Best Backup Plan for Backlashes...??? 2025
ITO_ZILLION reply :
Which is the better backup plan/insurance policy to 'cover all your bases' in the case where you could potentially have a non-operational reel. For example...a very bad backlash that goes deep into the spool and you know its going to take you over an hour just to pick it out. Do you...
A. Carry a spare spool (i.e. reel spool not line spool).
...or...
B. Carry a spare reel.
Some caveats/concerns...
1. What if your the kind of guy who has different model reels from multiple manufacturers...? For example...lets say your typical arsenal for a day of bass fishing is five rod/reel combos and all the reels on these combos are different models from different manufacturers. Do you carry a 'identical' spare spool for all 5 reels in case any one of them goes bad...? If so...that means buying five spare spools. Of which leads me to number 2...
2. The price of five spare spools would probably equate to about or maybe even more than that of the price of one reel. In this case...Wouldn't it just be better to have just one spare reel instead of five spare spools...? But even than, the problem with this is, a spare reel really isn't necessary at all since you can only fish with one reel at a time anyways. So technically...its as easy as 'swapping out' the bad reel for one from any of the other 4 good reels that you are already carrying. But the problem with this and of which leads me to number 3...
3. What if your the kind of guy who is very particular when it comes to line type and size for a specific technique/bait or water clarity/stealthness or type of cover...? No one in their right mind would possibly try and carry a spare spool or spare reel for all the different line types and sizes just so they can have a backup in case any one of them fails. So in this case...would it be better to carry a spare reel that has 'braid' as a main line, that way you have the versatility to either just leave it as straight braid or tie a leader in the line type and size you need for whatever techniques/baits...? The only problem with this is...You need to carry spare spools of line in multiple lb tests or types to make leaders with and you also have to make a braid to leader connection knot, of which is frustrating and sometimes annoying for some people. But than again, the problem with this is, if one of your setups/combos you are carrying already has braid on it and it has not gone bad due to a backlash, than technically you don't need to carry a spare reel with braid on it.
So...I am all confused. What do you do...?
islandbass reply :
The cheapest solution is to never ever backlash. No spare is needed then, lol.
Funny that I’ve thought about this before in the past but concluded that it is better to have a spare reel. Why? From my own experience, any major nest I achieved that was so difficult to undo was so fluffed out that there was no way to get the spool out without cutting off the line anyway.
But as you noted, it really doesn’t make sense the have a spare spool for every reel.
So for me, spare spools are out of the question. Not practical in the field.
Lugging around spare reels isn’t so hot either.
As a bank angler, I try to minimize what I carry and extra reels that probably will never ever get used is unnecessary weight to bear.
So what is my solution? I bring the line I want to replace. That way, I have exactly what I want. Zero compromise.
Trust me, it is far easier and faster to cut off enough of the damaged line and either start completely fresh (rare for me) or attach the remaining line on the spool to the line on the filler spool. One filler spool could probably fill your reel twice over (except full braid probably) which gives you two get out of bird’s nest jail free cards.
Dilemna solved.
ITO_ZILLION reply :
On 5/15/2019 at 1:44 PM, islandbass said:The cheapest solution is to never ever backlash. No spare is needed then, lol.
Funny that I’ve thought about this before in the past but concluded that it is better to have a spare reel. Why? From my own experience, any major nest I achieved that was so difficult to undo was so fluffed out that there was no way to get the spool out without cutting off the line anyway.
But as you noted, it really doesn’t make sense the have a spare spool for every reel.
So for me, spare spools are out of the question. Not practical in the field.
Lugging around spare reels isn’t so hot either.
As a bank angler, I try to minimize what I carry and extra reels that probably will never ever get used is unnecessary weight to bear.
So what is my solution? I bring the line I want to replace. That way, I have exactly what I want. Zero compromise.
Trust me, it is far easier and faster to cut off enough of the damaged line and either start completely fresh (rare for me) or attach the remaining line on the spool to the line on the filler spool. One filler spool could probably fill your reel twice over (except full braid probably) which gives you two get out of bird’s nest jail free cards.
Dilemna solved.
I think I kinda get what your saying. But I am still confused. With your solution...You would still have to carry around spare spools of line in multiple lb test and line types right...? Not to mention, your solution/method basically entails 'respooling' on the water right...?
My main theory or solution that I was trying to get at is...Quickest solution for replacing a backlash reel that 'does not' entail respooling on the water.
Hopefully that made sense.
islandbass reply :
I see I kind of missed the part about being the quickest way. That would have to be having a “ready to go” spare reel. No ifs ands or buts.
My recommendation cannot beat a spare reel. With that said, I know I can respool a reel in 5-7 minutes including tying the joining knot. And that is better than spending twenty minutes trying to undo a birds nest and risking fishing with damaged line.
You didn’t mention how many rigs you normally bring. I usually don’t carry more than 4 rigs, usually two casting and two spinning. I usually don’t carry spare spools for the spinning reels. This is probably why carrying filler spools will work for me.
So in your case, and not know how many spare rigs you were planning to carry, perhaps the compromise for you if you didn’t have the spares Would be to bring the 1-2 spools for your lines on rigs most likely to birds nest (eg, rigs for lighter or less aerodynamic lures like spinnerbaits on a windy day) or for the rigs you use the most.
