Backreeling with a spinning reel 2024

Mobasser reply :

Does anyone like to do this? I like to fish my spinning reels this way. Wondered if any of you guys do this too

BassWhole! reply :

No back reeling for me. If you have a decent drag and it is set properly, there should be no need, but if you enjoy doing it, and it works for you, that's really all that matters.

Mobasser reply :

I enjoy it, but agree too. Most good spinning reels have much better drags than years ago. It works well for me, but you have to be careful on the hookset.

HookRz reply :

Today's spinning reel drags are great. I set mine tight, on a "disaster setting" that still slips if you lower the rod tip but from that point I flip the anti-reverse and back reel. Old habit, or just more direct control over the fish? Who knows...but it's what I do. To each his own.

Mobasser reply :

HookRz, I have to agree. Pretty much what I do too. I set my drag tight and adjust after I hook a fish. Only time I've had trouble is one or twice hooking into a good size fish. I've had a couple break off on the hookset

2tall79 reply :

Always, especially with smallies.

Bluebasser86 reply :

I do it most of the time. I set my drag still, but feel like I have better control over the fish if I backreel.

desmobob reply :

I read somewhere that the new-fangled spinning reels have an adjustable drag on them so you no longer have to back-reel. What will they think of next?!

Tight lines,

Bob

Gundog reply :

Use to back reel when I fished cheaper reels, used lighter line and used a more limber rod. I don't do it anymore since upgrading all of those things.

Angry John reply :

Buy good reels that have top end drag systems. I never learned so I depend on the equipment to do the job.

OCdockskipper reply :

I know Mark Davis likes to back reel, but I don't. I sit when I fish and often will extend the rod in one hand to steer a fish around the trolling motor around the front of the boat. In doing so, I take my left hand off the reel, which is a no-no if the anti-reverse is off.

Also, for lighter lb test, it isn't a bad thing for the drag to release a little on the hookset. If you are using a hook that requires more torque than that to set, you should probably use a heavier test line (& possibly a casting setup). Light line and a light wire hook work well with a drag set at about 33% of the rated breaking strength of the line.

Oregon Native reply :

Been using the Daiwa SS1300 for many years. Have caught hundreds of steelhead and bass on them. Never had too back reel. Been fortunate.

BassWhole! reply :

On 3/8/2018 at 7:29 PM, Oregon Native said:

Been using the Daiwa SS1300 for many years. Have caught hundreds of steelhead and bass on them. Never had too back reel. Been fortunate.

That was the original super smooth drag reel. We abused the 2600 size in the surf quite a bit. How did we ever do it with those flimsy graphite/plastic bodies?

Mobasser reply :

Those diawa ss reels are some of the best. They easily hold their own with many modern reels

desmobob reply :

On 3/8/2018 at 8:19 PM, Mobasser said:

Those diawa ss reels are some of the best. They easily hold their own with many modern reels

Daiwa still sells them, right? When I look at mine, it has a dated look... it reminds me of the styling of something from the past, but I can't put my finger on it.

The Tournament SS is a great reel, for sure.

Tight lines,

Bob

PatrickKnight reply :

I don't see a need to. All I fish is spinning tackle and I never back reel, in fact most of my reels (new Shimanos) do not even have an anti reverse switch. I do upgrade the drags to carbon washers if that matters at all.

Team9nine reply :

Do it frequently....

J Francho reply :

Not with bass or spinning reels, but with a centrepin (I use for steelhead and salmon), you have no choice. You kind of use your finger as the drag.

Darren. reply :

Never. All of my spinning reels have excellent drags.

OkobojiEagle reply :

...yes. Perhaps it isn't well known outside of the circle of believers, but a spinning reel's drag still engages when the reel handle is held still while back-reeling. Back-reeling provides a level of line release lighter than that at which the drag is set.

new2BC4bass reply :

I don't think it is dependent on whether or not you have a good drag. It is a choice. Years ago I fished 4# XL exclusively for a few years. Drag locked down and I don't recall every breaking off a fish. Of course my rods resembled a noodle more than a broomstick.

