Ever know anybody like this ??? 2024

Fish Chris reply :

Hopefully, it's not you !

I have a good buddy who wants to be a pro bass fisherman so bad, he can taste it ! He has a good job.... So that has allowed him a $50K bass boat, and all the best tackle a person could ever want, or need.

He has also spent a LOT of time on the water, and knows where the fish stack up.

And he seems to be able to make them bite pretty darn well too.

His only problem ? He breaks off more fish in an active trip, than I have probably broke off in my life ! {maybe a slight exageration} But seriously, I used to break off a few per year, when using mono. But for the last 15 years, using nothing but braid, I might have broke off 10 fish... total. And that was usually from something goofy, like a nick in my leader, or the fish wrapping me around something.

My buddy is a skinny guy, and he can't seem to help, but swing for the fences with every hookset. Now, I know with crappy, stretchy mono, a guy has to swing harder but apparently, my buddy is still able to swing just too freaking hard even when using stretchy, forgiving mono !

Needless to say, he does even worse with braid.

I keep telling him that if he just can't control himself, on the hard hooksets, then he needs to run a really light drag.

But he just keeps breaking them off. A few more, just last week

Your thoughts ?

Fish

Fish Chris reply :

Hopefully, it's not you !

He has also spent a LOT of time on the water, and knows where the fish stack up.

And he seems to be able to make them bite pretty darn well too.

Needless to say, he does even worse with braid.

I keep telling him that if he just can't control himself, on the hard hooksets, then he needs to run a really light drag.

But he just keeps breaking them off. A few more, just last week

Your thoughts ?

Fish

Fish Chris reply :

Hopefully, it's not you !

He has also spent a LOT of time on the water, and knows where the fish stack up.

And he seems to be able to make them bite pretty darn well too.

Needless to say, he does even worse with braid.

I keep telling him that if he just can't control himself, on the hard hooksets, then he needs to run a really light drag.

But he just keeps breaking them off. A few more, just last week

Your thoughts ?

Fish

RandySBreth reply :

Maybe lay off the Red Bull? ;D

RandySBreth reply :

Maybe lay off the Red Bull? ;D

RandySBreth reply :

Maybe lay off the Red Bull? ;D

Randall reply :

At one time that was me. :-[ ;D Switching to fluro and braid and learning to use a sweep hookset most of the time took care of most problems. Better drags on spinning reels took care of the rest. Mono just wasn't abrasion resistant enough for me.

Randall reply :

CWB reply :

I'm a pretty big guy and I have come close to throwing my partner out of the boat I set the hook so hard.

Have not had any problems with breakoffs using flouro or hybrid lines. Need to make sure drag is set properly. Maybe he should experiment with different knots.

I use a twice through Palomar most of the time.

All the time with braid. Can't remember ever having a breakoff with braid. Now wrapping around a post or stump, that's a different story.

Check your line and re-tie as needed. Sometimes we all get too lazy.

CWB reply :

I'm a pretty big guy and I have come close to throwing my partner out of the boat I set the hook so hard.

Have not had any problems with breakoffs using flouro or hybrid lines. Need to make sure drag is set properly. Maybe he should experiment with different knots.

I use a twice through Palomar most of the time.

All the time with braid. Can't remember ever having a breakoff with braid. Now wrapping around a post or stump, that's a different story.

Check your line and re-tie as needed. Sometimes we all get too lazy.

CWB reply :

I'm a pretty big guy and I have come close to throwing my partner out of the boat I set the hook so hard.

Have not had any problems with breakoffs using flouro or hybrid lines. Need to make sure drag is set properly. Maybe he should experiment with different knots.

I use a twice through Palomar most of the time.

All the time with braid. Can't remember ever having a breakoff with braid. Now wrapping around a post or stump, that's a different story.

Check your line and re-tie as needed. Sometimes we all get too lazy.

Fish Chris reply :

I hear you guys.

I actually use 3 different knots, depending on the situation, an improved clinch, a bloof knot, and a palomar knot.

I consider my knot tying abilities to be just so-so. But what I'm GREAT at, is being able to tell at a glance, if the knot I just tied was a perfect knot, or needs to be retied.

Often, I will have to re-tie a knot, once, or even twice. But if I ever tie one that doesn't cinch down cleanly, smoothly, and easily, it will never touch the water. I'll retie it 9 freaking X's, if that's what it takes until I get a sweet one

All that, plus I typically run a fairly light drag.