TOXIC reply :
I have a 21 foot floating tackle box. I can put 28 rods/reels in the front port compartment plus however many more I can lash to the deck. I have spare setups. If I backlash a reel or it breaks or becomes unusable for some reason, I just pull another out of the box. If I were bank fishing, I would swing more to spinning reels because they backlash less and you can always carry a spare spool that is easy to change, lightweight and packable. For baitcasters, you can also carry spare spools but there is more involved with changing out a baitcasting spool. I've seen many a side plate take a dive in the lake never to be seen again.
livin2fish reply :
You didn't mention if you are a tournament fisherman, but I'm betting you are. If you are not, just carry a couple of toothpicks and a small finishing nail in your tackle box. Most of the time you can find the loop that is laying wrong in the tangle and pull it out which lets the rest of the line pull free. I can only think of a couple of times where I had to take the reel home and cut the line off. I don't respool on the water. As a person gets better with baitcasters there are fewer overruns and normally they are less severe.
NYWayfarer reply :
Backup plans to a bad backlash:
1) Carry a bait pick. Use the hook to try and get the backlash out. I have one on a rapala line clipper that I carry with me in my tackle bag.
2) Fish with the spinning combo I bring. Most trips I bring 2 set-ups, 1 spinning one baitcasting. On the rare occasions I bring 1 set-up it would be spinning.
3) Cut the tangle and fish with what is left on the spool. This is the last resort.
fishwizzard reply :
I back most all of my casting reels with braid and then use a little bit of tape to cover the connection knot. If I ruin all of my mainline I will still have some amount of fishable braid protected by a bit of tape. The only time is it gone wrong is when I have cheeped out and tried to use thin braid as the backing in order to finish off the last bit of a spool. Sticking with 30lb braid works far better.
I also will carry spare spools as the majority of my reels take one of two different spool sizes so it’s not a huge burden to have two of them in my tackle bag.
jakkbauer reply :
On 5/15/2019 at 1:24 PM, ITO_ZILLION said:Which is the better backup plan/insurance policy to 'cover all your bases' in the case where you could potentially have a non-operational reel. For example...a very bad backlash that goes deep into the spool and you know its going to take you over an hour just to pick it out. Do you...
A. Carry a spare spool (i.e. reel spool not line spool).
...or...
B. Carry a spare reel.
Some caveats/concerns...
1. What if your the kind of guy who has different model reels from multiple manufacturers...? For example...lets say your typical arsenal for a day of bass fishing is five rod/reel combos and all the reels on these combos are different models from different manufacturers. Do you carry a 'identical' spare spool for all 5 reels in case any one of them goes bad...? If so...that means buying five spare spools. Of which leads me to number 2...
2. The price of five spare spools would probably equate to about or maybe even more than that of the price of one reel. In this case...Wouldn't it just be better to have just one spare reel instead of five spare spools...? But even than, the problem with this is, a spare reel really isn't necessary at all since you can only fish with one reel at a time anyways. So technically...its as easy as 'swapping out' the bad reel for one from any of the other 4 good reels that you are already carrying. But the problem with this and of which leads me to number 3...
3. What if your the kind of guy who is very particular when it comes to line type and size for a specific technique/bait or water clarity/stealthness or type of cover...? No one in their right mind would possibly try and carry a spare spool or spare reel for all the different line types and sizes just so they can have a backup in case any one of them fails. So in this case...would it be better to carry a spare reel that has 'braid' as a main line, that way you have the versatility to either just leave it as straight braid or tie a leader in the line type and size you need for whatever techniques/baits...? The only problem with this is...You need to carry spare spools of line in multiple lb tests or types to make leaders with and you also have to make a braid to leader connection knot, of which is frustrating and sometimes annoying for some people. But than again, the problem with this is, if one of your setups/combos you are carrying already has braid on it and it has not gone bad due to a backlash, than technically you don't need to carry a spare reel with braid on it.
So...I am all confused. What do you do...?
DONT BACKLASH
BassWhole! reply :
On 5/15/2019 at 1:24 PM, ITO_ZILLION said:Which is the better backup plan/insurance policy to 'cover all your bases'
I pick up the ball and you throw it to Who.
Naturally!
I pick up the ball and I throw it to Naturally...
No you throw it to Who...
Naturally?
Now you've got it...
Don't over think it. If you are going out with one stick, bring and extra spool for spinning (most come with one) or extra line for a BC.
If you are on a boat, just reach down for the next suitable (forget perfect,ideal, best or the like) and continue fishing.
You can even pull out the lash and fish with half a spool or tie a blood or double uni knot and keep fishing for the day.
Armtx77 reply :
Spare reel spools.
First thing I do, is call up Diawa and order a couple of spare spools.
BassNJake reply :
I go about a 100 times a year and on every trip I'll backlash half a dozen times minimum.