Mobasser reply :

I first learned about it from reading about Billy Westmorelnd. Still one of my favorite guys. It really is choice, I like it

Ratherbfishing reply :

Since I've been fishing (going on 40 years now), I've switched OFF the anti-reverse lever perhaps 2 times. I really don't know why it even exists (except so that I can accidentally dislodge and lose the tiny little spring when I am cleaning the reel).

desmobob reply :

On 3/8/2018 at 10:22 PM, OkobojiEagle said:

...yes. Perhaps it isn't well known outside of the circle of believers, but a spinning reel's drag still engages when the reel handle is held still while back-reeling. Back-reeling provides a level of line release lighter than that at which the drag is set.

oe

Good point about the drag always being enabled regardless of the anti-reverse being on or off.

I still prefer to keep the AR engaged. Bad things can happen if it's not and you lose your grip on the reel handle. =:-0

Tight lines,

Bob

Oregon Native reply :

On 3/8/2018 at 8:49 PM, desmobob said:

Daiwa still sells them, right? When I look at mine, it has a dated look... it reminds me of the styling of something from the past, but I can't put my finger on it.

The Tournament SS is a great reel, for sure.

Tight lines,

Bob

They do

Chance_Taker4 reply :

On 3/8/2018 at 3:03 PM, OCdockskipper said:

I know Mark Davis likes to back reel, but I don't.

Iaconelli still back reels to. I read an article that Abu wasn't going to leave that feature off their Revo spinning reels but Ike threw a huge fit and they added it back into the design.

J Francho reply :

I've never seen him back reel, or just didn't notice. I have seen him literally strip line off the reel to feed it to the fish. Personally, it seems a little melodramatic to me. Set the drag in the first place. They work.

desmobob reply :

On 3/9/2018 at 3:44 AM, J Francho said:

I've never seen him back reel, or just didn't notice. I have seen him literally strip line off the reel to feed it to the fish. Personally, it seems a little melodramatic to me. Set the drag in the first place. They work.

What? Ike being overly dramatic? Come on...

Tight lines,

Bob

volzfan59 reply :

My dad taught me to back reel back in the 60's and I still do from time to time just to stay in practice. Usually I let the drag do it's thing.

Russ E reply :

I have seen people do it but, have never felt the need for back reeling.

it seems to me, one more thing to worry about in the heat of catching a large fish.

I make sure the drag works and just fish.

Paul Roberts reply :

I've never used drag on a spinning reel. And you don't have to keep two hands on the reel either.

HookRz reply :

On 3/8/2018 at 9:28 AM, Mobasser said:

HookRz, I have to agree. Pretty much what I do too. I set my drag tight and adjust after I hook a fish. Only time I've had trouble is one or twice hooking into a good size fish. I've had a couple break off on the hookset

On 3/8/2018 at 10:39 PM, Mobasser said:

I first learned about it from reading about Billy Westmorelnd. Still one of my favorite guys. It really is choice, I like it

The reel drags today are great. But when backreeling I am in control. You can also do what I call "counterpunching" and tire out a fish much faster. Fish runs, backreel with him than do half turns forward. Snap his head a bit. You can't do that with the drag slipping.

But it backreeling is just a Bass and Walleye thing. Don't try it on Steelhead. No one can backreel as fast as a slime rocket can run!

OCdockskipper reply :

On 3/9/2018 at 9:22 AM, Paul Roberts said:

...And you don't have to keep two hands on the reel either.

OK, you have piqued my curiosity.

I understand someone with hands like Andre the Giant could just wrap his big mitt around the entire rod and reel handle, but for normal mortals, how pray tell do you you do that?

Yumeya reply :

On 3/8/2018 at 9:14 AM, reason said:

No back reeling for me. If you have a decent drag and it is set properly, there should be no need, but if you enjoy doing it, and it works for you, that's really all that matters.

N Florida Mike reply :

I dont backreel unless the brake disengages., which has happened a few times.

I have mostly mid range reels with decent, if not great drags. With any larger fish, I "help the drag " by stripping line by hand when the fish surges. I have done this for many years and it works well for me.

