Braid on a Baitcaster

[Somd Fx4]

hello fellow anglers, After a few weekends of lots of backlash and twisted line the mono on my baitcasters has gone to go. I spend more time undoing bird nests than fishing. I've seen a few youtube anglers that use braid on their baitcasters. I'm no pro but won't braid break off instead of bird's nesting? Or does anybody have a recommendation for a low memory line?

[burrows]

If you’re new to baitcasters I wouldn’t go braid just yet keep trying cheap mono for a wile till you get the hang of it 12 pound big game cast great and is cheap so you can cut those bird nest off and respool if need be.

[islandbass]

10 minutes ago, Burros said:

If you’re new to baitcasters I wouldn’t go braid just yet keep trying cheap mono for a wile till you get the hang of it 12 pound big game cast great and is cheap so you can cut those bird nest off and respool if need be.

I agree 100% if you’re new. 

 

 

@Somd Fx4: have you tried to figure out the cause(s) of the birdsnests? Also, to answer your question about braid, the answer is no. Any line can birds nest. Period, no ifs, ands or buts. Being that braid is more expensive than mono, it’s not worth the cost and trouble. I am speaking from personal experience. I loaded my first Curado and casting lp reel with 30# braid. It was also my first time using braid. Talk about a double whammy. I let my thumb off the spool to late and my weight slammed into the ground and whathrrrrup! Instant birds nest. First cast. Not recoverable. I could only laugh looking back at it but it was upsetting. 

[Lead Head]

Most people go 30lb and over on baitcasters.... that stuff isn't going to break off on a cast. I would suggest 50lb braid if it's your first time using it, you will have less "dig in" and backlashes will be easier to dig out. You are also far less likely to damage braid when picking it out. 

Braid probably isn't going to eliminate a backlash problem. If your spending half your fishing time digging out a backlash you would probably be better served tightening up your brakes a bit and losing some casting distance. It's a pain but it's better than being on the water and spending half your time doing things other than fishing. 

[Somd Fx4]

Thanks guys! you all confirmed my fear not to switch to braid. As far as the cause, I'm not sure. I have 2 baitcasters. 1 bps carbonlite 2.0 and a brand new Shimano Caenen 150a. Both have the same line Trilene XL 10lb from the same spool. The bps reel does the majority of the backlashing. I feel pretty confident that the cast control is adjusted properly but the dual brake not sure. When the line comes off the reel any slack instantly twists and coils.

[Darren.]

4 hours ago, Somd Fx4 said:

hello fellow anglers, After a few weekends of lots of backlash and twisted line the mono on my baitcasters has gone to go. I spend more time undoing bird nests than fishing. I've seen a few youtube anglers that use braid on their baitcasters. I'm no pro but won't braid break off instead of bird's nesting? Or does anybody have a recommendation for a low memory line?

I use braid on my BC.

 

Here's a great tip I learned from a Bill Dance show:

 

And with either braid or mono/fluoro. Cast a plug or weight

about what you'd use on the water - as far as you can w/o

backlashing.

 

Oh, do this at home in the yard or on the street or something

like that.

 

Once you've done this, take a piece of electrical tape cut to the

width of the spool and tape it on that point - after the cast.

 

Rub it down, then reel in your plug/weight. Next time you cast

and backlash, it'll stop at the tape. If you can't get it out, you'll

only have to cut out up to that tape.

 

As well, braid doesn't kink like mono/fluoro, so getting out the

nest means you can usually just reel in and go back to fishing.

[kenmitch]

23 minutes ago, Somd Fx4 said:

Thanks guys! you all confirmed my fear not to switch to braid. As far as the cause, I'm not sure. I have 2 baitcasters. 1 bps carbonlite 2.0 and a brand new Shimano Caenen 150a. Both have the same line Trilene XL 10lb from the same spool. The bps reel does the majority of the backlashing. I feel pretty confident that the cast control is adjusted properly but the dual brake not sure. When the line comes off the reel any slack instantly twists and coils.

Slack instantly twisting and coiling doesn't sound normal for a baitcaster setup. How did you spool up your reels? What kind of baits are you throwing? 

[Lead Head]

Something to keep in mind... having a baitcaster "set up properly" and having one "set up properly for you" are two completely different things. I like to think of what is considered "proper setup" as a starting point, then tweak to suit your needs and or conditions from there.

