Sebastian Surf 5/16

[Tuftsfisherman]

Hey guys, went out to Sebastian to fish the south beach again. My first time trying clams... may be my last. Fish loved em, but I hated the snot balls so much, getting under your fingernails is the worst. Anyway, fished 11-4 as usual, had really overcast skies, very low wind and small waves. Caught 5 whiting, 2 short sheephead, 2 big catfish(not sailcats), 1 spot porgy, 1 baby pompano, and hooked into something BIG that pulled my surfcart over from the front side(I have the big cart with the balloon tires). I forgot to loosen my drag and still had it tightened down from the cast, but the fish was still able to peel line off the reel. I wrestled him in a bit more, but on his next run, my stupid dropper loop broke!

The fish was on the bottom hook of my double dropper loop rig. I am not the least bit surprised that it broke because every single time I snag the sinker on the bottom, the break ALWAYS comes at the base of the top dropper loop(my top hook still attached). It seems like the dropper loop knot strength is at most 1/3 of the test str, because even when I used 60# big game as my shock leader to 20# powerpro, a snag will break me off at the top dropper loop still! I'm going to start using my expensive tundermist swivels from now on for my top hook. Have you guys noticed the same situation with droppers? Or maybe there's something I'm doing wrong while tying them. (I make the loop, do the twists, pull the loop through the center, wet the sides, and while holding the loop with my teeth, I pull both ends tight)

[cudaman]

Thanks for the report. I love fishing in Sebastian from time to time. That might have been a big Black drum, bull red, or even a Permit scrubbing against the sand as it took off.

You should not be having those issues with the leader cutting off like that, are you using this knot? If so your leader spool maybe too old, try getting a new leader spool to make the dropper loops.

[Tuftsfisherman]

whoa, seems like I've been tying it a diff, possibly wrong way all this time. End result looks similar, but the one in the vid must be stronger than the one I've been using.

[Tuftsfisherman]

Correction, I just tried that dropper loop, and realized that I was tying it the exact same way after all, so I still think that the knot is inherently very weak
maybe its because the line is too loose as I tie it (I don't hold the loop tight as I do the wraps and rely on the final pull to tighten the knot) and the pressure is uneven?

[Miamipescador]

Test every knot before you cast it out. Hold on top of the loop and by your sinker and pull as hard as you can. If you can break 60 like that somethings not right

[Tuftsfisherman]

thanks a lot for the suggestions guys, I just tried pulling dropper loops I made on a reel that had 40lb Ande, and once again, it broke at the upper loop. I'll try to figure it out, but if I can't, 3 way swivels here I come!

[PhishingPhanatic]

I think it is your mono or knot. I tie my pompano rigs with 20 lb mono, and cannot break them by pulling on them. I use a matchstick to put in my loop, and wrap it 7-8 times before pulling it back through. I have caught 10 lb jacks and big stingrays on these rigs with no problem. Also, make sure you are moistening the entire knot.

[Tuftsfisherman]

I'm sure it's not the mono as I use 30 lb big game 60lb(though not now) and 40lb ande. I only lightly pick up the loop with my teeth as I push it through the original loop with my fingers, and make sure to always wet the whole knot. I think the knot might not be forming evenly. Also, I always just do 4 turns, I'll try more and see if its stronger. Glad to see people posting on here! I'll be out again this Sat and hopefully will have some nice pics this time!