Cut off in the flats
Moderators: bman, Chalk, Tom Keels
Cut off in the flats
Hi all,
Recently, I've been having issues getting cut off, above my leader in the flats at st. marks. Typically, it happens shortly after the bait hits the water and I have started my retrieve. Not hung up on anything and all of a sudden, bam the line is cut. Upon retrieval, the braid is sliced clean, no fraying like a knot being pulled out. Nobody else with lines in on my boat catches a Blue or a Spanish, which is what I think this is. Last several trips, this has happened at least once in a day of fishing. Any other theories on what this might be and how I can prevent it? Getting tired of losing all types of baits
Power Pro 10lb braid, used both 20lb and 30 lb FC leader, around 2 feet in length. Fishing between 4 and 7 feet, grass bottom.
Thanks all!
Recently, I've been having issues getting cut off, above my leader in the flats at st. marks. Typically, it happens shortly after the bait hits the water and I have started my retrieve. Not hung up on anything and all of a sudden, bam the line is cut. Upon retrieval, the braid is sliced clean, no fraying like a knot being pulled out. Nobody else with lines in on my boat catches a Blue or a Spanish, which is what I think this is. Last several trips, this has happened at least once in a day of fishing. Any other theories on what this might be and how I can prevent it? Getting tired of losing all types of baits
Power Pro 10lb braid, used both 20lb and 30 lb FC leader, around 2 feet in length. Fishing between 4 and 7 feet, grass bottom.
Thanks all!
Laxman20
2005 Blazer Bay 2170
2008 Zuke Df 175
"Why can't we fish 5 days and work 2?"
2005 Blazer Bay 2170
2008 Zuke Df 175
"Why can't we fish 5 days and work 2?"
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Re: Cut off in the flats
Check the ceramic insert on your guides. If there is a small chip, it will cut your line. If your being cut off with a bunch of line out, then your knot ( braid to leader) may be big enough for a Spanish to see. Even more true in your using a swivel. I've also heard of some bad counterfeit power pro going around. People are having lost of break offs. So if you got a big spool for cheap, than that could be the problem. Good luck
Catholic girl pray for me, you’re my only hope for heaven
Re: Cut off in the flats
A blue got me like that 2 weeks ago right at the boat.
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Re: Cut off in the flats
A lot of times that is a Spanish Makerrel. They will see your leader knot and strike at it.
Re: Cut off in the flats
Blues or macks will do that. Might have to add some wire to your rig.
Yours in the South
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Re: Cut off in the flats
If that were the case, I'd expect the cutoff to occur on the leader, not the main line.DixieReb wrote:Blues or macks will do that. Might have to add some wire to your rig.
Catholic girl pray for me, you’re my only hope for heaven
Re: Cut off in the flats
Since it happens right after the bait hits the water, the knot is being pulled from the surface with a bubble trail following it from the turbulence it makes, fish see bubble trial and think fleeing fish. That's my guess and I'm sticky to it. What type of knot do you use?
- onefishtwofish
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Re: Cut off in the flats
Are your buds using the same line (like same spool?).
Check guides, I had one doing that (on a new St Croix). Would have cost more to ship it off than just replace the tip myself.
Have you pulled the line some to see if there are weak spots? Tied and knot and then pulled it? What is your braid to flouro knot?
Check guides, I had one doing that (on a new St Croix). Would have cost more to ship it off than just replace the tip myself.
Have you pulled the line some to see if there are weak spots? Tied and knot and then pulled it? What is your braid to flouro knot?
Ducks, turkeys, flats fishing. Who has time for golf?
Re: Cut off in the flats
Been using an Alberto Knot. Haven't had one pull out on me yet; only failure is a cut braid.leonreno wrote:Since it happens right after the bait hits the water, the knot is being pulled from the surface with a bubble trail following it from the turbulence it makes, fish see bubble trial and think fleeing fish. That's my guess and I'm sticky to it. What type of knot do you use?
Laxman20
2005 Blazer Bay 2170
2008 Zuke Df 175
"Why can't we fish 5 days and work 2?"
2005 Blazer Bay 2170
2008 Zuke Df 175
"Why can't we fish 5 days and work 2?"
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Re: Cut off in the flats
Process of elimination, especially if buddies are not getting cut off and using the same line/set-up. A woman's nylon hose or a microfiber cloth run around each guide will quickly diagnose if that's a problem. Any chip or crack will snag to show what needs to be replaced.
Several other good suggestions already as far as bad/defective line, knots, wire connection, etc.
Several other good suggestions already as far as bad/defective line, knots, wire connection, etc.
"Sun rise and sun sets. Since the beginning, it hasn't changed yet." Little Feat
Re: Cut off in the flats
That's what I was thinking too; plus we'll have 2 to 3 lines in the water when the cut occurs. No one hooks up to a mack or blue during or after the cut, which is wierd.Salty Gator wrote:If that were the case, I'd expect the cutoff to occur on the leader, not the main line.DixieReb wrote:Blues or macks will do that. Might have to add some wire to your rig.
Laxman20
2005 Blazer Bay 2170
2008 Zuke Df 175
"Why can't we fish 5 days and work 2?"
2005 Blazer Bay 2170
2008 Zuke Df 175
"Why can't we fish 5 days and work 2?"
Re: Cut off in the flats
Yup, same spool. Been using the Alberto Knot; I re-tie it after about every other trip provided I don't get cut. I cut down the braid another 5 yards or so and then retie.onefishtwofish wrote:Are your buds using the same line (like same spool?).
Check guides, I had one doing that (on a new St Croix). Would have cost more to ship it off than just replace the tip myself.
Have you pulled the line some to see if there are weak spots? Tied and knot and then pulled it? What is your braid to flouro knot?
Laxman20
2005 Blazer Bay 2170
2008 Zuke Df 175
"Why can't we fish 5 days and work 2?"
2005 Blazer Bay 2170
2008 Zuke Df 175
"Why can't we fish 5 days and work 2?"
Re: Cut off in the flats
I use an Alberto Knot.leonreno wrote:Since it happens right after the bait hits the water, the knot is being pulled from the surface with a bubble trail following it from the turbulence it makes, fish see bubble trial and think fleeing fish. That's my guess and I'm sticky to it. What type of knot do you use?
Laxman20
2005 Blazer Bay 2170
2008 Zuke Df 175
"Why can't we fish 5 days and work 2?"
2005 Blazer Bay 2170
2008 Zuke Df 175
"Why can't we fish 5 days and work 2?"
Re: Cut off in the flats
About as small a knot you can tie, not much else you can do.
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Re: Cut off in the flats
FGleonreno wrote:About as small a knot you can tie, not much else you can do.
Catholic girl pray for me, you’re my only hope for heaven