Baitcasting reels/birdsnest tangles

[troutbreath]

I've heard that there is a trick to quickly untangle birdsnests in baitcasting reels, but don't know what it is. Anyone out there have any tips on how to do this???
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[doolay]

The trick is to become good at casting!! haha

Don't pull too hard and make sure you pay attention to what the line on your spool is doing. Watch out for loops in the line that can make it worse. That is what I try and watch out for.
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[troutbreath]

O.K., thanx! I'm new at this baitcasting thing and frustrated because I can't control my casts like I can with my spinning reels.
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[albinotrout]

It does take practice and a well trained thumb. Even though I have gotten the hang of things with the baitcast reel, I still will get the occasional birds nest.
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[bytebull]

theres a sure fire way to get them out everytime.


Once you get a backlash you just turn your reel and set it .. just like your going to reel in the line.

Next, You press your thumb down tight on the reel right on the backlash... VERY TIGHT and reel it a few turns.

Open the bail and try to slowly pull the backlash out. If it don't work the first time...

Just press down again VERY TIGHTLY with your thumb on the line and reel a few turns again...

then open the bail and try to pull out the backlash.

You will get a backlash clear almost 90% of the time doing it that way.
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[bytebull]

Just wanted to add... there is a casting pin on the reel too.

Each lure is a different weight.

When you change to a heavier or lighter lure you need to press the release button and then adjust the pin until the lure is just slowly dropping from the tip of the rod.

let it hit the ground and if the bail continues to spin its to loose so tighten it a little and then reel up the lure and loosen it til the lure is dropping very evenly and slowly and when it hits the ground the bail stops spinning...

that's the optimum setting for your cast to not backlash.
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[fsh4fun05]

That's how I adjust my reels, you can fine tune them after that. I fished a tournament last weekend (first place woohoo!) and my non-boater on Sunday used a piece of tape underneath his line to avoid spooling out too much. I helped him adjust his reel and he could cast twice as far.
If you are unsure about the settings always start tight, your casts may be short but you will not spool out, or as I like to call it "a professional overrun". You can adjust the settings a little bit at a time until you find the optimum settings. Heavier line will help you get out the birds nest when first starting. 90% of the lakes I fish are clear water so I use 10-12 # fluorocarbon on all my reels, a nightmare if I spool out but it happens sometimes. On that note, the right reel is important also. Typically reels that retail for less than $80 or so do not implement the technology used to prevent backlash but just like anything else practice makes perfect...eh, well close to perfect! Everybody spools out sometimes but as you get better it's just a loop or some loose line on the spool.
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[ydoc]

Here's a video that explains bytebull's text instructions. I think this is the "trick" you were referencing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDI5kwR5zjc
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[troutbreath]

Great! I'll definitely try that, but hopefully I won't have to use that technique too often.
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[troutbreath]

Where do you do your trout fishing? I fish trout a lot here is Massachusetts. However, I'm fishing my first bass tournament this weekend. I'm really challengere when it comes to bass (freshwater) fishing. Lots to learn!
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[albinotrout]

I am from Utah. Lots of fishing going on here. Here are some pics from last year.
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[tomegun]

I use the tape trick too. I you don't backlash you ain't fishing enuff. Lots of good tricks mentioned here, at one time or another all will be needed.

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[bigpikeguy]

I just used this trick for the first time this past weekend. I had my doubts but i was dead wrong. This trick really works! I have no idea how or why but it does. Thanks for this tip. Should save me alot of time when i fish tournaments. []
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[tanman89]

The method you described is my go-to method when fishing
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