Baitcasters, thumb discipline and backlashes

[Micro]

I've been seeing a few rants recently (not here) that basically go ,"My Revo backlashes when I cast light baits - there must be something wrong with it."

WTH?

Is there any reel out there that will cast for you?  Is there any reel out there that doesn't require some discipline to use?   Turns out, most of these people seem to be winging their baits and hoping the brake will take care of the spool.  Does anyone use their thumb anymore?

I know there are reels that will slow you spool and prevent backlashes.  But IMO, if a brake is slowing your spool so quickly that is will prevent an overrun without some thumb input, it MUST be limiting your cast distance.   Or you are putting more into the cast than is otherwise needed.

I don't get backlashes anymore frequently with my Revos than I've gotten with any other baitcaster.   But I do get much better distances.  I get better casting in general.  But I use my thumb some.  

I just don't get it.  Seems we're condemning something before we've even made a half-hearted attempt to learn how to use it.   Looks like people are pointing the finger at their equipment when the problem is in the mirror.  

Anyways, thinks for reading  

[ABC123]

Hmmm, no problems with my Daiwa's.

[Jake P]

I think its funny when new BC users blame the reel for there backlashes. The pyramids weren't built in a day, it takes time.

[.RM.]

Near the end of the article that I wrote (Basic Baitcast Reel Setup 101) is a little lesson for educating the thumb that I have there it goes something like this...

How To Get A Smart Thumb

The most important part of casting a bait caster is a smart thumb. Your thumb lightly rides on the spool of line and controls it (Feathering), so you must educate your thumb. You can do this by practicing while your watching TV. Tie on a good heavy practice plug or lead weight, and sit down. Loosen up the cast control knob until the weight drops freely, and use your thumb (feathering) to slow/stop it just before it hits the floor. Do this over and over until you get the feel for feathering the spool with your thumb and stopping the weight just before it reaches the floor. Once you feel comfortable feathering the spool and not causing backlashes, reset the cast control knob to the practice plug weight as before. Because now your going to take your outfit outside and start practicing casting it.

Enjoy and Practice, Practice, Practice....

Tight Lines!!!!  

[cart7t]

I've noticed the Revo's are more prone to backlash if I make a rather jerky cast while trying to throw the bait a long distance.  

This isn't the reels fault but instead me hurrying a cast and not being smooth about it.  Other than that, I've not noticed any of my Revo's being any worse for backlashes than any other reels I've fished with.  

[Jimzee]

You should have seen the first time I casted a Steez.  It wasn't very pretty.  Every reel is a little different, some even border on moody.  :-?

[Micro]

The weirdest thing I've seen is people saying, "I've been using a 'insert brand/model here' all my life.  Now I picked up a Revo and got a backlash.  Damned Abu Garcia."  

[grimlin]

My first baitcaster was a abu rhino..from walmart.I got so fusterated i literally threw that thing in the garbage after 3 backlashes in a row.I didn't know what the heck i was doing.I probably threw away a perfectly good working cheap baitcaster just because i didn't know how to use it.

[Catt]

If I hear someone say I never backlash my first thought is

I learned how to cast with a Penn 209M if you can cast with one of these you can cast anything.

[Ballpark Frank]

I learned to use a baitcaster with an antique J.A. Coxe reel, a true free spool reel. It had no cast control knob, no drag, and the handle spun with the spool, you had to use all thumb to control. When I got my first Abu 5000, I couldn't cast the thing farther than 20 feet, my thumb was too heavy.

[Tin]

The weirdest thing I've seen is people saying, "I've been using a 'insert brand/model here' all my life. Now I picked up a Revo and got a backlash. Damned Abu Garcia."

;D Lol, then they post on BR how Abu's are junk.

[JayW]

What's a backlash?

[Cigarlover 1]

and are they matching their reels up with the correct rods? I think most people expect to buy an expensive reel and have the problem instantly correct not even thinking about what rod they are using. The reel is just one small part of the casting system.

[Red]

i got a revo recently and i love it...i knew how to cast a baitcaster before i got it....i used C3's.  it took me a good bit of time and two spools worth of line before i got it right...but now i can cast anything in my box a mile and effortlessly...and i DO use my thumb.  this weekend there was about 20mph winds blowing in my face....i was casting plenty far enough and without backlash...i give credit to my thumb for that

Cliff

[islandbass]

Baitcasters don't cause backlashes, anglers do.  Barring mechanical issues with a bc reel, to blame a bc reel for backlashing is humorous.

It's all in the thumb.  

[-Drums-]

Couldn't agree more.  My thumb never (ever) comes off the spool.  The only thing that changes is how much pressure I apply with said thumb to the spool, and that variance is based on which bait I'm throwing on which reel.  Like someone else said, some reels are "moodier" than others--so the thumb simply adapts.

[Catt]

99.95% of the time backlashes are caused by operator error  

[Raul]

If I hear someone say I never backlash my first thought is

I can thoroughly backlash a Calais DC   and theoretically speaking I 've got a lot of practice not backlashing.  :

The beast is never tamed, just it 's maintained under control, do something stoopid and it 's gonna pounce on you.