Latest backlash pics thread 2025
Largemouth21 reply :
Fishing by casting a light jitterbug into the wind is a sure recipie for backlashes, unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of the multiple backlashes I did get, share pictures of your bad ones, I know everyone has one
GrumpyOlPhartte reply :
I'd love to share a pic of my worst backlash, but I'm still cutting my cell phone out of the tangle.
Looch reply :
This is from a couple months ago, lure didnt get over and hit the railing right in front of me at a dam. I got a worse one last night wading in a river, lure hit a tree next to me and I spent the next 20 minutes working it out
frosty reply :
Thank God I learned the reel down on a backlash trick before I seriously started using my baitcaster! I'm still getting them, not at the end of the cast but during, like in the middle of the flight time. Most of the time it just puffs up the line, once in a while it actually catches. Hopefully I can post a picture this weekend, or hopefully not
Leftymuk reply :
Backlash...............I NEVER get BACKLASH...........unless I'm fishing..LOL
TOXIC reply :
In the guide business, we refer to them as "Professional Overruns"
fishballer06 reply :
I can't say I've ever taken a photo of a backlash... But I had a doozy fishing on the 4th. I was throwing a squarebill around some fallen trees in the water. I made a cast parallel to a tree and my lure landed directly on top of the wood and of course those Owner Stinger hooks stuck to the wood. I started popping my rod trying to get those hooks to pop off. While doing this, I accidentally hit the clutch release on the reel and my reel just blew up... I had to cut it out and respool.
YoTone reply :
had to get my wife to get this one out. shes good at stuff like that.
frosty reply :
On 7/7/2017 at 11:35 PM, YoTone said:had to get my wife to get this one out. shes good at stuff like that.
As my three year old says "HOLY COW MAN!"
Bankbeater reply :
I don't take pictures of my backlashes. I'd rather not remember all of the hours spent digging out tangled line.
Dtrombly reply :
On 7/7/2017 at 11:35 PM, YoTone said:had to get my wife to get this one out. shes good at stuff like that.
Kudos to your wife for getting that out. I wouldn't have even tried, lol
Leftymuk reply :
Your wife is a HERO in my book.........I would have just cut that mess out
Largemouth21 reply :
On 7/8/2017 at 5:09 AM, Bankbeater said:I don't take pictures of my backlashes. I'd rather not remember all of the hours spent digging out tangled line.
On 7/7/2017 at 9:30 PM, fishballer06 said:I can't say I've ever taken a photo of a backlash... But I had a doozy fishing on the 4th. I was throwing a squarebill around some fallen trees in the water. I made a cast parallel to a tree and my lure landed directly on top of the wood and of course those Owner Stinger hooks stuck to the wood. I started popping my rod trying to get those hooks to pop off. While doing this, I accidentally hit the clutch release on the reel and my reel just blew up... I had to cut it out and respool.
I don't take pics either, BUT we are living in a generation where some people can't eat dinner without taking a picture and posting it somewhere, so I figured some people might have some good ones we could all cringe at.
On 7/7/2017 at 9:27 PM, TOXIC said:In the guide business, we refer to them as "Professional Overruns"
I see. sounds very..., professional !
On 7/7/2017 at 6:11 AM, Looch said:This is from a couple months ago, lure didnt get over and hit the railing right in front of me at a dam. I got a worse one last night wading in a river, lure hit a tree next to me and I spent the next 20 minutes working it out
not fun
On 7/8/2017 at 5:17 AM, Dtrombly said:Kudos to your wife for getting that out. I wouldn't have even tried, lol
that's what I thought
NiX reply :
Wow, these backlashes are horrible... I hardly get any backlashes that look like some of these pics and I run close to a free spool and low as I can go on my brakes!
When I do get a backlash its usually not that bad to get out haha. My most recent I was fishing under a low hanging tree ( from the bank ) and went to cast but I hit the tree above me.
Next time I will take a pic of my backlash!
StevesBass reply :
What happens when you snag your fishing partners lure on your back cast. I think this is the only backlash I've ever had to cut completely out.
Leftymuk reply :
Wow........now that's a NEST
Tony Albanese reply :
On 7/10/2017 at 2:24 AM, StevesBass said:
What happens when you snag your fishing partners lure on your back cast. I think this is the only backlash I've ever had to cut completely out.
