backreeling?

[Jeff H]

Does anyone here use the backreeling techique with their spinning reels, or do most of you just depend on the drag.  I'm a backreeler myself.  Never hear mention of it anymore but Jerry Mckinnis used to preach this and I picked it up from him many many years ago.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

My partner does it, I personally don't trust myself.

[Jig Man]

I haven't since they started making reels that didn't click and clack as you reeled in line.  I just keep a light set drag and help with a finger if necessary.

[roadwarrior]

Triton_Mike had a write-up recently. He and a few other "experienced" anglers use this technique exclusively. I works for them very well. Personnaly, I rely on the technology Shimano has built into their reels over time. My experience confirms that these drag systems are 100% dependable and at least for me, much quicker to react than I could possibly be. You never know exactly when a big fish will surge.  

[Fish Chris]

Geez.... I'm so hesitant to even post an opinion on this..... I probably shouldn't..... but..... :-)

I believe that maybe way back in the old days, when fishing gear, and most specifically, drag systems, were really poor, back reeling might have been a good way to bypass the shortfalls of the gear.

By nowadays, I contend that the "very best, most skilled back-reeler on the entire planet" cannot possibly react as fast as a good drag system (most especially when used with braided line, which does not build up, then release a bunch of energy, in the stretch like mono does > drag surge)

I've heard guys say this gives them "more control" over a fish...... but you can only put as much pressure on a fish as the line can take. Beyond this point, your line fails. It doesn't matter if your backreeling, or using a drag system.

BTW, even with a properly set drag system, I can, and have, reached up during a run, and feathered additional pressure on the side of my spool, to slow a fish from getting me into trouble (brush, pilings, rocks, etc).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ya' know, I never really thought about these two subjects so much together, but the "other" subject with which I am the most overly opinionated person you will ever meet..... braided line :-) ....would probably be horrible with backreeling ! Why ? Because if your using a big rubber band for your line (mono) you can probably be pretty slow to react to surges and drag ripping runs of a big fish, and your big stretchy rubberband will protect you, but if your using "real fishing line" {braid} their is virtually no time to slack off.

No back reeling, and no mono for me, thank you :-)

Great fishing to you,

Fish

[OkobojiEagle]

I backreel large fish... not to protect the line as much as to prevent the fish from working a tear in their skin large enough to have the hook drop out.  The superlines are probably the worst offenders as their limited stretch provides better resistance for the fish to pull against and work the hook loose.

[MALTESE FALCON]

I've tried backreeling on a few occasions. I wasn't very good at it and I lost fish. Since then, I let the drag do the work.

Falcon

[Guest whittler]

I am a confirmed  backreeler and have been for a lot of years. I have never seen a spinning reel with  a drag that works the same, hot, cold, wet or dry and and even if there was such a reel I'm so used to backreeling it is not likley I would change. One big advantage is you do not have to reset each time you go fishing, change line test or type just one setting witout change.

[roadwarrior]

I am a confirmed backreeler and have been for a lot of years. I have never seen a spinning reel with a drag that works the same, hot, cold, wet or dry and and even if there was such a reel I'm so used to backreeling it is not likley I would change. One big advantage is you do not have to reset each time you go fishing, change line test or type just one setting witout change.

Shimano Stella 2500FB.

Actually, all of my Shimano spinning reels that I have fished over the years have had a dependable drag system. That includes Symetre, Stradic (1000, 1500, 2000 & 2500) and Sustain. In more than ten years I have never had a problem with a Shimano drag (spinning or baitcasting).

[Crestliner2008]

I've backreeled for many years with all kinds of spinning reels. Have never lost a fish that way, using mono or even Fireline. However, the older I get, the less I care about loosing a fish, as much as having fun. Today's modern "better quality" reels (one case where I believe you get what you pay for!) have superior, very reliable drag systems; and I get a real kick out of hearing my Shimano Symetre's drag scream as a large smallie runs! And you know, I've yet to loose a fish that I could contribute to one of these drags systems failing me - usually it's a mistake I make!  

[Guest whittler]

RW, I do love my Shimano baitcasters but their spinning reels, no thanks.  The one Symetre and two Stradics that I owned convinced me to never own another Shimano spinning reel. The drag was not the problem. Any time the reels got wet, rain, dunking, or dew on the ground they would lock up tight. I think I spent more in postage and shipping to Shimano and phone calls than all three were worth. Sold all three for $20 each and still think I got the better of the deal.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Not a back reeler here.  Tried it a couple times with the same results.  A huge mess.  Gave up on it and have never had a problem breaking off fish or losing fish.  I acutally lose more fish on a baitcaster then spinning rod.  Figure that one out.  BTW the actual #'s of lost fish is real low.

[roadwarrior]

whittler,

I have read similar stories on another forum about Shimano reels used by kayak fishermen. I always assumed that the reels were submerged for a period of time. I have never experienced the problem, but I am not questioning your statement. I'm sorry the reels did not work out for you.

[Guest whittler]

RW

Waders and Kayakers, by their very nature tend to get tackle a little damp on occasion. The two Stradics would also lock up if I were fishing in the rain. That is a real problem for me since I love to fish in the rain, I know, little weird there.  

