Coastlock snap opened...

[Van Wildonher]

Went out yesterday afternoon, trolled for bait for about 1 1/2 hours before finding a small school of blackfin. Pulled two up and another got smashed while getting pulled into the boat.

Sent down one of the other live ones and the blue must have been waiting under the boat. Within a minute the tuna was dinner, and the fight began. 45 minutes later during the more than likely last try to shake the hook the marlin started jumping about 100 ft from the boat and bam, the line came slack. And we reeled this beauty in (attached image).

The thing that bothers my friend and I both is that we think that Marlin swallowed the hook, we are just hoping that it doesn't end up dying.

In hindsight the coastlock snap was quite old and it felt a little flimsy when it came to opening and closing, but I never would have thought it would have opened. Replaced it with a 320 lb billfisher that I can barely open without a pliers.

Anyway, ya win some and ya lose some.

And don't make the same mistake as us, be sure not to skimp on terminal tackle.

Edit: Est. weight was 200-250 lb

[Van Wildonher]

Guess this is the wrong forum for this post as I wasn't using circle hooks.

Move to correct forum please...

[Deep C]

I had that happen twice this shark season and I too have gone to those micro heavy weight billfisher ones...

[canyongear]

I was very skeptical about the krocs' till I tested a couple..strong as bull..and about 1/3 small than a comparable brand name ball bearing snapper..All our spreader bars rigged for stingers get them..they hide nice under a skirt...and 1/3 maybe understating the diffrence.

[clt_capt]

I've been very pleased with the Billfisher Krocs since I started running them this spring

[Squidnation]

thats weird that it openned like that considering the snap part seems to be curved correctly. We had a big eye almost get off becuase the cinch didn't give but rather cinched tight

[Van Wildonher]

I guess it must have actually opened somehow. The end that curves around was fine.

[WET FLOORS]

If the snap swivels are closed before the lines are put out, i do not see how they open. I have heard stories of them opening, and I have witnessed when clearing lines, retrieve one that was open, but it was probably never closed to begin with.

In a tournament, i put my eyes on all the swivels, just to be sure they are closed.

[tabasco]

Have only had it happen swordfishing. The slack in the line allows the leader somehow to wrap around the snap and it will open when it comes tight. For this reason lots of the south florida sword guys crimp all their connections and don't use a snap at all. I tried the momoi swivels with the scissor like closure thing--works great but as they age it gets loose and will also open up, just gotta tighten/squeeze w/pliers to get it tight again or use a new one.

[Van Wildonher]

If the snap swivels are closed before the lines are put out, i do not see how they open. I have heard stories of them opening, and I have witnessed when clearing lines, retrieve one that was open, but it was probably never closed to begin with.

In a tournament, i put my eyes on all the swivels, just to be sure they are closed.

I'm positive that I closed it.