My issues are that on every cast I try to break the longest cast record,
I'm good for bouncing one off the trolling motor head every trip,
Also I'm pretty good about pitching to a laydown by first smacking the gunwale with the bait,
I'll often begin a circle cast by slamming the bait into the water,
I'll try throwing a 1/16 shaky head on a baitcaster into the wind
I cant remember the last time a backlash took over a few minutes to get out.
I use a crochet needle and basically have more experience than anyone else due to my poor casting lol
greentrout reply :
was skeptical ... tried it ... now do it all the time ... backlashes are rare ...
good fishing ...
Boomstick reply :
I did catch my other rod the other day and that cost me about 20 minutes picking out the bird's nest. But rarely do I ever bird's nest so bad I can't pick it out in under a minute. I think the last time I did anything that bad was back in in 2017 when my lure hit a tree casting and I spent a good 15-20 minutes pulling that one out (I think that was on 30lb braid) and what I didn't know until it was too late is that I pulled it out over a stick. That time I gave up and re-spooled the reel.
But yeah, all of your problems can be solved by improving your casting and being aware of your surroundings, which is what causes the really bad ones for me. Finally, if you're skipping make sure to tighten up your brakes and tension knob accordingly.
That said, I do have a double deep plano box full of extra line for all of my reels (other than spinning reels). I carry this if I go on a lengthy trip or camping, so just in case I have to respool, I have the line with me.
jbrew73 reply :
I’m sure clunn is a very good caster and substantially better than me but I call bs on the torque on the spool thing. I believe that motion allows you to use more “wrist” in your cast but as long as it works the science probably isn’t that important.
i would carry a spare general purpose reel in 6 or 7 ratio with a middle of the road line size. If you feel the need to have more than one type of line I’d take more spare reels. Kast king, lews mach and abu black max reels should be perfectly capable of part time use and can be had for about $50. If that not suitable take spare line and respool as needed.
MN Fisher reply :
Clunn may be a great fisher, but I've always cast a BC on the horizontal. Today, between my Fuego and my President, I probably tossed them 100 times. Only two backlashes, neither of them deep or heavily knotted. Further ones prevented by just a minor adjustment on the brakes.
So...2% backlash while casting with the spool parallel to the water...pretty good results.
webertime reply :
I carry spools. Not rocket science or cumbersome. Saved a few days for sure.
Junger reply :
I carry a spare reel in a neoprene cover when I bank fish.
CrankFate reply :
Don’t backlash. If you fish braid mainline with a rod and reel matched to the weight you’re fishing the worst possible backlash you’ll ever see will take less than 5 minutes to remove. IMO, anything worse is caused by mismatched gear. Maybe careless changes in lure weight. I always get the worst overruns immediately after switching lure weights. But never an outing ending nest.
MN Fisher reply :
On 5/16/2019 at 9:14 AM, CrankFate said:I always get the worst overruns immediately after switching lure weights.
That's exactly when my two back-lashes today happened. Right after a lure change...minor adjustment to the brakes and away-we-go.
CrankFate reply :
On 5/16/2019 at 9:17 AM, MN Fisher said:That's exactly when my two back-lashes today happened. Right after a lure change...minor adjustment to the brakes and away-we-go.
Just don’t get confident when you switch. If I’m sure after 100+ casts that everything is perfect. I usually find myself casting too hard too fast with a different weight. Then I spend the next few minutes pulling line out to straighten it out.
MN Fisher reply :
On 5/16/2019 at 9:22 AM, CrankFate said:Just don’t get confident when you switch. If I’m sure after 100+ casts that everything is perfect. I usually find myself casting too hard too fast with a different weight. Then I spend the next few minutes pulling line out to straighten it out.
I don't do 'achieve orbit' casts...ever. 95%+ of my casting is side-arm lobs. Both 'nests' took maybe 2 minutes to fix.
jbrew73 reply :
I blew one up last weekend that was so bad I just put the rod back in the locker. It’s rare but it happens to everyone sooner or later. Nothing a respool wouldn’t fix though.
“ ***** happens “
jimmyjoe reply :
Extra reel. Bought it cheap. Rarely needed. jj
Lead Head reply :
I keep 8, 12, and 15lb copoly and 50lb braid in my tackle bag. One of those will be pretty close to what I need 99% of the time, and it takes about 5 minutes to respool. If space was a big concern I would probably just bring 10lb copoly and the braid.
Mobasser reply :
Tie on the heaviest weight your rod will allow. Make the longest cast you can, then put a piece of electrical tape over your spool. Reel up and go fishing. If you do backlash, it will only go as deep as the tape. And seriously, practice casting. I've never carried spare spools since I started almost 40yrs ago. Casting Practice makes all the difference.
Junger reply :
On 5/17/2019 at 6:56 AM, Mobasser said:Tie on the heaviest weight your rod will allow. Make the longest cast you can, then put a piece of electrical tape over your spool. Reel up and go fishing. If you do backlash, it will only go as deep as the tape. And seriously, practice casting. I've never carried spare spools since I started almost 40yrs ago. Casting Practice makes all the difference.
When bank fishing, sometimes a tree branch comes out of nowhere and whacks your rod as you cast! Out of nowhere I tell you!
OnthePotomac reply :
I am with Toxic, I just pull out another rod and keep on truckin'. Deal with it at home.
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