 

Having said all that, 10lb XL should be pretty manageable and the drastic twists and coils your describing suggest some sort of funky line problem. 

[Somd Fx4]

That reel was spooled at a local tackle before I learned how to do it myself. It is my all purpose rod. basically everything that doesn't have treble hooks. Instantly maybe a bit much. It coils up enough to where tying a knot is a chore.

4 minutes ago, Lead Head said:

Something to keep in mind... having a baitcaster "set up properly" and having one "set up properly for you" are two completely different things. I like to think of what is considered "proper setup" as a starting point, then tweak to suit your needs and or conditions from there.

 

Having said all that, 10lb XL should be pretty manageable and the drastic twists and coils your describing suggest some sort of funky line problem. 

I completely agree. I believe the cast control is tuned to me but not sure about the dual braking system. Line is cheap I might just re-spool it with more XL and see what gives.

[Lead Head]

Just a thought... if your really wanting to try braid it don't have to be expensive. Last I checked you could get a 150 yard spool of kastking braid shipped for just under 5$. Haven't tried it on a baitcaster yet but do have some on a spinning reel and have no complaints. 

[new2BC4bass]

5 hours ago, Lead Head said:

Most people go 30lb and over on baitcasters.... that stuff isn't going to break off on a cast. I would suggest 50lb braid if it's your first time using it, you will have less "dig in" and backlashes will be easier to dig out. You are also far less likely to damage braid when picking it out. 

Braid probably isn't going to eliminate a backlash problem. If your spending half your fishing time digging out a backlash you would probably be better served tightening up your brakes a bit and losing some casting distance. It's a pain but it's better than being on the water and spending half your time doing things other than fishing. 

If it is a normal cast.  I had 30# braid wrap around the tip of a MH spinning rod....and failed to notice it before the cast.  Only wish I could cast that far.    A new 1/2 oz. jig went sailing off into the wild blue yonder. 

[clh121787]

Often times line size, lure weight and rod power  can upset casting if they are not all in sync. What's your specific set up 

[Vincent_Diesel]

8 minutes ago, clh121787 said:

Often times line size, lure weight and rod power  can upset casting if they are not all in sync. What's your specific set up 

Totally agree with this. Bought my first baitcaster yesterday, and was ready to go back to spinning within the first hour. After dialing in my setup based on specs for my rod and reel I am now feeling I don't want to go back to spinning. 

 

After practicing with a full spool of fluoro line I was confident in my setup. Now I am throwing with braid. Check your setup and post back.

[LionHeart]

Most likely it ain't the line.  There are no shortcuts.  You just need to practice.  Everyone goes through it.  Best advice I can give you is make sure your reel is set up properly, don't go for long distance, and start with a somewhat aerodynamic lure.  Braid will backlash like a mofo  if you have poor casting technique, and can be more difficult to clear a birdnest.  I have had some whoppers.

 

 

 

Having said all that, braided line for life. ?

[standman]

I’ll go against the grain and recommend you switch to braid (even cheap KastKing or similar).  I switched to bait casting gear couple years ago and also had “occasional” birds nests with the mono with resulted in line being cut/damaged (in the middle) and basically useless.  After going to braid, I still get occasional backlash/birdsnest (mostly when hitting a branch or something mid cast), but I have yet to get one that I can’t pick out in little to no time.

[Lead Head]

6 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

If it is a normal cast.  I had 30# braid wrap around the tip of a MH spinning rod....and failed to notice it before the cast.  Only wish I could cast that far.    A new 1/2 oz. jig went sailing off into the wild blue yonder. 

Fair enough... I guess anything is possible even if not probable. Heck sounds like you got off easy, with my luck it would be the tip of my rod that flew away. 

[new2BC4bass]

I've only been here 9-1/2 years, but I can tell you that I'm not the only one to snap a lure off with braid.

 

I would have cried if the tip got snapped.  It is one of the rod's I spent the least amount of money on, but has the highest MSRP of any rod I own.  An original Cielo spinning rod I bought on closeout.

[NYWayfarer]

16 hours ago, Burros said:

If you’re new to baitcasters I wouldn’t go braid just yet keep trying cheap mono for a wile till you get the hang of it 12 pound big game cast great and is cheap so you can cut those bird nest off and respool if need be.