Works for me

Fish

Fish Chris reply :

I hear you guys.

I actually use 3 different knots, depending on the situation, an improved clinch, a bloof knot, and a palomar knot.

I consider my knot tying abilities to be just so-so. But what I'm GREAT at, is being able to tell at a glance, if the knot I just tied was a perfect knot, or needs to be retied.

All that, plus I typically run a fairly light drag.

Works for me

Fish

Fish Chris reply :

I hear you guys.

I actually use 3 different knots, depending on the situation, an improved clinch, a bloof knot, and a palomar knot.

I consider my knot tying abilities to be just so-so. But what I'm GREAT at, is being able to tell at a glance, if the knot I just tied was a perfect knot, or needs to be retied.

All that, plus I typically run a fairly light drag.

Works for me

Fish

Hot Rod reply :

Isn't that the defintion of "crazy"? Someone that does the same thing over and over again the same way but expects different/better results. ;D

I've been in the boat with people like that. Rarely do they take constructive critiscm very well. They just have to figure it out for them self cause they refuse to even consider what someone else suggests. Especially if they already consider themselves to be an "expert".

Case in point, I tried to switch over to braid for a lot of my fishing three different times. After hearing so many positive hype about the latest and greatest generation of braid I spool it up on several rods and think "this is going to put a lot more fish in the boat!". Problem is all my rods are way to fast for it and my technique/style. I ended up jumping off a lot of fish. Finally after more lost fish than I care to mention, I got it through my skull it wasn't working for me. I could buy all new slower rods but instead I just use a more forgiving line with some stretch. Now I rarely jump one off. Hopefully your buddy will have a similar apipheny

Hot Rod reply :

Isn't that the defintion of "crazy"? Someone that does the same thing over and over again the same way but expects different/better results. ;D

Hot Rod reply :

Isn't that the defintion of "crazy"? Someone that does the same thing over and over again the same way but expects different/better results. ;D

Grey Wolf reply :

"Stupid is as stupid does."

Grey Wolf reply :

"Stupid is as stupid does."

Grey Wolf reply :

"Stupid is as stupid does."

Lucky Craft Man reply :

I have a buddy that you can tell when he is ready to set the hook. He repositions himself for the power swing, which slightly rocks the boat. Then comes the hook set...the whole boat rocks back and forth. If you are not braced or ready, you could loose your balance and go overboard. I asked him why he feels the need to rip the fishes face off and he says that is just his reaction to the bite. I guess if you get into a habit of doing so, it is hard to break.

Lucky Craft Man reply :

A-Jay reply :

Quote

I have a good buddy who wants to be a pro bass fisherman so bad, he can taste it ! He has a good job.... So that has allowed him a $50K bass boat, and all the best tackle a person could ever want, or need.

He has also spent a LOT of time on the water, and knows where the fish stack up.

And he seems to be able to make them bite pretty darn well too.

His only problem ? He breaks off more fish in an active trip, than I have probably broke off in my life !

But he just keeps breaking them off. A few more, just last week

Your thoughts ?

Fish

Off the top of my head I have 2 thoughts ~

1. Sounds like that's not his Only Problem.

and

2. I wish that was the only thing keeping me from going Pro.

A-Jay

~ as an after thought - perhaps you could take a video of him in action as he snaps off fish after fish; maybe then he'd figure it out.

A-Jay reply :

Quote

I have a good buddy who wants to be a pro bass fisherman so bad, he can taste it ! He has a good job.... So that has allowed him a $50K bass boat, and all the best tackle a person could ever want, or need.

He has also spent a LOT of time on the water, and knows where the fish stack up.

And he seems to be able to make them bite pretty darn well too.

His only problem ? He breaks off more fish in an active trip, than I have probably broke off in my life !

But he just keeps breaking them off. A few more, just last week

Your thoughts ?

Fish

Off the top of my head I have 2 thoughts ~

1. Sounds like that's not his Only Problem.

and

2. I wish that was the only thing keeping me from going Pro.

A-Jay

~ as an after thought - perhaps you could take a video of him in action as he snaps off fish after fish; maybe then he'd figure it out.

A-Jay reply :

Quote

I have a good buddy who wants to be a pro bass fisherman so bad, he can taste it ! He has a good job.... So that has allowed him a $50K bass boat, and all the best tackle a person could ever want, or need.

He has also spent a LOT of time on the water, and knows where the fish stack up.

