Noob question on knots

I keep breaking off my line while rock fishing (17lb mono) I don't know half the time if I'm snagging Rocks or Big fish, sometimes I think its a rock and then I will pull my swimbait free and my line and hook is soaked in blood.  Most of the time my line breaks at the knot, I'm using a improved cinch knot right now and I am wondering if I can do better...

Use a liitle heavier line. I like to use a florocarbon leader tied to my braid. I like to use 65lb braid with 25-50 floro leader. I use a palamor knot for my floro to snap and a surgeons loop for my braid to floro connection.

+1 palomar.... Cinch knot slips.

Line and hook soaked in blood?

What?

Line and hook soaked in blood?

What?

  Soundls like the 'ol, "it felt big, I yanked like hell and but I reeled in was a set of lips"

Palomar for me too:
http://www.animatedknots.com/palomar/index.php?Categ=fishing

That"s a good one, I use it frequently.

I would use heavier line to prevent breaks. I use 50lb braid with 30lb fluorocarbon leader for rock fishing.

I would use heavier line to prevent breaks. I use 50lb braid with 30lb fluorocarbon leader for rock fishing.

Same here.

Heavier line and a Palomar knot.
Done deal.

Also check the line near your lure and your knot frequently for frays.
Run the line through your finger tips and if you detect any roughness cut off rough section and retye.

Uni knot is easy to remember and perform. Works for braid and mono and is very strong.

Stupid question, if I am using heavier line to prevent breaks and I get snagged how do I break the snag?  Or is this the point of the floro leader?

I keep breaking off my line while rock fishing (17lb mono) I don't know half the time if I'm snagging Rocks or Big fish, sometimes I think its a rock and then I will pull my swimbait free and my line and hook is soaked in blood.  Most of the time my line breaks at the knot, I'm using a improved cinch knot right now and I am wondering if I can do better...

What is your rig like?  Are you just direct tying something like a swimbait/lure or whatever? The improved cinch should work for direct tying but make sure it's moistened before cinching down.  I prefer to use a snap swivel, tied on with a palomar.  It's hard to do a palomar over a huge swimbait, but easy on a snap swivel.  

I'd start with 20-30lb mono/fluoro leader and see if you have any issues breaking that off on your next trip.  Don't go too high or you may end up going for a drink or having to cut your main line to break free.

Btw, how do you reel up a bloody line and hook?  Wouldn't the water wash it off as you're reeling it in?  Not trying to be a smart ass, I've just never heard that one before.