Backlash, how long do you work...

[Basswhippa]

How long will you work to solve a backlash....  I worked on one the other day a stupid long time, perhaps the longest ever for me.  It was about 2 hours.  I got so close and then it became impossible due to wind blowing it into a impossible yo solve knot.   It was braid.   A really dumb move to waste that amount of time. 

 

So how long for you until scissors time.

[Finessegenics]

Even when bank fishing, I usually have at least 2 rods with me. So if the backlash can’t be solved within 5-10 minutes I’ll just give up and put that rod down for the day and use my other setup. I’ll try to fix it when I get home. If I had one rod, I’d probably just not bother and go home if I already completed most of my planned outing or I’d cut out the line and make due with whatever line is left on the spool. 

[K1500]

2 hours? I would say a few minutes. Maybe 5 to 6 tops. 

[MN Fisher]

I'll spend upwards of 10 minutes to pick out a (infrequent) backlash...then set that rig aside and use something else until I'm home.

[LrgmouthShad]

i spent 45 minutes one time. Never spent longer than that

[A-Jay]

I don't over run a bunch (any more)

but I definitely still blow one up a couple a times a year.

 Regardless of the line type, unless it's just a minor deal,

something I can pick out in a minute or two, I'll do that. 

I also always want to ensure there is NO damage to the line.

Otherwise, I'll either switch to another rig or replace the spool.

(I carry extras).

Then I can keep casting

and it always seems easier dealing with the blow up on the beach when I get in.

A-Jay

 

[gim]

1 hour ago, K1500 said:

2 hours? I would say a few minutes. Maybe 5 to 6 tops. 

2 hours is ridiculous. A few minutes tops.

[NavyVet1204]

1 hour ago, Finessegenics said:

Even when bank fishing, I usually have at least 2 rods with me. So if the backlash can’t be solved within 5-10 minutes I’ll just give up and put that rod down for the day and use my other setup. I’ll try to fix it when I get home. If I had one rod, I’d probably just not bother and go home if I already completed most of my planned outing or I’d cut out the line and make due with whatever line is left on the spool. 

This. I never go out with just one rod and this is the exact reason why besides technique/lures.

[CrashVector]

1 hour ago, Basswhippa said:

How long will you work to solve a backlash....  I worked on one the other day a stupid long time, perhaps the longest ever for me.  It was about 2 hours.  I got so close and then it became impossible due to wind blowing it into a impossible yo solve knot.   It was braid.   A really dumb move to waste that amount of time. 

 

So how long for you until scissors time.

 

5-10min tops lol...then I break out the pocket knife and respool.

[Sam]

1.  Always have at least one replacement reel for each reel you take with you to change reels and not be concerned about the backlash until you get home.

 

2.  Learn how to "balance" your line and rod test paramaters to have your rod balanced with your line test like this for every baitcaster:

 

Note rod's line test paramaters stamped on the rod

Use line with a test within the rod's paramaters by using this formula -

  High plus low paramaters divided by 2

  So if the rod can take a high test of  20 and a low test of 10, you have 30/2 = 15 pound test

Do not exceed the high test number or go lower than the low test number

Spool the line on the baitcaster so it is snug to the spool.

Add your bait, be it a crankbait, spinnerbait, topwater, etc.

Set drag so that the bait will just hang on end of rod tip and set the spool tension to allow the bait to drop when released

Point rod tip to 11 o'clock and release the spool.

Adjust the bait's fall to the ground (not carpet) via the drag so that the spool stops when the bait hits the ground

Use your thumb on the spool to control the drop rate and be careful not to have a fast drop rate and get a backlash 

Continue to do this until you have the proper rate of fall

Adjust the spool tension to focus on the rate of fall

Goal is to have the bait hit the ground as the spool stops turning

Set the "brakes" in an "X" pattern or just leave them alone

You will have to adjust the drag to get the balance the best you can find by trial and error and doing the 11 o'clock drop test a number of times

Do this at home or while fishing everytime you change baits

You can now cast your baitcaster and let the bait hit the water without fear of a backlash

You can start your buzzbait, Whooper Plopper, retrieve right before the bait hits the water, too

NOTE: Casting into the wind may still cause a backlash

 

Here is another trick: Get some electritical or Scotch Tape and head out to your yard or driveway.

Set up the baitcaster as above and cast as far as you can

Pull another three lengths of line off the baitcaster

Put strips of the electrical tape or Scotch Tape over your line on your spool

Reel in knowing that the tape will stop the backlash while you are fishing

 

Give the first option a try. I thiunk your backlash problems will be over and you can answer your query with a big, fat, zero!!!!

