I am a big advocate of back reeling and thumbing the spool on a baitcaster. I always back reel on spinning reels and have thumbed in a musky on baitcaster that was spooled with 10 lb test.
back reel
I was reading through he classic posts and saw the one on back reeling. I'm new to the site and wanted to give my opinion on it.
First let me say that this is just my personal preference and I don't think it's that big of a deal if you do or if you don't back reel. Try to have fun and relax when fishing. Those are the most important things when fishing.
I back reel.The reason I back reel is this. I use 4lb test and either a 4'9" or 5'2" slider rod. I fish in heavy cover and open water. Whatever the situation calls for. Back reeling gives me the choice of playing the fish. I can control where the fish is going to go. I can give him line when I want to and if he's heading for deep water or heavy cover.I can keep him from that by using the rod and not giving the bass line(or just enough).I can't do that with a drag. I'm at the mercy of the bass. A bass heads for cover quickly once it knows it's hooked. It'll peel the line off the reel and you can only keep the tension on the line with the rod. Problem is when you pull back with the rod,the bass keeps taking line with the drag or it usually snaps. I don't have that problem as much by back reeling(I keep the drag cranked all the way down). This is from personal experience and just my reasons for doing it. In case you were wondering I can still get the bass out of heavy cover if I need to(even with 4lb test). It just takes a little practice.
First let me say that this is just my personal preference and I don't think it's that big of a deal if you do or if you don't back reel. Try to have fun and relax when fishing. Those are the most important things when fishing.
I back reel.The reason I back reel is this. I use 4lb test and either a 4'9" or 5'2" slider rod. I fish in heavy cover and open water. Whatever the situation calls for. Back reeling gives me the choice of playing the fish. I can control where the fish is going to go. I can give him line when I want to and if he's heading for deep water or heavy cover.I can keep him from that by using the rod and not giving the bass line(or just enough).I can't do that with a drag. I'm at the mercy of the bass. A bass heads for cover quickly once it knows it's hooked. It'll peel the line off the reel and you can only keep the tension on the line with the rod. Problem is when you pull back with the rod,the bass keeps taking line with the drag or it usually snaps. I don't have that problem as much by back reeling(I keep the drag cranked all the way down). This is from personal experience and just my reasons for doing it. In case you were wondering I can still get the bass out of heavy cover if I need to(even with 4lb test). It just takes a little practice.
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Cod: great post!
there are many slider afficionados on this board......
interesting to see how you have adapted to it!
I started out with very small rods like you, but now, I fish a 6 foot light action Loomis....I use 6 pound test, and I do depend on the drag, so far, with good results.......
back reeling gives you much more control....sort of like driving with a stick!
just needs practice, time of which, personally, I have not bothered to put in...
always welcome posts on backreeling.....
there are many slider afficionados on this board......
interesting to see how you have adapted to it!
I started out with very small rods like you, but now, I fish a 6 foot light action Loomis....I use 6 pound test, and I do depend on the drag, so far, with good results.......
back reeling gives you much more control....sort of like driving with a stick!
just needs practice, time of which, personally, I have not bothered to put in...
always welcome posts on backreeling.....
What size fish do you start to backreel on?
Size doesn't matter. LOL! Seriously, it is more dependent on your line and your "feel" when the fish is surging.
bass64-
Like Hugefish4 said. It's not the size of the fish. It's more of a method of fishing(reeling).
Like Hugefish4 said. It's not the size of the fish. It's more of a method of fishing(reeling).
I am more apt to back reel on fish when I'm using line testing between 4 and 6lbs. At times when I realize I hooked into something really large, I will backreel with heavier gear.
I back reel too
But speaking to a guy who fishes Erie a lot for those monster smallies, there is no way and no how one can BACKREEL fast enough to control a 5lb smallie surging back and forth after you hook him.
Using the drag efficiently to control a fighting fish and taking your time , takes some skills likewise backreeling.
Guess there is a reason for the drag to be on reels....
Maybe WNYBassman and RobJ can come on and tell us how they reel in those big smallies....
Joe
But speaking to a guy who fishes Erie a lot for those monster smallies, there is no way and no how one can BACKREEL fast enough to control a 5lb smallie surging back and forth after you hook him.
Using the drag efficiently to control a fighting fish and taking your time , takes some skills likewise backreeling.
Guess there is a reason for the drag to be on reels....
Maybe WNYBassman and RobJ can come on and tell us how they reel in those big smallies....
Joe
I've had no problem landing a 5lb smallie and a 10lb largemouth by backreeling. It just takes a little practice.
I am sure it is all what you get used to.
I have never tried backreeling, nor do I plan on trying anytime soon.
Between depending on my drag, and using the built in "shock absorber" of my rod, I have very little trouble. Most, if not all times, I break off a fish, it is entirely due to zebra mussle damage to the line. We re-tie often around here, but sometimes that is still not enough.
I also try to match line size to the rig I am using. I am sure trying to land a 5 pound smallie with 4 pound line, a drag my not be the best choice. But with 8 pound test, and the drag set precisely where it should be (not too much, not too little) I seem to control the fish just fine.
As for how we reel in those large Lake Erie smallies?........VERY CAREFULLY!!
I have never tried backreeling, nor do I plan on trying anytime soon.
Between depending on my drag, and using the built in "shock absorber" of my rod, I have very little trouble. Most, if not all times, I break off a fish, it is entirely due to zebra mussle damage to the line. We re-tie often around here, but sometimes that is still not enough.
I also try to match line size to the rig I am using. I am sure trying to land a 5 pound smallie with 4 pound line, a drag my not be the best choice. But with 8 pound test, and the drag set precisely where it should be (not too much, not too little) I seem to control the fish just fine.
As for how we reel in those large Lake Erie smallies?........VERY CAREFULLY!!
It's not that big of a deal if you back-reel or not. Whatever works for the individual person. I personally feel with light line it has an advantage maybe someone else doesn't ,that's fine. More importantly have a good time fishing. Being out on the water is what really matters.
Backreeling practice
I started backreeling late last year, but really got into it this year.
Early this year, the cat's were hitting soft plastics in the local rivers, big cats.
So w/ 500 series reel, Shimano Sensilite rod, and 4.9# Tectan, I journeyed out and learned the art.
Biggest cat in the boat was just on the south side of 10#.
I know a dude who practices on big carp in flooded corn fields. Now, that's a fight.
I started backreeling late last year, but really got into it this year.
Early this year, the cat's were hitting soft plastics in the local rivers, big cats.
So w/ 500 series reel, Shimano Sensilite rod, and 4.9# Tectan, I journeyed out and learned the art.
Biggest cat in the boat was just on the south side of 10#.
I know a dude who practices on big carp in flooded corn fields. Now, that's a fight.
I think I know that dude too.
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