Reel Pairing Recommendations for Three Rods to Mitigate Backlash Severity While I Improve My Thumbing Technique

[EarnestDignity]

Hello Everyone,

 

I’m looking for specific guidance on which three reels would be best suited to my rods, particularly in terms of minimizing the severity of bird’s nests as I continue to hone my casting technique.

 

I’m not prioritizing casting distance nor reel smoothness at the moment. My focus is solely on improving my thumbing technique and reducing the impact of those inevitable backlashes.

 

Below are three of the five the rods for which I wish to purchase new reels as soon as possible. I’d greatly appreciate any recommendations for specific years and models of reels that would work best with each rod. If possible, could you please also include your suggestions for the gear ratio you think would be ideal?

 

---

Rod 1: 7'5" MHf Megabass Levante Braillist

• Lure Weight Range: 3/8 oz. to 1 oz.
• Typical Baits: Bottom-contact jig, Texas rig, Carolina rig, wacky rig, spinnerbait, bladed jig, swim jig, flashy swimmer
• Priority: Minimizing backlashes while working on my thumbing technique.

Year and Model of Reel Recommendation for Rod 1:________________________

 

Rod 2: 7'2" MHmf Evergreen Combat Stick

• Lure Weight Range: 3/8 oz. to 1-1/4 oz.
• Typical Baits: Topwater plugs, small swimbaits, 10-20 ft. crankbaits, 110-size and larger jerkbaits
• Priority: Minimizing backlashes while working on my thumbing technique.

Year and Model of Reel Recommendation for Rod 2:________________________

 

Rod 3: 7' MHmf Alpha Angler Rebound

• Lure Weight Range: 1/4 oz. to 1 oz.
• Typical Baits: Crankbaits up to 10 ft.
• Priority: Minimizing backlashes while working on my thumbing technique.

Year and Model of Reel Recommendation for Rod 3:_______________________

 

4. Survey: In general, which of the following three reels do you think is the least free (in terms of brake systems) and therefore the least susceptible to backlashing?

a.) Tatula SV reel variants
b.) Alphas SV reels
c.) Zillion SV reels

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

[SkippinJimmy]

Don’t overthink this.  If you have backlash issues with any of these reels, the problem is either in the setup or the mirror.  Forget about year, etc.  Any slight differences won’t be noticeable to you, nor will they really impact your priority…minimizing backlashes.  
 

All 3 are quality, versatile reels that will work with any of your setup's and all 3 are very forgiving, even for the dumbest of thumbs.  Beyond that, it’s just personal preference and how much you want to spend.  Plus, with a little practice, you will find that the brakes quickly become an afterthought.

[MediumMouthBass]

Ill be the one to say it.

#1. You will never get better at casting if you buy a reel that does it for you. And you wont learn.

#2 Because of this you will limit yourself to only certain reels.

5 hours ago, EarnestDignity said:

minimizing the severity of bird’s nests as I continue to hone my casting technique.

#3. You will always be learning and working on your casting no matter how good you are, even the pros practice after decades (and they are better than most of us), because like any sport, hobby, etc, they still arent good enough. Because theres always going to be something to be improved.

 

An SV reel wont teach you how to cast, will it be a great experience? Yeah.

If you want to learn and learn quick, go the opposite way. Get the cheapest piece of junk for sale.

Within a month-3 youll be able to cast anything but an old school Ambassadeur, but thats for another time.

 

 

And a SV spool isnt game changing either, it still requires a thumb. Atleast mine do? Or they backlash the same as every other reel.

[EarnestDignity]

I appreciate you both for taking the time to share your views.

 

That said, No, I don't want to learn quick what I'd like is to get four straight answers before Christmas... While the three reels I mention share an "SV" in the name, they may have different braking systems. I may just buy one of each with any random gear ratio, throw the names in a hat, and just pair them randomly to the three rods... May the chips fall where they fall... At some point, I want to get reels on these rods. I'm not pulling teeth. This may be my final post on this forum.

[Columbia Craw]

Put a zillion on each.  That was easy. 

[SkippinJimmy]

20 minutes ago, EarnestDignity said:

I appreciate you both for taking the time to share your views.

 

That said, No, I don't want to learn quick what I'd like is to get four straight answers before Christmas... While the three reels I mention share an "SV" in the name, they may have different braking systems. I may just buy one of each with any random gear ratio, throw the names in a hat, and just pair them randomly to the three rods... May the chips fall where they fall... At some point, I want to get reels on these rods. I'm not pulling teeth. This may be my final post on this forum.

