Why are your lurs and plugs "snapping off" when you cast ?

[GBOUTDOORS]

Last fall fishing eels at Cuttyhunk had lost three fish in a row every time I set the hook the line would snap. I was blaming the line then after the 3rd fish I ran my finger around each guide and found a VERY small crack on the last one. Changed the reel to another rod and good for the rest of the night no more line snaps.

[DZ]

Snapping off plugs


Ok – I shouldn’t be telling you this because when someone snaps off a plug I could very well become a beneficiary by finding it. Today I’ll be a nice guy and relate a tip top problem that I figured out years ago – after unwittingly donating many plugs to the striper gods.

The Fuji tip tops that many of us use are surrounded by the metal frame of the tip top. The metal that surrounds the hardaloy ring tends to scratch and gets roughed up from abuse such as banging in the rocks, etc. Now when you cast your line at some point it may make contact, however slight, with the metal. This in itself may initiate a “snap off” if the metal is sharp. The abrasive metal ring may also weaken your line at its casting point over time. The metal may also weaken your line while fighting a fish that is close to where you’re standing. This happens because your rod at this point is somewhat vertical causing the line between you and fish to make contact with the metal. This is made worse when the fish takes some line and your rod tip is up causing your line to abrade under pressure.

If you notice after casting that your running line is “rough and abraded” at the casting point but your hardaloy ring is fine and not cracked check the metal. It does not take much of a rough surface to abrade your line.

I also can’t reiterate the importance of cutting back and re-tying every so often. This is especially important when regularly catching fish and when casting plugs like needlefish, poppers, etc, which put a tremendous strain on the running line between the rod tip and plug.

One more tip (pun intended), always use tip tops that have an extra large ring. They abrade line much less than tip tops with standard size rings.

Doing this will help you save plugs.

DZ

[JFigliuolo]

Originally Posted by DZ

Snapping off plugs


SNIPPED... One more tip (pun intended), always use tip tops that have an extra large ring. They abrade line much less than tip tops with standard size rings.

Doing this will help you save plugs.

DZ

I alway downsize my tip-top. Keeps the swivel out of it. I am NOTORIOUS for casting the swivel through the guide, busting out the ceramic insert.

[Mugz]

Originally Posted by JFigliuolo

I alway downsize my tip-top. Keeps the swivel out of it. I am NOTORIOUS for casting the swivel through the guide, busting out the ceramic insert.

I have done this SOOO many times. I want to try using a round bead after my swivel that WON't be able to fit through the tip eye.

[DZ]

The old "swivel through the tip". I hear ya, but generally I feel that swivel when it hits the tip. Plus I "know" when its getting close. Gotta have the "feel".

[redneck24]

for me. im usually in a hurry to cast again and the bail flips.

[Notaro]

always take care of your tip and guides. make sure that they arent cracked. i cracked it four times or so and lost a few plugs.

[Raven]

of pulling on my line......when in doubt....
especially, when your in low light conditions...
i'll grab my line in front of my reel and making
sure the lure rides effortlessly up and down
....and isn't tip fouled->Before i cast.