breaking off a snag

[Dave Bentley]

Something I have learnt as I get older is that if you are fishing from the beach/over reef etc and there is some wave action, the following steps will assist.
1. As soon as you feel resistance stop pulling.
Be patient, don't rip, tear and bust
2. Let out a couple of metres of line to wash around in the waves.
3. Every 30 seconds try a light rewind, see step 1.
4. Repeat this as required, sometimes it has taken 3-4 minutes for this to work.

I reckon I have increased my successful retreival of the gear up to 75%

If all this fails carry a small section of broom stick in your tackle box

[Keta]

Wraps it around his hand scary stuff there!

I wear gloves when I'm working for doing this, Spectra scares me.

[EvoX]

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?

You need the tool shown in the picture (similiar to an over sized lure retriever).
Using this tool will prevent damage to the mainline and reducing the loading on the rod and reel.
Simply latch on the tool onto the mainline and slide it down the mainline until you feel the front of
the tool (the u shape looking thick wire)latches itself onto the swivel.  During the dropdown,
the mainline must be taught with little slack.  Thereafter pull hard on the thick mono attached to
the tool while maintaining no slack on your mainline and your rig will break off.

The tool shown is the smallest size.  The largest weighs about 5 lbs to reach deep water with
strong current.  One can use thick mono of 200-300 lbs rating or any thick braided rope to attach
to the tool.  The mono shown attached is rated at 300 lbs.

[Bryan Young]

That is one nifty retriever.

[franky]

I have to agree...thats a real fancy gizmo.  

I just hope that thing doesn't get snagged on the bottom while trying to retrieve the original gear.  

Wrapping the line around the graphite frame.  I would personally never do it.  I have seen several newells with the graphite reel seat and support post where the line actually grooved into the graphite material.  To me, it kinda makes the reel look very abused and ugly.  Thats just me, I just like to keep my reels looking good.

As mentioned, I would just use a glove or a broom stick and let the drift of the boat move as I hold on and give it a good yank.  

Depending on how much other people are on the boat with you.  You could wrap the boat cleat or hang on tight with a glove or broom stick and drive the boat forward slowly.  Depending on your pound test of mainline, just gotta hang on tight.  Or again, if you don't trust that, just wrap it around the cleat and then drive the boat forward.