Overhead Cast With Baitcaster

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Thanks for all of the great advice! 

 

I am using an Abu Garcia Silvermax reel on a Veritas 7' rod.

 

I think that one of the main things I am seeing that I am doing wrong is not "thumbing" the line as it goes out.  I was under the impression for some reason that I should let the line spool off freely and then gently brake it with my thumb prior to the lure hitting the water.  I was not aware that I needed to have some contact with the line the entire time.

 

Also, I think that my release angle is messed up.  I think I am waiting too long to lift my thumb and let line spool off, resulting in the lure crashing hard into the water and backlashing.  I'll get back out in the yard and practice more.

 

Thanks for all of the great advice!

Yes and No on this just depends on that particular cast.

On long casts many times there is NO thumb needed til water contact, line may run a bit during the cast but letting it work its way out is possible. This is where familiarity/experience come into play. On short fast casts thumbing feathering the spool may come into play more.

[kcdinkerz]

Turn your reel sideways.

[Blues19]

Don't throw it as hard as you can. Also make sure you are casting smooth. Those are two very important things you need to keep in mind while learning.  It takes time but soon you will get better. And with every backlash, you get better at takiing those out too.  So the more you practice, the more you get better with two things.

[ytail]

Basically you need to have an educated thumb. I would try to put your thumb on the spool at all time while casting and don't cast too hard initially. Once you manage to get good casts then gradually reduce the thumb pressure on the spool and increase the casting force. Step by step I think you will eventually get much better. Good luck.

 

To clear the bird nest may want to bring a tooth pick or something like it.

 

I picked up my first bait casting setup towards the end of last season. I got to where I could cast my lures side armed without too much trouble. The issue that I am having is that every time I try to do an overhead cast, I get nasty backlash.

I have not had a Baitcaster long enough to have figured out the tricks to clearing a backlash. I have watched the videos on YouTube, but for some reason I can never clear my backlashes like the guys in the videos. This leads to me having to cut line, eat up a bunch of time, and generally getting ticked off. Anyway, I digress.

So my main question is, what is wrong with my technique that is causing backlash on every overhead cast? My secondary question is, does anybody have a tried and true method of clearing backlash that will not make me want to throw things and cuss?

[Ozark_Basser]

2.) Tightening the drag and reeling against the drag while holding the spool to clear tangles works about 90% of the time, although in some cases you have to do it multiple times. A bad overrun could take 8-10 tries to completely clear

This is absolutely the fastest way to get a bad backlash out.

[lecisnith]

edfitzvb, on 19 Feb 2015 - 05:26 AM, said:

2.) Tightening the drag and reeling against the drag while holding the spool to clear tangles works about 90% of the time, although in some cases you have to do it multiple times. A bad overrun could take 8-10 tries to completely clear

This is absolutely the fastest way to get a bad backlash out.

No s***? That should make my life a little easier.

[Mattfrom_NJ]

This video by Daiwa helped me 

[Tharnaux]

On 2/19/2015 at 6:34 AM, new2BC4bass said:

 

I'm surprised the memory of 25# mono didn't drive you bonkers.  I'd suggest starting with a soft 12# mono such as Sufix Elite or Trilene XL or Sunline Super Natural.

I just ordered myself a black max myself. I put on 20lb braided line on to it. Had a bad birds nest when I first tested it. I was stupid to try overhead cast as the first time. So I'm currently learning to use it...learning the tension and all that (btw my first baitcaster) definitely following this arrival for more tips