I bought a $60 Quantum bait caster a while back as my first baitcasting reel. It took me a little while to learn how to avoid backlashes but i got the hang of it after a while and i can use it now with a backlash only around every 15 casts or so and i can usually fix them pretty easily and keep fishing. I decided i wanted another baitcaster and desided to buy a little better quality reel. I bought a Bass Pro Shops Extreme reel and rod combo. I put some Trilene 12lb mono line on it and took it with me my next trip to the lake. I casted maybe twice before i had a huge backlash that took me a while to untangle. After a few more attemps i put it away all tangled up and went with my Quantum the rest of the day. I thought that the Trilene line was maybe too old cause i had it almost a year, so i respooled the new bait caster with the same P-Line 17lb mono that is on my Quantum. Took it out the next day and BAM!! Huge backlash again! I untangled and pulled out line and reeled back in so i had no loops of line on the reel and this time adjusted the dial on the side so that i would have the most amount of braking on the reel when casting. I still had problems making more than 2 consecutive casts with out backlashing. So im pissed at this point and shove it in the rod box and grab my old Quantum which gave me very little problems the rest of the day. Whats the deal? Do i have to relearn to cast with each new baitcaster i buy? Are they that much different that its like learning how to use one all over again? Im i spooling the line on the reel too tight? What gives?

Each reel is a little different and will need to be adjusted.
1. adjust the knob on the right side until the bait you are using will just fall slowly when the spool is released.

2. adjust the magnetic brake on the left to help stop the spool over run. try a few cast and readjust as necessary.

3. use your thumb on the spool to help control over run

4. don't try to throw so hard, let the rod do the work.

Everytime you change to a different type or weight bait readjust. Hope this helps.

Follow those steps above and it should get easier. The main thing is to adjust the tension knob on the right side of the reel. YOu might start on the tighter side and then lighten up as you get the hang of it.

Also, what were you trying to cast on it? If it was something really light or real heavy it might be a little harder to dial in.

Coach

These above are great advise. Another thing that also might help conserve some fishing line, since i know how expensive it can get to keep changing line..... Is to spool your reel up like normal and when your ready to go to the lake and cast pull as much line out as you think your going to need to cast the bait your using. Then put a piece of electrical tape right there on the spool covering the line. This will ensure that if you do backlash it will not birnest all of the line on your reel.

hope this helps

Wow, thats the best idea i have ever heard! To answer the other question, i was throwing a 1/2 oz spinner bait. And i didnt really know that the knob on the right actually would help if it was adjusted. Im gonna try doing that also. thanks.

And also, i do think i might be throwing too hard. That might be one of the problems.

So im gonna try and adjust the knob on the right to where it will slowly fall once i have released the spool, should i start with the magnetic brake at its highest braking power at first until i get the hang of it or until i get it right?

Yes, and don't throw so hard. With the right settings you should be able to throw with your wrist.

All the above is good info. One other thing - Try to keep your reel spool vertical during the cast, not horizontal. You'll have to roll your wrist slightly to make it happen, but it's a big help on preventing "professional overrun."

Oh wow.... with the wrist huh? hahaha i think i have been throwing it way harder than that. Ooops! I did play baseball though. Maybe i will stop doing a half swing and just cast. hahahah

Yep! I used to try and overcast my lures all the time with my first baitcaster, a Browning Stalker, birdnest on every cast. I got so frustrated and tossed that reel in the pond. 3 years later I finally figured it out and my arm isn't tired after an 8 hour tournament.

Here is a little tip. Next time you get a backlash, loosen the drag completely, then strip off the line all the way to the backlash without free spooling. It might not solve your backlash problem, but it will make those pesky backlashes come loose easier.

Adjust the mag brake to the lowest setting first and adjust the spoolknob on the right. Then adjust the mag brake as needed. It will take a little practice but you will get it.



So im gonna try and adjust the knob on the right to where it will slowly fall once i have released the spool, should i start with the magnetic brake at its highest braking power at first until i get the hang of it or until i get it right?

I've found that some rod/reel combinations won't throw light baits without backlashing. You need some pressure on the cast knob on those. I have a old abu garcia thats a prime example. Cast control has to be super light to get the slow fall with 1/4 oz. It will birdsnest every time set that way but the backlash occurs before the lure hits the water. Move up to 3/8 oz or so, I can put a little pressure on the cast control and as long as I thumb the spool when the lure hits, it works fine. Not so good for throwing a finesse baits, but works for carolina rig.

Could also be the rod. If your bait/lure weight isn't matched to the rod: ie; your rod is too stiff or too light, will cause problems with casting.