Having Trouble With Big Lings

Several times now I have hooked big lings only to have them break off my swimbait. I am using 30lb braided with a 20 lb mono leader. I have my drag set about right. When they hook up and start pulling off line I start to get worried that they are going to get in a hole so I start thumbing my reel gently and bang that's when they seem to break the line at the swimbait. Are they cutting the line with those sharp little teeth? I use a palomar knot at the swimbait. Should I be using fresh leader for every outing? Go up to 25#?
Most of these hookups are in 10 to 20' of water.

I would say either check your knots, or they are pulling into a hole and breaking you off.  You really can't let them pull any line until you have gotten them out of that hole. That's exactly what happened to me last week, I've never let them take line before and ive landed every one, but this guy pulled so hard and fast he stripped line and pop! good luck.

Try a softer/more limber rod. And maybe a longer leader of mono. That should help absorb some of the shock and prevent you from horsing the fish. Or just use heavier leader material--like 30lb.

I do all that has been suggested. Sometimes they will just rock you.

I use 30lb braid, 40lb mono leader for ling fishing. The mono is about two rod lengths long, and I trim it back several times during a session. You can run your fingers down the mono & know instantly if it is abraded.

~tighten that drag until you can barely pull any out by hand.....then when you get it up out of their environment(the rocks), you can loosen the drag up just a hair.

~ up your leader to at least 25lbs ( i use flouro carbon)

~ a pole with some backbone is required

.... now dont forget to post up w/pics when you get that big ling. 

I use 20lb braid and a 20lb mono leader. I haven't had any break off yet but It sounds to me like they are taking you into rocks.

I use 50lb braid with just a snap swivel on the lead head, no leader. Haven't lost one yet.

Anthony

I use thirty pond mono straight to reel... no backing, no leader... never had a ling break me off.  Unless you are getting rocked over and over, it sounds like you may be having knot problems.  Though the palomar is about as simple as it gets.  If I were you I would tie a knot at home and find something to hook onto and pull like hell... see if your knot holds up off the water.  If it doesn't well, there ya go.  The palomar can be a little problematic when passing the loop around something as large as a swim bait.

What did the line look like at the end where it broke off.  That should tell you where your problem lies.  If knot then there is generally the curly tail pieces left.  If rock then there is some abrasion running down to the cut, if it's toothy creatures then it will be sheered off like scissors.  If you really want to get serious, put a scale on the end of the line and accurately dial in your drag setting.  Weigh the pros and cons of stepping up in line weight.  No difference than what size bait you want to run.  Want a big fish use big bait.  Want to reel up said big fish, upgrade your line.

I've been using 50lb braid with a 50lb mono leader. I use an improved clinch with 3 or 4 overhand knots on top to keep the braid from slipping, (braid will slip loose) to a 70 lb swivel clip. Once I feel the leader getting rough I change it.
this set up holds tight at 300 fow with 16 oz lead.

30# braid mainline
30, 50, or 80# fluorocarbon or hybrid leader short enough to not reel into guides when I put the lure on the hook-keeper
Leader weight dependent on structure.

Upgrade to 30 lb mono and you should be fine.

Fishing with lighter gear is rewarding because it's a challenge. Breakoffs are a part of that challenge.

Really it's just part of the lingin' game. If the fish are tight on structure then they will hole you most of the time. Once they make that hole the likelihood of landing the fish goes waaay down regardless of the line you are using.

As for tight drags be careful because the tighter the drag the more hooks you will pull. Often when I loose a solid hookup I look at my drag and it's close to being maxed out.

I would definitely start fishing a longer #30 leader as others have suggested and a lighter action rod. I like fishing straight mono too because there is more room for error and I seem to have a problem with braid failing. Also if your test rating on the leader is higher than the mainline you will break the mainline more often requiring a full on retie of leader and lure. On a snaggy day that could be a huge factor.       

Given that you have good knots and fresh un-abraded line.
If a big ling wants your swimbait bad it can inhale the whole thing. This leaves your leader rubbing on its teeth when it head-shakes(bad thing BTDT).
I run 30-40# spectra with a few feet of 40-50# on the business end, especially when using big baits.

i didnt see anything about you setting the hook,if your not setting the hook thell peel line but will eventually shake off.i have a nasty bone jarring set and when i get em up i can barely get the hook off without pliers