How do I not get a rats nest in my reel

[21qdodge]

I just got a carbon lite 2.0 ml rod and a shimano curado 71xg. I threw a a couple of jigs and squid assassin and every time I got a rats nest. I tuned the bait and tried different brake settings but still got rat nests. What do I do? 

[jbsoonerfan]

 

[jimmyjoe]

   What line are you using?    jj

[papajoe222]

I'm assuming that this is your first baitcaster.

After you watch Glen's video, keep this in mind; Don't try casting for distance when first starting out. A smooth, fluid motion and proper spool tension will prevent most backlashes. When attempting to cast for distance, many anglers put more effort into the forward part of the cast than they do their back cast. This results in a quick start-up of the reel's spool and the line coming off the spool isn't being pulled out fast enough. It stays on the spool as the spool turns and results in an overrun, or backlash.  You can get away with that type of cast using a spinning reel because the spool doesn't spin. The line is pulled off the spool and that's what you need to accomplish with a baitcaster. Let the lure pull the line off the spool. A cast that results in the same amount of effort placed on both parts of the cast allows the lure to pull the line fluidly off the spool and the spool tension and braking system help to keep the spool from spinning faster than the line is being taken off. 

[Fishes in trees]

I've got a Curado 70.  In the hands of an experienced bait caster user, a dedicated member of the Shimano cult ( which I am, more or less), that reel can be tricky to adjust.  If this is your first bait caster - my condolences, it can be frustrating as it is very "touchy", in my opinion.   It took me a while, most of a season, to find out how to use it best.   This isn't a reel that you can muscle up to get more distance.   That is just begging for a back lash.  I've found that everything about this reel requires a soft, finesse approach.  I'd learn to pitch with it before I considered learning to do more distance with overhead casts.  The rod you've got ain't exactly conducive to pitching, but you can make do with it for now.   Sooner or later you're going to want a MH rod with an extra fast tip.  On a positive note,  I find that this reel is very light and very sensitive and once you've learned this reel, there are lots of other Shimano reels that will be a cinch to learn to use.   The directions that come with the reel work, you've just got to take the time to learn the reel and educate your thumb.  Practice - a bunch.   For now, I wouldn't buy any expensive line, no fluorocarbon, nothing like that.   Get some cheap Big Game or something similar to learn on.   You are going to get backlashes, no sense in unnecessarily bruising your wallet when you do.  Get a pick, those sometimes make backlashes easier to untangle.  What are you going to use this reel for?  In my opinion, it is a pitching reel, for throwing soft plastics, jigs, jig worms, "feel baits", that sort of stuff.    I don't think that it has the line capacity to throw reaction baits like cranks or spinner baits.  Good Luck

[21qdodge]

4 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

   What line are you using?    jj

I’m using six pound co polymer

4 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

I'm assuming that this is your first baitcaster.

After you watch Glen's video, keep this in mind; Don't try casting for distance when first starting out. A smooth, fluid motion and proper spool tension will prevent most backlashes. When attempting to cast for distance, many anglers put more effort into the forward part of the cast than they do their back cast. This results in a quick start-up of the reel's spool and the line coming off the spool isn't being pulled out fast enough. It stays on the spool as the spool turns and results in an overrun, or backlash.  You can get away with that type of cast using a spinning reel because the spool doesn't spin. The line is pulled off the spool and that's what you need to accomplish with a baitcaster. Let the lure pull the line off the spool. A cast that results in the same amount of effort placed on both parts of the cast allows the lure to pull the line fluidly off the spool and the spool tension and braking system help to keep the spool from spinning faster than the line is being taken off. 

This isn’t my first baitcaster. This is my second baitcaster. My first one is a lot easier to handle and to throw stuff. 

[jimmyjoe]

6 hours ago, 21qdodge said:

I’m using six pound co polymer

   I have a 70xg. I throw 1/8 true weight lures. I will not use line smaller than 11 mil (.011") diameter. Low diameter line might be your problem. Try larger diameter line.       jj

[Glaucus]

You're using too light of line for a baitcaster, especially with it being just your second one.

[TBAG]

Yeah, 6lb co-poly is wayyyy too small diameter line on a baitcaster, especially your first one.

[FordsnFishin]

Bump that line up to 12lb minimum

[new2BC4bass]

I don't have the Curado, but a Scorpion 71...the Japanese model.  I have to agree with fishes in trees.  It is my first...and only...Shimano with SVS Infinity brake system.  Not nearly as easy to set up as my older Shimanos.   I just recently put some 6# co-polymer on a reel designated for finesse fishing.  Only been out once with it so far, so I can't really comment on how well it will handle.  I don't remember having a problem with it.  I will say that I use 8# mono and co-polymer lines on a lot of casting rods.  I have never had a problem. 8# is my go to line for Medium power and under casting rods.  12# for my MH casting rods.