That's a beauty!
.ghoti. reply :
I'm waiting for "Fluffy" to post in this thread. LOL.
GrumpyOlPhartte reply :
@TOXIC: I've never, ever had a professional overrun!!!! But I've had amateur random unintentional line convulsions that would make ya gasp!
OkobojiEagle reply :
Guys... there's this piece of fishing equipment called a spinning reel. It's pretty good at preventing those over-runs.
oe
CTBassin860 reply :
On 7/7/2017 at 11:35 PM, YoTone said:had to get my wife to get this one out. shes good at stuff like that.
Who said you can't backlash a CT??
On 7/10/2017 at 2:24 AM, StevesBass said:
What happens when you snag your fishing partners lure on your back cast. I think this is the only backlash I've ever had to cut completely out.
This is when I pack up and go home!
wdp reply :
I've had 2 monster backlashes in the last week. Cut out the 1st & set the reel aside since it's time to be serviced.
Then, spooled a new Lews with 12 lb Invizx & headed to neighborhood pond to get the reel dialed in. About an hr into fishing a crank, I hit an overhanging tree branch. Back home to cut it all out & respool again. That was about $18 worth of line gone pretty quick.
Some days are like that. ?
david in va reply :
just wondering, do yawl thumb the real any?
LxVE Bassin reply :
I average 3 backlashes an outing lol
XpressJeff reply :
My granddaughter got one on a BPS spinning reel the other day so bad I had to pull the spool off and cut the line cause it was so badly wrapped around the shaft.
TOXIC reply :
On 7/12/2017 at 10:42 AM, XpressJeff said:My granddaughter got one on a BPS spinning reel the other day so bad I had to pull the spool off and cut the line cause it was so badly wrapped around the shaft.
Yep, wind knots from line twist on spinning reels can be just as bad or even worse because the line knots and if it gets cinched too tight, no option other than cut.
Fishing Rhino reply :
There is this handy tool that is perfect for dealing with backlashes. It's known as scissors.
I'd recommend surgical scissors.
Pro Logcatcher reply :
On 7/12/2017 at 8:54 AM, david in va said:just wondering, do yawl thumb the real any?
Only when skipping on the baitcasting. During a normal cast, I'll touch my thumb to the spool to stop a backlash.
I think that my best backlash happened when I accidentally moved my spool tension knob. I had a huge over spool and when I finally picked it out, I realized my floating crankbait was gone. Little did I know, but a 45 pound snapping turtle picked it up and started swimming away with it. Eventually, it bent my hook and I got my lure back. A successful backlash!
Largemouth21 reply :
On 7/12/2017 at 8:54 AM, david in va said:just wondering, do yawl thumb the real any?
just wondering, did you even read the posts? most people snagged a branch or such...
david in va reply :
On 7/13/2017 at 4:02 AM, Largemouth21 said:just wondering, did you even read the posts? most people snagged a branch or such...
yes , I read it, I only asked a simple question.
StevesBass reply :
On 7/12/2017 at 8:54 AM, david in va said:just wondering, do yawl thumb the real any?
Most of the time I do use my thumb but occasionally I find the middle finger works better 
I found something in my toolbox that works better than anything else for getting a backlash out.
I picked this set up at Ace for $8 or $9 and stuck the one with the 90 degree bend in my boat. Use it a lot less these days than I use to but I still find it handy when I do manage to get one of those professional overruns.
Sam reply :
On 7/12/2017 at 10:19 AM, LxVE Bassin said:I average 3 backlashes an outing lol
If you set up your baitcaster correctly the spool will stop when the bait hits the water.
And yes, your thumb is your fail-safe option.
K_Mac reply :
It has never occurred to me to take a picture of a backlash. We all know what they look like! I have had my share over the years. As noted here, the really epic ones usually happen when you catch something during the cast or hit something with the lure unexpectedly. I haven't recently had one of those where you try to muscle a few extra yards, but they also can be quite impressive.
One of the reasons I only use 100 yards, more or less, of line with backing on my reels is when I get a serious backlash I reach for a pair of scissors. Even if you can get your wife to straighten out the mess, it is good bet that some kinking will happen, especially with fluorocarbon. A bird'snest with braid is one of the reasons I rarely use it.
