Cherrywood HD 7ft Medium Heavy, Abu Garcia Silver Max, various baits. My backlashes are totally my fault, not the equipment. I get greedy and try to cast too far, and when I do I really sling it and cause one. Sometimes, I'm backing off on my tension or brakes in an attempt to cast farther, and get just past proper adjustment. The fishing where I am is extremely tough right now, so once I've exhausted all the shallow area, I'm trying to get as far out into the river as I can from the bank/dock.