And he seems to be able to make them bite pretty darn well too.

His only problem ? He breaks off more fish in an active trip, than I have probably broke off in my life !

But he just keeps breaking them off. A few more, just last week

Your thoughts ?

Fish

Off the top of my head I have 2 thoughts ~

1. Sounds like that's not his Only Problem.

and

2. I wish that was the only thing keeping me from going Pro.

A-Jay

~ as an after thought - perhaps you could take a video of him in action as he snaps off fish after fish; maybe then he'd figure it out.

WRB reply :

Chris, good to read a post from you, it's been awhile!

Teach your friend how to reel set;crank the hook point into the fish and rod sweep, instead of "crossing their eyes" rod snap set.

Tom

WRB reply :

Chris, good to read a post from you, it's been awhile!

Teach your friend how to reel set;crank the hook point into the fish and rod sweep, instead of "crossing their eyes" rod snap set.

Tom

WRB reply :

Chris, good to read a post from you, it's been awhile!

Teach your friend how to reel set;crank the hook point into the fish and rod sweep, instead of "crossing their eyes" rod snap set.

Tom

Bluebasser86 reply :

Maybe he's not wetting his knots down before cinching them? I set the hook hard enough that I've hit myself with small fish when I'm flipping but I don't break off hardly ever. I use mostly floro and it makes a huge difference if you don't wet the line before you cinch it down. It makes a difference with mono too just not as big of a difference. It might be something as simple as that for him.

Bluebasser86 reply :

fishn hard reply :

When the money is on the line me and my partner that is 6ft4 280lb and he is left handed . He sets the hook so hard that the boat moves and i hardly ever see him snap the line with 20pnd mono and he is always boat flippen 5pnders i would say your buddy aint wetting his line before he ties his not

fishn hard reply :

Fish Chris reply :

I agree with all of you guys.

I actually had another old acquaintance, who was also a wiry, twitchy, 150 MPH hook setter. He used to do fine with 25 and 30 lb mono. But when he tried to switch to 50, 65, heck even 80 lb braid, he was snapping it off on the hook-sets also. He blamed it on that "lousy braided line", so he switched back to rubber-band (oh sorry... I meant mono-filament ) and has been fine ever since.

I'm not sure why some guys get that super hard hook setting swing, so ingrained in their brains, but its often just not required, even with mono, and it's never required with braid.

Anyway, personally speaking, if I were "ever" to break off a fish, directly because of setting the hook too hard (my own personal failure) I'd feel totally stupid about it ! So much so, that I doubt I'd ever admit it to anyone ! Instead, I'd just make good and darn sure that didn't happen again !

Peace,

Fish

Fish Chris reply :

I agree with all of you guys.

I'm not sure why some guys get that super hard hook setting swing, so ingrained in their brains, but its often just not required, even with mono, and it's never required with braid.

Peace,

Fish

Fish Chris reply :

I agree with all of you guys.

I'm not sure why some guys get that super hard hook setting swing, so ingrained in their brains, but its often just not required, even with mono, and it's never required with braid.

Peace,

Fish

SeanW reply :

Well I can add a few things to this. I broke off 2 fish this year, one was on a bad spool of brand new line(maxima). The second was on 65lb braid. My hookset is enough to move the boat and startle the other person on the boat. His hookset is not the problem.

There are several things can cause this to happen. Bad line guides is the first thing to come to mind. Second is weights, Ive seen bad ones where the hole is not smoothe. The last would be line. I buy all my line in bulk. Ive bought spools that are just flat bad. If it keeps happening with different brands you can rule that out.

I have found several lines that can handle the hookset very well, not all can. Berkley Big Game is perhaps the best. Yo-Zuri hybrid is also up there, but not quite as shock resistant as Big Game. P Line was always a favorite, but I got a bad spool of it. I later discovered that if I change it often(I fish alot) it is fine. Of course braid, however I dont believe in using it for alot of techniquues.

The rod is also important, but not so much as line. I use MH flipping rods, usually closer to 8ft then not. All my rods are a tad longer. Its helps move line, but also absorbs shock. I dont really use many rods beyong a 5 power, its plenty stuff enough.

A hookset is usually only travelling from 7 oclock to 11 oclock in most cases, and thats the extreme. Its not that much. As the rod loads the power and speed of the hook set should be tailing off. Ive shattered flippin stiks on hook sets, and the line holds up fine.

