Line Breaking

[amateurfishing]

I was out this am and my lines kept breaking, 5 or 6 times. Do i have wrong/cheap line (using HT 4lb test red), i am new to spinng reels and seem to constantly have issues with line getting caught behind reel, not on spool and when i want to release the line, it always unravels infront of me and i have to pull it out of rod, i expect this is not the way these rod/reels r designed, im sure im doing something wrong, just dont know what.....thx for all ur support and advice again.

OOO........and i also caught my first ever crappe this am.....getting better thx to all of u!!!

[Gordie]

You most likely have to much line on the spool as for the line breaking if its getting nicked or something that will cause it ot break more frequently

Glad to here about yur first Crappie keep fishin

[robert aldrich]

looks like old line. how old is the ht 4 pound line? old line and may be you are getting walleyes hiting it and snaping it. i would go with 8 pound test.

[amateurfishing]

its not breaking with bites, i have no idea why, it is brand new line that i bought in dec., breaks on spool or on rod, HT @ wally, is that a bad/cheap brand? something better i should check into? plus it has waayyy too much memory, never comes off spool straight!!

[Cliff Wagenbach]

As Elwood said, you probably had to much line on the spool! Also follow the directions for spooling new line that is on the packaging! It is very critical that it be wound onto the reel off of the spool correctly!

Stick with the 4# line if you fish mostly crappies and medium sized walleyes! Set your drag light enough so that it will slip a little if you hook a bigger fish.

Good Fishing!

Cliff

[robert aldrich]

whats the model of the line like (ice red). sometimes the stores order it and it stays in storege to long before it is put out or it is line left over from last year and they are selling it cheep.

[amateurfishing]

Thx Cliff, how much is too much line, dont u put it on till full? also what is drag? ......and how do i change it? thx!

[robert aldrich]

http://www.ehow.com/video_4955000_setting-drag-ice-fishing-reel.html

[robert aldrich]

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Thx Cliff, how much is too much line, dont u put it on till full? also what is drag? ......and how do i change it? thx!

Fill the reel until the line is about 1/8 inch below the outer rim of the spool.

The drag is usually located on the front of the spool ( holds the spool on). Loosen it a little at a time until your line slips just a little as you pull on the line. It is mostly a trial and error thing to get it set to match the line weight that you have on the reel.

Cliff

[hamms-scooter]

If I were you switch to 2 lbs test... Minimal line twist and plenty strong for any average size walleye caught once in a while. I use triline micro ice and now switched to hi vis gold stren ice for easy of tightlining... Have landed 6 lbs walleyes with no issue with good use of drag. If strictly fishing for crappie you will see a jump in success of your catch rate as you can feel and detect the bite much better. Good luck and enjoy the fishing

[Grayfox]

Amateurfishing,

If the lines breaking make sure you don't have any problems with your rod guides or bail nicking it. Also could it be the way you transport the rod to the lake. Could it be rubbing on something in your bucket or bag? For $5 I'd just inspect everything and put on some new line. I only use 1LB and 2LB line(the small reel filler packs)on my panfish poles and 99% of the time the 1LB pole is in my hand. I've never had any issues with it breaking and we occasionally land a small northern with them when hooked good in the beak. Only problem being that once they get started up the hole there isn't much line to stretch anymore. Good luck.

Rob

[headcheese]

don't use 2 lb line.

sucks to tie knots and you never know when you might hook into that big one. i know drag can help but what about abrasion or drag failing because of ice build up? also i don't know how many times my line has gotten snagged on the ice. its nice to have stronger line. i have never noticed fish getting spooked by my line.

might not be a bad idea to get some better quality line, but as others said you probably have too much on the spool. there is no need for more than probably 75 yds.

if you were going to a different line i would recommend a super braid. like fireline. you have to use different knots, but its way tougher than mono, smaller diameter, resists coiling better, and you can get a few seasons out of it.

[efgh]

I use 10 lb. power pro, black, ease to see on the ice, and tie 4 or 6 lb. vanish, about 6 ft. to the power pro. Never a line twist or a whole glob off the reel.

[TravP]

Ditch the line and try something made by berkley or pline.

[Ed Carlson]

Also check your guides for any cracks or nicks, that will screw up line quickly.

The roller bearing on the bail should move freely too, oil it often, or it will cause line twist and or weaken the line.

Don't work against your drag when fighting a fish, allow the rod to do it's part as well.

As was mentioned earlier, try not to overfill the spool, it will just puke off and cause problems.

[DTro]

If the guy is breaking 4lb test, why would anyone recommend 2lb?

I've ran into bad spools of line a few times. Take a piece and pull on it with your hands. Does it break easily? 4lb shouldn't

I've tossed full spools in the trash because they were defective. I know what 4lb should feels like and these snapped like thread.

[Hardyboy]

Hey amateur one trick to getting the proper amount of line on is to look at your drag. if you Look at your drag like a dial the outside diameter of it sits inside the edge of the spool. if you spool line till it reaches the outside diameter of your drag dial you will have the proper amount of line everytime no matter what # test you use. if you have line twist then try this when you put line on. set your spool on the floor and reel in about ten feet of line , stop and lower your rod tip towards the spool on the floor. if your line hangs loose your good if it starts looping around itself then flip your spool of line over once and repeat the step. this should help with your initial line twist. i cannot stress enough how imporatant it is to put fresh line on regularly. your line stretches and ages and keeping fresh line on will go a long ways to preventing issues.

[dfeste]

I read a tip on here somewhere that helps keep your line more manageable. Run it under hot water just after spooling. I've been doing this and it really seems to help. This will get rid of the memory the line has for the spool it came off.

I also agree with checking your equipment from reel to rod tip to make sure there are no scratches or nicks that are damaging your line. Finally throw the line you currently have away. New mono is about the cheapest fix available. I have had good luck with Trilene Micro Ice as well as the 4lb from the big C store.

Dave

[slipperybob]

When you're filling line on a reel for vertical fishing, you want less line on the spool. Fill it to 1/4 inch of the spool lip.

[amateurfishing]

Tried to respool this am with same results, line going on loose with constant problems of curling and wrapping arount reel no matter how hard i try, conclusion to me is bad line!! Is now a good time to buy more for next season or will line now go bad b4 next ice fishing season starts?

[Hardyboy]

wait until next year and buy your line to get it as fresh as possible. unless you are going to fish more then buy some fresh now and then put fresh on at the start of the season next year.

[Hardyboy]

one more thing : when you spool your line on the reel you should hold the reel with one hand and the rod with the other so you can pinch the line between your fingers and keep tension on it as it goes on the reel to keep it tight on the reel.

[amateurfishing]

i do that but when its time to let go and reel in again, same results, will just start with new line next year. thx

[slipperybob]

The problem can also be contributed to the reel. Some reel have a larger spacing between the bail arm and line roller in relation to the spool. These makes better for slip bobber fishing. However that also simply allows the line to slip off and go under the spool. Shimano reels on the other hand have a rather small spacing and should help prevent the line from slipping off. String bobber stops may get stuck on the line roller of Shimano reels.