breaking off a snag

[floating doc]

When,  on the rare occasion that I get offshore, I usually bottom fish. Snagging bottom is not
unusual.  Typically I have to put maximum pressure on the snag by reeling the line as taught
as possible, then wrapping the line around the reel frame and pulling. This seems like a recipe
for disaster with graphite frames.

Comments?

[redsetta]

G'day doc,
There are doubtless plenty of techniques but, if there's a bit of swell running, I always wrap around a cleat or railing - just tighten up in the lull and let the sea do the work.
If it's calm, I slip on a glove (or wrap a few loops around a piece of wood) and pull directly on the line.
I generally avoid using the rod and/or reel at all when snagged.
Hope that's of some help.
Cheers, Justin

[bluefish69]

I wrap the line around my Newell's all the time & never have had a problem & the boat that I work on always fishes rough bottom. We mostly use 8 oz sinkers.

[floating doc]

The graphite reels that I'm using right now are a Penn GLS 40, which has 50 mono, and a Penn 545 with 25 mono. It's not likely to be an issue with either of these reels with the line that's on each.

I am however, considering a Shimano TLD star 15/30, to fish 65 lb braid for jigging.

[bluefish69]

I have used 65 PP / 60# top shot while fishing in N.H. & I treated my tackle the same way. We were fishing 300 - 400' of water at the time. i use either a P or G 332 Newell's which is the same as a 3/0 Penn.

Mike

[floating doc]

Good replies! I love this site.
I wonder if the steady pull in this situation is less likely to cause damage to the frame, compared to fighting a big tuna.

[Nuvole]

There's a little tool to pull up snag. Its a heavy sinker with some wire that suppose to grab the swivel.

[floating doc]

I've seen those tools.  I thought they were just for light tackle. When you snag the reef it takes a lot to break off heavy mono
in 100 feet.

[saltydog]

I just wrap the line around a short broom stick handle and pull.

[BMITCH]

I just wrap the line around a short broom stick handle and pull.

X 2

[floating doc]

I just wrap the line around a short broom stick handle and pull.

X 2

Yeah, I could see that working. I envision just taking multiple wraps on the broomstick until you get it tight enough to do more than just stretch the line. With mono, there's a lot of stretch in 100+ foot depths. Do you end up with the line all kinked up where it was wrapped on the broomstick?

[Bryan Young]

I like the idea. I fish with braid a lot and break offs can be difficult.

[BMITCH]

No it straightens right out on the next snag.  seriously, it doesn't kink up. I'm using mostly the Momoi braid and PP. they seem to straighten right out.
Bob

[Newell Nut]

I have wrapping my line around my Graphite Newells for over 20 years to break a snag loose just as Mike described above. Never had a problem. Our first mate wraps line around his hands and pulls but he has some really tough paws.

[BMITCH]

I have wrapping my line around my Graphite Newells for over 20 years to break a snag loose just as Mike described above. Never had a problem. Our first mate wraps line around his hands and pulls but he has some really tough paws.

Wraps it around his hand scary stuff there!