Losing Lures on Braided Baitcaster

[Domino256]

I am having some issues casting. I have a CHEAP baitcaster that I got on Wish.com and after almost a year with it I am still having some issues with birdsnesting and line snapping. I have 30lb Spiderwire Braid spooled on it and sometimes when I cast, the line snaps off at the reel and my Project Z is flying to the bottom of a lake. Looking at the line for the end where is snapped is next to impossible and the line digs into the line on the spool. Any recommendations other than buying a new baitcaster? I dont want to make a good investment on nice equipment if Im the one doing something wrong. 

[Choporoz]

A few Project Z's and a spool of braid would cost probably about the same as a reliable baitcasting reel. 

 

Maybe this will help?

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/cast-adjust-baitcast.html

[SmallBlockMuscle]

Ditch the spiderwire too

[new2BC4bass]

Use 40# braid minimum.  I've had no problems with it digging in.  Sudden stops with braid is a recipe for losing lures.

 

A good reel set up properly will help eliminate bird nests.  The rest is up to you.  It need not be expensive.  Look for a quality used reel.  Some great deals are out there.  You just need to keep an eye an a few forums with classifieds.  Our Flea Market is a good place to start.  There are also state bass forums.  I have found some really good deals on the Texas and New York ones.

 

And...yes...I am aware many have no problem with 15# or 20# braid on a casting reel.  The OP is.  40# should take care of it digging in until he gets more familiar with using it..

[mattkenzer]

Keep it tight on the spool ...... line conditioner.

[Big Rick]

Most of the time braided line biting into the spool is caused from a stout, quick pull on the line like a hook set or trying to get a bait loose. If you anticipate that you can be prepared on the next cast by casting much softer to reach the point of the bite-in and pull it free. It the hazards of using braid, especially with methods that invite a slack spool like frogging, jigging, and the like. 

[Lead Head]

I would suggest a fuego ct from eBay and (as mentioned earlier) larger braid. If you want to keep the braid cost down go Kastking. This would only cost around $60, and should (in my opinion) give you a quality "budget" setup. If your problems continue from there it is user error and not the quality of equipment. In my experience, light braid on a finicky baitcaster is a recipe for disaster. Plenty of people do it, but it requires some experience and attention to detail. 

[NHBull]

There is no substitute for a trained thumb and properly spooled line. You should not be digging in with 30 lb if the two are good. On a side note, are you finding it happened more when casting in to the wind?  Are you making an occasional long cast after a a bunch fluffy ones?

[PNW LipRipper]

"Sudden stops with braid is a recipe for losing lures " is very true like mentioned the above along with positive thumb control don't for get to add some backing on the spool first ( electrical tape, mono, or floro ) reel is fine in most cases. On a side note don't keep count on how many lures you have lost or $$ in them that's just asking for a heart attack 

[sully420]

50lb power pro will solve this issue

[dodgeguy]

Never use under 50. Buy a good reel.

[islandbass]

With every birds nest you create, you risk damage the line via kinks when you pull on it to undo the tangles.

 

If I were you, I'd replace that line immediately. If you're snapping off that frequently, the line is probably damaged and kinked beyond use.  If you want to stick with braid, then step up to at least 50 lb test.

 

Also, stay away for using lures that are too light for your rod or aren't fairly aerodynamic in windy conditions.  With both, you will be forced to manipulate your mechanics just to make a cast to get your lure out there and thereby increase your birdnesting possibilities.  I don't think I can blame the reel given your description, although it might very well be a culprit. The adage, "You get what you pay for," usually rings true with bait cast reels. Sorry.

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

If you don't want to buy a new reel, then I would suggest 40#-50# Sufix Performance braid.  A quality braid at a reasonable price.  Try to keep the braid relatively tight on the spool.  If that doesn't cure the break-offs (and if it isn't your casting), then I'd suggest you bite the bullet and get a better reel.  Actually I'd suggest the better reel right now if you can afford one.  Might save you some time and aggravation.

 

I'm a fan of Daiwa so I'd join the queue for a Fuego CT.  Also FFO is having a buy one get second at 50% off sale.  Either the Pflueger Supreme XT at $88.88 (reg. price $149.95) or the Pflueger Patriarch at $105 (reg. price $199.95) would give you a very nice reel for the money.  Pflueger is a company that gets no respect for its casting reels, but I have enjoyed the ones I have.

 

Another option is to haunt the classifieds.  There is a Tatula CT on another site for $80 in VG/Excellent condition.  Last year I got a Patriarch XT in very good condition for $65...a $250 reel when new.

[LionHeart]

So you bought a baitcaster on Wish and it seems to be giving you trouble? Lol, come on dude, toss that junk where it belongs.

[Domino256]

Decided to ditch the Spiderwire and put on 15lb omniflex from Walmart and it performed much better than braid ever did on that reel. 

https://imgur.com/gallery/zMzsQNc

[Ratherbfishing]

I don't know what a "project Z" is (a projectile?) but when you get a backlash, are you being sure to completely "work out" the original snarl before you make any more casts?  Any abrupt/sudden stop as the line feeds out and then catches at the tangle will most definitely cause a bait to "pop" and go "skyward."  Your problem probably isn't the line.  Nearly any line (cheap or quality) will break (especially at the knot) if there is a sudden stop so you can practice your casts until there are fewer backlashes, work out the backlashes completely before casting again and/or, perhaps, get a better reel which backlashes less.

[OnthePotomac]

And use a uni knot/fishing fool to tie on your lures and you will not lose them anymore.  Braid, as you have learned can be tricky and the wrong knot under pressure will pop open.

[fishballer06]

Spiderwire is the only braid I've ever had that snaps during the cast. For whatever reason, that's it's major flaw. I highly recommend ditching the Spirewire and getting something else like Suffix 832 or PowerPro.

[FryDog62]

Biggest culprit of the line stopping and snapping is casting too hard.  Doing that will magnify underlying problems you have with line digging in, not being spooled tightly, a loop, etc.  Nice easy casts, with fluid follow through will probably cast a lure as far, or nearly as far... without the risk of sudden stop/snap.  

 

I know easier said said than done, I still cast too hard from time to time as well.  Was out with a Hall-of-Fame fisherman earlier this summer and watched him snap one off too.  Made me feel a little better anyway

[Domino256]

***UPDATE***
I ended up seeing a Kastking Royal Legend on Amazon for $40 so I thought it was a good deal. Ended up getting it and paired it with a new AIRX661MFB by Daiwa I got from Academy Sports. I put 15lb mono on it and am enjoying it a lot. I think I could cast farther if I use the AIRX661MHFB but this change has definitely helped my fishing game. Still no fish on the new setup but I am more accurate with my casts. 

Thanks, everyone for your help!