SeanW reply :

Fish Chris reply :

Ya' know Sean, I have to respectfully disagree. I believe my buddies problem is a combination of too hard a hook set, and too tight a drag setting.

He has used multiple different poles, all top quality with great guides. And several lines, both braid, and mono. And he can't find a line, on a pole, that he doesn't break off regularly.

I, on the other hand, use all different weights of gear, for all kinds of fish, in all kinds of conditions, fresh, and salt, and again, I pretty much never break a fish off. Granted, I use nothing but braid. Of course braid has a very high breaking strength, but it is also less forgiving with sudden shocks, because of the non-stretch factor.

Sure, fish come unbuttoned from time to time. That's just part of fishing. But breaking them off is, IMPO, almost always operator error.

Hmmmm....

Fish

Fish Chris reply :

Ya' know Sean, I have to respectfully disagree. I believe my buddies problem is a combination of too hard a hook set, and too tight a drag setting.

He has used multiple different poles, all top quality with great guides. And several lines, both braid, and mono. And he can't find a line, on a pole, that he doesn't break off regularly.

Sure, fish come unbuttoned from time to time. That's just part of fishing. But breaking them off is, IMPO, almost always operator error.

Hmmmm....

Fish

Fish Chris reply :

Ya' know Sean, I have to respectfully disagree. I believe my buddies problem is a combination of too hard a hook set, and too tight a drag setting.

He has used multiple different poles, all top quality with great guides. And several lines, both braid, and mono. And he can't find a line, on a pole, that he doesn't break off regularly.

Sure, fish come unbuttoned from time to time. That's just part of fishing. But breaking them off is, IMPO, almost always operator error.

Hmmmm....

Fish

SirSnookalot reply :

Hard to know anyone's failures without actually seeing them. Personally speaking I don't find anything too hard about fishing, it's a relaxing activity. I never use a hard hookset and miss very few, but when I do miss I don't give it all that much thought. Like Chris I use nothing but braid, for me it's spinning and 15# max, even in heavy slop, the line holds just fine, I may use a rod with more backbone for those conditions but not always.

There 3 basic aspects to fishing, locating them, getting them to strike and then reeling them in........sounds like your friend needs a lesson on the latter.

SirSnookalot reply :

There 3 basic aspects to fishing, locating them, getting them to strike and then reeling them in........sounds like your friend needs a lesson on the latter.

SirSnookalot reply :

There 3 basic aspects to fishing, locating them, getting them to strike and then reeling them in........sounds like your friend needs a lesson on the latter.

Sam reply :

Breakoffs are always my fault.

Not checking the knot or line after a number of casts is the main culprit.

I also use the Palomar Knot 100% of the time as I use snaps with spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, crankbaits and buzzbaits.

This year two guys fishing with me lost monster bass. Both had their drags set way too tight. I lost my only one when I got lazy and did not check the line after throwing in brush and grass.

Your buddy has to live and learn the hard way but the light bulb should go off in his head soon.

Hope he makes the Classic!

Sam reply :

Breakoffs are always my fault.

Not checking the knot or line after a number of casts is the main culprit.

I also use the Palomar Knot 100% of the time as I use snaps with spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, crankbaits and buzzbaits.

This year two guys fishing with me lost monster bass. Both had their drags set way too tight. I lost my only one when I got lazy and did not check the line after throwing in brush and grass.

Your buddy has to live and learn the hard way but the light bulb should go off in his head soon.

Hope he makes the Classic!

Sam reply :

Breakoffs are always my fault.

Not checking the knot or line after a number of casts is the main culprit.

I also use the Palomar Knot 100% of the time as I use snaps with spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, crankbaits and buzzbaits.

This year two guys fishing with me lost monster bass. Both had their drags set way too tight. I lost my only one when I got lazy and did not check the line after throwing in brush and grass.

Your buddy has to live and learn the hard way but the light bulb should go off in his head soon.

Hope he makes the Classic!

SeanW reply :

Im not saying its not on him, it most definitely is. If he is fishing light line and setting like that it can be a problem. If he is breaking 20lb Big Game on a hook set, he better change his hook set if he is gonna fish with the big boys. I sometimes get frustrated at how difficult it is to break it when I hang up.

Then again, since I fish tournaments in the same area, and will also be moving up, tell him to keep at it.

SeanW reply :

Then again, since I fish tournaments in the same area, and will also be moving up, tell him to keep at it.

