Back Reeling

[EvanT123]

I was watching an old video of Charlire Brewer today. He talked about back reeling instead if using a spinning reels drag. This is something I've heard about but never put into practice.

Anyone back reel? Tips? Advice?

[J Francho]

Not since the Cold War era.

[EvanT123]

Not since the Cold War era.

Looked like Charlie caught some decent fish though.

[J Francho]

He also used a 5' UL rod. Slider fishing is a worthwhile pursuit, but tackle had advanced leaps and bounds since then. I know a few that back reel, and in fact I do when using a centre pin reel for trout, but drags on even budget level spinning reels are do good now, back reeling isn't necessary.

[FlipnLimits]

Evan

 

Back reeling seems to be a thing of the past, as Mr Francho pointed out.  Cannot recall a conversation about it in the last 10+ years, within my fishing circles.  With modern rods with good actions and high quality spinning gear, things have moved away from back reeling, it seems.  I have tried it some years ago but didn't stick with it.  Personally, I fish baitcasters 99% of the time and just haven't developed the skill in back reeling and rely on the drag system of my spinning reels.  No knowledge is bad and it may not be a bad idea to try it again, just may learn something new accidentally.  My .02

 

FL

[NorcalBassin]

I've seen Ike and Martens do it in tourneys, just to mention a couple. I personally don't get it (they're generally using a Revo Premier and Stella respectively), so it sure seems like they would trust their drags. Not for me, but I'm not fishing for a living either.

[FlipnLimits]

I've seen Ike and Martens do it in tourneys, just to mention a couple. I personally don't get it (they're generally using a Revo Premier and Stella respectively), so it sure seems like they would trust their drags. Not for me, but I'm not fishing for a living either.

Good point!  Martens fishes spinning gear often, would be nice to get his input.  lol    A thing of preference perhaps, but also not for me.  I just don't use spinning gear enough to feel confident without lots of practice.  Either way, it's like keeping an index finger under your line when you flipnpitch, personal preference.  There's an argument pro and against each.  The latter style.......

[Bluebasser86]

I'd much rather back reel than depend on my drag with spinning gear, I feel like I have much better control over the fish than I do if I let the drag do all the work. I still set my drag for those times I can't get the anti reverse turned off before the fish takes off, but I'll switch over to back reeling as soon as I can. Even though I fish some really nice spinning reels with great drag systems, there's still the chance they may fail or stick and I'm not losing a big fish because of it. 

[ClackerBuzz]

i don't back reel but i've heard multiple pro's explain why they do it.  a big bass can easily break you off if they wrap you around a log while on 6 lb test.  the tension put on the line from drag resistance is the kryptonite.  whereas back reeling allows you to instantly give them line during a run. even if they wrap you up around and make a run 100 ft to open water. you can troll 180 deg around a stump while back reeling/feeding him line and chase him. i get it but feel like i land 99% of fish just fine with drag. and yes i'll be crying and wished i back reeled if i lose the fish of a lifetime 

[Fishing Rhino]

A drag Is a drag, is a drag.  I'm not sure the problem with spinning reels is always the drag.  In a baitcaster, the line pulls directly off the spool with no change in direction.

 

With a spinning reel the line passes over a miniature pulley.  If that pulley binds or for some other reason does not spin freely, you have a problem.  Also, over time, that roller will wear, or may be otherwise damaged, which in turn will abrade the line.

 

I depend on the drag to control the tension in the line.  What I do if a big fish makes a sudden surge is to allow it to pull the rod down which decreases the angle of the line running through the guides, particularly the guide at the tip of the rod.

 

That has the effect of loosening the drag since line resistance at the guides is reduced.

 

I have more trust in the consistency of the drag than my consistency at back reeling.

[RAMBLER]

Back reeling can be a problem when you have the fish at the boat and are trying to land it, either by hand or with a net.  You have to take your hand off of the handle, set the anti-reverse, make sure the drag is correct for that last surge the fish makes before it quits.  For me, it's easier to adjust the drag as I fight the fish.

You'll see some of the pro's stripping line with their free hand instead of back reeling or adjusting the drag, while fighting the fish.

[RAMBLER]

I know, I just posted, but, I was reading the next thread about when we started fishing.  Made me remember when "back reeling" was necessary.  Remember the old baitcasters with no drag, no thumb button to disengage the gears so the handle spun with the reel when you cast.  There was only reel forward or reel back and if you had a good sized fish on and your hand slipped off of the handle, well, that's when I learned what a "knuckle buster" was.

Some kind relative gave me one of those on a 5' steel rod.  We had "braid", too.  30 lb test black line.