Crestliner2008 reply :

Many years ago I use to back reel almost exclusively. Back then, spinning reel drags left a lot to be desired too! And I also wanted (needed) to land every fish I got to bite. These days, successfully landing every fish is less important to me. And I gotta admit, the modern spinning reel drags are so much better today as well. Besides, there is nothing like the excitement of a screaming drag!

mattkenzer reply :

No back reeling for me, I do well just to reel forward ......

DubyaDee reply :

On 3/9/2018 at 11:18 AM, HookRz said:

You can also do what I call "counterpunching" and tire out a fish much faster. Fish runs, backreel with him than do half turns forward. Snap his head a bit. You can't do that with the drag slipping.

This sounds like a great way to lose a fish. I'm using light line (6-10 lb) with my spinning set ups and I always try to keep things as smooth as possible. Getting all herky jerky on light gear makes me nervous.

I guess we all have our own approach and we use what works best for us.

A-Jay reply :

I never did nor do I back reel.

I prefer to fish with a pretty 'loose' drag relatively speaking. My style when fishing spinning gear is to have the hookset be the most pressure I place on the fish & my tackle, if I can. After that, I'm rarely in a big hurry to land a bass (or any big by catch). I will often 'check' my drag during a fight (especially on bigger fish) by pulling a little line out against the drag; just to make sure / have confidence that it will slip when called upon & not bind (though I've not really had a problem with that - mostly just paranoid). Additionally and as long as the conditions permit, I have no problem 'letting the fish have it's head' but I will however 'feather' the spool a bit now & then to add just a touch of pressure.

A couple of falls ago I landed a tanker of a 25 lb pike on 10 lb line loaded spinning set up.

While some of the smaillies I get into can pull my string pretty good, this PB Pike fight lasted over 15 minutes, drag worked fine.

YMMV

A-Jay

JLBBass reply :

I catch around 2,000+ smallmouth a year, on spinning gear, and as you know, you'll need to use your drag, or backreel when fighting smallies!

I use my drag 100% of the time!

Paul Roberts reply :

On 3/9/2018 at 12:11 PM, OCdockskipper said:

OK, you have piqued my curiosity.

I understand someone with hands like Andre the Giant could just wrap his big mitt around the entire rod and reel handle, but for normal mortals, how pray tell do you you do that?

The fingers on my rod hand can reach the rotor. I have regular sized hands -wear a Lg glove. All I need to do -if I leggo the handle, say, to lip the fish- is stop the rotor with my fingers that are already draped off the handle. It's... easy.

Adding a short video clip:

Back-Reel.mp4Fetching info...

On 3/9/2018 at 11:18 AM, HookRz said:

The reel drags today are great. But when backreeling I am in control. ...

But it backreeling is just a Bass and Walleye thing. Don't try it on Steelhead. No one can backreel as fast as a slime rocket can run!

Exactly. Bingo.

As to steelhead, I've back-reeled a number of them, and some salmon too. Even took a steelie on 1lb (2kg) Trilene XT with a 6ft ultra-light, in wide open water on the lake. Took 10 minutes to land on a watch. My biggest concern was the fish landing on the line during those jumps. Wouldn't recommend it, but I learned a lot about fighting fish in those 10 minutes. Most of my steelies were caught with single-action fly reels though.

J Francho reply :

I do almost the same process to stop a spool's drag slipping, if needed. There really isn't a right or wrong here.

WRB reply :

I only use spinning for finesse fishing and always set and trust my drag.

When a big bass gets close to the boat is the moment of truth and the reason they break off is your drag was set too high. Back reeling can help with a big bass near the boat which means your anti reverse must be off in advance and mine never is.

Tom

crypt reply :

I use Penn ssg reels,can't backreel. so I use my trusty drag.

HookRz reply :

On 3/10/2018 at 12:06 AM, DubyaDee said:

This sounds like a great way to lose a fish. I'm using light line (6-10 lb) with my spinning set ups and I always try to keep things as smooth as possible. Getting all herky jerky on light gear makes me nervous.

I guess we all have our own approach and we use what works best for us.