SeanW reply :

Then again, since I fish tournaments in the same area, and will also be moving up, tell him to keep at it.

farmpond1 reply :

I think the only time I've ever broken off is when I'm using braid and the eyelet on the hook isn't closed completely and the line slips down to the "gap" which is either sharp or too wide (That's my theory, anyway. It's nearly impossible to prove). Maybe his knots are otherwise good but he doesn't cinch them down tight enough and they work around to the gap.

farmpond1 reply :

Murieta Bass Man reply :

Everything said so far is something your buddy should take a look at to fix this problem. I had a similar issue a few years ago and a friend of mine suggested I check my drag setting. He told me to tie the end of the line to the trailer hitch of my pick-up and to let out about twenty feet or so. He told me to hold my rod parallel to the ground and tighten my drag down as tight as it can go. You then start walking backwards until you reach the breaking point of the line. After the line snaps, loosen the drag a little and repeat until the drag is set so you can walk backwards until the line no longer breaks. After doing this I realized I had my drag set way to tight. This has since fixed the issue I was having with breaking off fish. I can't say this is an exact science, but it worked for me.

Murieta Bass Man reply :

Jig Man reply :

If he is breaking that many off, maybe it is time for you to make some money with some side bets. When his mistakes start costing him money which will quickly relate to pride, I'll bet he makes some changes.

Jig Man reply :

gobig reply :

I had a big problem breaking off when I was punching. I had gone to a 8ft rod and 75lb power pro. This set up was what everyone was saying you needed at the time. I was snapping that braid like it was 6lb test and I was blaming it on the weights cutting the braid (there was one brand it was happening with more than others).

Obviously the proper drag setting is critical but here is what I found. It was not the rod or the line. I was allowing slack to form in the line by dropping the rod before the hook set. The shock to the line created from the slack was a big part of the problem. Try testing this using weights. You will see the difference in breaking points. I read an article put out by Bill Siemantle on hook sets. The article was big baits specific but I have applied this technique with great success to many other baits. As mentioned in a previous post its the reel-set. The reel-set is all about line movement and maximum energy at the hook point. The specifics in this article will blow you away. You can google "the bbz articles" the article is called "Reel Force The Right Stuff."

gobig reply :

clipper reply :

Have him do his practice fishing with light weight spinning gear and 4 lb test line. He will get in the habit of sweeping the hook. Knowing he has 4 lb line will help him remember to be gentle. Light guage extremely sharp hooks and soft plastic are necessary with this light tackle.

clipper reply :

Catt reply :

I use Berkley Big Game 15 pound test for 80-90% of my fishing including saltwater & I seldom experience break offs due to line failure. Like Chris I am very meticulous when it comes to tying knots, (braid or mono) the Palomar is the only knot I tie. If the line has crossover it will cut into itself and break almost every time.

What I've found over the years in teaching anglers of all experience levels is that they are not 100% certain they had bite so they will try to compensate for setting hook late by setting hook harder. The break off occurs when about ¼ of the way through the hook set they feel the fish, realize they are late, & the brain goes in panic mode.

Catt reply :

Fish Chris reply :

I'm glad I posted this, as it has been an interesting thread. I appreciate all your replies.

One thing I have to admit though, I have just never been a hard hook setter. In fact, if anything, way back in the day (from 17 years ago, and before) when I used to use mono, I probably didn't set the hook hard enough. So, while some guys who are hard hook setters, run into problems after switching to braided line, I actually saw a great improvement. I really didn't (have to) make much of an adjustment. I just went from a weak hook set, to an appropriate one.

Oh, and one more thing;

Lately, I've been fishing for my little bait fish, for my Striper fishing (Split Tails... trying for 6" to 10") which have tiny mouths. I'm using a size 16, light wire, dry fly hook. So, it's not really even a matter of breaking my 4 lb mono leader, but rather, straightening, or ripping out that tiny hook ! Consequently, I run the drag on my micro-light about as loose as it can be ran. Only a few ounces of pressure is required to make it slip. Basically, I just pick up the pole and start reeling.

I can only imagine (as hard as those darn Split Tails are to catch in the first place) that my hard hook setting buddy couldn't catch one if his life depended on it !

I dunno'. To me, it's all just a matter of physics. And Physics has always come to me quite naturally.

Thanks again,

Fish

Fish Chris reply :

I'm glad I posted this, as it has been an interesting thread. I appreciate all your replies.

