Line tangled in baitcaster 2025
FishOnLMB reply :
I have recently had some problems with my bait caster. Whenever I go for a cast, about half way into it, my line gets all caught up and catches under the spool. It is like the line gets stuck to each other. My tension knob and break system is all on also. It is not a backlash, cause all I have to do is drop the line and it comes undone. Does anybody know what is happening, and is there a name for this? I have a KastKing royal legend with stealth spider wire 30lb. I don't have these problems with my fluro or mono bait casters.
papajoe222 reply :
I don't quite understand what you mean by the line catching under the spool. If stealth spider wire 30lb is a braid (I'm not familiar with it), then the line is likely digging into itself. That was a problem with some of the older baitcasters. Recent production reels spread out the line across the spool so it overlaps rather than laying the line alongside itself like a garden hose. You can help reduce this by keeping constant tension on your line during the retrieve. With some style baits, the bait's resistance is all that is needed. With others like some top-waters or when jigging, slack line is allowed to enter the spool and any subsequent tension on the line during the retrieve will cause it to get under the looser line.
Hope this helps.
FishOnLMB reply :
On 1/12/2017 at 12:43 PM, papajoe222 said:I don't quite understand what you mean by the line catching under the spool. If stealth spider wire 30lb is a braid (I'm not familiar with it), then the line is likely digging into itself. That was a problem with some of the older baitcasters. Recent production reels spread out the line across the spool so it overlaps rather than laying the line alongside itself like a garden hose. You can help reduce this by keeping constant tension on your line during the retrieve. With some style baits, the bait's resistance is all that is needed. With others like some top-waters or when jigging, slack line is allowed to enter the spool and any subsequent tension on the line during the retrieve will cause it to get under the looser line.
Hope this helps.
Ok yes, that's what it is called. I am having a problem with braided line digging into itself when casting. Are there any other solutions to this problem?
roadwarrior reply :
Thicker line.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 1/12/2017 at 7:20 PM, roadwarrior said:Thicker line.
I know some people use 20# or lighter braid on baitcast reels with no problem, but when I started a few years ago with baitcast reels, the consensus was to go with 40# minimum. I've never had a problem with the 40# on put on a Gen1 STX...the first braid I ever used. A used reel came with 30# Ghost, and had to have tight spots removed from the line. Keeping the line snug has eliminated any further problems with the line digging in....and I have snagged it more than once fishing in lily pads.
MickD reply :
Some braids are not as round as others, and the flat shape is worse for digging in. Also, if digging in is a problem and you don't want to change to a premium "rounder" braid try using a lighter drag setting.
There is another phenomena that can happen if you have too much line on the spool. The line, during the cast, especially when wet, will drag on the reel frame. Make sure your line is not doing that.
basss reply :
On 1/12/2017 at 12:24 PM, FishOnLMB said:I have recently had some problems with my bait caster. Whenever I go for a cast, about half way into it, my line gets all caught up and catches under the spool. It is like the line gets stuck to each other. My tension knob and break system is all on also. It is not a backlash, cause all I have to do is drop the line and it comes undone. Does anybody know what is happening, and is there a name for this? I have a KastKing royal legend with stealth spider wire 30lb. I don't have these problems with my fluro or mono bait casters.
Guys, I think we might me missing it (or need more details). See bolded above.
This seems to be a new development and it only happens during the cast. From that description, I'm thinking the cast control knob needs adjusting. Adjustments during casts are usually done per lure. So ... FishOnLMB, can you provide more details? For example, what are you casting, is it a light lure or a heavy one; are you switching between lures when this happens.
I would suggest letting a good 90% of your line out and reel it in under tension. The line could just be spooled loosely.
FishOnLMB reply :
So when I go to cast my bait, usually 1/2 oz-3/4 oz, my line sticks to other pieces of line. So in the middle of my cast, it just stops, then falls into the water. My line doesn't get a backlash, because I can pull my line out once and it comes undone. No knots of tangles.
d-camarena reply :
Its digging in, stealth does that. Buy some 50lb braid and call it a day
Raul reply :
A picture says more than a thousand words .....
12poundbass reply :
On 1/13/2017 at 12:19 AM, FishOnLMB said:So when I go to cast my bait, usually 1/2 oz-3/4 oz, my line sticks to other pieces of line. So in the middle of my cast, it just stops, then falls into the water. My line doesn't get a backlash, because I can pull my line out once and it comes undone. No knots of tangles.
