first time out with new rod/reel - backlash!!!!

[crankbait2009]

you know, i was really looking forward to today......60-65 degree weather, great day for fishing.

i decided to go to the local lake today and fish (from the shore).  first cast out....................BACKLASH!

this was the first time i ever fished and gotten backlash.  I just bought a baitcaster reel in the off season.  never used it beofre till now.

as frustrating as everyone knows this is, how do i avoid this and why did it happen?

i clicked teh release button (all was fine), threw the crankbait out and it became one big mess.

im not giving up hope yet, i still have till the end of summer for things to turn around.

as my signature states, "still trying to catch something", it looks liek that quote will live for another day

any help or advice?

[Izzy3374]

1.  Check the spool tension.  Hold the rod at a 45 degree angle and hit the release.  You want the lure to just be falling.  If your a beginner, it might help to have the tension higher.  Have it to where the lure stays still but if you move the knob slightly the lure starts to fall.  The spool tension knob is the small knob usually on the same side as the handle.

2.  Make sure the backlash control is set properly if you have it.  Some are turn knobs ( Quantum ) some are adjustable pins ( Shimano ).

3.  Make sure that both settings are set for the conditions outside.  If you are casting into the wind.  You want your backlash and reel tension a little higher unless you want to use your thumb the control it.  That is what I do.

4.  Everytime you change lures check the spool tension.

Is this your first time ever using a caster?

[Izzy3374]

What kind of reel?

[Branuss04]

Read the "Sticky" at the top of the page called "Baitcaster Casting Problems".

[burleytog]

So you took it to the water without having ever thrown it, get a backlash, then ask for help.

[crankbait2009]

when i first received the reel i rad how to adjust that tension knob.  i set it per the instruction of tighten so that when you pusht eh release button, the lure will slowly fall to the ground.  slowly as in not stop but slowly work its way to the floor.  the instructions said to do that, so i did.

i have a BPS extreme bait caster.  ETX10HD.

how was i to ask for help if i didnt have any issues......yet

[backpain...]

Practice practice practice. One thing to remember is to set the tension for the different lures you use. And take it easy with the casts. Start out barely giving it any arm, and just let the rod kind of sweep a little. You will feel like a girl trying to throw a ball but that is ok. It will at least get you a feel for how the line will come off of the spool. Keep your thumb close to the spool and ready to lock down if you have an overrun coming. Keep at it and as you get a feel for it you will get more comfortable with it and cast better and better.

[bassinfla82]

How I got my nephew to handle a bait caster and do it well he is 8 Y/O.. Take your reel and turn the brakes to max and then lock the spool adjustment down to where you cant cast more then about 15-20 feet and the reels spool stop when the lure hits the water on its own... so the only thing you need your thumb for is to load the rod when you are making the cast do that for a little and then slightly loosen the spool adjustment to get more and more distance as you train your thumb and learn how to keep everything smooth EVERY ONE gets back lashes it happens dont give up on it once you learn it you wont want to use a spinning reel unless you have to. and while your learning make sure you are casting with the wind and not in to it. once your thumb is trained you can do what you want and shouldnt back lash much... your thumb will get to where you feel the line start to "Fluff up" and react before it turns in to a back lash... I cant remember the last time I had a Birds nest that took more then a few secs to get out... but we all get slight over runs some times just from not paying attention... last thing if you can try to learn on a good quality bait caster that will make a BIG difference fighting a low quality bait caster is not fun... if you want a SUPER easy reel to cast... get you a 90 dollar Daiwa Exceler  or TD-PRO there really good quality LP's for the money and have a great IMO the best breaking system of any out there... there smooth and will help you learn to cast!!!!!! Good luck and stay with it! soon you will be rewarded

[DBinPA]

I also just bought my first baitcaster a month ago.  I havent been out fishing yet, but i probably have a good 2-3 hours of practice in the backyard.  Im pretty confident at this point.....no more backlashes.  It just takes awhile to get the hang of adjusting spool tension and braking with your thumb, cause honestly the centrifical brakes do not prevent backlash.  cant wait to get out on the water with my new rod and reel!!!!!

Just keep practicing..................Good Luck

[Sharkbite]

Practice practice practice. One thing to remember is to set the tension for the different lures you use. And take it easy with the casts. Start out barely giving it any arm, and just let the rod kind of sweep a little. You will feel like a girl trying to throw a ball but that is ok. It will at least get you a feel for how the line will come off of the spool. Keep your thumb close to the spool and ready to lock down if you have an overrun coming. Keep at it and as you get a feel for it you will get more comfortable with it and cast better and better.

Yes I agree BP.  Just start easy and work your way a little at a time.  The biggest mistake I made was trying to get the distance before the form.  I heard all the great talk about how far the cast will improve only to realize that I need more acuracy then distance.  Are you cast from the side or over head?  I still can't cast over head but from the side I am doing really good.  Just learned last year.  Also FYI I struggled with certain reels not saying to go buy a new one.  I started on a Pinnicle then had a Xstreme or 2 but then I found what worked for me.  That is the Trion.  So keep at it and you'll get it.  We're here any time for yuo don't worry one bit.  Another thing that helped me is to bring nothing but you BC set up and extra line.  I would get very fustrated and throw it down and pick up the spinning combo.  By doing so I just slowed my self down.  

