This has been happening to me the last few months and it's driving me crazy. I'm fishing with 12-lb test line and decent hooks, but as soon as I feel a good tug I lose the fish almost immediately. Could it be my hook set technique or is my line going bad?
I've had this exact problem before and it usually comes down to hook set technique - you need a sharp, decisive snap of the rod tip the instant you feel that bite, not just a gradual pull.
Before you blame your line, check that your hooks are actually sharp (drag your thumbnail across the point; if it slides instead of catching, they're dull) and inspect a few feet of line near the hook under good light for nicks or fraying, since that's where most breakage happens.
Also make sure you're not setting too hard in a way that causes the line to snap rather than drive the hook home - it's a quick flick, not a full-force yank. If your technique checks out and the line looks clean, yeah, line does degrade over time, so you might just need fresh spools.
Your hook set is probably part of it, but here's something folks often overlook: check if your rod tip has any tiny cracks or stress marks where the guides are. A hairline fracture there kills your hook-setting power because the energy just dissipates instead of driving the hook home. Also worth testing whether you're setting the hook with enough line tension in the first place - if there's any slack when you feel that tug, even a fraction of a second, you're already losing the fight. With 12-lb test you should be able to handle most fish that bite, so it's almost certainly technique or equipment condition rather than line strength failing you.
Got frustrated with this exact thing a couple years back and it turned out to be a combination - my line had gotten kinked up from sitting in the sun too long, which weakened it, but more importantly I wasn't setting hard enough. The other answer nails it on the hook set; you really do need that sharp snap or the hook doesn't dig in deep enough.
One thing I'd add: check if your hooks are actually still sharp. I was reusing old ones and they'd gotten dulled down from hitting rocks and whatever else. A dull hook will slip right out even with a solid set. Also make sure you're not overthinking the strike - sometimes people hesitate for half a second and that's all it takes to lose the fish. Feel the bite and snap immediately, don't wait to confirm it's really a fish.
Are you setting the hook consistently the same way each time, or does it feel different depending on the situation? The other answers hit on technique and line quality, but one thing they're missing: your drag setting might be way too tight. If your drag is locked down hard, the sudden pressure from a strong fish can snap the line instantly instead of letting it slip - you'll *feel* the tug but lose it before you can even react. Try loosening your drag a bit so line can give under load, then practice a firm but smooth hook set rather than a violent jerk. That combo usually fixes the problem fast.
Most people don't realize that 12-lb test line degrades faster than they think, especially if it's been sitting on your reel in direct sunlight or heat for a few months. I had this exact problem where I'd get a solid bite and the line would just snap - turned out the last six feet of my line had basically turned into string from UV exposure and heat sitting in my tackle box. Before you blame your hook set, run your fingers down the last meter or so of line and feel for any rough spots, discoloration, or brittleness; if it feels compromised, strip it off and retie fresh line. That said, your technique absolutely matters too - a sharp snap upward the instant you feel that tug matters way more than people think, but if your line is already weakened, even perfect technique won't save the fish.
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