Does it do it all the time or just if you get your lure hung up on something? I on occasion have this problem when I get hung up in the pads, like others have said it's digging in. If I get hung up I'll go get my lure or cast it into open water pull it out and reel with tension.
CTBassin860 reply :
I'm saying try 50#.Some reels are made for lighter line,some aren't.Also like others said make sure that line is spooled tight.
WRB reply :
Not being familiar with your reel and your post discription isn't clear makes diagnostics difficult. If the line gets between the spool and frame the only way to cure that is sell the reel. If you are talking about line digging down into itself then you need to do a few things to keep the spooled line tight.
Tom
FishOnLMB reply :
On 1/13/2017 at 4:05 AM, 12poundbass said:Does it do it all the time or just if you get your lure hung up on something? I on occasion have this problem when I get hung up in the pads, like others have said it's digging in. If I get hung up I'll go get my lure or cast it into open water pull it out and reel with tension.
It happens after I get hung up, but also when I go for my first cast.
On 1/13/2017 at 12:46 AM, d-camarena said:Its digging in, stealth does that. Buy some 50lb braid and call it a day
Do you think I could use a different brand of line, but still keep my 30lb line?
new2BC4bass reply :
On 1/12/2017 at 10:38 PM, basss said:
Guys, I think we might me missing it (or need more details). See bolded above.
This seems to be a new development and it only happens during the cast. From that description, I'm thinking the cast control knob needs adjusting. Adjustments during casts are usually done per lure. So ... FishOnLMB, can you provide more details? For example, what are you casting, is it a light lure or a heavy one; are you switching between lures when this happens.
I would suggest letting a good 90% of your line out and reel it in under tension. The line could just be spooled loosely.
First of all the OP said "line gets all caught up and catches under the spool." Not too clear here as no way can the line get caught "under" the spool. It can get caught between the cross pieces of the frame and the spool. It can get caught between the edge of the spool and the frame.
Nor can I understand how he can "drop the line and it comes undone". When (and how) is he holding the line? I have the occasional overrun where all I have to do is "pull" a little line out to remove the loose coils.
Too loose spool tension can easily cause a backlash, but it won't stop a spool in the middle of a cast. Too tight tension won't stop the spool in the middle of a cast either, but sure can hurt distance. I've never tried casting with a lot of tension on the spool, but with enough tension it no doubt will stop the cast short, but it won't be in the middle of the cast. It will just be a short cast due to excessive tension. Nor should there be any loose line because the spool is holding the lure back, not running faster than the speed line is being pulled out.
Line digging in will stop a spool and can only happen on a cast. It doesn't necessarily cause a backlash. A used reel I bought came with 30# braid. It took several casts with extra line being pulled off the spool each time before I was able to get through all the spots where the line had dug in. Didn't backlash once.
FishOnLMB reply :
I think what I am going to do is strip off all my line, and spool it up tighter. Any other tips to prevent line digging?
new2BC4bass reply :
On 1/13/2017 at 8:54 AM, FishOnLMB said:I think what I am going to do is strip off all my line, and spool it up tighter. Any other tips to prevent line digging?
Nope. The only things I know to do have already been mentioned. Hold the line on the retrieve every so often to keep line packed on tight or go to a heavier braid.
12poundbass reply :
On 1/13/2017 at 8:54 AM, FishOnLMB said:I think what I am going to do is strip off all my line, and spool it up tighter. Any other tips to prevent line digging?
Loosen your drag and if it gets caught up either grab your lure or pull on the line with your hands instead of using your rod to pull it free.
WRB reply :
Pull off about 60 yards of line, tape over the spool with a few wraps of plumbers Teflon tape, then wind the 60 yards back on by running the line through a wet terry cloth towel to and your fingers add resistance.
Tom
BassGirl71 reply :
On 1/12/2017 at 12:24 PM, FishOnLMB said:I have recently had some problems with my bait caster. Whenever I go for a cast, about half way into it, my line gets all caught up and catches under the spool. It is like the line gets stuck to each other. My tension knob and break system is all on also. It is not a backlash, cause all I have to do is drop the line and it comes undone. Does anybody know what is happening, and is there a name for this? I have a KastKing royal legend with stealth spider wire 30lb. I don't have these problems with my fluro or mono bait casters.