With experience these calamities happen less frequently. On the positive side, they provide justification for multiple rigs. You never know when disaster will strike and spending time picking or re-spooling when the fish are biting is poor use of time in my opinion.
SuperCorona reply :
On 7/13/2017 at 11:48 PM, K_Mac said:It has never occurred to me to take a picture of a backlash. We all know what they look like! I have had my share over the years. As noted here, the really epic ones usually happen when you catch something during the cast or hit something with the lure unexpectedly. I haven't recently had one of those where you try to muscle a few extra yards, but they also can be quite impressive.
One of the reasons I only use 100 yards, more or less, of line with backing on my reels is when I get a serious backlash I reach for a pair of scissors. Even if you can get your wife to straighten out the mess, it is good bet that some kinking will happen, especially with fluorocarbon. A bird'snest with braid is one of the reasons I rarely use it.
With experience these calamities happen less frequently. On the positive side, they provide justification for multiple rigs. You never know when disaster will strike and spending time picking or re-spooling when the fish are biting is poor use of time in my opinion.
My wife couldn't understand why I rigged up 3 rods for her to fish for bluegill. Two weeks ago she reeled in a huge twisted wind knot on her favorite rod. She didn't say a word and started trying to straighten out the mess. Next thing I know she's laid the rod down and was looking frustrated. I pulled another one of her rods out of the box and told her to get back to work catching my lunch.
LxVE Bassin reply :
On 7/13/2017 at 4:00 PM, Sam said:If you set up your baitcaster correctly the spool will stop when the bait hits the water.
And yes, your thumb is your fail-safe option.
Oh wow, never heard of that before. Can you still maximize casting distance like that?
boostr reply :
On 7/10/2017 at 2:24 AM, StevesBass said:
What happens when you snag your fishing partners lure on your back cast. I think this is the only backlash I've ever had to cut completely out.
I ain't cutting that out, I spend way to much money on braid for it to be cut out. I'll sit there and untangle that mess. I don't care how long it takes. If I have another rod with me I'll do it at home.
hoosierbass07 reply :
Lews Baitbacasters = Backlash = False.
In other words - if you want to stop having backlashes, use Lews!
Turkey sandwich reply :
I get them, but it's rare that they're bad unless the wind is attrocious, I do something stupid, or I'm skipping lures. I am far from a pro at skipping and that's usually when I get them frequently. Most reels have pretty good brakes nowadays, and with the resilience of braid, you can minimize the bad ones and get most out pretty quickly. Compared to 20 years ago, almost every decent reel in the $150 range up is super user friendly.
As for the thumb vs brakes vs tension argument - you can learn to lay off the brakes and tension knobs as you get better and the conditions allow for it, but be forewarned, there is a learning curve to this and it takes actual dedicated practice time to get used to.
That being said, the side plate on my *** came loose wrapping 40lb braid EVERYWHERE inside the reel about a month ago while I was pre-fishing for a kayak tournament. That was a mess. I would have taken a picture, but I was way too busy cursing.
GrumpyOlPhartte reply :
Uh, @hoosierbass07, as much as I love Lew's reels, I did happen to notice that the thread reply directly preceding yours seems to show a Tournament MB. Interesting juxtaposition. I gotta admire your enthusiasm, though. My baitcasters are all Lew's, by the way, including a Tournament MB.
Frisbie385 reply :
frosty reply :
On 7/14/2017 at 2:24 AM, hoosierbass07 said:
Lews Baitbacasters = Backlash = False.
In other words - if you want to stop having backlashes, use Lews!
I'd hate to see what would happen if I was using a shimano or daiwa seriously though, about the only time I have them is when I try to muscle the cast, or catch the tree behind me... I wish I would have taken a picture of that one!
Dorado reply :
On 7/12/2017 at 6:01 AM, OkobojiEagle said:Guys... there's this piece of fishing equipment called a spinning reel. It's pretty good at preventing those over-runs.
oe
I hate baitcasters. Have a new Daiwa Tatula and Lew's MB Speed and have only used them both twice. Can't fish at night with them and bird's nests ruin it for me as I always get them in the middle of a feeding frenzy. I'm happy with my cheap Pfluger Presidents
Sam reply :
On 7/14/2017 at 1:12 AM, LxVE Bassin said:
Oh wow, never heard of that before. Can you still maximize casting distance like that?
