Swivel....leader...anger

[Stajan_14]

Hey guys....been fishing this one spot with a lot of top water lures i.e. frog, hoola popper and floating and flying jitter. Bass have been hitting not bad but I've lost 2 frogs due to line breaking and one possible bite off by a pike which is understandable...now should I use a swivel with top water lures with some weight cause it seems to be breaking pretty easy...now Im gonna brush up on my knot skills but I think it was okay....any suggestions would help,

[Lunker Larry]

If you're fishing heavy cover, you should be using 10 to 12lb minimum braided super line Add a flurocarbon leader if pike are biting you off.
If your knot is breaking, only one knot you need to know - Palomar
http://www.animatedknots.com/palomar/index.php

[bradford2]

Your line shouldn't break that easy....

What pount test? And are the weeds heavy? You said you lost frogs... most guys fish frogs with very heavy line. Like 50 lb test braid.

Also with frogs, pike hit them a lot. So the could all be bite - offs.....

There isn't a need for a swivel or snap.

[beachburger]

What kind of line are you using? What size is the line? How old is the line?

Assuming you have "fresh" line and it's heavy enough, knot failure and nicks in the line are the culprits for most breakoffs. Check the line regularly for nicks. If you are using mono, it does not hurt to re-tie after catching a few decent fish.

If pike teeth are a problem, try a short (4"-6") wire leader.

[Mr. T.]

I find sometimes, I'm sloppy with my knots. I would cast and my lure flys off. After reeling the line in, it's curled on the end so the knot has come loose and therefore bye bye lure. So I always give a good tug after tying on to make sure the knot is OK.

[Tip-up]

I find sometimes, I'm sloppy with my knots. I would cast and my lure flys off. After reeling the line in, it's curled on the end so the knot has come loose and therefore bye bye lure. So I always give a good tug after tying on to make sure the knot is OK.

I will never be sloppy with knots ...lures flying off of my line would sure pee pee me off..and what if it was a money fish attached to the end.... One thing I always do is tie a superb knot and sharpen my hook at the same time ...it's just a habit. I did that once with my favorite spinnerbait years ago. I just watched it fly through the air and knew I should have taken more time to ensure I am getting the most of out of the knot. I also KrazyGlue most knots.

[CCLad]

I find sometimes, I'm sloppy with my knots. I would cast and my lure flys off. After reeling the line in, it's curled on the end so the knot has come loose and therefore bye bye lure. So I always give a good tug after tying on to make sure the knot is OK.

See the link above for the ploymar Knot. Very esy to tie, proably one of the best knots you can use for fishing.

Good luck.

[CCLad]

I find sometimes, I'm sloppy with my knots. I would cast and my lure flys off. After reeling the line in, it's curled on the end so the knot has come loose and therefore bye bye lure. So I always give a good tug after tying on to make sure the knot is OK.

See the link above for the ploymar Knot. Very esy to tie, probably one of the best knots you can use for fishing.

Good luck.

[CNs]

I find sometimes, I'm sloppy with my knots. I would cast and my lure flys off. After reeling the line in, it's curled on the end so the knot has come loose and therefore bye bye lure. So I always give a good tug after tying on to make sure the knot is OK.

See the link above for the ploymar Knot. Very esy to tie, probably one of the best knots you can use for fishing.

Good luck.

that would be a PALOMAR knot

[Stajan_14]

I have brand new 8lb test Trilene line on....and I've just been tying directly to the eyelet of the frog. Now since it's 8lb test and I'm doing a sort of fast retrieve and their hitting it off the top on the reel-in so I don't think its breaking but I guess the word you guys use is slipping...so when I look at the end of my line I can see where I wrapped the end around the line (clinch knot) so its a little twirly. Thats why I don't think its so much as breaking but slipping. That being said...any advice? If i didnt wanna go buy new line could i put a small wire leader on to take away the chances of the slipping?

[bucketmouth]

I don't see how using a snapswivel or steel leader will have any bearing on your "slipping".... you'd still be tying your 8lb mono to it wouldn't you? I'd put my money on a bad batch of line. Unless of course you're using a stove poker weight rod and hauling back like all bloody hell, that would snap 'er for sure.

When you say frog I'm assuming something like a Bobby's Perfect or Scum Frog? 8lb is way to light to be using in the weeds if that's the case. You'd be asking for trouble and if the bass wrapped in the weeds. That's why most folks would recommend at least 30lb braid for fishing topwater in the pads, slop, grass, etc.

Just remember that if you switch to braided line you MUST use a palomar knot as an improved clinch will certainly slip.

D.

[Bass Addict]

8lb Mono........chucking frogs................

[Stajan_14]

so if i was to stick to mono line....12lb test? 14lb? and keep with the same improved clinch knot?

[Wallyboss]

Get soem 50lb braided line (I prefer Power Pro) for tossing frogs. Cause the first thing that the bass wants to do after hitting the frog is go stuff himself into some weeeds. You need good strong line and a good rod to pull him out.

As for the knot it doesn't matter which one you use , just as long as it's the PALOMAR. leran to tie it and you will never use another knot. If using mono make sure to wet the knot before tightening it or you will damage the line and it will break everytime. Whenever you break off make sure you inspect where it broke off , if it is away from the knot go to a different line . If it is right at the knot then use a palomar.

[Terry_F]

Stajan_14

Are you using a clinch knot or an improved clinch knot?
The clinch will pull through and leave the tell-tale curly end you described.
The improved clinch knot where you put the end back through the open loop will stop that from happening.
As Wallyboss said, you must wet the line before you tighten it otherwise the line generates heat and ruins the knot, just a little spit is enough.
As for 8lb line, if you really like mono, I'd go for 17lb for fishing in the weeds. 8 or 10 lb for all other applications.
The animatedknots.com site is awesome, just practise tying before you get out on the water.

Good Luck.