Yup. Few bass can break line. Cover might break line, or a Bass might break a bad not, but that's about it. I've landed hundreds of 5+ and 6+ Erie Smallies in open water on line as light as 4#, and never give break offs a thought. Throwing the hook on jumps is another matter.

OCdockskipper reply :

On 3/10/2018 at 2:18 AM, Paul Roberts said:

All I need to do -if I leggo the handle, say, to lip the fish- is stop the rotor with my fingers that are already draped off the handle...

Thete is a good chance I would clumsily get a finger caught under something, dislocate it and be off the water for a month...

HookRz reply :

On 3/10/2018 at 2:18 AM, Paul Roberts said:

The fingers on my rod hand can reach the rotor. I have regular sized hands -wear a Lg glove. All I need to do -if I leggo the handle, say, to lip the fish- is stop the rotor with my fingers that are already draped off the handle. It's... easy.

Adding a short video clip:

Back-Reel.mp4Fetching info...

Exactly. Bingo.

As to steelhead, I've back-reeled a number of them, and some salmon too. Even took a steelie on 1lb (2kg) Trilene XT with a 6ft ultra-light, in wide open water on the lake. Took 10 minutes to land on a watch. My biggest concern was the fish landing on the line during those jumps. Wouldn't recommend it, but I learned a lot about fighting fish in those 10 minutes. Most of my steelies were caught with single-action fly reels though.

That sir, is a masterpiece of fish playing. We ain't talkin' no largemouth here. How big was it? Even a three pound jack would be a challenge on that tackle.

FishDewd reply :

I have a Lew's that will back reel with a toggle on the bottom that cancels the anti-reverse. I've only used it a few times as a substitute for a drifting set up with a proper rod and baitcasting reel. Since I now have a drifting rod and baitcasting reels, I won't need to use it that way anymore. And it's not often I even drift. I've done it a few times down the Guadalupe up north, a few times in my creek after a flood, and once or twice in my pond when it was so windy there wasn't much other option but to let it drift a bit with the created current.

Paul Roberts reply :

On 3/10/2018 at 8:08 AM, HookRz said:

That sir, is a masterpiece of fish playing. We ain't talkin' no largemouth here. How big was it? Even a three pound jack would be a challenge on that tackle.

The 1lb test fish was 9lbs. I've back-reeled browns to 14lbs, steelhead to 12lbs (back-reeled and lost one about 15, but not due to back-reeling), and Chinooks to 24# -although that old Mitchell 300 was toast after a few such fish. Gotta have good gears. I then got a Quick 441N (high speed, big spool) which allowed me to backreel salmon to 15lbs without letting go the handle.

HookRz reply :

On 3/10/2018 at 9:06 AM, Paul Roberts said:

The 1lb test fish was 9lbs. I've back-reeled browns to 14lbs, steelhead to 12lbs (back-reeled and lost one about 15, but not due to back-reeling), and Chinooks to 24# -although that old Mitchell 300 was toast after a few such fish. Gotta have good gears. I then got a Quick 441N (high speed, big spool) which allowed me to backreel salmon to 15lbs without letting go the handle.

What this tells us is those that don't "get" backreeling never learned it. Control the fish rather than letting the drag, however good, let the fish control you. I believe it may be because our southern friends that started with baitcasters with heavy line never had to. No largemouth gonna break my braid. A big King on the other hand may yank me outa the boat!

Mobasser reply :

I do think it adds a degree of control, along with your drag.I've done it for years, and have only lost 2 bass that I can remember, and that was my fault. I use it for finesse type stuff- ned rigs, hair jigs, zoom finesse worms etc.Its really not for everybody but Ill probably always do it out of habit.A confidence thing

Team9nine reply :

Ironically, just stumbled across this piece on backreeling in the Spring 2018 WesternBass.com online mag issue

Backreeling article

EDIT: Looks like this site won't let the link go through. Maybe search online for it if you want to read it...

Mobasser reply :

Interesting article Team9nine. Do you like to fish your spinning rigs this way?

Team9nine reply :

On 3/10/2018 at 9:59 AM, Mobasser said:

Interesting article Team9nine. Do you like to fish your spinning rigs this way?

