{"id":5407,"date":"2018-08-30T14:14:51","date_gmt":"2018-08-30T14:14:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rangetoreel.com\/?p=5407"},"modified":"2018-11-06T18:00:24","modified_gmt":"2018-11-06T18:00:24","slug":"prevent-baitcaster-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rangetoreel.com\/prevent-baitcaster-backlash\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Prevent Baitcasting Backlash or Birds Nests When Casting"},"content":{"rendered":"

Beginner fisherman throughout the world have been suffering in silence (maybe not in silence) with their baitcasting reels.\u00a0 Reel Backlash is a serious problem when first getting used to a new baitcast reel.\u00a0 After staring down a few bird nests in your reel you start to second guess whether or not it’s worth it.<\/p>\n

Just remember that as hard as it may seem, baitcasters offer a lot of advantages over spinning reels.\u00a0 You’ll be able to handle bigger line, which means bigger fish, have farther more accurate casts and take advantage of all the newest fishing technology.\u00a0 Before you can reel in that monster bass you need to figure out how to get past that whole backlash\/birds nest problem.<\/p>\n

What is Backlash?<\/h3>\n

Before we get to far into this article it’s important to know exactly what backlash is. When you hold down the thumb button on your baitcaster this allows your spool to spin freely.\u00a0 If your spool is too tight you’ll have short inaccurate casts, but if your spool is too loose it’ll leave out excess line.<\/p>\n

The good thing is that even cheap reels these days have anti-backlash systems.\u00a0 Check out all these cheap baitcast reels on amazon if you don’t believe me<\/a>.\u00a0 Even the budget no name reels that cost 20-30 bucks have dual breaking systems.\u00a0 I’m not saying you should get the cheapest reel on the market, but something like a budget Abu Garcia Blackmax reel<\/a> will work just fine.<\/p>\n

This excess line is what results in backlash, which comes into a tangled mess.\u00a0 If you don’t know how to properly setup your reel it’s going to make casting a lot more difficult and frustrating.\u00a0 Your goal should be to control your line just enough that it stops the excess line without effecting your cast.<\/p>\n

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How To Stop Baitcaster Backlash<\/h2>\n

You’re on a early morning hot streak, fish are going nuts striking everything you throw at them.\u00a0 Cast your lure out in a graceful arc and kersplunk. It’s the sound backlash making a mess of your morning.\u00a0 After throwing a few obscenities your reels way you sit down and start picking out your line.\u00a0 Could you have prevented this annoying birds nest of a problem?<\/p>\n

Reel makers have been increasing their reel design in the past 10-20 years finding ways to make baitcast reels easier to use.\u00a0 They’ve been coming out with anti-backlash controls that it seems like only the masters have figured out.\u00a0 You don’t have to be a fishing expert to take advantage of all the controls on your reel.\u00a0 After you figure out what they do even a beginner can develop a good casting rhythm.<\/p>\n

Don’t Ignore Your Anti Backlash Settings<\/h3>\n

I don’t know who all these so called experts are that keep telling people to ignore their anti-backlash settings.\u00a0 I’ve even seen advice stating that they should be shut off altogether.\u00a0 Maybe they’ll do more harm than good if you don’t understand how they work, but with a few hours of practice and a few lure swaps you’ll quickly get your settings dialed in.<\/p>\n

Your Anti Backlash Settings Shouldn’t Be Static<\/h4>\n

It doesn’t matter what backlash system you have in place you can dial in a good setting with just about any lure.\u00a0 Just remember that what works for one lure will likely need to be slightly adjusted for another.\u00a0 With a little practice you’ll be able to dial in these adjustments on the fly.<\/p>\n

How To Adjust The Anti Backlash Setting<\/h3>\n