August 27th 2009 04:24 pm
Braided Line
By Philmussle
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Line breakage happens to many anglers especially if one has fished long enough. The reason for lines breaking in such fashion could be due to a few reasons.
A.
This I’ve done in my earlier fishing days and do see many anglers still practicing till today. When the lure/bait gets snagged and the angler does not have a lure retriever (a must have to save snagged lures at least 80% of the time) he or she sometimes pull hard using the rod and reel to free the snagged bait or break the line.
What happens is that it takes some effort and pressure before the bait (hook) comes free or line burst. During this time the lines in the spool actually digs into the rest of the line in the spool and in the process damaging the first few layer of lines (braided lines do cut).
Subsequent cast after the incident could cause the line to snap in mid air. The lure is suppose to fly through the air carrying free flowing meters and meters of lines. The reason for it to snap is when this free flow is suddenly stopped for a few tents of a second creating extra pressure on already weakened lines.
B.
Another reason is due to fighting a fish especially a big one. The angler has to ensure constant pressure on the fish and sometimes this pressure weakens the lines (especially when the drag is locked almost dead). This causes the same problems as in A.
C.
Abrasion will weakened lines no mater what type or brand. Even steel lines will succumb to abrasions. There is always a good chance of line snapping due to abrasions. Fishing with such lines is like playing with fire. There is a chance of getting burnt or in this case line snapping (reason why the pros always recommend that we cut off the few meters of line after a trip or after battling fishes around logs, stumps, and stones).
D.
Lines killed by heat. The sun and heat are far from friends of any lines (braided takes heat and sun better). The sun and heat (keeping equipment in car boot or cabin while parked under the sun) weakens lines. Best not to keep your equipment in your car. I’ve done this before as well a long long time ago. Rods tak tahan, lines tak tahan, tackle box also cracked. I’ve seen rods left in cars these days.
These are some of the factors that could cause lines to snap while the lure is being cast. Something must stop the free flow of line from the spool to cause the line to snap and it could be line digging into lines or something snagging the line at the spool.
Tips:
When line is snagged, do not use rod and reel to free the line use cloth, loosen the line, wrap a few loops of line around your hands and pull with your hands. With braided lines it can be dangerous so instead of using cloth, loop the line around your belt (the extra part that is not used) and pull with your belt. If you don’t wear a belt use some thing else that will allow you to free your line safely. The last resort is to cut your line. If you’ve managed to safe your line… inspect the line for damages.
Discard the few meters of line especially areas than have been weakened by abrasion. Fresh lines are always a safe bet.
Don’t keep it in your car.
And lastly… keep equipment away from pets…. hehehe. We’ve got cases of Berkley Gulp Softbait eaten by cats and snakes and lines used as dental floss and claw sharpeners by cats.
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