Copolymer Shockleader

[bigandy]

Hi lads, just want some opinions. Have had a few Shockleaders snap on me lately. This has happened when using mono main line of different types, so not a faulty spool of line. I,my using Ultima power flex and have not really had any problems with it. There has been the odd break but not that many. Snapping at leader knot, using bimini and griner or albright. Anyway my mate says Copolymer lines cut into mono's when tying knots, I.e when tying copolymer shocker to mono main line. I've had a search about this on the net but can't find any info saying this. However I do think I can remember hearing this before. I always wet my knots to try to help them bed together better, hoping to reduce chaffing / friction.
Any help would be appreciated.
Cheers

 

[codbiter]

knots

knots

I use a standard half hitch and grinner and never have problems, I always pull extra mainline through the point I have tightened the shockleader half hitch down onto, and then wet both again when pulling together for final tightening, change complete Shockleader, and few yards of mainline if OK every session. I use Diawa Tournament and ultima powerflex.

 

[pop39]

Try casting properly lol ,only joking Andy I use just normal cheap mono just I put about 8 turns on the reel plus helps lift fish up the side of the pier , that's when I catch owt !

 

[Stewart 1971]

You don't make clear if it is snapping during casting or in a snag.

If it is snapping at the leader knot during casting then your leader is not long enough (twice the length of the rod then at least 6 turns on the reel is the general rule of thumb). If snapping when snagged then I'd ask what the problem is? There has to be a weak point somewhere along your set-up. To me snapping at the leader knot is WAD; I'd much rather the break happened there every time than in some random point along the main line

 

[bigandy]

Shocker twice the length of rod. Snapped whilst casting a couple of times. Whilst in mid air.

 

[Pete from shields]

Not sure about the copolymer mate, but have you checked the rods eyes to see if there's any cracks in them that the leader knot might be catching, seems strange for a leader to part from main line mid air at the knot for no reason.

 

[Stewart 1971]

Strange one. As your leader is plenty long enough I'm assuming this is once the cast has got away?

I'm sure plenty of lads used to use the Powerflex for field work when I was casting at Steyning and I don't remember any issues like this. Have you checked your rod-rings? Could be a tiny bit of damage to one of them that is catching the leader knot occasionally as it passes through causing it to give way?

 

[bigandy]

Can't find any faults with eyes or anything else. Concern was the cop polymer on mono statement.

 

[g-force]

It's braid that can cut into nylon lines - copolymer / mono is pretty much the same stuff (almost all modern lines are a copolymer I think) and no issues there tying it together. Flourocarbon is another thing, which due to being stiffer than regular mono, usually requires a few extra turns on your knots.

I can't understand the snapping mid cast though - if it's doing that when there's next to no pressure on the knot surely it would more than likely snap on the retrieve as well, especially if you had a bit extra weight (i.e. a fish!) on the end. Is it snapping where you're joining the leader to the bimini, so you're getting the loop back, or is the whole lot going, i.e. it's snapping above your bimini-loop?

Gary

 

[bigandy]

Its breaking the bimini loop.

 

[g-force]

Mmmm…got me a bit stumped, but it definitely sounds like the issue is the knot joining to the loop - maybe it's putting a weak point or kink in the loop when tying it (a badly kinked bit of line will snap very easily).

I use the Bimini-twist all the time on my rough ground reels - 0.5mm Sufix mainline to 60 or 70lb Powerflex leader and use a "Slim Beauty" knot to join the two (in fact I use this knot to join all my leaders - it's tied with a doubled length of mainline so the loop of a Bimini is ideal). Never had a single instance of the knot snapping so it might be worth giving it a go and see if it still happens?

Slim Beauty Knot - How to tie a Slim Beauty Knot

Tying the Slim Beauty Knot | MidCurrent

Gary

 

[ambleangler]

Never had any bother with shock leaders at all, just use run of the milll stuff tied onto the mainline using a shockleader knot, twice the rod length and six times around the spool.

Cheers,

aa.

 

[bigandy]

cheers lads, I will persevere.