I backreel a lot with bigger fish on light line. Also "thumbbar" with my baitcasters quite frequently.

Mobasser reply :

I was beginning to think I was the only one. Glad to see there are some fellow " backreelers " out there

Paul Roberts reply :

One thing I don't agree with in that article is the statement that if the "fish weighs more than the pound test of line you are using...". Neutrally buoyant fish are essentially weightless. What they pull with is their bodies and fins. And small fish can easily break lines by sheer torque. Make it a big fish and parts of your tackle can be tested you'd never guess were weak links.

WRB reply :

While the body mass is equalized with the air bladder the bass still retains it's mass when swimming and uses that against the line pressure. What makes bass different then other predators is their wide flat shape and ability to turn around quickly and the sudden change in direction plus thier mass can easily snap line or knots if you aren't prepared.

Most big bass get away near the boat from angler errors, line breaks are common.

My heaviest LMB caught on finesse spinning tackle using 6 lb test mono was 13.2 lbs and it was an epic struggle, no back reeling but some trolling motor work was needed.

Tom

Columbia Craw reply :

I don't back reel often but I have felt the need to on occasion. It's a big fish thing. I run my drag at times somewhat loose depending on cover or current and feather the edge of the spool with my finger tip to add a little pressure. Each situation presents what I need to do to pressure a fish.

Bluebasser86 reply :

On 3/10/2018 at 10:02 AM, Team9nine said:

I backreel a lot with bigger fish on light line. Also "thumbbar" with my baitcasters quite frequently.

I do the same with both.

It's not that I don't trust my gear, it's just that I trust myself more. With backreeling, I can easily instantly increase pressure (fish heading for cover and I need to turn them), or decrease pressure (line rubbed against cover and is now possibly damaged). A smooth drag is great, but it takes time to adjust and sometimes even a second or two is too long.

JLBBass reply :

one HUGE mistake when fighting a fish while using your drag is to keep on reeling while drag is being taken out. BAD!!!

talk about a line twisting mistake!!!

I even see BASS pros do it ALL THE TIME!

you keep leverage on the fish with the rod, not with the reel! ( which is why matching the right rod with the lb test line you’re using is CRUTIAL!)

I’ve been asked my some of my “inexperienced” fishing buddies, while I’m fight a 4lb+ smallie on 6 lb test line, “why aren’t you reeling that fish in”. LOL

You control the fish with the rod, control the slack line with the reel, and control the fish surges with the drag.

I average over 2,000 smallies a yr since around 1990, up on Erie, with dozens and dozens going over 6 lbs. hundreds over 5, and who knows how many thousands over 4, ( biggest is 7lb 14oz) and I use NOTHING over 8lb test line, and I can’t remember EVER EVER EVER getting “broken” off. That’s all because of correct rod/ line matchup, AND using a reel with a good drag, and knowing how to use that drag!

OkobojiEagle reply :

On 3/10/2018 at 9:15 PM, PolarKraft195Pro said:

one HUGE mistake when fighting a fish while using your drag is to keep on reeling while drag is being taken out. BAD!!!

talk about a line twisting mistake!!!

I even see BASS pros do it ALL THE TIME!

you keep leverage on the fish with the rod, not with the reel! ( which is why matching the right rod with the lb test line you’re using is CRUTIAL!)

I’ve been asked my some of my “inexperienced” fishing buddies, while I’m fight a 4lb+ smallie on 6 lb test line, “why aren’t you reeling that fish in”. LOL

You control the fish with the rod, control the slack line with the reel, and control the fish surges with the drag.

I average over 2,000 smallies a yr since around 1990, up on Erie, with dozens and dozens going over 6 lbs. hundreds over 5, and who knows how many thousands over 4, ( biggest is 7lb 14oz) and I use NOTHING over 8lb test line, and I can’t remember EVER EVER EVER getting “broken” off. That’s all because of correct rod/ line matchup, AND using a reel with a good drag, and knowing how to use that drag!

...but the OP's question was: Do you like to back-reel?

