I was shore fishing this week with a spinning set up,  8# Vicious fluoro, and a wacky senko w/ palomar knot.  This was the first time I have tried Vicious.  I got a bite, set the hook and lifted the bass up out of the water with my rod (mistake) and found that it was much bigger than the ones I normally catch and my line snapped. Obviously, I was heartbroken to watch this lunker swim away. So I quickly pulled off some line, cut it, and re-rigged the same set up. Moved down the bank, got another bite, set the hook and gently reeled it in (because of what just happened), and the line snapped AGAIN. I know that I did not put excess strain on the line the 2nd time - I was SO careful after just losing one.  I have fished with 8# transition a lot and I know I've put at least that much, if not more pressure on it without breaking.

I'd really like to get your opinions on what happened.  Was the line bad? Poor knots? Bad technique?  I doubt it was the knots because I tie them all the time with no problem. I would assume it was my mistake, except that it happened the 2nd time.

from my understanding the palomar and floro do not work to well together.many recommend a San Diego jam knot.

I've never used Vicious, but it could be a bad spool or maybe it tests out lower than Vanish.  The Palomar works fine as long as you don't let the line cross over itself, you lubricate it well and you tighten it very slowly.  It's possible that you were in a hurry after the first fish broke off and you tightened it too fast which resulted in heat buildup from friction and caused thermal damage to the line.

Every palomar knot that I've tied with my Yo Zuri ultra soft has snapped when I snug it down on the hook. I switched over to the improved clinch and haven't had a problem yet.

What CEPH said X 2.

When I was in high school, one of my best friend's uncle was the owner of the Helin Tackle Co. (Flatfish). He taught us all to tie the cinch knot properly. For forty years that's all I tie. I've never had a problem.

Falcon

Every palomar knot that I've tied with my Yo Zuri ultra soft has snapped when I snug it down on the hook. I switched over to the improved clinch and haven't had a problem yet.

I also use the Yo Zuri Ultra Soft, and i use the palomar knot 100% of the time.  Never ever have a problem of line breaking anywhere, let alone at the knot.

Jason

Every palomar knot that I've tied with my Yo Zuri ultra soft has snapped when I snug it down on the hook. I switched over to the improved clinch and haven't had a problem yet.

I also use the Yo Zuri Ultra Soft, and i use the palomar knot 100% of the time.  Never ever have a problem of line breaking anywhere, let alone at the knot.

Jason

I also use the Palomar knot exclusively. I have snagged the YoZuri US and straightened out hooks pulling it loose. I can't make this knot fail or break the line. It's good stuff. Matt, you could have a defective spool or you maybe scratching the line on rocks or something. JMHE

Ronnie

Thanx Ronnie. I talked to Road Warrior and LBH and they both agreed that the spool was probably bad. I even cut off a few feet of line, but it's the same thing. Only thing I can think of is when th palomar is initially folded to go throught the eye of the hook, it must be kinking...time to order another spool!  

Thanks for all the feedback.  I think I'll throw out that spool and learn some more knots.

Something else to consider is your drag setting.  Drag too tight with a stiff rod will break line quite often.  I use 8# almost exclusively and do not break off very often.  When I do it's because of mental errors such as not retying frequently enough.  I use palomar knots exclusively also.

B