Line Trouble!!!

[Chefdave]

Was on vacation this past week at Nolin, I finally got so frustrated with my line, that on Saturday around noon, I pulled the boat out and drove home. I tried moss green Stren 14#, Trilene XT 14#, BPS excell 12#, and Trilene XL 12#. switched out line several times and continued to break off big fish! I've never been so dissapointed with my fishing line. Most of the fish I lost, the line broke on the hook set, I know how to tie a proper knot, and wet it, I'm not hulk hogan so I don't think its that I'm setting it too hard. If anyone has some words of wisdom, It would be much appreciated. I have never had these kinds of problems with these brands before. Why now?

[gettingonefishin]

What weight rod (medium heavy or heavy) ya using and how deep were the fish and distance to the fish ? Sounds like one of those days.

[zx150]

Are you sure they were bass? I hear there are toothy fish in Nolin. How old is your fishing line?

[Chefdave]

Line was all bought in the last two weeks, I kept it out of the light etc. I guess there is no real way to know how old it was when I bought it. I was fishing a finesse jig when most of the break offs occurred. I fished several different rods but mostly a 6 ft 6 in. MH Loomis, and a 7 ft. MH BPS extreme. It was definately one of those days. At one point on Friday, I broke off a big one and about two minutes later my buddy landed one about 3.5# on an ultra light spinning rig with 10 pound test that I gave him!

[ChampioNinKYJerryCole]

Have you checked your rod guides? I had one with a guide that was cutting my line.

[thebassman30]

I'd say it's time for some fresh man....I think we've all been there. There are several tests you can perform on line to see if it's gone bad. I don't do it all the time, but do a little research/search up some manufacturers for some methods if you want to keep the line.

I also like to replace my mono every trip because it absorbs water and then about 50 feet of my braid if it gets really sun burned. I've been using Flouroclear on my baitcasters and it's really good line. I've been real impressed. That coating of flourocarbon helps it last and it fishes and ties like mono.
My 2¢ bro.
Mark

[plowboy]

Berkley puts the date of manufacter on the spool. Call the factory and they will tell you how to read the date.

[Chefdave]

Thanks for all the input guys, I just threw away all my old line and plan to buy new and respool all my reels again.

[thebassman30]

Look out Bass Pro!

I think a BPS representative should do a commercial about setting and keeping a limit (like the casinos)....I've seen some shopping carts loaded with 20-30 Lucky Craft baits. Now I'm not knock'n them....they're way more durable than some of their competition.

I need to start going after some marketing business in the industry....that would give me a tremendous boost of enthusiasm just to pitch to say the FLW....Hey Dave Washburn....it's your frat-bro from Murray St. Call me...www.bkprint.com.

[takpack]

You may what to check your drag. It should slip at somewhere between 30 and 40 percent of the test of your line, e.g. if you are using 12 pound line the drag should slip at 3 pounds. I have taken to setting/checking mine with a sping scale. The way I do it is to tie a loop in the running end of the line and hook the loop over the hook on the scale. I hold the scale in one hand and hold the rod (butt resting on the floor)between the tip and the first eyelet. I then move the hand with the scale away from the rod while I watch the dial and wait for the drag to slip and adjust from there.

May not exact science, but it helps with the confidence when you go to set the hook.

V/r

Jim

[RippinLip]

Chefdave

I was out with Dave Stewart one time and I kept breaking off fish. When I got back to the cabin a buddy told me to run a Q-tip through my guides. As you would expect there was a knick in one of my guides and the cotton on the Q-tip snagged it. It is a great way to check your guides and I know it cost me about 10 fish that day.

Buck

[steve_o]

Make sure that you back your drag off at the end of every trip. If your drag stays in the same spot the components (washers) can become locked and then when you change to a small test line in think you reduced your drag...and well you know the rest of the story.