Backlash

[Brody Wilson]

Hey guys, so I just got a 13 fishing baitcaster it is the concept A3. I have it on a Favorite fishing 7’2 casting rod. Yesterday I was out wading on the river jigging, no problems at all worked like a dream. Today was much different, I would backlash about every other cast. It was mid cast, almost like my bait would stop in mid-air and then I’d get a horrible backlash. I run 20lb braid with a 12lb mono leader, not sure if that will help you guys at all. Please give me all of your recommendations, I’d like to get this fixed because it was my favorite casting combo yet. Thanks!!

[Scott F]

When you were getting backlashes, were you casting into the wind? 

[Hammer 4]

20 lb braid on a baitcaster isn't the best combo..although you can get away with it until...it gets windy, or you tie on to light of a bait..40 lb braid would be better. Also, check your settings on your reel when throwing different weight lures to compensate..And keep your cast's as low, or parallel to the water as possible. 

[Brody Wilson]

No wind. And it could have been the settings, because I went from a jig to a crank bait. What do you recommend I switch my settings to? Maybe that’s why it was stopping in the middle of the air and backlashing really bad?

[Hammer 4]

Just now, Brody Wilson said:

No wind. And it could have been the settings, because I went from a jig to a crank bait. What do you recommend I switch my settings to?

Heavier baits I back off the brakes a tad, and spool tension as much as I can get away with. Lighter lures add more braking, and if need be, more spool tension. Again lower cast's vs high bombing cast's work better..

[Brody Wilson]

Thanks! Wasn’t really bombing it at all. I usually keep my casts low and to the side. I’m just confused on why it was doing this today. 

[Hammer 4]

3 minutes ago, Brody Wilson said:

Thanks! Wasn’t really bombing it at all. I usually keep my casts low and to the side. I’m just confused on why it was doing this today. 

Hard to say why..With time it will get better, practice, practice..and more practice..

[Scott F]

26 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

20 lb braid on a baitcaster isn't the best combo..although you can get away with it until...it gets windy, or you tie on to light of a bait..40 lb braid would be better. Also, check your settings on your reel when throwing different weight lures to compensate..And keep your cast's as low, or parallel to the water as possible. 

Why isn't it the best combo? I've been using nothing but 20 lb braid on almost all of my baitcasters for many years and don't have any issues with backlashes or line digging in. I like lighter line so I can cast farther and have my baits run deeper. I haven't found a reason why heavier line would be of any advantage except on my musky rod.

[Hammer 4]

Scott, where I fish, we usually get fairly strong winds. Lighter braid is susceptible to wind knots. 

 

Granted lighter braid may cast a bit further, and fishing from shore longer cast's are a good thing 99% of the time.

 

I stopped using light braid years ago..If it works for you..great, but it won't in some cases.    

[Junger]

Lures have different aerodynamics that will affect how they fly through the air. Spinnerbaits are the worst, I always tighten up my settings before throwing them, then adjusting from there.

[haggard]

46 minutes ago, Brody Wilson said:

Wasn’t really bombing it at all. I usually keep my casts low and to the side. I’m just confused on why it was doing this today

Also practice a slow, low, gentle side cast - almost slow motion - instead of a snap/whip. Then just work your way up.

 

[GreenPig]

The braid on my baitcasters starts a 40 lb. Too much digging into itself for me. 

[The Bassman]

7 hours ago, Junger said:

Lures have different aerodynamics that will affect how they fly through the air. Spinnerbaits are the worst, I always tighten up my settings before throwing them, then adjusting from there.

This. I look like a real pro with my practice plugs but can't get bit on 'em.

[NYWayfarer]

19 hours ago, Brody Wilson said:

  Today was much different, I would backlash about every other cast. It was mid cast, almost like my bait would stop in mid-air and then I’d get a horrible backlash.

That sounds like you have a knot in the line on your spool. Pull line out until you get to the knot. Try to get the knot out if you can't you might have to cut it.

[islandbass]

On 9/11/2019 at 6:41 PM, Scott F said:

Why isn't it the best combo? I've been using nothing but 20 lb braid on almost all of my baitcasters for many years and don't have any issues with backlashes or line digging in. I like lighter line so I can cast farther and have my baits run deeper. I haven't found a reason why heavier line would be of any advantage except on my musky rod.

You can handle 20# braid and I too can handle it. However, not everyone can and from what the OP is describing, it sure sounds like line dig.

 

@Brody Wilsonfrom what you describe, I would guess you're dealing with line dig. Braid at 20# or less is quite susceptible to having it "dig" into itself on a casting reel. Some people like Scott and me can handle it and therefore "get away with it" but others cannot.

 

It can happen when you try to free a stuck lure and you pull hard enough to make the line dig into itself on the spool.

 

It happens less the heavier the lure because the lure's heavy weight can "bust through" the line dug in such a way you might not even notice. Then, if you switch to a lighter lure with some line dig in place, it might not have the mass to "break free" the lure stops in mid flight and if you're not fast enough to react, you might get some overrun, but it is usually minor.

 

Stepping up to 30# would greatly lessen the opportunity for line dig and it is still thin enough to make really long casts.

 

 

[txchaser]

One thing that occasionally gives me some line dig is after a really hard hookset or a tough fight. Don't bomb the next cast, just put it out there gently.