Split shotting on 2# test - California Fishing

Indo-angler · 03-02-2004, 07:28 PM

I lost a nice fish when my 2# P-line broke at the splitshot. Has that happened to you? If so what suggestions do you have to overcome that?

DementedFish · 03-02-2004, 08:32 PM

Indo, there are a few things that could have happend to you.

1) Was your drag was too tight. If your drag is too tight, when the fish tries to run, it wont be able to take out as much line, and the force of it the fish swimming will snap the line.

2) Did you slide the splitshot up or down the line a lot? When you do this, it tends to weaken the line, and causes it to snap. Also, when you wrap fishing line around splitshot weights, it weakens and frays it, and ESPECIALLY on 2 lb test, it breaks VERY easily.

3) Did you start out with weak line? Starting out with frayed line is a big no no especially on 2 lb test. I try to put on new fishing line every 3-5 trips.

4) Did you pull on the fish too hard? Sometimes, if you pull too hard, your line can break. Normally i could probably tell you exactly how it broke, but you havnt given me enough information to form a good hypothesis.

Hope this helps! Just remember: If you dont have good line that is fairly new, dont even bother to fish at all. If you have any other questions, send me a PM, or just reply here.

Indo-angler · 03-02-2004, 08:46 PM

Thanks D F for the reply, good answers
I always use fresh quality line i.e. P-line and Maxima. I guess it just happens when you crimp onto thin line. That's why I don't really like to use it that way.

DementedFish · 03-02-2004, 09:04 PM

Yea Maxima is my favorite line. It is one of the thinnest lines i have found so far. When you "crimp" or wrap (or whatever you want to call it) make sure you wrap it around a fresh portion of line. If you ever need to move the splitshot up or down the line, dont slide it. Just take it off, cut the portion of the line, and start over. Like ive said before, it is important not to use frayed line.

Gerald · 03-02-2004, 10:29 PM

Also dont try to crimp down on the splitshot as hard as you can. This can also damage the line and cause it to break.

Bryan · 03-02-2004, 11:00 PM

Dont crimp down so hard and you should be fine. 2 # line is already very weak so be very careful.

What were you tossing?

Indo-angler · 03-02-2004, 11:12 PM

Not crimping down hard can cause the splitshot to slide. Crimping down to hard can damage the line. Gotta do it just right

The fish seemed to want white, so I'd changed from orange LRs to white pb with a white powerworm. Don't have any white LRs.
Will be picking some of the new colors up at the FH show. See you there.

LimitedOut · 03-03-2004, 10:31 AM

I use stuff called Sticky Weight, its a tungsten moldable sticky weight. It wraps around the line causing no damage whatsoever and it's very snag resistant. It's made by leadmasters and I know turners and sav on tackle carry it. Splitshots are ancient history.

Indo-angler · 03-03-2004, 11:57 AM

Hey limited out,
Thanks for reminding me! I have that stuff. Bought it a couple of years ago, came in a little green container and was a little pricey too. Used it for a little while, worked good, don't know why I stopped using it. Thanks I'll try it again

LimitedOut · 03-03-2004, 01:36 PM

Not a problem, when are you fishing pudd again? I want to do it sometime this week in the evening.

Indo-angler · 03-03-2004, 02:00 PM

I can't at all this week in the evening. I'll be out Monday eve and hopefully Tuesday eve of next week. Noticed your post yesterday. I was on my way Tuesday eve, but forgot my license and light because I had taken it out of my bag since I got drenched Mon night out there in half an hour. Will be at the FH show tomorrow night

May hit up a lake in the morning.

LimitedOut · 03-03-2004, 02:02 PM

Cool, I might fish it tomorrow. I'm off the to the show right now so I'll check back here tonight. Maybe we could meet at the park and ride and split the 6 dollar parking fee?

oliverngy@yahoo.com

GlobalFisher · 03-09-2004, 03:23 PM

Everybody gave great replys. I would say that your line might have been weak in that paticular spot. Or when you crimped down the split shot, you might have pinched to hard and made more stress on the line, and when that fish took it, SNAP... there went your line. Just test your line before you go fishing, take both of your hands and just pull away with both of your hands all over just to make sure its not going to break. Maybe your line was to thin and since there was allready stress on that paticular spot, it just snapped when the fish took your bait..?

Indo-angler · 03-09-2004, 05:04 PM

Thanks ya'll. Hey global fisherman! Hope to come up your way next year to visit friends and do some fishing.

GlobalFisher · 03-09-2004, 05:09 PM

That would be awesome. I havent been fishing up here yet, but I will be soon. You should make a trip up here this year!