How To Prevent Backlash

[dtm80527sass]

i havent used a baitcast to much but whenever i do i seem to be getting a lot of backlash... is there a way to prevent this?

[georgeyew]

What weight lure are you using? I know that when I was first learning, I practiced with a 3/4 oz lure. It helped with the casting. Heavy is easier than light.

[Nitrofreak]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/how-to-cast-baitcast.html

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/adjust-baitcasting-baitcaster.html

 

Here are 2 great ways to understand baitcaster's for set up and for casting.

 

Welcome to the forum !!

 

Please help yourself and read the FAQ's sections, you will find more info than you could ever imagine

[shihan02]

First set the spool tension. Tie whatever lure you plan to use on. Then release the spool allowing the lure to go to the ground (or your baot deck). Adjust the spool tension so that when the lure hits, the spool stops letting out line.

Then set your magnetic brake to the highest position (10 on some reels). This will limit your casting distance but will also minimize backlashes. As you get better at casting you can ratchet the magnetic brake back.

[dtm80527sass]

alright im gonna try all this out... thank you very much

[skeetercraig]

pull out a cast worth of line then tape the spool then reel the line  back up , then you can practice casting without back lash

[fstr385]

Ive noticed it help for me anyways on something lighter like 1/4oz or even just a fluke w no weight to set the tensioner a little tighter than stopping at the ground, where i have to shake it a little to get it to drop. With lighter weight, the bait slows down fast where there spool doesnt want to. Ya just have to get the concept of it and learn to adjust it to different weights. Put something somewhat heavy like said above maybe 3/4oz and just practice over n over in the back yard. i found it easier to underhand roll cast it easy instead of whippin it. Makes it easier for my to keep the bait close to the water and blip it in the water slowing the spool instead of splashing it in. Thats one thing i love about baitcaster reels is the presentation and accuracy I can get. I hardly ever use a spinner for freshwater anymore.

[PotomacBassin]

Another thing to consider is when the backlash is occurring.  If your reel has two brakes on it, one tends to help at the start of the cast while the second helps slow it down more at the end.  If it backlashes right from the get-go, I would engage a few more of the disc brakes inside of the reel.  If it is backlashing towards the end of your cast, you will want to increase the side magnetic brake.  

 

As you practice more, you will be able to control the speed of your cast with your thumb and to use your thumb as a brake as well. In addition, as you get more confident, you'll be able to loosen your spool tension knob for increased distance.  But keep it tighter as the one post above mentions.   I also agree with the other post about heavier lures when first starting out.  I had a heck of time when I started out casting a little Rapala jerk bait.  Some things are left better with spinning gear.

[tbone1993]

 

 

[5fishlimit]

The best thing I did was to learn to feather my cast with my thumb instead of relying on the brakes.

[OkobojiEagle]

Smooooooooooooth out your casting motion

 

oe

[jkarol24]

Another big key for me was to basically forget everything you know about casting a spinning rod/reel.  With a spinning reel, you tend to whip the rod overhead, and you can cast as hard as you want without fear of backlash.  However, these two things cause major problems on a baitcaster.  Especially when starting, you need to cast a bit easier and let the reel do its job.  As your thumb gets better and better, you can start casting harder and further, but start with shorter distances. 

As well, It was much easier for me to make a sidearm cast as opposed to an overhead cast when learning to use a baitcaster.  You may also want to try learning with braided line.  It casts a bit easier and IMO is harder to backlash and easier to get the backlash out.  

Keep at it, you will get it with time!

[LuckyHandsINC.]

Smooooooooooooth out your casting motion

oe

BINGO. You can learn all day about brakes and spool tension but IMO none of this matters. All my reels stay set up the same way 100% of the time. Spool tension just tight enough to take out side to side movement of the spool,brakes obviously differ to each reel but stay the same respectively.

Like okiboji said smooth out the cast. Don't try to whip it out there. Let the rod loud up and cast the lure smoothly and easily.

If your new to casting reels it may be a good idea to set the reel up as others have said but to me the mechanics of the cast are more important than how the reel is set up.

[fstr385]

Forgot to add too, aside from all that.. watch out for the ground, long weeds n brush around you, tree branches around or behind you. A few times Ive gone to cast and wacked the ground or side cast and hit a branch behind me and blown up lash so bad I dont even know if any was even touching the spool anymore lol. Sometimes im fixed on a target casting from shore and underhand a smooth cast right into some tall weeds and come down with some serious torrets! Not good!

[tylerwyp]

First adjust your brake to make sure the lure falls but not too fast (I prefer faster than many but this is a basic guideline). Then adjust your magnetic brakes to 10 as many have said. As soon as you get more comfortable slowly turn down the magnetic brakes. Hope I could help

[new2BC4bass]

i havent used a baitcast to much but whenever i do i seem to be getting a lot of backlash... is there a way to prevent this?

 

 

Simple.  Use a spinning reel.

 

 

Seriously tho, read the sticky and do a search.  There are plenty of threads on what to do when first learning to cast.  George is 100% right.  Use a lure on the heavy side of the rod's rating.  Adjust spool tension as noted elsewhere.  I taught myself with spool tension too tight.  Then when I backed it up to where I had just enough tension to remove side-to-side play, I almost had to learn to cast all over again.  Better to start with it set correctly and learn to cast that way from the start.  As Lucky said....be smooooooth.  Especially when reversing the rod's direction....especially if using a magnetic only brake reel....especially if throwing a light lure.

 

Don't throw for the moon.  As jkarol said, learn to cast side arm first.  Learn to load the rod on the back swing as this will dramatically help gain distance without the need to always be trying to throw as hard as you can.  I found it helped to cast 2-handed.  Matter of fact I still normally cast with both hands on the rod no matter what type of cast I am making.

[retiredbosn]

i havent used a baitcast to much but whenever i do i seem to be getting a lot of backlash... is there a way to prevent this?

What reel are you using? Brake type? First starting out set the tension knob tight, to the point that the lure barely moves, drops a little and stops. You're just learning and I wish someone would have told me that. Then practice with 1/2 to 5/8 weight sinkers, as your confidence build you start loosening the tension knob. Then start backing off the brakes. The tape thing will help.

Watch the video it really helps.

[merc1997]

The best thing I did was to learn to feather my cast with my thumb instead of relying on the brakes.

ditto, nothing beats an educated thumb!

 

bo

[WRB]

I agree an educated thumb is the way to go, however you need to educate it first.

If you adjust the reel spool tension so you lure doesn't free fall on it's own weight, in fact the adjustment is too tight so lure doesn't fall at all....you can't backlash the reel. You will not be able to cast very far, but no backlash because the spool doesn't over run the line. Next loosen the tension a little more so the lure falls slowly, but not freely. Now you can cast a little further and may get a slight backlash or over run.

Next apply a little thumb drag against the spool at the end of your cast...no backlash or over run.

Keep loosening the tension a little at a time and practice teaching your thumb to keep the line on the spool from over running, eliminating backlashes.

Spool breaks are like your thumb, just not as reliable.

Tom