JLBBass reply :

On 3/11/2018 at 1:45 AM, OkobojiEagle said:

...but the OP's question was: Do you like to back-reel?

oe

no! i hate it!

burrows reply :

Wow 2000 smallies a year never ever ever ever ever broken off on six pound line ! Wow do you fish off of a flying unicorn as well your awesome. Bravo bravo!

Bluebasser86 reply :

On 3/11/2018 at 5:36 AM, burros said:

Wow 2000 smallies a year never ever ever ever ever broken off on six pound line ! Wow do you fish off of a flying unicorn as well your awesome. Bravo bravo!

Not really that crazy when you consider most of the fishing in the Great Lakes is open water. When all a fish has to break the line is it's own strength, odds are in the fisherman's favor provided they've tied a good knot and don't rush things. That's why guys can land blue marlin weighing hundreds of pounds on 4lb line in the open ocean.

I lost more than a few smallies last year in the 2-3 pound range fishing extremely shallow, zebra mussel covered rock flats last year with 20 and 30 pound braid on casting gear. I got to watch one shaking it's newly acquired Whopper Plopper 110 for several minutes in it's attempt to dislodge it from his face before finally getting too deep for me to see anymore. Lost a Whopper Plopper 90 at Table Rock to a 1.5lb spotted bass on 20lb braid thanks to a dock cable. Location can make a huge difference in number of fish lost to broken line.

burrows reply :

On 3/11/2018 at 2:54 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

Not really that crazy when you consider most of the fishing in the Great Lakes is open water. When all a fish has to break the line is it's own strength, odds are in the fisherman's favor provided they've tied a good knot and don't rush things. That's why guys can land blue marlin weighing hundreds of pounds on 4lb line in the open ocean.

I lost more than a few smallies last year in the 2-3 pound range fishing extremely shallow, zebra mussel covered rock flats last year with 20 and 30 pound braid on casting gear. I got to watch one shaking it's newly acquired Whopper Plopper 110 for several minutes in it's attempt to dislodge it from his face before finally getting too deep for me to see anymore. Lost a Whopper Plopper 90 at Table Rock to a 1.5lb spotted bass on 20lb braid thanks to a dock cable. Location can make a huge difference in number of fish lost to broken line.

Yeah Your rite i was just kinda being an ass it happens sometimes.

3crows reply :

Some spinning reels do not have that capability like the Shimano Stradic Ci4. There is no anti-reverse lever.

OkobojiEagle reply :

On 3/11/2018 at 11:22 PM, 3crows said:

Some spinning reels do not have that capability like the Shimano Stradic Ci4. There is no anti-reverse lever.

It's hard for me to understand why some of these lesser manufacturers will scrimp with features and quality to save a few pennies...

RPreeb reply :

On 3/11/2018 at 11:22 PM, 3crows said:

Some spinning reels do not have that capability like the Shimano Stradic Ci4. There is no anti-reverse lever.

My Shimano Spheros 5000 doesn't have a switch either. I've certainly gotten good use from the drag though... a 10 pound mutton snapper or barracuda can give a good battle with 30# Power Bro and 10# mono leader. It's especially fun when the big challenge is to get the fish in the boat before the lemon sharks get it.

On 3/12/2018 at 12:43 AM, OkobojiEagle said:

It's hard for me to understand why some of these lesser manufacturers will scrimp with features and quality to save a few pennies...

oe

I'm hoping that you're kidding... never seen Shimano called a "lesser manufacturer" before.

3crows reply :

On 3/12/2018 at 12:43 AM, OkobojiEagle said:

It's hard for me to understand why some of these lesser manufacturers will scrimp with features and quality to save a few pennies...

oe

I think the idea being that it is superfluous and redundant or obsolete if given a good drag. And Shimano, a leader if not the leader in the industry, figured that out ahead of the other folks, as usual. Soon all the cool kids like Daiwwoo will be copying Shimano yet again.

OCdockskipper reply :

I know that despite being on the over side of 50, I always have a lot to learn on most any subject, so this thread got me to thinking about how I control & land fish. I thought if back-reeling was something that would make me a better angler, I should incorporate it into my repertoire. Yesterday, I decided to focus for a day on exactly how I fight fish, actively watching myself doing the things that have become rote over decades.