[RandySBreth]

Backreeling when using a Steez (or even my cheap new Orra S) because maybe sometime something could sort of possibly go wrong is like the guy I knew who was wiring in a override timer on a bypass pump so he wouldn't forget to turn off the switch that bypasses the normal timer - how many hoops of mental masturbation do some people have to jump through when fishing? I sweat little details but I've caught doublel-digit trout on 4-pound leader material with my little supreme's drag just screaming on a run - no black bass is going to do that, even the Smallmouths I love so much. So no - no backreeling.

[OkobojiEagle]

Yes, I backreel when fighting large fish.  I also loosen the drag and use a landing net.

 

 

oe

[Mainebass1984]

 I think its all about personal preference. If your drag is set correctly you should not get broken off even if your fishing insanely thick cover. I do not back reel. I am constantly checking my drag.

[Bluebasser86]

Back reeling can be a problem when you have the fish at the boat and are trying to land it, either by hand or with a net.  You have to take your hand off of the handle, set the anti-reverse, make sure the drag is correct for that last surge the fish makes before it quits.  For me, it's easier to adjust the drag as I fight the fish.

You'll see some of the pro's stripping line with their free hand instead of back reeling or adjusting the drag, while fighting the fish.

I stick my finger out on the hand holding the rod against the bail roller to prevent the reel from back reeling and land the fish with the other hand. Only once the fish is in the boat do I turn the anti reverse back on. 

[Siebert Outdoors]

I tried it once years ago.  I did not have a use for it.  Some due but it does not fit my fishing style.

[Crestliner2008]

I'm a fan and believer of back reeling. Of course, that's because I'm just a tad short of 70 years young too!   I use to use nothing but back-reeling in my younger years. Up until I started to get into my late 50's actually. Back then it matter to me whether or not I landed a fish. These days it doesn't matter so much. Besides, I enjoy listening to the drag being stripped out, more these days. Spices up my life a bit! And if I loose a fish because of that, so what?

 

I do believe that back-reeling does offer more control while fighting any fish, regardless of which brand of spinning reel you use. Most renowned smallmouth anglers believe that as well, so I'm in pretty good company. I do believe spinning reel drags have much improved over the last couple of decades. But back-reeling still works just fine.

 

The hard part of back-reeling is believing that it will work, the first time you try it! Sort of like pulling the drain plug on your boat, when you become swamped and driving the water out, instead of panicking! A lot of present day anglers don't even know what that's all about! 

[Oregon Native]

I figure I pay good money for my reels (shimano/Daiwia) so I'm going to use the drags. There's times I need that reel hand for something else like catching a fall or breaking a branch should I be bank fishing and chasing a fish. I have caught hundreds of steelhead on six and four pound test while bank fishing trusting the drag. The only thing I may do different with a big fish is slightly loosen drag and use my index finger slightly put pressure on from time to time. "Works for me" I still want rod and reel to work for me.

Tight Lines

[Grizzn N Bassin]

I dont back reel. I set my drag right and play it safe when fighting a good fish. But the Technique is deffiently interesting.

[WIGuide]

I think it's more a thing of the past since drags have improved so much over the years. Even the cheaper spinning reels have pretty good drags these days. One thing to keep in mind though is to check it especially if it has been sitting since your last fishing trip. Spinning reels have more of a tendency to stick. The best remedy for this is to either loosen your drag a few clicks and then turn it right back; or you can actually turn the spool and that'll break it free. Either way check it before you make the first cast and you should be good for the rest of the day.

 

(note on higher end reels you most likely won't have this problem. the lower end stuff I used to fish you would have to take above steps but the Revo Premiers I've got now went all year without needing that treatment and stayed perfect throughout.)

[J Francho]

With the exception of the Pinnacle reel I am testing, I replace my stock drags with Carbontex.  They NEVER stick.

[Team9nine]

Do whichever you are more comfortable with. Personally, I backreel all the time with spinning. I also "thumb bar" with baitcasters instead of using the drag. Always done it, and have complete confidence with both techniques. To me, it's all about my comfort level of control and feel.

 

-T9

[Dwight Hottle]

Back reeling has been around for a long time. Guys practicing this technique seemed to be supplementing the drag system with a big fish nearing the boat on light line. Rather than adjusting the drag during the fight (normally taboo) they back reeled to put a little more give in the system. You have to be proficient at it for it to work otherwise you're asking for trouble. Musky fisherman typically free spool a baitcaster while double eighting a bait boatside because the fish hits with hardly any line out. They simple thumb the spool in place of using the drag boatside. Same technique. 

[Brian Needham]

there are some ole timers around where I live that swear by backreeling.... I personlly dont get it as I figure my ci4 has a good enough drag when set properly.