After you "balance" your rod, reel, rod power and line test you are ready to cast away all day and not have a backlash,.
Casting distance may be affected a small amount but at least you will not get any backlashes.
Do you know how to balance your equipment??? We can tell you. Just ask.
LxVE Bassin reply :
On 7/14/2017 at 7:06 AM, Sam said:
After you "balance" your rod, reel, rod power and line test you are ready to cast away all day and not have a backlash,.
Casting distance may be affected a small amount but at least you will not get any backlashes.
Do you know how to balance your equipment??? We can tell you. Just ask.
Fill me in...
pondbassin101 reply :
On 7/14/2017 at 2:05 AM, boostr said:I ain't cutting that out, I spend way to much money on braid for it to be cut out. I'll sit there and untangle that mess. I don't care how long it takes. If I have another rod with me I'll do it at home.
X2
hoosierbass07 reply :
On 7/14/2017 at 3:48 AM, GrumpyOlPhartte said:Uh, @hoosierbass07, as much as I love Lew's reels, I did happen to notice that the thread reply directly preceding yours seems to show a Tournament MB. Interesting juxtaposition. I gotta admire your enthusiasm, though. My baitcasters are all Lew's, by the way, including a Tournament MB.
Your right. Wow. The user must have ticked the Lews reel off and it backlashed out of anger.
I used to hate baitcasters too but ever since I got it in my head that baitcasters are made for heavy lines and heavy lures and started using Lews baitcasters, my backlashes have gone to almost zero and no major backlashes unless I cast outside and into a tree.
moguy1973 reply :
On 7/14/2017 at 2:24 AM, hoosierbass07 said:
Lews Baitbacasters = Backlash = False.
In other words - if you want to stop having backlashes, use Lews!
My Lew's Mach II has backlashes way more than any of my other reels for some reason. It does have braid on it and braid is much easier to get the back lash out IMO. I do have another lower end Lew's and that's my favorite reel and rarely backlashes.
For those that are cutting their line try this technique next time. It works really well with braid to get out all the loops. Haven't really tried it with other lines though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK5UfRzLbR8
StevesBass reply :
On 7/13/2017 at 11:48 PM, K_Mac said:It A bird'snest with braid is one of the reasons I rarely use it.
I have the opposite experience. A birds nest with braid is exactly why I use it. I can straighten them out in a minute when I get them. But a birds nest with mono or flouro, that's a totally different experience.
BrackishBassin reply :
No pictures available, but I threw a larger sized spinnerbait for the first time yesterday - 5 casts and 5 backlashes later, I cut it off and went back to a crankbait.
Largemouth21 reply :
On 7/13/2017 at 1:06 AM, Fishing Rhino said:There is this handy tool that is perfect for dealing with backlashes. It's known as scissors.
I'd recommend surgical scissors.
id need a chainsaw for some of mine
On 7/14/2017 at 4:13 AM, Frisbie385 said:
I actually cringed when I saw that
StevesBass reply :
On 7/14/2017 at 2:05 AM, boostr said:I ain't cutting that out, I spend way to much money on braid for it to be cut out. I'll sit there and untangle that mess. I don't care how long it takes. If I have another rod with me I'll do it at home.
Usually I will take whatever time it takes to pick it out but I think on this one I said screw it because I didn't really care for that particular brand of braid and planned on replacing it anyway.
Lures'n'Liberty reply :
On 7/12/2017 at 6:01 AM, OkobojiEagle said:Guys... there's this piece of fishing equipment called a spinning reel. It's pretty good at preventing those over-runs.
oe
I use spinning reels and spincasts all day long, never have these problems...
Yeajray231 reply :
On 7/13/2017 at 7:36 AM, StevesBass said:
Most of the time I do use my thumb but occasionally I find the middle finger works better
I found something in my toolbox that works better than anything else for getting a backlash out.
I picked this set up at Ace for $8 or $9 and stuck the one with the 90 degree bend in my boat. Use it a lot less these days than I use to but I still find it handy when I do manage to get one of those professional overruns.
Those are nice. I have some , and can tell you that you should have went to harbor freight tho. Get a 4 pack with the same heads for 1 dollar.
