Backlashes And Birdnests... What Line Should I Use?

[prjavelin]

I have an Abu Veritas 7 mh f paired with a daiwa laguna 6.3:1 rh and 30# power pro. Im having a couple issues with it. First will be that sometime the line kinda gets stuck and makes a backlash and a medium to small sized birdnest. Im thinking since that line is abrasive could that be the problem with my baitcaster?

almost every time I cast hard with two hands looking for a long distance, this happens. Is that line( diameter of 8# mono) too thin? Im using the magnetic brake at 5 but if i put enough power into it, it will make birdnests even in the 10 setting. It happens mid cast.

Thanks in advance

[clayton86]

Line is to thin and its digging on the reel. When using braid and casting gear I like 50# + even with 50 you will get digging from time to time.

Edit: I should of went more in depth but your probably digging the line on snags or hook sets it tightens on the bottom and goes up if that makes any sense. That's why mid cast your getting that back lash your spool is stopping then usually rotates the other way causing the back lash. When you clear the backlash pull out a bit of line by hand you will feel it like jump kinda where your clearing future dug in spots. Also ease up on the cast let the rod do the work you shouldn't need to do a 2 handed hail marry with casting gear that's already asking for a back lash you just want a fluid smooth cast start to finish. You can do 2 handed long casts but don't force the cast.

[BASSclary]

My first thought is not enough spool tension.

[clayton86]

My first thought is not enough spool tension.

this could be the culprit as well but iv noticed in my cases of having to loose of tension it nests up almost instantly. I used to have my line dig all the time and it would nest mid cast when the loose wraped line on top was gone and it hit that spot the line got dug in

[JunkYard814]

I have three casting reels. One with 10lb fluoro, one with 17lb mono, and one with 50lb braid. The heavier line is definitely easier to manage, and I find it easier to pick nests out when fishing with mono.

[clayton86]

I have three casting reels. One with 10lb fluoro, one with 17lb mono, and one with 50lb braid. The heavier line is definitely easier to manage, and I find it easier to pick nests out when fishing with mono.

I always cut most my mono and flouro ones because the line gets kinked and im worried i will get some thing good sized and it will break where it was kinked. braid doesn't have that issue but it also depends how bad it is some times its minor other times I retire the set up and dig it out at home its so bad.

[BassThumb]

I'm not a fan of using 30# braid on baitcasting equipment, but I don't think that's what's causing the backlashes. As a rule of thumb, if the backlash happens early in the cast, the spool tension is too loose. If it happens late, in the second half of the cast, the magnetic brakes are too loose.

[JunkYard814]

I always cut most my mono and flouro ones because the line gets kinked and im worried i will get some thing good sized and it will break where it was kinked. braid doesn't have that issue but it also depends how bad it is some times its minor other times I retire the set up and dig it out at home its so bad.

I don't get too many kinks, and with the 17lb it doesn't really concern me as much as the 10 lb fluoro does. I've only had two instances where I couldn't pick out a nest within 30 seconds and both times I had to completely strip the reel. One was when I basically turned my spool tension off because I was trying to throw a one ounce spoon about 4 miles, and the other was when I buried a jig into a tree and tightened the drag all the way down trying to pull the branch down and dug the line all the way into the spool. Believe me, I learned never to do that again.

[clayton86]

I don't get too many kinks, and with the 17lb it doesn't really concern me as much as the 10 lb fluoro does. I've only had two instances where I couldn't pick out a nest within 30 seconds and both times I had to completely strip the reel. One was when I basically turned my spool tension off because I was trying to throw a one ounce spoon about 4 miles, and the other was when I buried a jig into a tree and tightened the drag all the way down trying to pull the branch down and dug the line all the way into the spool. Believe me, I learned never to do that again.

my worst ones come when im not paying attention and on the back swing of the cast i snag my tackle bag, bushes, a cow fence lol and then let it rip lure stays snagged and my line just ugh it sucks lol it happens more then I like to admit lol.

[JunkYard814]

my worst ones come when im not paying attention and on the back swing of the cast i snag my tackle bag, bushes, a cow fence lol and then let it rip lure stays snagged and my line just ugh it sucks lol it happens more then I like to admit lol.

Been there, done that. Backlashes are a part of fishing casting reels, but the worst ones definitely come making rookie mistakes, and then you're left looking pretty foolish.

[Long Mike]

KVD Line and Lure Conditioner helps a lot to reduce the instances of backlashes and makes digging them out easier.

[new2BC4bass]

First will be that sometime the line kinda gets stuck and makes a backlash and a medium to small sized birdnest. Im thinking since that line is abrasive could that be the problem with my baitcaster?

No. As stated, the line is digging in and doesn't come off the spool smoothly. Also as stated, a heavier line will help avoid this.

Is that line( diameter of 8# mono) too thin?.

Line diameter in this case has nothing to do with it. I regularly use 8# mono on my medium power casting rods. I will also often use 2 hands to cast with. It will affect your casting only when the line digs in.

almost every time I cast hard with two hands looking for a long distance, this happens. Im using the magnetic brake at 5 but if i put enough power into it, it will make birdnests even in the 10 setting. It happens mid cast.

There is a very good chance that you don't have the necessary experience yet with a baitcasting reel to be throwing for the next county. Magnetic brakes help at the end of the cast. If the reel is over-running in the middle of the cast, tighten spool tension a bit. Not too much tho, as it will shorten casting distance.

I own quite a few Daiwas, tho not that particular model. I keep my spool tension only tight enough to remove side-to-side play. I don't suggest a beginner set up his spool this way unless removing backlashes is a pleasurable pass time for him/her. It will help with casting distance, but requires practice. I would have less problems with backlashes if I was willing to tighten up spool tension on my reels. I am trying to force myself to become good enough that my thumb will control the over-running during the middle of the cast. That way I will always have the reel set at optimum for achieving the greatest distance.....if needed.

What you should gather from the above paragraph is that I feel your spool tension is too light for your current ability. I'm no expert. This is a guess based on my own experiences.

Basically I think more practice will eliminate most of your backlashes. That and some heavier line.......and possibly a bit more spool tension.

The flip side of spool tension is that if set too high you will have to cast harder to achieve decent distance. This can cause problems if not smooth throughout the casting stroke. It can make casting a 1/4 oz. lure any appreciable distance very hard even for an expert. There are plenty of threads on improving casting abilities if you think that reading some of them might help you.

[Crookedneck]

Use a line conditioner it will help with some of the backlash issues.

[Fishing Cowgirl]

I have the same rod paired with a Pflueger reel and I had the same problems. I recently tried the Power Pro Super Slick braid. It seems to cast a bit further than regular 65# braid and if I do get a back lash, it doesn't seem as bad and much easier to pick out. It is just what worked for me and though it is a light green color,I use a marker to tiger stripe the line about 8' to camoflauge it. You've got some good suggestions.