Line is "Jumping" on cast

[GatorNation]

Hey guys, I just bought a new Citica and went out and fished with it today for a few hours.  I have three brakes on and made sure my tension was so my lure dropped at a slow pace.  I was fishing the bigger 6" worm from Gander, and when I cast the lure out, my line seemed to jump off at the beginning and then became smooth for the remainder of the cast.  I'm using 30lb Power Pro and I'm wondering why this is happening?  Shouldn't the cast be smooth from the get go?  Or is this an issue of my casting, and the ability for citicas to throw unweighted worms well?  Anything would help, thanks.

[Carrington]

do you mean it is starting to backlash, but then the backlashing line goes out and into the water which corrects the backlash?

[VolFan]

First of all your screen name is offensive and awful and you should be banned for it,   

That said, it's normal, especially with lighter lures. You could smooth your casting stroke out some or increase the tension some to get it a little prettier, but it's not really an issue unless it backlashes.

[GatorNation]

well first of Volfan...we did shut Kiffin up real fast, and you must have amnesia for forgetting tuesday night lol

But thanks for the info, I guess that makes sense...I noticed my control improved when i didnt try to launch my bait a mile...I did get some backlash because I have to cast short distances backhand...i think a 5 year old can flip and pitch better than me...but i didnt think the line should jump and backlash like that when i cast...i guess i'll try some heavier lures and see if the issue contines

ps-its always fun to do some sec smack talk...no offense intended

[KYntucky Warmouth]

Make sure you're not snapping your wrist, the smoother the better.

[ChrisAW]

Aren't you supposed to keep even numbers of brakes set too? Like, if you set one, you're supposed to set the one across from it as well?

[VolFan]

No offense taken, but then again we haven't had much offense in a few years... ;D

[BobP]

If you have a 6 post centrifugal brake system and put every other one ON, that's three and it's symmetrical.  The cast control knob controls backlashing at the beginning of the cast.  The brakes control backlashing at the end of the cast.  So if your spool is fluffing up, put on a little more cast control.  It's fine to tighten it up so the lure doesn't drop when you hit the release, but will release line if you bob the rod tip.  You can't fish well if you are staring at your reel on every cast, waiting for it to explode.  Rick is right about snapping your wrist being a no-no.  Just keep it nice and smooth, load up the rod and let the rig do the work.  It takes awhile to develop a smooth stroke but once you do, it literally becomes a no-brainer.   

[GatorBait]

I does not matter if you set even numbers of brakes or not.  I usually use one green brake with several of my curado's in stead of setting two. If backlash occurs at the reel immediately after the cast or when the bait is projecting through the air adjust the vbs settings.  If backlash occurs when the bait hits the water adjust the friction nob.  Hey i know you!

[ChrisAW]

If you have a 6 post centrifugal brake system and put every other one ON, that's three and it's symmetrical.  

Duh! I didn't think about that.  :-X

[bwell]

I use to use 30# power pro and it would dig into the spool causing the line to jump out, eventually causing my line to break...  From some advice on the boards here I jumped up to 50-65# and haven't had the problem since....

[dodgeguy]

well first of Volfan...we did shut Kiffin up real fast, and you must have amnesia for forgetting tuesday night lol

But thanks for the info, I guess that makes sense...I noticed my control improved when i didnt try to launch my bait a mile...I did get some backlash because I have to cast short distances backhand...i think a 5 year old can flip and pitch better than me...but i didnt think the line should jump and backlash like that when i cast...i guess i'll try some heavier lures and see if the issue contines

ps-its always fun to do some sec smack talk...no offense intended

cast with the handle up.it helps stop backlash.backlash at the front of the cast is controled by turning more brakes on.backlash during the cast is controlled by spool tension or your thumb.when you get good you can use no spool tension and just your thumb.

[birdley123]

You guys have said contradicting things;  one says brakes control b-lash at beginning, cast control at the end while another says cast control knob controls b-lash at beginning and brakes at the end.

Which one is it??? :-/

[Nine Miler]

Brakes - Beginning

Spool Tension - End

[birdley123]

...well said. 

[dodgeguy]

centrifugal brakes in the beginning and then they back off.

magnets work during entire cast.

thumb works when you tell it.

spool tension is entire cast because it's constant drag.

[J Francho]

centrifugal brakes in the beginning and then they back off.

magnets work during entire cast.

thumb works when you tell it.

spool tension is entire cast because it's constant drag.

That's pretty much it, except in the case of the newer Daiwa Mag-Z and Mag-V. The induction spool is centrifugally actuated, and works at higher spool speeds, similar, though not the same as traditional centrifugal brakes. However, there is still some minor influence at slower speeds, though I only notice it while spinning an empty spool in my hands.

[dodgeguy]

true.and that's a good system also.

[barroncooper]

First of all your screen name is offensive and awful and you should be banned for it,

That said, it's normal, especially with lighter lures. You could smooth your casting stroke out some or increase the tension some to get it a little prettier, but it's not really an issue unless it backlashes.

haha I take offense as well.  oh well with urban and tebow gone I think that dynasty is over... sorry for the hijack

[LAO162]

centrifugal brakes in the beginning and then they back off.

magnets work during entire cast.

thumb works when you tell it.

spool tension is entire cast because it's constant drag.

Dodgeguy, this is a great way to present information. I'm glad I found this thread since I'm looking for tips to improve my casting. So often, the advice is "educate your thumb" or "practice."

Since I do not have a lot of time for practice, I try to do it efficiently. Perhaps a bigger problem is: What the heck am I supposed to be practicing? :) The last thing I want to do is further ingrain my [many] bad habits  :)

Thanks everyone for a great discussion.