NYWayfarer reply :
On 7/18/2017 at 2:28 AM, Yeajray231 said:
Those are nice. I have some , and can tell you that you should have went to harbor freight tho. Get a 4 pack with the same heads for 1 dollar.
On my Rapala line clippers there is a knife and a backlash tool that has a hook like the bottom tool in that pic. I won't leave home for fishing without it.
Yeajray231 reply :
@Finesse Wayfarer got the same one. You can also use it to clear the eyelet on a fresh jig head.
NYWayfarer reply :
On 7/18/2017 at 3:20 AM, Yeajray231 said:@Finesse Wayfarer got the same one. You can also use it to clear the eyelet on a fresh jig head.
Great advice. I had not thought of that. Makes my jig buster tool obsolete now.
J Francho reply :
I had a small one the other day, didn't think to snap a pic. I slapped the water on a roll cast.
I have some friends I go fun fishing with. There's usually at least one "spool loosening incident" when the three of us get together, lol.
frosty reply :
On 7/18/2017 at 3:56 AM, J Francho said:I had a small one the other day, didn't think to snap a pic. I slapped the water on a roll cast.
I have some friends I go fun fishing with. There's usually at least one "spool loosening incident" when the three of us get together, lol.
That's evil
Dtrombly reply :
On 7/14/2017 at 2:24 AM, hoosierbass07 said:
Lews Baitbacasters = Backlash = False.
In other words - if you want to stop having backlashes, use Lews!
Fact
Sam reply :
On 7/14/2017 at 1:12 AM, LxVE Bassin said:
Oh wow, never heard of that before. Can you still maximize casting distance like that?
Lx, good question.
I have not encountered any problem with distance after balancing the rod with the line test and bait weight.
J Francho reply :
On 7/18/2017 at 12:59 AM, Lures'n'Liberty said:I use spinning reels and spincasts all day long, never have these problems...
I'll see you at the line twist thread. 
TOXIC reply :
On 7/18/2017 at 8:42 PM, J Francho said:
I'll see you at the line twist thread.
Followed closely by the "Wind Knot" thread!!
Largemouth21 reply :
On 7/18/2017 at 8:42 PM, J Francho said:
I'll see you at the line twist thread.
exactly
Lures'n'Liberty reply :
On 7/18/2017 at 8:42 PM, J Francho said:
I'll see you at the line twist thread.
You might, but I won't be there nearly as often. Really, though, spincast gear gives me less headaches. I trade a couple feet of distance for not backlashing, ever, I can use them on lighter lures than most of you use baitcasters for and I don't have to adjust anything but the drag. The only time I really have to deal with line twist is when I bring the kids.
geo g reply :
I have had my share of bird nests over the years. My worst ever have come when my back cast hits a back seater's rod, or some vegetation along the shore, or overhead like a tree branch. Once that happens, you can't pick them out!!!!!!
J Francho reply :
On 7/19/2017 at 6:26 AM, Lures'n'Liberty said:You might, but I won't be there nearly as often. Really, though, spincast gear gives me less headaches. I trade a couple feet of distance for not backlashing, ever, I can use them on lighter lures than most of you use baitcasters for and I don't have to adjust anything but the drag. The only time I really have to deal with line twist is when I bring the kids.
It was a joke, lighten up. I use all three types of reels, as well as centrepin and fly reels.
Largemouth21 reply :
On 7/19/2017 at 9:27 PM, J Francho said:
It was a joke, lighten up. I use all three types of reels, as well as centrepin and fly reels.
I think the term " joke" isn't in some peoples vocabulary
On 7/19/2017 at 8:30 AM, geo g said:I have had my share of bird nests over the years. My worst ever have come when my back cast hits a back seater's rod, or some vegetation along the shore, or overhead like a tree branch. Once that happens, you can't pick them out!!!!!!
out come the scissors 
Raul reply :
On 7/7/2017 at 6:11 AM, Looch said:This is from a couple months ago, lure didnt get over and hit the railing right in front of me at a dam. I got a worse one last night wading in a river, lure hit a tree next to me and I spent the next 20 minutes working it out
Nice one ! 
On 7/10/2017 at 2:24 AM, StevesBass said:
What happens when you snag your fishing partners lure on your back cast. I think this is the only backlash I've ever had to cut completely out.