I agree going with 12 pound big game. Treat it with some line conditioner like KVD L&L or Reel Snot and you should be fine.

 

Make sure you are not casting lures that are to light. That was my biggest source of backlashes as a beginner.

[Fishingmickey]

16 hours ago, Somd Fx4 said:

Thanks guys! you all confirmed my fear not to switch to braid. As far as the cause, I'm not sure. I have 2 baitcasters. 1 bps carbonlite 2.0 and a brand new Shimano Caenen 150a. Both have the same line Trilene XL 10lb from the same spool. The bps reel does the majority of the backlashing. I feel pretty confident that the cast control is adjusted properly but the dual brake not sure. When the line comes off the reel any slack instantly twists and coils.

FX4,

     It kinda of sounds like your line is badly twisted. Are you fishing from a boat or kayak?  If so what I have found that works to remove twists from line is to get your boat or kayak moving and let out your line with nothing tied on the end (just bare line). Keep letting line out, maybe even half a spool or better till the line your letting out doesn't kink when you give it slack. Drag behind the boat or kayak for at least 7-10 minutes. the dragging will allow the line to untwist and you shouldn't have the instant "kink" issues when you have slack in the line.

     Or just say screw it and respool with new XL or Big game.  A couple of hints, don't overfill your spool, fill to maybe 3/4th's or a little more. Second is to go out in the yard and play with your reel making short casts or pitches with a half oz weight. Learn to feel the spool turning under your thumb. play with your brakes and see the effects the changes you make to your casting.

     Good luck hope that helps you out.

Regards,

Fishingmickey

 

p.s. I see several others recommended the same things... I should have read through the entire post.

[Somd Fx4]

15 hours ago, clh121787 said:

Often times line size, lure weight and rod power  can upset casting if they are not all in sync. What's your specific set up 

specifics are 6'6 mh fast johnny morris carbonlite 2.0 combo with 10 lb Trilene XL. I rarely throw anything under 1/2 oz for this reason but it is not working. When casting I try not to flick the wrist I noticed for me that causes backlash. And I don't go for the home run derby swing. I personally don't care about casting distance. I'll cast as many times as I need too.

Thanks for all the tips guys! Both baitcaster are less then 6 months old. Heck my Shimano I have only had for a few weeks. I have a very rare backlash on that one both with same line. I will tend to agree with practice as I am certainly no pro. 

 

Fishingmickey, I do fish from a kayak. I will definitely try this next time out. 

[Fishingmickey]

39 minutes ago, Somd Fx4 said:

 

Fishingmickey, I do fish from a kayak. I will definitely try this next time out. 

FX4,

    It will make it a bit more challenging to get your line to go out but not impossible. Once you have about 5 to 10 yards of line out the line will create it's own drag through the water to pull it off of the reel. I really think the twisted line on your BPS reel might be contributing to your backlash issue  and just plain causing problems.

Good luck and report back if it works out great.

FM 

[CrankFate]

Your best bet is to stick it out with the braid. Use 10 - 20lb test, but ignore advertised thinness. Get the roundest line you can find. If it’s square or jagged, pass and find something round and not overly thin. Thinness is way overrated for casting.

[Glaucus]

7 minutes ago, CrankFate said:

Your best bet is to stick it out with the braid. Use 10 - 20lb test, but ignore advertised thinness. Get the roundest line you can find. If it’s square or jagged, pass and find something round and not overly thin. Thinness is way overrated for casting.

2-6lb diameter on a baitcaster is a nightmare waiting to happen, especially for a beginner. I would ignore this advice, OP. That's way too thin for a baitcaster. Experienced people can get away with 20lb braid (6lb diameter), but it will have it's fair share of problems, especially with digging.

[Krux5506]

I fish 20# power pro on two different bait casters and never had any more issues with backlashing than with other lines.  Although I've done this since day 1 not knowing any different, so I guess I just got used to it. I think the biggest thing is getting used to dialing in your reel for different lures/wind conditions, and also maybe not trying to cast as hard/far as humanly possible. Let the rod/reel do the work.

[J Francho]

Changing line won't fix the issue.  It's reel setup and technique related.