There is no straight answer.  What is your favorite candy bar…mine is a Snickers.  If you want an answer, I agree with @Columbia Craw…get 3 Zillions.

[Bass Rutten]

The 2020 tatula sv and the coastal sv are the most overbraked daiwa reels I've used, they will mitigate backlashes as good as any reel out there, it will also mitigate improving your thumbing technique more than any reel out there. You're not getting a black and white answer because your thread title and your stated goal of improving thumb technique are contradictory, you can’t have both. Your other thread has 2 pages of great advice from some very knowledgable folks, you should go back and read and heed the information that was given to you there as you will not get better advice anywhere on the internet.

[Craig P]

Give a person a broom handle who has used a baitcaster for many years and they’ll cast it…..to an extent that is.  Experience is key but I am a stickler for specifications so this is my approach with a little science in mind.

 

Pick a bait weight and presentation style you want to dedicate a setup to.  Or at the very least, a bait weight range and how you want to present it.  With those specifications, you can now match that bait to a rod weight and action specification.

 

With that bait and rod choice, what weight line and type would you like to use for the presentation?  Do consider the rod limits, when a rod is made for X weight bait, it is wise to stay within it’s specified line weight.  Whatever the line type and weight, find the diameter of that line.  Match the line diameter with the reel specification line diameter, keeping in mind the drag and line capacity you desire and you now have a finely tuned setup.

[EarnestDignity]

On 12/8/2024 at 8:42 PM, SkippinJimmy said:

Don’t overthink this...

On 12/8/2024 at 9:06 PM, MediumMouthBass said:

Ill be the one to say it...

 

 

 

On 12/8/2024 at 9:41 PM, Columbia Craw said:

Put a zillion on each.  That was easy. 

On 12/8/2024 at 9:45 PM, SkippinJimmy said:

There is no straight answer... 

 

 

On 12/9/2024 at 10:10 AM, Bass Rutten said:

The 2020 tatula sv and the coastal sv are the most overbraked daiwa reels I've used...

 

On 12/9/2024 at 10:37 AM, Craig P said:

Give a person a broom handle who has used a baitcaster for many years and they’ll cast it…

 

 

As recommended, I will pair the rods with Zillion SV reels.

 

I feel ashamed. I humbly and sincerely apologize to everyone here for expressing my frustration on this thread. I deeply regret my last post… and its tone. It was never my intention to cause discomfort to anyone. After reflecting on my words, I realize how it may have come across, and I am genuinely sorry.

 

Thank you to those who have offered their guidance, patience, and suggestions. I greatly appreciate it, and I will take all your advice to heart.

 

Once again, I sincerely and humbly apologize.

 

-Edward

 

 

[SkippinJimmy]

No apologies needed as far as I’m concerned.  I have found myself frustrated on numerous occasions on this site and I have only been here a few months.  I hope you enjoy your Zillions.  They are great reels.

[Bass Rutten]

It’s all good, you’re gonna love them zillies!

[new2BC4bass]

I believe I have 7 reels with SV spools.  Do you need new?  If you want a thumb free (Daiwa) reel, buy a used T3 variant.

[mcipinkie]

Put your mouse away.  Get away from the keyboard.  Pick up a rod and practice.  In the yard, in the basement, in the family room.  

 

Gerald Swindle gets old, but he has it right.

 

"Years of excessive practice."

 

It ain't the tackle.  I've got expensive stuff.  I've got cheap stuff.  After 70 years of excessive practice, one or two casts and I'm dialed in.  The last five new reels I bought are $50, on sale for $30, KastKings from Amazon.  They work well.

 

Yes, after almost 70 years, I still practice.

 

Craig is right.  Put a reel on a broomstick and an experienced caster can make it work.

 

You got a lot of high dollar tackle on your list for a beginner.  I'd spend a fourth of that at the most.

 

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

5 minutes ago, mcipinkie said:

Put your mouse away.  Get away from the keyboard.  Pick up a rod and practice.  In the yard, in the basement, in the family room.  

 

You got a lot of high dollar tackle on your list for a beginner.  I'd spend a fourth of that at the most.

 

 

 

I agree that practice is a must to learn.  Once you reach a certain point, it is up to the individual if they want to remain at the same place or improve in (very) small increments.

 

I like nice gear and am anal about keeping it looking nice.  The OP has some nice rods.  If you plan on sticking with the sport, and can afford it, then I would also prefer a few very nice rods compared to a quantity of lower cost rods.  Notice I didn't say cheap or poor performing.  I'm very satisfied with my OG Tatula rods that I got new for less than $100 each.  However, it is more satisfying to fish with my sole Megabass rod or the few higher end rods I purchased used for about half their new cost.

