I've been having a big issue having my line snap right at the knot on the hookset. I use a 7 foot medium spinning rod, 20 lb Power Pro, and a 10 lb Sunline Sniper leader. The last 4 times I've gone out the line has snapped all 4 times. I was thinking that maybe the line was too light, so upped it to a 12 lb Sunline Sniper leader, and still had the same outcome. Then I started thinking that maybe the fluoro was just too stiff, so tried a co-polymer 10 lb line, but that snapped too. Is my hook set just wrong? Once I detect the bite, I reel up the slack, and then hit them. Not quite as hard as I would a TX Rig, but probably 75% of a TX Rig hook set. Every time I set the hook less than that, I almost never hook them, and then wish I would have set the hook harder. What's weird about it as well is I don't have any other issues with other rigs. I fish shaky heads and TX Rigs with the same setup, but with zero problems. Is the fish's teeth cutting my line?? Should I scrap the braid, and go straight fluoro or co-polymer? Soooo many questions, so few answers. Let me know what you think.

Thanks

What knot are you tying?

My question also. If a Palomar that may be your issue. If the two bottom strands cross it will cut the line.

I dont set the hook, I reel and pull. And I'm no expert but a guy I fish with is and he does the same.

I am guessing this is the knot at the hook? (rather than the braid to fluoro knot)

Many 10 and 12 pound fluoro brands do not have strong shock resistance (sudden increase in force)

Your situation is a bit of a head scratcher as you aren't having problems with shaky head with the exact same set up (more sudden force on a shaky head hook set than with wacky)

Unless you are fishing a very clear lake, I'd just go straight 20lb braid. With braid to hook, the palomar isn't the best knot....I'd use a doubled uni (uni knot but doubling the line) or the fish 'n fool or the Jimmy Houston/Grigsby doubled pitzen knot. With straight braid to hook, you want a a knot that is doubled through the hook eye to prevent slipping.

People tend to fish wacky around submerged vegetation and straight braid is best in that environment.

I have used three different knots. Palomar, Improved clinch, and Trilene. Shockingly to me the Palomar is breaking off the easiest of the three.

The palomar is quick to tie.... but I abandoned it as I would sometimes cinch it down with the loop cinching above the overhand hitch instead of around. If the loop cinches down above the overhand hitch, the loop can cut into the line....a recipe for hook set failures at the knot , especially with fluoro.

Doubled uni or fish n' fool or Jimmy Houston knot/doubled pitzen are all more forgiving with a wider margin for error as the knots correct themselves as you cinch down.....also more abrasion resistant and more shock resistant than the palomar.

If the lighter hook sets aren't connecting I would try a lighter wire hook. I usually tx rig my weightless setups but I use a lighter wire(lighter than what I would use for a normal tx rig w/ 15-20lb line) and just lean into them on the hookset.

I use 10lb or 15lb braid, with 6, 8, or 12lb flour leader depending on the situation. Always go with the FG knot for braid to flouro and palamor knot on the bait 100%. Test the FG knot after each days use, or if you've caught a ton of fish on it. Just like any other knot the stress of hook sets and coming thru line guides under stress will wear them down. But if done correctly and checked periodically its the best IMO.

You might have too much rod as well, a straight medium rod depending on it's backbone is a lot more force than you need. Medium-light with a fast tip is all you need, just a quick reel up hook set or snap hook set is plenty, once pegged those fish aren't going anywhere. If I'm fishing around thick veg or a lot of wood and want the wacky presentation I go with a baitcasting rig.....

Slack line hook set is whats snapping the line. Weightless whacky rigs will have quite a bit of slack line under water then a t rig or shaky head. Need to use a light wire hook and just lift the rod. Rarely loose one that way.

There is definitely some slack line in the hook set. I've been using the Berkley Fusion 19 1/8 oz wacky hook. It helps it to sink just a little bit faster. The hook doesn't seem to be all that thick to me.




Do you think easing off on the drag would help with having too much power in the rod?





As much praise as the Palomar knot receives, I sure do have a lot of issues with it.

Do you think easing off on the drag would help with having too much power in the rod?

Yes, it could help to back off the drag some, but you're not really solving the problem. You'll probably miss some fish, having the correct power rod allows an appropriate amount of pressure on the fishes mouth based on the hook you're using. Loosening the drag is really just giving the fish slack when you least want it (upon hookset). You'll likely solve the problem of breaking off on the hook set, but may loose some fish.

If you fish with this rig a lot it might be worth looking into a new rod, if it's just something you do periodically and use other techniques with the rod much more then maybe straight braid while loosening the drag, and using a lighter hook set could get the job done.

Palomar (if tied correctly!) is the best knot to use. You don’t need to swing like a gorilla on the hookset. It’s an exposed, fine wire hook point. It will stick them. Even then, if the knot is wetted and cinched down properly, it should withstand a pretty hard swing. I use an almost exact setup for wacky rigs. I don’t break on hooksets. If you are using fluorocarbon, extreme attention is needed when tying the knot. If it burns the knot by tying it dry, it will break like serated wet toilet paper. .

You HAVE to tie the Palomar correctly. That's my main knot with every line and I can't remember the last time I broke off. It's been years. Take your time, pay attention to not twisting or overlapping your loops, and wet before cinching down.

Then never ever slack line hookset light flouro. Pull and reel only. You're issues will go away.

I have had the same problem as Nate several years ago when fishing spotted bass (toothy buggers). I switched from a 1/0 to 2/0 hook with slightly longer shank-problem solved.