Problems With My Bc Reels. Amateur Seeks Pro Guidance :)

[Zeeso]

I have always spooled all my reels myself.  

I have 9 BC reels.  All except 1 I put 12-14 lb mono on.  The one exception is one reel I keep 60 lb braid on.

 

I used to use nothing but spinning reels until I went fishing with a buddy who used bait casters.  After that I can't go back.

 

The problem that I have isn't a huge deal, more of a annoyance, and I can't figure it to be anything but something I am doing.

 

Is it true that you don't want to spool them to tight, but you don't want to spool them to loose?  Or is tighter better in all situations.  

 

I have my reels properly adjusted , each one is different, the cent brakes and the magnetic brakes (when it applies.)

But I still feel like I am getting backlashes once to often.  Forcing me to adjust my brakes and tension knob to a point where I feel like it is hindering my distance and accuracy.  When I am done spooling them and cut my line from the new spool, about 3-4 rotations of lines on my reel just pop off the spool.  I am thinking this is leading to my problem.  If this is it.  Would you recommend I just spool them with more tension?  Or is it too much tension?  It doesn't happen to all my reels, just a few bad apples in the bunch.  Its either that, or what I type below.

 

Second thought is, am I simply not familiar with basic standards for certain lure weights and the lb test / rod strength I should be using with them.  I am not a pro by any means, and typically just put some mono on my reels with whatever I have, i like to try new lines so each varies but I have nothing more then 14 lb test.

 

Do you guys have a set lb test you typically have on a set up that you are going to be throwing a lure with a , for arguments sake, say 3/8 oz on a 6 1/2ft mh with a fast action.  Do you typically have a defined lb test for that application?

Example, I just purchased a revo s, spooled it up with 14lb suffix siege ( i know this is a litter stiffer than standard monos but not enough imo to make a huge difference) tied on a 3/8 chatterbait on a 6 1/2ft MH carbonlite and went fishing for trees in my backyard.  While fishing in my backyard is not an ideal test, it still felt like it was just not coming off right.  Not smooth.  I wasn't back lashing, but I have all 6 brakes on.  I usually turn them all on and then turn them off as I find my sweet spot.  I can tell though, the line isn't sitting tight on my spool.  If i turned a pair of the brakes off, I would probably run into trouble.  With 14 lb test on a 6 1/2 mh, should I be using that for heavier baits, 1/2 and up?  I typically fish reaction baits, spinnerbaits / chatterbaits/ lipless cranks.  All in the 3/8oz to 1/2oz range.  Should I dedicated a set up to 3/8 and one to 1/2oz?  Or is that just overkill.   I have a few 6 1/2ft M fast rods.  Would this be better suited for those applications?

 

Anywho, just trying to seek my advice to fine tune my amateur fish game.  Thanks for any input guys!

[719BassFishing]

When spooling your reels, a good average tension is what you should be applying. As for backlashing, every reel is different and youre just going to have to dial each one in (you should also be oiling them). Practice is the main key for baitcasters. You will eventually get a feel for each reels. Also, Flourocarbon casts alot better on a baitcaster than mono does (just my opinion).. Hope this helps!

[hatrix]

The line will want to unspool because it has a memory. It's current memory is to the size of the spool of line you used and that is much bigger then your reel. When I spool a reel I wet a rag with some line conditioner and hold the line taught with it as I reel. There is a coating on new line and this helps remove it and gets the line to lay better on the reel. Even just a wet paper towel will help take off the chalky coating and green crap from braid. This is just how I do it. I am sure some do it differently and some exactly the same. I really do recommend running new line through some kind of wet rag though when you are spooling. You might be amazed and how much stuff comes off the line.

[.RM.]

Zeeso,

When you spool your reels run your line through the middle of a phone book this will give you about enough tension on the line to properly lay it. Overuns mostly  from an improperly setup reel, I would say read the pinned artical on how to properly set up your reel. You could have th cast control to lose, not enough brake, take the time and read it...

 

Good Luck & Tight Lines! 

[new2BC4bass]

I never spool line based on the weight of the lures I will be using...........with one exception.  My preference for 1/4 oz. and less on b/c reels is 6# mono.  MH rods carry 12# mono while M rods carry 8# mono.  This is not 100%, but true for the majority of my rods.  A friend prefers 15# on almost all of his rods.  Personal preference....as always.

 

As previously stated, use line conditioner when spooling on new line.  Spool with the line coming over the top of the refill spool.  Soak the line for a few minutes in hot water before spooling....a trick I learned on here. 

 

I spool line on snugly, but make no effort to keep it really tight.  Braid is the only line I try to spool on tight.

 

I am like you in that I use b/c reels from several manufacturers.  All I can say is..........practice.  Some people like only one brand of reel so they know exactly what to expect when going from one rod to another.  Some prefer only one line of rods for the same reason.  However, I don't see mixing both as any real problem.  Sometimes it might take a couple casts on the new combo to settle into its nuances, but not to the point where you will backlash simply because you switched combos.  Maybe those 2 or 3 casts are critical for a tournament fisherman, but they aren't for me.  Call me , but I enjoy variety. 

[frogflogger]

An old trick is put the spool of line in a bucket of water and crank it on your reel tensioning your line lightly with your fingers.

[*Hootie]

  On 3/23/2014 at 1:07 PM, .RM. said:

Zeeso,

When you spool your reels run your line through the middle of a phone book this will give you about enough tension on the line to properly lay it. Overuns mostly  from an improperly setup reel, I would say read the pinned artical on how to properly set up your reel. You could have th cast control to lose, not enough brake, take the time and read it...

 

Good Luck & Tight Lines! 

 

Phone book,.... now that's quaint. Haven't seen one of them in a long time...lol.

 

Hootie

[Jeff H]

  On 3/23/2014 at 5:31 PM, hootiebenji said:

Phone book,.... now that's quaint. Haven't seen one of them in a long time...lol.

 

Hootie

That made me laugh! 

[mjseverson24]

I would say that most of your issue is the line memory, Use reel magic or something like that, and it should take care of the piano wire issue... 

 

Mitch

[stk]

Cannot comment on the line conditioner but it is worth a try by the number of responses. My comment is on the baitcaster, if I remember correctly the centrifugal brakes are for the initial spool rotation during a cast and the magnetic brakes are for the end of the cast. If you are back lashing at the beginning or end of a cast adjust accordingly. That's of course if the revo has the dual brake system. A well trained thumb really helps. Good luck.

[.RM.]

  On 3/23/2014 at 5:31 PM, hootiebenji said:

Phone book,.... now that's quaint. Haven't seen one of them in a long time...lol.

 

Hootie

I'll send you some, I get at least 6 local yellow books a year....

[Fish Murderer 71]

Mono gives me more problems with backlash than anything else I use.  Reel Magic (oil based) helps a lot. If I spool it loose it gets ugly quick!  If I spool it tight it doesnt cast as far,  The most important to me is that it is FULL!!!!  I personally only have one set up that has mono and that is my topwater, other than that I'm a Fluoro junkie, with a couple of braid only setups too.