[iceintheveins]

Takes a lot of practice, hey I STILL get backlashes even though I've been fishing casting reels for almost ten years. The spool tension is probably more important than the braking system. You want your lure to slowly fall and when it hits the ground, you DON'T want coils of line to jump off the spool.

The more expensive reels with better braking systems do backlash less.

[Micro]

Expect many more backlashes until you learn what you are doing.  After that, expect occassional backlashes.  Backlashes come with the territory.

[Catt]

Set your reel up properly & educate your thumb

[LAO162]

Start conservatively.  At least half of brakes on (or 1/2) setting.  Use a weight/lure approaching 1/2 oz.  Use very limp line.  Set the spool so that when you lightly shake the rod it only drops a couple inches - definitely not more than a foot!  Swing lightly and be pleased with a 15 ft cast.  Let your thumb lightly touch the spool during the cast.  KEY - As the bait hits the water, immediately stop the spool with your thumb.

If you are trying to catch a fish in your first hour with a baitcasting, you're not practicing your casts.

After you're getting more consistent, loosen up the spool so the weight drops a foot.  After practicing a bit more, start looking for spots on the water and try to hit them.  Don't concentrate on distance for your first few outings!

As you get more consistent, you can then work on distance.  Apply even less pressure on the spool during the cast, but still stop the spool when the bait hist the water.  Once you've maxing out, then lighten up on the brakes - not on the first few outings.

I'm still not very good, but I'm improving. Hint - do not overspool your reel.

Have Fun!

[crankbait2009]

thanks guys.  i can see what i did wrong now but if i am limited to only being able to fish from the shore, i dont have access to deeper waters.  so i am trying to cast out as far as i can to get a deeper drop.

are baitcasters best with a boat?  or does it not matter?

[grimlin]

No,just have to practice.Distant will come with practice.I fish from shore also and i use baitcasters.  

Just stay with heavier lures for now 3/8- 1/2 oz atleast.

[Under the Radar]

thanks guys. so i am trying to cast out as far as i can to get a deeper drop.

are baitcasters best with a boat? or does it not matter?

OK Reds, You learned to walk before you learned to run. So the info you've got so far is all on target. I think you may find that after all is said and done, you'll probably end up catching more fish on shorter casts parallel to the shoreline. I have a bass boat a 2 man inflatable, and a canoe. My fishing time is probably 50/50 boat & shoreline. The first rods I load up are the baitcasters, unless I have a specific technique in mind that requires a Spinning rod.

Get mad enough to get determined and you'll do fine.

[islandbass]

thanks guys. i can see what i did wrong now but if i am limited to only being able to fish from the shore, i dont have access to deeper waters. so i am trying to cast out as far as i can to get a deeper drop.

are baitcasters best with a boat? or does it not matter?

Whether you fish from the shore or boat has absolutely nothing to do what type of reel you use. The only thing that separates you from us is focused, quality practice and exeperience. The only thing that can stop you from learning how to use a casting reel is you quitting. Keep at it, don't give up and you will be there.  

[Izzy3374]

thanks guys. i can see what i did wrong now but if i am limited to only being able to fish from the shore, i dont have access to deeper waters. so i am trying to cast out as far as i can to get a deeper drop.

are baitcasters best with a boat? or does it not matter?

Having a boat doesn't matter, but if you are limited to the shore and want to get out deeper, than a spinner is better.  That is, unless you are an expert at baitcasters which then you should be able to get one out just as far as a spinning reel.  In a boat you can move to the deep spots so it doesnt matter

[ChiCityBasser]

There is another trick you can try as well and something I have seen or heard mentioned. Spool off 15-20yards and then apply a piece of tape to the spool and that way if you do backlash it won't go any further than the tape and continue to practice

[crankbait2009]

ok, one last question, then ill put this to sleep, as long as nothing else goes wrong  

but, i have a reel that has backlash.  can i back the line off the reel till it disapears?  or do i have to replace the line everytime with new?

it looks like the birds nest is in pretty deep.  i dont wanna use jacked up line and have a chance of it getting tangled due to the kinks.

[ChiCityBasser]

ok, one last question, then ill put this to sleep, as long as nothing else goes wrong

but, i have a reel that has backlash. can i back the line off the reel till it disapears? or do i have to replace the line everytime with new?

it looks like the birds nest is in pretty deep. i dont wanna use jacked up line and have a chance of it getting tangled due to the kinks.

Since you are going to be practicing get a "pick" and get the backlash out by finding the loop amongst the backlash. Once you work the backlash out keep practicing with that line and then respool when you get better at controlling it.

JMO and the more experienced guys will jump in I'm sure

[hercdoc]

Here is a good tip that I found really helpful on getting rid of a backlash without cutting line.  Give it a try...It has worked for me

[Ruda53]

Another thing to be careful with is the wind. If you're throwing into a wind.....your chances of getting a backlash goes way up. This will take practice and experience to know what weight lure you're throwing and what levels you should have your brakes set. I have found it to be an ongoing education !! By the way, it never ends.

[crankbait2009]

when practicing, is it ok to use a 3/8 or 1/2oz sinker?  or is better to use a crankbait?