[papajoe222]

Light line on a baitcaster only results in troubles when the operator relies solely on the reel to control overruns. The use of your thumb when casting, in conjunction with your reel’s controls will eliminate backlashes. There is a learning curve in doing this.  I learned using reels with zero braking systems and spool tension adjustments that left a lot to be desired compared to today’s offerings. 
my advice to the OP is to keep practicing and use your thumb. 

[new2BC4bass]

22 minutes ago, papajoe222 said:

Light line on a baitcaster only results in troubles when the operator relies solely on the reel to control overruns. The use of your thumb when casting, in conjunction with your reel’s controls will eliminate backlashes. There is a learning curve in doing this.  I learned using reels with zero braking systems and spool tension adjustments that left a lot to be desired compared to today’s offerings. 
my advice to the OP is to keep practicing and use your thumb. 

Thus you are better with a casting reel than I ever will be.

[OnthePotomac]

I agree on the line weight.  I have three 70's and all have 12llb Invizx on them.  I use two brakes on and the outside dial on "2".

2 hours ago, FordsnFishin said:

Bump that line up to 12lb minimum

Or a 10lb will work, which I have used on my 70's, but now have 12lb Invizx on them.  I never had a problem with 10lb flouro.

[jimmyjoe]

2 hours ago, OnthePotomac said:

Or a 10lb will work, which I have used on my 70's, but now have 12lb Invizx on them.

     I believe that every different reel and design has a predilection for a certain line diameter and line flex. That particular line will work best on that reel. And of the lines that I have used, 12 lb. InvizX works best on my Curado 70. I'm not saying it's magic, or the best line, but of the lines that are consistent and easily controlled, InvizX casts the furthest while retaining accuracy. 

   None of my other reels like FC line at all. Go figure.     jj

[JustJames]

Yeah, get a bigger line and at least it will be a lot easier to fix the backlash lol ? 

#6 copolymer ~ .010

10lb invizX also .010

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, jimmyjoe said:

     I believe that every different reel and design has a predilection for a certain line diameter and line flex. That particular line will work best on that reel. And of the lines that I have used, 12 lb. InvizX works best on my Curado 70. I'm not saying it's magic, or the best line, but of the lines that are consistent and easily controlled, InvizX casts the furthest while retaining accuracy. 

   None of my other reels like FC line at all. Go figure.     jj

You bring up a good point.  One I never thought of.  But....man...that is a lot of work to find out what line and pound test works best on every reel you own. 

[jimmyjoe]

2 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

You bring up a good point.  One I never thought of.  But....man...that is a lot of work to find out what line and pound test works best on every reel you own. 

   It might or might not be a lot of work, but it's a lot of money. Good reason to settle for "good enough".      jj

[dodgeguy]

Or just get a Lews with a 27 position adjustable centrifugal brake.

[new2BC4bass]

12 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

Or just get a Lews with a 27 position adjustable centrifugal brake.

Had my Pro Z out for a few minutes yesterday on a new-2-me rod.    Would have been longer if I hadn't shot the breeze for so long with another fisherman.

[WRB]

There is a generation of bass anglers who believe the baitcasting reel can be cast without training your thumb to prevent backlashes.

Tom

[21qdodge]

Thank you guys. I was casting the baitcaster wrong. I don’t really get that many backlashes now. Plus my thumb has gotten better. I’ll probably switch lines idk. Thank you guys

[garroyo130]

On 3/16/2020 at 8:06 AM, new2BC4bass said:

Shimano with SVS Infinity brake system.  Not nearly as easy to set up as my older Shimanos.

Not only this but it also seems its designed for a greasy reel. 

 

When i first picked up my Citica I, i couldnt figure out what everyone was griping about. It casted fine. 

Then i cleaned the bearings. It opened up the reel but made it a pain to dial it in. For a while i settled on keeping the infinity or whatever its called on 6 and only changing the spool tension and brake blocks. That worked until i got more comfortable with the reel.

[J.Bass]

Another thing not mentioned that plays huge in bait casting making sure your knobs on the side of reel balance the lure. If not it’ll backlash every time. You want it to hit floor smoothly. Too fast will cause backlashes. It takes practice but once you get this step down it’s all downhill from here.

[Glenn]

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