could be a few things given the light line - I'd check your rod guides first particularly the tip is any part rough and wearing the line as you cast.  Sometimes the guides can have a crack so small you can't see it. get hold of a pair of stockings and run a peice through the guides if it catches on anything look closer you may have found your problem.   Did the flatty cause the break off wearing the line during the fight??

Cheers

 Hi Paul,

The rod was brand new....tho its only a cheapy off Ebay (Pelagic Brand) gettin the Lemax ProTiny in June. When I pulled the fish out of the water onto the shore the weight of the fish snapped the line, it was not even over 30cm's?? Been reading up on the net and some people fish with 6lb line with 10lb leader! Any further opinions would be great!!! HELP

what knot are you using to connect your leader to your jighead?

yes, I always use a leader

Definitely use a leader for SP fishing mate.

i never use a leader with placcies.. im to lazy.

ive caught some big queenies and golden trevally's

great flathead for your first time!

with braid having no stretch i would say you're shockloading the line and that's when you are snapping it, 4lb is still 4lb and thats bloody light. also a leader will take that shock loading out of the rig too.

 Aussie_Breamer my knot is  a bit of a dodge....Looking to find a good easy knot (uni knot??) I may switch to a 6lb with a 10lb such as Leemo is using, I do bash it around a bit under the pylons so would need a lil more strength in the line. I also need to learn how to knot the leader and line together anyone have any good tutotials on the net or should I get Mike at Anglers Spot to show me as he is in the know.

Cheers for the feedback guys!

Much appreciated!!!

Hi "langerz" would definetly use a mono of flurocarbon leader, i personally use mono leaders on all my rods, i use a bimini twist then use a knot that i call a deckies knot (not sure if that is the correct name tho), my leaders are usually rod and half length, this allows me better control of fish when they are close in (similar to wind on leaders in game fishing) and better abrasion resistance from fish and structure, hope you solve your problem, losing jig heads to fish is annoying but losing them while casting is even worse, good luck

Yewie

My question is, is the 4lb AjiKing line braid or mono???

Either is too light for your average soft plastic fishing. Lightest I'd recommend is 6 to 8lb with atleast 8lb leader. Braid is already thin as it is, there's no need to go so light. Especially since you are still learning. Knots should be practiced until perfect. Its very important to know your knots. I'd say easiest knot to tie in your case would be double uni joining knot.

Flatties have very raspy teeth and will shred light line very easily. If Im targeting flatty I generally go 12lb or more. Bream you can lighter. Always use leaders where possible, flourocarbon or mono trace material.

I'm going to cause a bot of a commotion and tell you to respool with 8lb flourocarbon or a good quality thin monofilament line.

As a beginner its MUCH easier to use, is WAY more forgiving than braid and doesn't require any special knots to learn or tie. And it more than does the job.

As you become more experienced switch over to the braid if you want to, but don't just use it coz everyone else is or recommends it. By all means try it (when your more experienced) but if you feel its not for you don't fell pressured to follow suit and use it, your not a sheep. For me personally I prefer flouro and its accounted for some pretty special captures without a problem.

But as a beginner to soft plastics fishing I think you should learn the basics with flourocarbon or mono line, you'll find it much easier to use and encounter many less problems. Unless there is teethy critters like flathead, tailor or pike around you can do without the trace, just tie it direct to your mainline.

You'll not only find this way its a lot cheaper but chances are you'll solve your current problems as well!

 Thanks Mannablue!

Went to Kmart last night and was looking at the line 6lb mono Berkley Vanish line....on clearance for $2! All gone!! was $17.00!!  I will talk with mike my two options are 6lb with 10lb leader mono or 8lb all the way...8lb may be an easier option for me. Any reccomendations on a good 8lb mono line? I will practice my knots from this day forward!

Thanks for all the feedback people, hope to fill you in with some good news!

Langerz.

I can't remember the proper name for it, but there's the Lemax Steel something something...good thin mono.

Currently using Asso 8lb flourocarbon myself, was a gift and coz its much cheaper I was dubious at first, but its proven itself (landbased) on a 52cm pink snapper, a 65cm tailor, a barra that went 56cm and multiple snook up to 70cm, albeit using a 20lb mono trace tied directly to the mainline (no swivel) using soft plastics.

Looking forward to your future reports, best of luck!

If you're after something good quality mono, then check out Playtpus Lo-Stretch line. 4kg is thin, supple and easy to tie knots, also it stretches less than most other monos.

Don't give up on the 4lb just yet in my opinion. You caught a nice flattie so if there is anything you need to change, like other people have mentioned I'd say it's to make sure you have adequate leader and good knots.  

When landing a serious fish (35++ cm bream) on that sort of gear you may want to consider getting a small net to avoid any heatbreaking moments.

Your braid might also be fraying if it's hitting structure or rubbing on the bottom.

 Went to BCF to get some 8lb Berkley Vanish but it was all gone! I saw the Lo-stretch but didnt think of getting it! I ended up going round the corner to Ranger Outdoors and got myself 8lb Berkley Trilene Lo-Vis Green Multi-Polymer Formula (Any opinions on this line??). Also taught myself the uni knot which will come in handy with connecting leaders etc :) Now feeling a bit more confident with the heavier line.

Thanks hk85 for the optimism, I will keep the 4lb on another reel for later use.

Cheers guys! 

I'm with hk85, I run 4lb for all river fishing and only been busted off in open water once. If I knew there was heavy snags and thumper bream I might step up to a higher line class but on average 4lb is more then adequate. Leader is essential for mine, I usually use 6-8 lb leader but have 10lb on standby.

 yep 4lb is very light, especially when you're lifting fish out of the water with it with no leader, most of the time it will snap! Probably a bit late now, but i use 8lb mono for most of my fishing, from catching whiting and herring, to popping over reefs for tailor and salmon, its just the leader and leader length that varies. 8lb is a great all-round line strength IMO

 8lb is perfect for begginer starting whether it be braid or mono, have been fishing 4lb hard mono/braid for the past few months and have to say its very unpredictable once you put some power into casting it constantly kills the line very fast if it is mono. For 4lb braid i found that using the right size leader 8lb-10lb at most to absorb some shock when you strike or casting will save you alot of heartache.