I Am Dumb And Need Help Please!

[Ozark Baby]

When we moved back to MO I bought to rods, one is just a plain old closed reel for catfishing and such and the other has an open reel and it came with two reels. I have been having trouble with the open faced reels in that no matter what I do I have not been able to cast more than a few times without the line getting all tangled and such. I never used to have trouble with these things and I will readily admit that I am not that great a fishing person but this has been ridiculous, to say the least. I have caught fish, but only with my closed face reel and heavier line. Is there a certain kind of line I should have put on these things that might not get so tangled all of the time and if there is, what kind please? I fish lakes, streams and rivers and always bank fishing and not a professional by any stretch. I really feel like a dummy right now and can't seem to get these reels to work.

[Zach Bearden]

If I understand you correctly your talking about a Baitcaster?

If so, your getting what is called "backlash" or a "birdsnest". To prevent this keep tension (not alot but enough to keep the line from just flying off the reel) on the line as you cast. I don't bait fish anymore but I don't know how to explain it any better.

And by the way, your not dumb you just need a bit of practice. Which would be a small sinker on the end of your line and just casting in your yard or a small field. Good luck with it!

[riverrat]

When we moved back to MO I bought to rods, one is just a plain old closed reel for catfishing and such and the other has an open reel and it came with two reels. I have been having trouble with the open faced reels in that no matter what I do I have not been able to cast more than a few times without the line getting all tangled and such. I never used to have trouble with these things and I will readily admit that I am not that great a fishing person but this has been ridiculous, to say the least. I have caught fish, but only with my closed face reel and heavier line. Is there a certain kind of line I should have put on these things that might not get so tangled all of the time and if there is, what kind please? I fish lakes, streams and rivers and always bank fishing and not a professional by any stretch. I really feel like a dummy right now and can't seem to get these reels to work.

You're talking about a spinning reel and anyone who has fished much with one has thrown "birdnests", so we feel your pain. There are a lot of tricks you can use to lessen the pain. You want to eliminate as much line twist as possible. The most important thing is how you put new line on your reel. Place the spool of new line on the floor with the label side up and hold your rod at about 45 degrees. I hold the line between my thumb and forefinger to add tension. Don't overfill the spool, I usually stop about 1/8 of an inch from the lip of the spool. Also when fishing I have trained myself to always close the bail by hand. You can do a search on this forum for spinning reels or line twists and get a lot more tips. good luck, Riverrat

[Chief Grey Bear]

Also riverrat when you are respooling, after putting on just a few feet of line, drop you rod tip and look to see if the line twist. If so flip the spool that you are winding your line from over. That will save twist too. And keep tension on the line while spooling like you said. That is also very important.

[Leonard]

Great tips guys...

One thing I like to do is strech the new line.

since Ive started this Ive had less break off and lot less tangles.

I carry around an old rapala (it has a busted lip)... after adding new line. I put the rapala on and find a old tree stump, log, bumper of a car, some strong... attach the rapala to it and sink in the hook a little, then I back up until I have completely pulled on the line off the spool. Next I bring in about 10 feet of line and just about as tight as I can start adding line to the reel.. while Im doing this, Im resetting the drag, so this is one thing I dont worry about on the water. ....

[hoglaw]

When you say "open faced," I assume you're talking about a spinning reel. It's a spinning reel if it spins around in big circles. A baitcast reel has a small cylindrical spool that rolls the line on and off if that makes sense.

Follow Chief's tip. The problem you're having is line twist. Spool new line on exactly like he says. If you're backlashing a baitcaster, you need someone to actually help you. One way to practice though would be to tie on a 1oz sinker and practice lobbing it in the yard.

Another trick for line twist is to take your lure off and pay out line behind the boat as you ride. The friction of the water will un-twist it. I suppose this might work if you let it all flow downstream and pull it back while wading, but I've never tried it that way. Sounds like a good way to make a mess.

I've never tried hooking onto a stump for tension. That will actually implode older spools, but it's probably not a problem with newer ones.

[Cody Smith]

All these other responses will help you out greatly, However, you must make sure you are using the correct diameter line for the reel. You cannot put 8lb. line on a 4lb. reel. If you look at your spool on the reel closely it should have a Gear ratio and a suggested Line weight for the reel. Also after checking and making sure you have the proper line on the reel you need to manually flip the bell with your hand to prevent any further line twist. Cheaper mono lines have alot of memory that is a nightmare to deal with once on the water/bank. I would suggest buying a line with less memory like a fluorocarbon or a no stretch line like Berkley Fireline. Not only will you increase your feel but also you will elliminate your line twist.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes~

Cody Smith

Trout Troller Guide Service

Greers Ferry Lake and The Little Red River

[Trav]

I do the same as Leanord, but I tie my line the the bumper of my truck and walk up the driveway.

[Ozark Baby]

I will check out the reel as you suggested but I don't put the line on myself. I have it put on at the locval Bass Pro Shop here in Springfield.

No, I am talking about a baitcaster. I am speaking about a spinning reel. Thank you all for your help and I will let you know how it goes because I plan on getting some new line and again, letting Bass Pro Shops put it on my reels for me.

[soggyfeet]

I have found out the hard way that too much line can be a pain in the butt also. Now I just load them up about half way.