Baitcasting Problems
by: Bud Fields (Galveston, Indiana)

Backlash is much easier to avoid if you know what precautions to take

It never ceases to amaze me how many new anglers save their money to purchase a new baitcasting reel and once they get the reel mounted on a real nice graphite rod, they step out into their backyard to try their new toy and... BBBRRRZZZ, get what?? They get the old nemesis... BACKLASH.

First off, don't feel too bad. We have ALL done that ourselves. Anyone that says they haven't is probably trying to save themselves from being embarrassed. I admit it has happened to me many times over the 50 plus years I have been fishing.

When I started fishing, we had baitcaster reels but they were not the sophisticated reels we have today. You tied your nylon line on the reel and simply used your thumb to slow down the spool.

Over the years, progress helped change the concept of the baitcasters by adding magnets, clutch adjustments, "Star" drags and even ball bearings for smooth operation. Along with these new improvements, a more technical maintenance schedule needed to be done. If today's anglers study the owner's manuals and follow the advice, their baitcasting reels will give them many years of loyal service.

In most every scenario, the problem incurred by the angler while using a baitcaster is a direct result of improper adjustments. You can use the best fishing line on the market and still have backlashes.

I am going to describe some adjustments that we are going to make for a right handed angler. If you are left handed, the adjustments will be just the opposite.

Stand up straight and hold your fishing rod with the baitcasting reel in your left hand and facing up. To properly adjust your baitcasting reel, tie the lure you are going to use to your line. Turn the reel handle until the lure is approximately 4 inches from the rod tip.

The clutch is on the handle side of the reel and resembles a thimble

On the "handle side" of the reel, you will notice a round knob resembling a thimble. This is the clutch adjustment knob. I suggest you take your thumb and forefinger and turn this knob "clockwise" possibly 2 turns. Take your left thumb and place it one the reel spool applying slight pressure on the line.

Now, use your other thumb to depress the "Casting " button, or thumb bar. When you do this, you will be putting the line spool in "Free Spool" mode. You now remove your thumb from the line spool. The lure should remain in the exact same spot, 4" below the rod tip.

Now, using your thumb and forefinger, turn the clutch knob "counterclockwise" very slowly until the lure starts to drop from it's own weight. The lure should not drop suddenly, just slowly (you may have to make this adjustment a few times to get the best adjustment setting).

This adjustment is not as complicated as it sounds. After you have done it a few times, it will get much easier. I can change lures and make the adjustment while having a conversation with another angler.

If the adjustment is too tight, you will not get much casting distance. If that occurs, simply turn the adjustment a little bit more counterclockwise to loosen the clutch.

If the adjustment is too loose, you will have plenty of casting distance but you will encounter the backlash problems again.

The clutch is on the handle side of the reel and resembles a thimble

Another adjustment many anglers fail to make properly is the "Drag." Again, this is not a difficult adjustment and needs to be checked often.

On the axle that holds the reel handle, you will see something that resembles a star wheel. This is the drag adjustment. To tighten the drag, making it difficult to pull line out, you turn the drag adjustment clockwise. To reduce the drag, making it easier to pull line out, turn the drag adjustment counterclockwise.

To check the setting, I wear a glove to protect my hand from line cuts. I make certain the reel is not in "Free Spool" mode by turning the reel handle a time or two. I wrap the line around my hand and attempt a slow pull away from the reel. If the drag is properly set, the line will slowly pull from the spool. If the drag is too tight, you will feel the line "tug" the reel.

If the line is too tight, turn the drag adjustment counterclockwise, if the drag is too lose, turn the adjustment clockwise. That is basically all there is to drag adjustment. Remember, though, most fish are lost due to the drag being too tight and snapping the line. It is better to have the drag somewhat loose and allow the rod and drag system to fight the fish.

I need to also discuss what many of us "Old Timers" refer to as an "Educated Thumb." You can eliminate alot of backlash problems by using your thumb to "feather" the reel spool to eliminate any "over run" problems. If you concentrate and watch your lure, just before it hits the water, you can start using your thumb to slow the reel spool down and actually stop your line from going out. Just a small amount of practice and your thumb will automatically know when to "feather the spool."

Another item to be mentioned is the method of spooling the line from the line holder to the reel. This is very often overlooked. I do all my own line spooling so I know it is done properly.

I purchased a line spool holder from Bass Pro Shops and that makes it alot easier for line transfer. I remember I used to have my wife hold the line spool on a pencil and I would turn the reel handle and transfer the line from the spool she held to my reel.
The most important thing to remember about transferring the line from the spool to the reel is the line should come directly over the top of the line spool directly over the top of the reel spool. For an example, let's say the line spool is on your right hand side and your reel in on your left hand side. The line from the line spool should be coming of the line spool in a counterclockwise motion and going onto your reel spool the SAME direction.

After you fill your reel spool with line, the line should come to within 1/8 of an inch of the spool line indicators. Too much line and you will be back to your backlashes again, not enough line and you will be sacrificing casting distance.

Once you fill your reel spool with line and attach your lure, make the clutch and brake adjustments that I described earlier and you should be ready to begin your outing with confidence and hopefully WITHOUT the problems other anglers will be having.

I probably should not divulge this information: over the years, I have purchased some real good baitcasting reels because Ol' Hank got one for Christmas and he backlashed it on the first cast and decided he did not like it, so he sold me a $130.00 reel for $40.00. Of course, I had to cut all the line off the reel and replace it.

Friends, make these adjustments and practice as much as possible. Read the manual and learn how your baitcaster reel operates and how to take care of it. It is really simple to use it, If you still don't like it, some of us Ol'Timers are always looking for a good deal on reels.

• If you have questions, or want to discuss backlash more: click here.