Weakening line...

[devonutopia]

I was wondering if any of you lot do this... This morning I went for a big cast (using 20lb main line and a 4oz weight) and TWANNNNGGG! the line snapped.... Thankfully before I'd got serious momentum into the rig as it landed about 20 feet away to my right, on the shoreline....

Closer inspecting proved the line had snapped approx 1 foot fromt my swivel - The blood knot was still good - very good in fact. I then realised that this foot of line is probably most abused during my casting - by the final ring on the rod. This ring by the way is in fine condition, has the insert intact and is smooth / non abrasive. I felt the line for the first 4 or 5 feet after this snap, and it felt pretty good again shortly, so I removed about 5 foot of line and re-tied my swivel and kept on fishing with no tackle losses (Still wanging out that 4oz weight about 80 odd+ yards).

I was told 20ln mainline is fine for a 4oz weight, but I guess there is no accounting for excessive wear during casting on that last little bit of line. I would consider a small shockleader if I knew how to make a good smooth knot that didn't impede my casting.

[mithrandir]

I have always used the "Albright Knot" for joining shockleader to mainline, not had any casting problems, just occasionally I get a bit of weed snagged on it on the retrieve.

I was also told that you should use approx 10lb of shock leader per 1oz of casting weight, including bait.

I usually use 70lb shockleader when using 5 oz leads and large baits.

I often use just a 15lb mainline to help my pathetic cast

[devonutopia]

Never heard of the albright know but after doing a search on here, it looks neat and "relatively" easy. Not too dissimilar to a classic blood knot for attaching swivels. I found some "18lb to 70lb" tapering traces in my tackle box so considering using one of those. Not sure what casting with 70lb line is going to be like though hehe.

[Drew]

Hi Jason,

I'm not a beach caster but I would never dream of beach casting without a shock-leader.

You have proved what can happen without one. The golden rule is 10lb of shock-leader for every 1oz of lead.

I.E. 6oz lead is 60lb shock-leader. 5oz lead is 50lb shock-leader and so on.

Please think of the damage that you can do to someone who is hit by a flying lead?? the mind boggles.

Not being able to tie a knot is no excuse, anybody will help. Ask your local tackle shop to assist.

I'm sure that everyone on here will give you the same advice, just as I am sure that everyone on the forum uses a shock-leader.

Regards

Drew

[Portland Pirate]

I wont lecture on the stupidty of casting anything above and ounce without a shock leader, as everyone else has already commented.

What I want to know is why you are using 20lb mainline.

If you are fishing over clean and semi brocken ground then 15lb is the most you need. If you are fishing into heavy rocks then you need 30lb.

With 20lb line your casting distance is cut down by 25%. It also hugely effects the amount of drag your line has in the water. If you fish a beach with a lot of tide such as Chesil your bait will be dragged towards the shore very quickly.