Rigging for BIG fish question

I have a question regarding rigging for larger fish like sturgeon or halibut.  Last weekend i went out and I snagged the bottom in 75 ft of water using 25 pound leader and I for the life of me could not break it off from my kayak.  My second rod had 12 pound test and that was no problem to break off.  I use power pro braid for my main line and connect a flouro or mono leader. 

Do you lighten your leaders down so you can break off or do you fish with heavier gear and just deal with it when it happens and possibly lose a ton of line if you can't free your self?

25 pound shouldn't be that tough to break.  Maybe it's your technique?

I generally tighten up as much as I can, putting the rod tip straight down until I'm directly over it, then put my hand over the spool to keep it from spinning, and pull straight up.  That way the rod can't bend and take any of the strain, and you don't overload your reel either.  If you're not stable enough to do that, dangle your feet over each side (won't work in a sink)

Ya, you might be right. I think I may have snagged something with some give to it. Felt like the line was stretching a lot more than it should.  Being new at this maybe I was being to careful not to tip over.

But most times we are bottom fishing especially for halibut we use 100 pound spectra with something like 300 pound leader. This is from a boat.

I plan on using 50 pound spectra knotted to 20lbs test then finally a section of shock ripper rated probably at 50 to 100 pounds.

Wondering what others do if anything.

Ah, if it was hooked to something semi-mobile like a tree or tire, that can be a serious pain in the ace.

I run a leader that's lighter than my main line. For 40lb Power Pro I'll use a 25-30lb mono or flouro leader. Like you said, don't want to loose a ton of braid. That stuffs pricey.

If I've tried all the little snag release tricks and just cant get it, my method is about the same as Lee's. In the worst case dooms day scenario, you should have a knife on your PFD. Just cut it free.

Yeah, if it's not a solid snag it can be a huge PIA. I haven't had to deal with that in any risky waters, so I've just kept at it until I broke off or reeled the snag to the boat. If I was in a nasty rip or something I'd just cut it loose before I went swimming.

BTDT.

I run braid to a 20' section of mono, then a ~100# leader when fishing up there in AK.

-Allen

BTDT.

I run braid to a 20' section of mono, then a ~100# leader when fishing up there in AK.

-Allen

What test mono do you use at the weakest link?

For sturgeon, I use a 30lb dacron leader snelled to my barbless hook. It hasn't happened very often, but I have been able to break off when snagged on the Willamette bottom garbage.

Jay

I use 50# braid straight to heavy leader. Have been toying with the best way to put in a "weak link". I like to use 150 mono for big toothy fish. One of my reels is spooled with 65 but I think I am going to change that out to 50#. I haven't had to break the line yet but I have straightened jig hooks and pulled open clips I used for lead.
To break 50# I wrap off to a club or pliars and pull straight at the hip. Zero stretch of braid helps to break it easier.

Right now I am leaning towards a 10-20 foot section of 40# mono before leader.

Once out of the surf zone the easiest way to flip your yak or break a rod is dealing with a snag and line that won't break. I've had some spooky near misses and now error on the side of being able to break it off.  I run 30 braid to 25lb leader for bottom fish and 30 braid to 176 lb "green cord"for halibut/big lings (might bump up to 50 braid but will have to see if I can break it quickly and easliy)

I fish light compared to some guys.  Most of my rigs are set up 30# braid and 20# leader at about 20' long.  I regularly check the leader for abrasion issues, and trim accordingly.  It gets nerve-wracking due to the longer time spent playing the fish on a lighter drag.  But, that's what I'm there for.  I want that heart thumping fight.  Haven't had many break off issues so far, but also haven't brought a 100lb. butt to the surface yet.  I may change my game if I break off of a monster butt.

Sounds like 20 to 30 pounds is the range of "break strength"  I am pretty confident of landing 50 plus pound fish on 20 pounds.  Do it all the time with King salmon.  I may lengthen the mono leader like Yakmonkey suggests to get a little more shock resistance.  Other than abrasion and shock from a hard pull, 20 pounds is a lot of strength.  I think my drag on my avet is rated only for 9 pounds.  Okay, that's my solution is to try moving down to 20 or 30 pounds as the weak link and give it a try. 

Good stuff.  I appreciate the input from everyone!

BTDT.

I run braid to a 20' section of mono, then a ~100# leader when fishing up there in AK.

-Allen

What test mono do you use at the weakest link?

Hah.  That would be helpful, huh?

30#, that the highest I personally feel comfortable being able to break consistently.  20' is for the shock resistance.

-Allen

haven't used em from a yak but my bottom gear used most is like this and will be put to the test as soon as I find/get my yak.

Trevala casting rods 2 rated 50-100 (great rod for 12oz or less) and 1 rated 80-200 (great rod for 32oz or less)
Ugly stick lite spinning 50-100

Inshore:
The 50-100 gets 50lb braid and 40lb leaders, never a problem breaking when needed in the last 3 yrs.

The 80-200 gets 80lb braid and 50lb leaders, again no problem breaking when needed in the last 3 yrs.

The uglystick lite has 65lb braid and also 40lb leaders, again no problems.


Offshore:
The 80-200 rig gets 150lb leaders....I don't expect to get this rig back if snagged....the braid breaks right at the palomar knot most times.

My leaders are self made windons 25' in length.

I use the same method described by Lee for breaking off.

My gear is definately big gear, but I want to retain that fish of a lifetime too....might have to change things up once the yak fishing gets underway.