My thought would be the braid is maybe cutting into itself? It doesn't sound so much like a reel problem to me as a line problem, I guess. And I agree with others here - if you use your rod to get a lure unstuck, you're going to have the line cutting into itself a lot. Another option may be to use a bigger line? I only throw 50 and 65 lb braid on casting reels. I save the smaller stuff for spinning reels. If all else fails, you could try to Fortis line from KastKing, too, as long as you are using their reels already. I haven't had any problem with Fortis and it's less pricey than some of the others - not sure what you are paying for Spider Wire, but it might be worth a shot.
hunterPRO1 reply :
On 1/19/2017 at 11:37 AM, BassGirl71 said:My thought would be the braid is maybe cutting into itself? It doesn't sound so much like a reel problem to me as a line problem, I guess. And I agree with others here - if you use your rod to get a lure unstuck, you're going to have the line cutting into itself a lot. Another option may be to use a bigger line? I only throw 50 and 65 lb braid on casting reels. I save the smaller stuff for spinning reels. If all else fails, you could try to Fortis line from KastKing, too, as long as you are using their reels already. I haven't had any problem with Fortis and it's less pricey than some of the others - not sure what you are paying for Spider Wire, but it might be worth a shot.
i bought some 30lb fortis and broke off a couple times, got home took some fresh line to the spool connect one end to my scale and one to a doorknob, consistently broke between 12 and 15 pounds of pressure...
maybe i did something wrong since thats the first time ive used braid.
edit: nvm it was me.
RoLo reply :
I'm not familiar with your reel, but 'line-burrowing' is generally easy to prevent.
It's best to start out with a good 'round' strand braid like Sufix 832 or Trilene Braid.
Select 30 lb test or more, but frankly I've never had to go higher than 30 pounds (0.011" Dia.)
Burrowing is most common when you're fishing with a lightweight lure,
which stacks the line loosely on your spool. Then, when you apply heavy pressure
to the loosely spooled line, as when tugging on a snagged lure, the line may burrow into the spool.
After exerting heavy pressure on the reel spool, it's wise to take notice of how the line is spooled
on the reel 'before' making the next cast, rather than after the cast.
Roger
Glenn reply :
Follow these tips, and you'll be fine:
SFL BassHunter reply :
30lb braid digs in quite a bit on baitcasters. Happens to me with Power Pro also. I've moved to 40lb and have found less issue.
This happens mostly when your line gets caught up and you pull it free. What happens is that line digs into the rest of the line. So when you cast normally the line that is on top comes out first but if there is line on top of the line that is supposed to come out first then it just stops and your lure falls half way into the cast. Normally what I do is after I know I've pulled on my line and there is possible digging, I will make a short cast, and just pull line out by hand. Usually you'll feel the line pop free. At that point reel back in and make your normal cast. This will happen with braid. Only way to avoid this after getting hung is if you grab the line and pull it free instead of just thumbing the spool and pulling.
hunterPRO1 reply :
On 1/20/2017 at 1:11 AM, hunterPRO1 said:i bought some 30lb fortis and broke off a couple times, got home took some fresh line to the spool connect one end to my scale and one to a doorknob, consistently broke between 12 and 15 pounds of pressure...
maybe i did something wrong since thats the first time ive used braid.
ok i just realized something was wrong, the tip insert of my rod is out,
and palomar know helped in the test so ill take it back its actually decent im just stupid
BassGirl71 reply :
On 1/21/2017 at 3:11 AM, hunterPRO1 said:ok i just realized something was wrong, the tip insert of my rod is out,
and palomar know helped in the test so ill take it back its actually decent im just stupid
Well, at least you figured it out! No more lost fish. 
It's been my experience that pretty much every line is properly rated as far as strength goes. Some of them do act a bit differently, though.
Outdoor Zack reply :
On 1/13/2017 at 12:46 AM, d-camarena said:Its digging in, stealth does that. Buy some 50lb braid and call it a day
I've had the same issue, though very inconsistently. I've found that it happens when I use lighter braid (20 - 30) and I whipping the rod hard and choppy for a series of casts (getting sloppy basically).
I think that it is, in my experience, a problem in my technique. Once it starts happening, I start slowing down and taking more fluid casts and the problem stops.
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