Boy, was I surprised. I hadn't noticed how much of the time I am fighting a fish with spinning gear, I am doing it with one hand. Of course, the initial hook set and getting the fish under control requires one hand on the rod & the other on the reel, but as the fight got closer to the boat, my left hand was rarely on the reel. For fish surges, I noticed that I often use my left hand about 12 inches ahead of my right, lightly balancing the underside of rod (not holding) against the fish to relieve pressure on my right hand. I believe this is effective because the right hand then only has to hold the rod while the left hand is taking the pressure of the surge. At other times, I must look like a sword fighter, shifting the rod left & right with one hand to control the fish and guide it where I want. And for landing, I have about 7 plus feet of line out, so the right hand holds the rod high while the left hand lips the fish. This is helpful because it means I have about 15 feet of line, rod and arm to absorb the shock of a late, boat side surge. At any of those times, having the reel in a reversible mode would have meant disaster.

So while back-reeling is an effective way to control fish, it looks like it is one that require a huge change in the way I fight fish in order to incorporate. Since boat side control is not an issue & I don't have any problems landing those fish I get close to, I think I am going to pass on attempting to add this to my arsenal. Nonetheless, for those of you who have fished for over a decade, focused self-awareness on how you do something is an interesting exercise.

Brad in Texas reply :

Baitcaster anglers are reading this topic and thinking . . . "Will this back reeling thing allow me to ski the fish back to the boat faster?" Ha! At least here in Texas, talk of spinning tackle for bass fishing often is a tease, you know, referred to as "fairy wands." This, even though almost all the pro bass anglers make heavy use of them nowadays with the wide array of finesse application requiring spinning gear.

So, it makes me think that many people just don't "get" the difference between fishing the two sorts of reels. I've watched and I see a lot of technical issues, people using spinning gear incorrectly. Like most of you here, I was taught to split the post with my fingers and my rod hand never moves. I cast from that position, I control the rod from that position. My other hand works the reel features. When I hook a fish, my whole goal is not to try to over-power it but to let the fish put up its "offense," and sort of like something some boxers specialize in, counter-punch. So, fish on, I want my rod to load up under pressure from the fish, then once I can lift my rod carefully, I reel down on the line quickly, never against the drag, and then pull back up immediately to regain the loading. Lose the loading on a rod and fish can become un-pinned really fast, certainly if they jump. The rod does more of the work for us. Bait caster anglers often use spinning tackle as if the two are the same.

So, yes, to great drags these days. Mine work great. But, back reeling performed correctly links this sort of "give and take" between the angler and a fish in a manner where the fish suddenly isn't the only one in the fight with unlimited moves. Instead of only "drag releases line when XX lbs. of tension is put on the line," it now is more open-ended. A good angler can use the new range of control.

I wish I was better at it, need to practice it more!

Brad

Steveo-1969 reply :

When I was a teenager I backreeled all the time when fighting a fish because the drag on my POS spinning reel didn't work. My only choice was to backreel.

Today I rely 100% on the drag.

TnRiver46 reply :

On 3/9/2018 at 9:22 AM, Paul Roberts said:

I've never used drag on a spinning reel. And you don't have to keep two hands on the reel either.

^bingo

J Francho reply :

On 3/11/2018 at 5:36 AM, burros said:

Wow 2000 smallies a year never ever ever ever ever broken off on six pound line ! Wow do you fish off of a flying unicorn as well your awesome. Bravo bravo!

On both Erie and Ontario, 100+ days are not as unusual as you'd think. I generally fish vertically, with no cover or obstruction to speak of. There have been days at certain spots where you could walk across the boats. Everyone is catching, and the "bent rod pattern" is strong, lol. I know, it sounds unbelievable, but I don't the claims, because I can make them as well. I just don't count my fish. My buddy Burnie has a clicker, and I've been in the boat and that clicker is over 100 by lunch.

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Backreeling with a spinning reel 2024

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