Excellent job !
frosty reply :
On 7/22/2017 at 2:11 AM, BuzzBaitBomber said:Any tips out there. It seems my line isnt reeling back up tightly and leaves the braided line a little loose on the edges wich proves to not be a good thing. Is my tension all screwed up.
Is your drag set? I always grasp the line between my forefinger and thumb and put tension on the line if I'm reeling in after I pick out a backlash, give that a try if you're not doing it, it may help some.
Largemouth21 reply :
On 7/22/2017 at 5:08 AM, frosty said:Is your drag set? I always grasp the line between my forefinger and thumb and put tension on the line if I'm reeling in after I pick out a backlash, give that a try if you're not doing it, it may help some.
this... OR make sure you have backing behind the braid so it doesn't slip.
scaleface reply :
Worse than the backlash are the fifty coils that sometimes come off a spinning reel .
pondbassin101 reply :
Kinda not related but, have is ever happened to you guys where after a small backlash all the line (mono) you have stripped off gets tangled up in itself on the ground because of line memory. You have to end up cutting out part of the line and retyping and basically ending up with the equivalent time wasted of a large backlash
frosty reply :
On 7/26/2017 at 9:15 AM, pondbassin101 said:Kinda not related but, have is ever happened to you guys where after a small backlash all the line (mono) you have stripped off gets tangled up in itself on the ground because of line memory. You have to end up cutting out part of the line and retyping and basically ending up with the equivalent time wasted of a large backlash
I've had that happen with braid a couple times, usually it gets caught up on a bush or something and starts getting it tangled up. The post backlash
DroneFisher reply :
On 7/10/2017 at 2:24 AM, StevesBass said:
What happens when you snag your fishing partners lure on your back cast. I think this is the only backlash I've ever had to cut completely out.
Wow!
LxVE Bassin reply :
My buddy who is a spinning reel guy was cracking jokes because I had a couple backlashes when we went fishing on Friday. He decided to buy a baitcaster and take it out the next day without any practice. I asked him how his first day with a caster was and he sent me this pic.
hawgwash reply :
On 7/14/2017 at 7:06 AM, Sam said:After you "balance" your rod, reel, rod power and line test you are ready to cast away all day...
My apologies, don't mean to go off topic, but I've read that a lot recently about "balancing your rod, reel. etc.". Just curious how you do this?
Sam reply :
On 8/7/2017 at 12:27 AM, hawgwash said:
My apologies, don't mean to go off topic, but I've read that a lot recently about "balancing your rod, reel. etc.". Just curious how you do this?
Here is how in a nutshell:
1. Spool line on your reel based on rod's parameters and then set up rod with your bait ready to throw.
2. Adjust drag tension and spool tension to stop line from coming off spool.
3. Point rod tip to 11 AM, release spool, and then adjust spool tension so that the spool stops when the bait hits the floor/ground/bottom of boat all by itself. Will take a few tries and be ready to stop a fast moving spool with your thumb.
4. Tighten drag to where you want it and perform 3 above once again.
5. Cast bait to see if spool stops when bait hits water. Have thumb ready to stop spool just in case you have it too loose.
6. Make your final drag and spool tension adjustments and you age ready to go.
7. Do this every time you change baits on your baitcasters.
If properly set, you can start your retrieve with your buzzbait, Chatterbait, Whooper Ploppers, etc. as soon as the bait hits the water.
So give it a try and practice, practice and practice so it becomes so easy you will not have to have the bait hit the floor.
frosty reply :
Well I unfortunately have content to add 
I caught a small bush with my forward cast.
Jelvas reply :
She was a beauty...
Big Daddy Hoff reply :
I am sitting here at work.... not really working but checking out the forum........ THESE PICS OF BACKLASHES ARE GIVING ME ANXIETY................... Does anyone else look at these and just cringe?
frosty reply :
On 8/8/2017 at 1:19 AM, Big Daddy Hoff said:I am sitting here at work.... not really working but checking out the forum........ THESE PICS OF BACKLASHES ARE GIVING ME ANXIETY............
They usually come out pretty easy, at least mine do. Now the last time My wife birds nested my reel I had to cut it out.
XpressJeff reply :
MUCH easier with braid I might add!
related General Bass Fishing Forum topic
previous topic
most viewed General Bass Fishing Forum topic
© 2025 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.