[WRB]

I will admit up front that Didn’t read the the replies because no mention of the line being used!

IMO braid is the most difficult line to cast followed by FC on bait casting reels.

This leaves mono line to learn to cast with.

What reel you think you need put 12# Big Game mono on it. Works for everything rod rating listed.

Tom

[new2BC4bass]

14 hours ago, WRB said:

I will admit up front that Didn’t read the the replies because no mention of the line being used!

IMO braid is the most difficult line to cast followed by FC on bait casting reels.

This leaves mono line to learn to cast with.

What reel you think you need put 12# Big Game mono on it. Works for everything rod rating listed.

Tom

The vast majority of my MH rods have 12# mono or co-polymer on them.  Mostly Big Game, AN40 or Siege.  Although 12#  would also work on most of my Medium power rods, I settled on 8# for that power.  Also use 8# on my ML rods.

 

Having retired to Florida, I am going to be using more braid than when I lived up North.  Although braid may be the most difficult to cast, FC is the worst to learn on.  Kink the line and there is a good chance it will break at that spot.  I don't know if braid is the hardest to learn on because I was already decent with a baitcast reel by the time I first tried braid.  I think for me it is easier to pick a backlash out of braid.

[EarnestDignity]

On 12/28/2024 at 5:54 PM, mcipinkie said:

Put your mouse away.  Get away from the keyboard.  Pick up a rod and practice.  In the yard, in the basement, in the family room... You got a lot of high dollar tackle on your list for a beginner.  I'd spend a fourth of that at the most.

 

I'll put my mouse away and get away from the keyboard.

 

My playground for more than fifty years were the waters from West Palm Beach east to Freeport, Bahamas and south to the Cay Sal banks. While I may be inexperienced when it comes to targeting bass with baitcasting reels, I am a seasoned offshore angler and spearfisherman. Over the years, I've gained a profound respect and love for the ocean and for fishing and a keen understanding of the gear that’s needed to hunt and catch the big ones offshore.

 

My choice to spend a little more on the rods that I believe will suit my needs makes perfect sense to me and I’ve earned the right to choose the gear I think will work best to enhance my bass fishing experience while providing durability, sensitivity, and performance.

 

I ain’t no spring chicken… and I don’t have many shaves left.

 

-Edward

 

 

[Motoboss]

Advice on the internet is just that,,,,,advice. Don’t take it personally as it’s hard to understand someone’s needs without knowing the background and destination of their goals.

[Fishingmickey]

Earnest,

    When you're learning to use a bait caster. Start with monofilament.  Take WRB's recommendation, using 12 lb. Berkley Big game is a fine place to start. And won't break the bank learning. Monofilament is more forgiving them fluorocarbon.

     Do's and Don'ts: Don't overfill your reel, fill it about 3/4ths of the spool. A 3/4 quarter spool doesn't backlash nearly as badly or as easily and a fresh full spool does.  Do go out in the backyard and get some practice casting in. Don't try to "bomb" cast the reel.  Do start with short casts with about a 1/2 oz weight.  Learn to let your thumb rest gently on the spool.

     Spinning reels you can draw the rod back, stop and then flick the rod forwards and cast.  Don't try that with a bait caster, it's disaster.  One of the things about casting a bait caster is learning how to load the rod. So not only is your forward cast motion important. Bringing the road back fast enough to bend/load the rod is important too.  Once the spool starts spinning it's inertia will keep the line coming off the reel and the bait stopping suddenly causes the backlash.  

     Got your rod and reel ready? go out in the backyard.  Leave about 10" to 12" hanging. Swing the rod forwards and back so you can feel the weight and see how it bends the rod.  Casting with a bait casting reel is one smooth motion using the same force and speed, forwards as well as back. Start with short 15-20' casts leaving your thumb on the reel. Feel the line play out under your thumb.  You'll get the idea pretty quickly on how much pressure to use and the timing of it.

     Set your cast control so that the weight your practicing with has a smooth fall to the floor or ground and the reel doesn't overrun.  If you want to put training wheels on, drop your weight and walk off a full cast's worth of line and a little bit. Put a piece of electrical tape on the spool at that spot. Reel your line in and get to practicing.

Good luck!

Fishingmickey

    

[Bigbox99]

Just make sure you track the bait with your eyes and stop the spool with your thumb when the bait hits the water.  That's it.  That's all the thumbing required.  That's learning how to use a modern baitcast reel.