Hello everyone. Made a post here a while back about some gear recommendations and got good feedback so hoping for some more.
I fish an 8# tapered leader, full sinking line, and either a single 1/32oz or a 1/16oz fly with a weightless sand crab pattern behind it. Some days I don’t cast any off and some days I cast off multiple flys. I know it’s happening on my back cast and I’ve gotten a lot better at letting the line lay out behind me and not snapping it forward too early. I don’t need to cast far so I’m not trying to cast hard or anything either. Junky white river tippet maybe? I’m still new so it’s quite possible Its just going to keep happening until I get my casting down better.
Here’s a photo of a barred surf perch from today
Posted by Inevitable_Season884
5 Comments
Not an expert. In fact, I am the Okayest Angler I know. But I noticed that a couple different tippets were making it easier for my flies to come off while casting or when a fish would bite.
I realized I was using the worst version of a clinch knot possible and the tippet was slick enough that the knot would come undone and pull through easily when pressured.
I switched to some fancier version of the clinch knot and it stopped happening. Only cost me 4-5 elk hair caddis’ and some nice fish to realize it lol.
Hope this helps!
I wouldn’t be using tippet. Use some bulk fluoro from a reputable manufacturer would be my first change. I used to use p line in the surf. Seaguar is good too.
Your fishing that streamer on an 8x tippet?
If the knot is slipping out, it is a knot problem.
Most likely is that you are “whipcracking” the line as you make your forward cast. Just delay the forward movement a bit more. I know this delay can be hard for a lot of casters but it does pay off.
Weak mono/tippet will just make this more obvious. Since you mentioned it is a sporadic event, that leads me to think that fatigue induced form degradation is leading to the whipcrack.
Wait a little longer on your back cast before you start the forward cast. Your back cast needs to straighten out before you initiate the forward cast. How long is your tippet? Where in the water column are you trying to fish? I agree that 8 lbs is very light for a sinking line and you want to keep your leader shorter so the flotation effect of the leader doesn’t interfere with your sinking line.