 

 

 

[NavyToad]

This. I crank the drag down tight and proceed as in the video. Denny Brauer showed how to do this years ago. A little practice and 99% of backlashes can be taken care of in a couple minutes.

 

 

[T-Billy]

Maybe 5-10 minutes tops on the water. Like A-Jay said, it doesn't happen often, but I'll usually blow one or two up through the course of a season. Those get dealt with later.

30 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I don't over run a bunch (any more)

but I definitely still blow one up a couple a times a year.

 Regardless of the line type, unless it's just a minor deal,

something I can pick out in a minute or two, I'll do that. 

I also always want to ensure there is NO damage to the line.

Otherwise, I'll either switch to another rig or replace the spool.

(I carry extras).

Then I can keep casting

and it always seems easier deal with the blow up on the beach when I get in.

A-Jay

 

Always clean and neat A-Jay. I imagine your reaction to seeing my tackle storage would look something like this. ? LOL. Just funnin ya brother. I wish I could be as organized as you. I just ain't got it in me.

[Log Catcher]

I try to get a backlash out if possible in 5 minutes or less. If it takes any longer I either put it away or swap it out with a replacement reel. It depends on how much longer I plan to fish.

[A-Jay]

3 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

Maybe 5-10 minutes tops on the water. Like A-Jay said, it doesn't happen often, but I'll usually blow one or two up through the course of a season. Those get dealt with later.

Always clean and neat A-Jay. I imagine your reaction to seeing my tackle storage would look something like this. ? LOL. Just funnin ya brother. I wish I could be as organized as you. I just ain't got it in me.

It's a passion & an obsession . . .

A-Jay

[T-Billy]

12 minutes ago, NavyToad said:

This. I crank the drag down tight and proceed as in the video. Denny Brauer showed how to do this years ago. A little practice and 99% of backlashes can be taken care of in a couple minutes.

 

 

I learned this from Bill Dance Waayyy back when. Works well.

[NavyToad]

18 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

I learned this from Bill Dance Waayyy back when. Works well.

I still sometimes look at a backlash and think “no way this one’s comin’ out” but they always seem to come out OK.

I know it’s been a loonng time since I had to put a rod down because of a backlash.

[Basswhippa]

Great tips.   Keep them coming. 

 

 I haven't had much luck on Denny Brauers method on braid.  Mono, It works most always!

 

I'm very greedy about loose reels and bomb casts.  90s model Chronarch A.   If you have ever owned one, you know how far it is capable of casting......   I run 3 n 1 oil which is similar in viscosity to yellow rocket fuel....

 

 

  6 inch senko.  50 pound braid, 20 pound fluorocarbon leader.  7'4" rod.  32 Tennessee River bass came aboard but stupid me took the backlash as a challenge.   I almost had it done until the wind blew my pile of line into another monster mess......

[GRiver]

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

I'll spend upwards of 10 minutes to pick out a (infrequent) backlash...then set that rig aside and use something else until I'm home.

Maybe a little longer, but not much, sometimes I will work on while I eat lunch.

[AManWearingAHat]

1 hour ago, NavyToad said:

This. I crank the drag down tight and proceed as in the video. Denny Brauer showed how to do this years ago. A little practice and 99% of backlashes can be taken care of in a couple minutes.

 

 

Use this method literally every time. Hasn't failed me yet.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Avoid the urge to tug hard tightening knots especially with braid. The “thumb trick” is the ticket. And taping the spool is a good hack. I do it when practicing skipping with only 50’ of line out. 

[Phil77]

I'd like to say I never backlash but I'll get stupid in a head wind at least once a year. Five minutes or less if I'm on a school, ill switch to a backup and wait till I get home to deal with the blow up.

[GreenPig]

I'll give a backlash a couple minutes on the water. A couple minutes at home. Then a few seconds with scissors. 

[Jaderose]

12 hours ago, NavyToad said:

 

 

 

Yep.  I don't backlash very often anymore but occasionally I'll throw a frog straight into a close tree trunk.  HELLUVA mess.  This fixes it every time.

[Bankc]

Maybe up to 10 minutes with braid.  With fluoro and mono, if it takes more than a minute or two, I just cut it out.  That line will get kinks in it if the backlash is bad, and that'll cause a break off later on down the line.  And if it doesn't kink on the spool, it'll kink when I've peeled off a bunch and am trying to wind it all back up.  

[Bird]

If I snag something in the boat on an attempted long cast which produces the really nasty bird nest, I simply put the rod down and grab another one.