Saw lots of fish in 63 foot water at entrances to creeks NE of Susie G. Got a short and a fat 21 inch jigging a Crippled Herring. Heavy strike on downrod. Rodholder slipped and bye bye to the rod (the newest edition, of course). Lost something strong and heavy when line broke at the knot on another downrod. (I’m probably paranoid, but I don’t have good feelings for the “Trilene Sensation” we switched to recently. Have “Suffix” on my list.) Finally managed a very skinny 22 inch on downrod.
So we saw lots of fish from Susie G to midway from Burton Point to Rip Rap, but we must not have been holding our mouth’s right, because we couldn’t entice them to bite our stuff. KW186 said that he did alright but he had to keep moving. For the most part we didn’t.
The LHM folks told us they’ve been using binoculars to search out the schools from Susie G and to the west. Good fishing reported in the evening and the fish have not been the little guys.
So gave up and figured we’d do better next time. Stopped at Sonic for a treat and then headed for Sportsman’s Warehouse.
I recommend you try trilene XL in clear. I’ve tried about everything through the years and it is my favorite. Actually Vanish is my favorite, but it’s double the price.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
We tried Beards Creek to no avail and then relocated to Johns Creek. Marked lots of fish in JC but only managed two shorts, one legitimate keeper, one gar, and one smallmouth before calling it quits. Had plenty of short strikes that left skinned bait or partial bait. All fish were caught on pb’s in 30 to 45 ft. Not a single hit on the dr’s.
Do you lube your knots when tying. I used to have a problem long time ago with them breaking when i didnt. I usually just put a good bit of spit on it right before i sinch them down. That seemed to stop knots from breaking.
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
In the past I never had any thoughts that I had any failures at the knot. There was a recent discussion on this forum a while back about knots and lines which is about the time that I abandoned Trilene XL or XT and went to Trilene Sensation. Since then I have been aware of several instances of line breakage right at the knot, not all on fish mind you, in most cases where we just got it hung up on something. So I may be paranoid, but I will make a change and see what happens.
I’ll keep the spit in mind.
+1 on lubing up your knots, a lil drool does the trick.
Also +1 on the Trilene XL.
Michael, what kind of knot do u use to tie your hook and how do you determine where to set the drag?
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Also keep in mind when u change lines, check the diameter. I think sensation might have a smaller diameter. Therefore even though the #age is the same it may not be as durable to non lubed knots, or any may just act different when u tie them. Little things matter sometimes.
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
they say that anything you lube up is better. just sayin.
Only been using two knots for years and have never been suspicious of them in the past. Most often I use the Palomar followed by the Improved Clinch Knot. I think your correct that Sensation is a slightly smaller diameter, and apparently I do need to lube my knots. Who would have ever thought that little changes could create such big events.
Try to set the drag to 1/3 of the pound test. I do it by feel with my thumb on the spool. I’ve checked my work in the past with a spring scale and I think it’s pretty close.
Anyway, the Capt is now the proud owner of a 7 1/2 foot white Ugly Stick with an AG4600C4. My next task is to address that rod holder that slipped so it never happens again.
I highly reccommend the San Diego knot. I’ve been using it for several years, especially on fluorocarbon. It’s one of the best knots I’ve ever used. You can “google” it.
I’ve been using the uni-knot for years and haven’t had any problems. Used it on mono only so I don’t know how well it works with braid.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069