I've always liked Trilene XT and XL. Tried the "Super Lines" and went back to good old mono. Set your cast controls so that you only get an occasional bird's nest, and fish. Even the best pros sometimes get them.

Baitcasters need to be properly setup to avoid backlashes. If you are a beginner to baitcasters the first thing you need to do is turn the magnets all the way up, or ensure all the centrifugal brakes pads are set in the enage position.

Next to the crank handle is a knob called a friction knob. Everytime you change lures you need to adjust this knob. Begin by tightening it up. Then holding the rod level (waist high) engage the clutch bar and slowly losen the friction knob until the lure starts to slowly lower itself to the floor. Reel the lure back up to about a foot from the rod tip and press the clutch bar again. If the lure drops quickly tighten the friction knob a little bit and repeat. If the lure doesn't move losen the friction knob a little and repeat. when properly setup the lure should fall slowly to the floor.

Now let'talk about casting. The biggest mistake most anglers make casting a baitcaster is trying to put too much power in their cast. For a basic overhand cast, keep your elbow close to your side, bend your forearm up towards your shoulder and snap your forearm down until it is level with your elbow (90° angle) and that is all the power you need. Any more and you get the spool spinning faster than the lure is traveling and you end up with either a backlash or an overrun.

The next step is learning to control the spool with your thumb. The hold secret to baitcasting is thumb control. When you cast your thumb is to ride the spool and you are to use your thumb to stop the spool just before your lure touches the water. Fail to do so and you have a backlash or an overrun.

The better you get at thumbing the spool the further you will be able to cast. Why? because you will be able to losen the friction knob more and back off on the magnets or disenage the some of the centrifugal brakes.

Now if your reel is properly setup and you are sure that you are thumbing the spool properly and you are still getting backlashes, the problem is more likely your reel. With some less expensive baitcasters the spool ride on bushings instead of ball bearing, or steel ball bearing instead of stainless steel. What happens is that the spool does not spin freely and more importantly consistently. Sometimes it grabs for a fraction of a second which causes the lure to pull which puts a load on the rod at the same time and when it free itself the lure surges and spins the spool faster than the lure is traveling, thus you get a backlash.

If this is the case, you may be able to improve this situation by applying a graphite based lubricant to the bushing or steel bearing (slick 50). But thumb control will also help to minimize the effect.

Now let's talk about line. If you spool your fishing line on the spool improperly or if you over fill the spool you can cause line twist which can lead to backlashes.

No point in using a baitcaster if your main criterion for chosing a line is to avoid backlashes; get a spinning reel instead.

Thanks.

quote:

---

Originally posted by T. MUCHOW:
my fault, I should have titled it "favorite line" for baitcasters. some just cast better, others uhhhhh.

Thanks.

T.MUCHOW

---

TM, please understand that my responses are not directed to a specific member (unless I use their quote), but rather just a general response that I feel may help someone.

Thanks.

I have a lot of friends that swear by Spider Wire Super Mono in 17 lb test.

I really liked using Fireline on my spinning reels, tried it and removed it from my baitcaster though, just did not like the way it handled, came off the baitcaster.

Gonna Shake, Rattle and Rogue!

While I agree with you comment on the stiffness of the FUSION type of superlines (Fireline being the best known), I beg to differ when talking about the true braid superlines such as Spiderwire. The braids would neeed a triple dose of VIAGRA to be half as stiff as most monofilaments

quote:

---

Originally posted by T. MUCHOW:
What is the best, and by best I mean easy casting, and NOT PRONE TO BACKLASHES. I usually use 12lb test for most applications. I have tried many and not liked them, The Vanish from Berkley isnt bad. I didnt care for the Trilene XT, or the stren original. what do you all like the best for backlash free baitcaster line?
Thanks

T.MUCHOW

---