I’ve suddenly started having a problem with my tippets that’s driving me nuts.
The last two times that I got a fish hooked, almost as soon as I started to pull it in, the tippet broke.
At first I thought the (improved clinch) knot was failing, but I looked closer at the tippet and it didn’t look like a knot failed.
Anytime I’ve had a knot fail (usually 'cause I had a clinch instead of an improved clinch), it’s left a half inch or so of ‘mangled’ tippet telling me that I screwed up my knot.
In these last two instances, though, I’m left with a straight tippet with a tiny little ‘J’ at the end.
So, the first thought, obviously, would be that I’m using too light a tippet. But that just doesn’t seem like it should be the issue; I’m fishing a lake with bass, good sized blue gills, crappie, and a few good sized gators. I’ve got an 8wt rod, with an 8ft 8lb tapered mono leader, and 8lb test mono for a tippet.
Thing is, I’ve pulled harder to get the fly out of the weeds than I was pulling when the tippet broke. So it doesn’t seem like it should be a matter of too light a tippet.
Obviously I’m going to replace the current tippet, but do ya’ll have any other ideas as to what might be happening?
Most of my knot failures were when the line broke right at the knot as opposed to it slipping. Some knots squeeze down too hard and cause the line to break easily. I use the palomar knot with confidence for anything from a delicate 5x tippet, to 80 pound braided line. I find it one of the easiset to tie also. Other than that, I use the uni knot, which seems to work just as well
You’re not the only one.
I’ve lost 9 fish and flies in two days to broken tippets [big fish too}I switched down to 4x tippet and it still happened.
I’m using the same tippet brand and knots i’ve been using for years with very few failures.but on a high note my flyshop guy showed me a new pattern a couple of weeks ago that is really kicking tail right now.
I just had to set down and tie another dozen because I went through the first dozen already.
Come to think of it, all of my broken knots/leaders have occured while testing knots. I have never lost a fish to anything other then the hook falling out of its lips.
How old is your current tippet material? Mono does deteriorate over time. I usually replace my tippet material every two years or sooner if needed.
I just had the same problem you describe with my 5x. I replaced it and everything was good again. It looked ok, but was significantly weaker than it should have been. It was about 3 years old.
Any chance it could be some toothy critters in there. A pond I regularly fish has a good crop of gar and bowfin in it. I get the occational line cut from them. Perhaps it’s not the tippet or knots. Just a thought.
Thank you all for your responses. I changed my tippet last night, and I may try Panman’s Pitzen knot, too. If I continue to have the problem I’ll move up to a thicker tippet and see if that helps.
To answer the questions ya’ll posed:
nick: yes, I always make sure to wet the knot.
Warren: The tippet material is about 8 months old.
Leo: I suppose it could be. I really don’t know anything about which are toothy fish and which aren’t.
Castwell: I find that comment sufficiently offensive that I shouldn’t respond to it, but no I wasn’t using an overhand knot. >:|
Rainbowchaser: Different boxes of hooks, different types of hooks, different brands of hooks.
[This message has been edited by MikeZRed (edited 23 April 2006).]
Mike
I know you have pretty well concluded what your next move will be, so I’m just tossing this in. I always bought my line in 3000yd spools. I had several spools, different test, different times, where the whole spools were factory defective. Maybe just a possibility.
Be as offended as you want. The ‘J’ is the half (left) where an overhand knot was and broke. Somehow you got a small ‘wind-knot’ (over-hand knot) in your tippit and it broke. Why the snotty attitude? If you don’t like answers, ask your questions on someother BB.
Another one agreeing with JC…I replaced a leader yesterday due to a wind knot. I check for those & also line abrasions frequently while fishing. Also, tippet is inexpensive enough to replace spools frequently. One reason I do NOT carry gear in the Jeep just in case I see a good spot is “heat”…it really affects mono.
Mike
You can call me Mike & you can call me Mikey…Just remember that this site’s about sharing!
I think you jumped on JC and should have understood his post. JC does not use a lot of words. I also agree with him that it was a wind knot. You also said the tippet was 8 months old. Is that how long you have had it or is that the real age of the tippet? I would guess that is how long you have had it. I test my tippet each time with a hand scale. That will tell me if it breaks before it is suppose to.
Lighten up on JC he was trying to help you just like all the others. He looked up a link and gave you his opinion in one sentence. He is not like me and writes a short book each time he posts.
You are not all that far from me, maybe we can fish the Tampa Bay sometime. I will promise you if the wind is up you will need a number of tippets, wind knots are the special in Tampa Bay.
YOu are also closer to Flats Dude, try to hook up with him some time. He is a great guy and has 2 new boats. If he takes his wife fishing with you (YOU will get beat) She beats him all the time.
He is fishing some great water in his area, there are a lot of big fish. If he is fishing fresh water 10 to 15lb bass are not all that hard to find. If he is in the salt well I do not have to tell you about that. Here most of us use even heaver stuff than he is using… I use a 20 lb tippet off of one of Robin’s custom furled mono leaders he makes for me. WE also throw some pretty big flys. On smaller tippets if I make a mistake I am looking for a new fly. A 2/0 clouser will become a missle if you make a little mistake, It will also plunk you in the head if you are not quick. ( I wear a little cardboard padding in my hat just because I can get hit on occasion. <grin> I always tell everyone it is just my mom hitting me in the back of the head…
Come on down and play in our water. It is in the 70’s (water temp) and the fish are biting.