Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New

[salish]

Hello,

I recently pulled out two old bait casting reels I haven't used in over 20 years. I used these reels for winter steelheading and couldn't seem to become proficient with them and eventually moved to a spinning reel. I thought I'd give these reels another try with bass gear. Still having issues with birds nests in casts no matter how much I play with the controls on the reels.

My question is this, do modern bait casting reels still have issues with backlash or had someone invented a "backlash free" reel? My two reels are the Quantum 1310 & 1410 reels which were decent reels in 1995.

Thanks
Cliff

[Stein]

You can make almost any reel backlash free, but it won't cast very far.  You can adjust tension on the reel which prevents it from spinning freely, thus it won't overspin.  For most reels, you adjust them to match whatever weight you are casting and then learn how to cast and use your thumb to control the spool.  It just takes practice.

[Old Man Yager]

I make plenty of birds nest on my newer reel. 

[Dhoey07]

I use those reels exclusively for salmon/steelhead.  I've even purchased a few off eBay for backups.  They're solid reels that don't quit.

 Do you know how to adjust the spool tension?

[kisfish]

For me it took practice, practice , practice. I  would get birds nest allot when I started with casters. I think everyone does. A very common mistake is people try to whip it out there a country mile. A nice even steady cast will work the best and then start playing with the drag.   I was on the water or boat at least 70 times a year back in the day and just threw my caster on a regular basis. That's almost all I cast with anymore and all my favorite reels are from the 90's. I love my browning citori bait casters.   

[salish]

Thanks guys, that pretty much answers my question, and I appreciate all of your advice. And I do know how to adjust the spool tension and brakes. It just boils down to having patience on my part. I'll keep in trying my reels and see if I can overcome my backlash problems. Thank you.

[Bullkllr]

Make sure you practice with a reasonable weight. Most backlashes come from trying to throw too light a weight too far a distance before the thumb is fully coordinated.

Start practicing with 1/2 -3/4 ounce practice weight and go from there. A shorter rod- like a bass rod- is easier to practice with than standard salmon/steelhead lengths also ime.

[Skyvalhunter]

What happened to the good old Mitchell 300 days? 

[6haase6]

The way my buddy started me was adjust your reel so that when you push the button and just hold your rod at a 45 your lure will fall at moderate pace. Also on your cast follow your lure with the rod tip. Then you can start fine tuning your reel.

[salish]

Bullkllr & 6haase6, great advice, thanks. I did find an old casting practice plug and added some weight to it. I'll be working with it.

[Dhoey07]

If you give up on them, let me know.

They’re good reels. Think about casting as a “toss” and not a “whip”.

[salish]

 Will do, thanks.

[KopperBuck]

Has a lot to do with the rod. Stiffer sticks require more throw (depending) which almost guarantees a fuzz up. Also, lighter action rods people throw too hard (let the rod do the work) and creates the same issue.

There is no fix - it’s all about practice and touch. Lots of factors as mentioned. The reel is only part of the larger equation - weight of lure, weight/type of line, how far you need to cast, how you cast, wind, etc.


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[KopperBuck]

If you give up on them, let me know.

They’re good reels. Think about casting as a “toss” and not a “whip”.

Reminds me of the first time I combat fished while in college. I wanted to side arm and whip it - i could and can drop it in a drinking glass. But being that close it wasn’t going to happen. To this day I still can’t lob shizz.


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[branches]

lure weight and line diameter will determine how well you can cast. Practice, Practice, and Practice will get you confident and get your results with the bait caster. Go in the back yard and  try to cast into a 5 gallon bucket at different distances.