is while your fishing?

I'm thinking what NickHasty said too, "maybe a bad batch of split rings" . Those Googan Baits are all new and I've never ever had this problem, now 3 in one day?

I tie a UNI KNOT because my used and abused fingers plus poop for close up vision equals much frustration. I can tie a UNI in the dark! I don't ever get line breaks at the knot , EVER, so the UNI it is and will have to stay.

Do you put a snap on every bait and tie / re-tie to the snap, or do you tie on a snap to main line when you are cranking and snap to the bait?

Do you not trust split rings? If not, why?

Donald, I have considered snaps. Do you think the snaps give the cb better action? I would think (always gets me into trouble) the snap wire might be thinner than a double ring allowing the bait to swim better.

I always look at those thin wire snap rings and think that thin wire is more likely to cut the line on a 5 lb fish, but great for crappie fishing. . Maybe I'm thinking myself into trouble as well.

I agree with Mr Harper, I remove the split rings & use the interlocking snaps for two reasons. 1, it avoids the very problem you are possibly dealing with, those edges cutting your line & 2, it also allows me to change lures very quickly without having to cut and re-tie everytime. I hope you get this issue figured out and resolved, I know how frustrating that can be! Good luck out there