Oh, and one more thing;

I can only imagine (as hard as those darn Split Tails are to catch in the first place) that my hard hook setting buddy couldn't catch one if his life depended on it !

I dunno'. To me, it's all just a matter of physics. And Physics has always come to me quite naturally.

Thanks again,

Fish

Fish Chris reply :

I'm glad I posted this, as it has been an interesting thread. I appreciate all your replies.

Oh, and one more thing;

I can only imagine (as hard as those darn Split Tails are to catch in the first place) that my hard hook setting buddy couldn't catch one if his life depended on it !

I dunno'. To me, it's all just a matter of physics. And Physics has always come to me quite naturally.

Thanks again,

Fish

bilgerat reply :

I've never understood that swing for the fence hookset you see the pros do at times. I laugh because I swear they're doing it for the camera. Drama queens

I understand some baits (jigs in particular) with heavy gage hooks require more force to penetrate the jaw, but come on. Braid is the last thing you want to swing hard with.

bilgerat reply :

I've never understood that swing for the fence hookset you see the pros do at times. I laugh because I swear they're doing it for the camera. Drama queens

I understand some baits (jigs in particular) with heavy gage hooks require more force to penetrate the jaw, but come on. Braid is the last thing you want to swing hard with.

bilgerat reply :

I've never understood that swing for the fence hookset you see the pros do at times. I laugh because I swear they're doing it for the camera. Drama queens

I understand some baits (jigs in particular) with heavy gage hooks require more force to penetrate the jaw, but come on. Braid is the last thing you want to swing hard with.

fishfordollars reply :

We need people like him. He's called a donator. It's people like him that help bump up the purse.

fishfordollars reply :

We need people like him. He's called a donator. It's people like him that help bump up the purse.

fishfordollars reply :

We need people like him. He's called a donator. It's people like him that help bump up the purse.

Hot Rod reply :

Quote
We need people like him. He's called a donator. It's people like him that help bump up the purse.

ROFL ;D

So true!

Hot Rod reply :

Quote
We need people like him. He's called a donator. It's people like him that help bump up the purse.

ROFL ;D

So true!

Hot Rod reply :

Quote
We need people like him. He's called a donator. It's people like him that help bump up the purse.

ROFL ;D

So true!

Ima Bass Ninja reply :

I think the tell of a good fisherman is the ability to adapt to the particular technique you are using. For example you will need a harder hookset while using a jig than you would with a crankbait. The ability to adjust your hookset to the specific techniques will only make you a better angler.

Ima Bass Ninja reply :

bassinbob54 reply :

retie..retie..retie..and wet the knot!! Thats what stopped me from breaking off fish. Plus i dont hit them hard on the hook set,just a sweeping motion works great....good fishing

bassinbob54 reply :

retie..retie..retie..and wet the knot!! Thats what stopped me from breaking off fish. Plus i dont hit them hard on the hook set,just a sweeping motion works great....good fishing

bassinbob54 reply :

retie..retie..retie..and wet the knot!! Thats what stopped me from breaking off fish. Plus i dont hit them hard on the hook set,just a sweeping motion works great....good fishing

RoLo reply :

In keeping with the original question, I really can't say that I know any angler

who experiences serial breakoffs, that's got to be VERY frustrating!

About 5 years ago, I switched from Trilene XL to Power Pro (now use Berkley Fireline braid)

That was the last day that nylon mono was in my life, as I now use braided line for everything'.

Chris, a few years back I was pleased to learn that you are also an advocate

of braided line. Then shortly after that I was stunned to find out that you're also

a staunch fan of spinning tackle (not too many of us). Every couple of years

I'll buy another baitcasting outfit with the latest blank material and reel features.

But baitcasting gear never lasts more than 2 or 3 outings in my boat,

then winds up collecting dust in my den.

Given a tight drag, break-jaw hooksets with non-stretch braid

will often result in keyholing. With stretchy nylon there's a different problem,

where all the stretch must be removed if you hope to set the hook beyond the barb.

After fishing with stretchy nylon for about 40 years in both fresh and saltwater,

it was tough for me to make the transition from boat-rocking hooksets

to a crank-and-sweep hook-set. I still use the 'uni-knot' for everything,

which tied correctly is fail-safe and a cinche to tie even for plugs with three treble hooks.

I've often thrown cranks all day long in the same boat with anglers using baitcasting gear

and fluorocarbon line. If there's any difference at all in our break-off ratio, I fail to see it.

Cool topic, by the way ;-)

Roger