Had some weird line problems this weekend. Friday pre-fishing on Joe Pool I was using a C-Rig with 30 braid and 15# Flouro (Trilene 100%). Fish hits my lizard I side sweep the rod to set the hook. Feel the fish for a split second and all goes limp. Line broke between hook and swivel. No curl at the end of the line like a knot break would leave.

Saturday during tournament twice on the drop shot my line breaks above the hook on 10# Flouro (Trilene 100%). and once on 12# Flouro (Trilene 100%).

On all four occasions I never fought the fish, it hit, I reacted and the line just let go like the fish had scissors. I can break 20# Flouro on a straight hook set but I have been reeling down to the fish and side sweeping. Just as effective but not as hard on the knots.

I was fishing hard bottom (rocky areas) and brush so I must be nicking the line but I have never encountered anything like this before. Wouldn't say any of the fish would have won the tournament but I would have liked to at least got to see them! What is problem and the fix?

This happen on two different rod and reel setups..

trilene is the problem.... in my opinion. but my opinion and a buck and a quarter will buy u a coke these days...

I use the Trilene and I don't have any problems with it.

When using braid mainline with a flouro leader. 1. do not set the hook as hard 2. use a rod with a parabolic bend, not a broom stick!

Clint,

Does drag come into more play in this situation?

Casey,
I set up the drag depending on the rod. Stiffer the rod, lesser the drag. Softer the rod, more of the drag.

Just remember, something has to give. Here his line gave. With the right rod, his rod would have gave.

How do you determine the drag you need? Is it a feel you just get with trial and err?

braid w light floro... no bueno

Clint:

The C-rig is on a MH x-fast Tip and drop shot is Med fast tip. I would agree that the Drop Rig may be a little heavy. But the C-rig and 15# test line shouldn't have been a broblem. Should it?

But then again I not getting enough pressure on the fish to feel the head shake????

You correct about the drag. I was fishing Fork a couple weeks ago with a guide friend and was telling him how I was breaking to many T-Rigs on the hook set. He had me loosen up on the drag.

Unfortunately, it is a trial and error. There are many variables. The biggest two variables I have found for this set up is 1. the size of fish you are catching (big difference between 2.5 pounders all day and 7 and 8 pounders all day. 2. the cover in which you are fishing.
No matter the situation, when using braid and flouro in combination, your drag must strip on a strong (rock the boat) hook set. If all else fails, up the size of your leader a couple of pounds. The flouro is so clear, that I feel we can get away with 17 to 20 lb. on most days.
Sorry to talk your ear off, but I forgot to mention, this set up must be used with a quality (like new) fishing reel with an outstanding drag system. If your drag does not peel smoothly, meaning it has some sticky to it, it will NOT work.

Great Info.

I've allways used mono with floro leader and never had any problems. I have never even considered using braid as a main line when carolina rigging. If the fish prefer a c/r your going to feel the bite! If you cannot then maybee you should be texas rigged instead. Just my 2 cents.....

Braid and fluro combo on ready-made c-rig will break more often than not. if you like to fish braid with fluro leader, use a carolina keeper on the fluro (don't put any metal between the braid and leader).

stren gremlins.

Thirsty

I broke off a Topwater and Crank bait fish on 12# FC at the hook set this weekend that would have made an est 5# difference in our 5 fish stringer. I'm used to fishing 17# on both applications and just put too much wood on them!

I use 15# P-Line Floroclear for my Dropshot and have pulled Bass out of Alligator Grass up to 5 1/2#.. that is the heaviest line I can use with the light wire hooks and not straighten them out.

Casey..

Good info from Clint!

A general rule of thumb on drag for Line and Rods is 1/3 their pound test rating. If you fish a MH rod rated for 10-25# line the sweet spot is 15-17# line and the drag should be set at 5-6# for the best results. You need to balance the rod and line ratings to get that sweet spot and best performance out of your gear. Be careful using heavy braid and lighter leaders not set the drag to exceed the rating of the mono or FC leader.

We use this rule for Tuna fishing offshore but it has also made me more aware of my fresh water Bass fishing tackle as well. When you set the drag you need a good scale and do it with the rod bent like you are pulling on a fish. Keeping reels clean and functioning proporly will be of great advantage.

You can get Carbontex and Smoothy drag washers from this place.. they also sell Cal's Drag Grease that will keep you drags from sticking. http://www.smoothdrag.com/

If you are fishing heavy cover where you need to move fish fast use no more than 1/2 the rating and move up to heavier action rods and lines.

Bazz