[Jake.]

RW

Waders and Kayakers, by their very nature tend to get tackle a little damp on occasion. The two Stradics would also lock up if I were fishing in the rain. That is a real problem for me since I love to fish in the rain, I know, little weird there.

I love fishing in the rain also, nothing weird about it.  

[Jeff H]

I can use "backreeling" in conjuction with drag if I wish to.  My reels have drags like everybody elses and all I have to do to activate that on a running fish is hold the handle still.... regardless what type of line is on it.  I have never encountered a bass that could peel line faster then I could keep up with.  I've had Musky or Northern Pike do it but never a bass.

[Fish Chris]

Again, even the best back-reeling angler on the planet will have lag time in between the surge of a fish, and his reaction to it. A good drag is litterally instantaneous..... and a good drag, used with braided line, is 10X's better because drag surge is reduced by 90+%.

For me, it doesn't matter if I'm fishing for Crappie or 100 lb Sturgeon.... Bluegills, or Bat Rays.... or of course, double digit bass, the idea is always the same; When the fish is taking drag, I wait. But the "split second" it stops taking drag, its coming in !

If a person is ultimately concerned about controlling a fish, I sure hope they are not using a fishing line with 10% to 20% "uncontrollable stretch".....

Peace,

Fish

[Jeff H]

Ok, you win, I'll switch to braid, and never backreel again!  8-)

[roadwarrior]

Ok, you win, I'll switch to braid, and never backreel again! 8-)

Jeff H,

Well, I think Fish Chris is just making his point based on a little success with big bass and larger species. Even though he has not made it to 100 yet, he stills gets a little credit as our Big Bass Man. I for one haven't hooked-up with 18 lbs, but if that ever happens, I EXPECT to land the fish.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Reading along here, I think I figured out mt problem (or according to FC, my saving grace)............................

I JUST LOVE THE SOUND OF A SCREAMING REEL!!!

(Especially a Penn130 2-speed with a Bluefin on,lol,...when that thing sings, the hair on the back of your next stands up,....it's like a fire alarm went off!)

[Fish Chris]

Hey Steve IA, and Jeff H, like I always say, "Please don't mind me too much" :-) There are only a few things I feel so strongly about, as I do about backreeling, and braided line. I mean it's like, I want people to know I'd sooner give away my boat, than to have to use mono, or start backreeling..... But at the same time, I always say you should do whatever works for you.

Plus, it's not like I don't want to associte with somebody if they backreel or use mono ! Half of my best fishing buddies use mono...... Pretty nice of them to give me the advantage like that, isn't it ? :-) LOL

Stick a pig !

Fish

[Guest whittler]

Thanks Jeff H for starting this thread.

As I look back over some of the comments it becomes very apparent the different styles of fishing and tackle used by members here can be like night and day. If you were to take three of us, and for this I will use Fish Chris, Roadwarrior and myself we are at three oppisite corners of a triangle, even if we rule out all species but bass. Rods, reels, line and the methods we use are not similar at all but each of us have a style that catches our fish in our water. Sure would hate to be a beginning fisherman trying to decide on tackle based on three opinionated guys like us. Would I like to spend a day fishing with those two?    OH YES

[.ghoti.]

Interesting thread. I didn't know anybody still did this. Back in the "day", when line wasn't what it is now, and the Mitchell 300 was the best you could buy, you had to backreel. The drags were just not that good.

With IAR bearings, good drag systems and consistent line, who needs to take a chance. Let your equipment do what it was designed to do. It will do it better than you can.

Cheers,

GK

[roadwarrior]

Thanks Jeff H for starting this thread.

As I look back over some of the comments it becomes very apparent the different styles of fishing and tackle used by members here can be like night and day. If you were to take three of us, and for this I will use Fish Chris, Roadwarrior and myself we are at three oppisite corners of a triangle, even if we rule out all species but bass. Rods, reels, line and the methods we use are not similar at all but each of us have a style that catches our fish in our water. Sure would hate to be a beginning fisherman trying to decide on tackle based on three opinionated guys like us. Would I like to spend a day fishing with those two? OH YES

whittler,

Ain't it great!

I hope you can make it to the outing this year.

The date and location will be announced soon.

[MickD]

It used to be argued that when line goes off the spinning reel by using the drag, it would get twisted.  It would take a lot of revs to twist it significantly, I would think.  I don't know if line twist is significant due to using the drag or not, but back when that argument was being made, I learned to backreel.  I now use backreeling and the drag-when I screw up in the backreeling, the drag takes over and bails me out.  I use 10-15 pound braid for 95% of my spinning fishing.

I have to agree with the arguments that the drags on modern reels are very reliable and smooth and that relying on them is probably the most reliable way of playing and landing fish.  If you screw up on backreeling, and backreel too much/fast, you can end up very quickly with no tension in the line allowing the fish a better chance to get off.

One mistake I see made fairly often that could twist the line a lot is having the drag set too low and reeling in at the same time the fish is taking line against the drag.