Nothing could ruin your baitcasting experience as much as a baitcaster birds nest can. You wouldn’t want to spend half of your fishing time detangling the worst knots in your fishing line due to baitcaster backlash, would you? Considering the amount of frustration the birdsnest baitcaster brings, it is indeed a nightmare for all the anglers.
Unfortunately, many fishers have given up the baitcasters due to backlash problems. Whereas, others don’t opt for it just to avoid the hassle. Well, the decisions shouldn’t be this harsh because this issue can be easily resolved. Additionally, there are multiple ways to stop baitcaster from bird nesting in the first place and avoid the baitcaster backlash.
How To Fix Baitcaster Birds Nest
Thankfully, one can sort out this common problem in several ways. But before anything else, you must understand what is meant by baitcaster birds nest and how are these formed.
What Actually Is Birds Nest?
Baitcasting reels are known for their free-moving spool which can result in birds nests. Wondering how? Well, as you cast the lure, the fishing line starts unwinding and the spool rotates speedily. On one hand, the free spool, unlike that of a spinning reel, has much-reduced friction. It leads to longer casting distances as well as fantastic accuracy.
To keep the spool speed under control, you use your thumb to press down the thumb bar, releasing the clutch. That is how a baitcaster casts a line. Everything goes well until you miss the right time to press the thumb bar and the spool starts spinning maniacally.
As the spool rotates incredibly fast, the line fails to pull off at the same speed. The rotation and centrifugal forces working together loosen the line. This ends up in the accumulation of tangled line on the spool instead of throwing it away. The intertwined fishing line on your spool is known as bird nests or backlash.
There could be multiple reasons why an angler experiences backlash. For example, they fail to press the thumb bar at the right time. Sometimes, inappropriate adjustments of the drag or braking system also lead to these frustrating issues.
How To Undo A Baitcaster Birds Nest
As mentioned earlier, baitcaster birds nest are indeed an annoyance that can be fixed if you follow the guidelines properly. Hand-picking the line to untangle would be quite foolish and will take forever. Therefore, it is better to opt for any of the following helpful ways to fix it:
1. Apply Pressure To The Spool
This is probably one of the simplest ways to fix backlash from your reel. All you need to do is apply pressure to the spool with your thumb and begin rotating the spool. After 2 to 3 turns, engage the reel and pull the line out. Stop if you can’t pull a line anymore and repeat the process.
Keep doing it until you free the line. This process takes very less time for fewer tangles. Here is a visual representation of how to do it:
2. Find And Remove The Tag Ends
In simpler words, tag ends are the loops wrapped around the running end of the main line. Tag ends are quite common in birds nests. As you find one, start pulling it out. Make sure you don’t pull the main fishing line but the loop only.
Most of the time, pulling the loop does the job. As you start to draw it out, the line will start unwinding, allowing you to resolve backlash from the reel. Here is how to do it:
3. Use Tools
Tools like tweezers, knitting needles, or dental picks come in handy when you want to detangle loops also known as blowbacks. Since these apply pressure on the line, it is best suggested to use these for monofilament or fluorocarbon lines. These are much sturdier than the braided lines.
It is better to avoid using any of these tools to pull out blowbacks on a braided line. Doing so can lead to an exaggerated problem of backlash with kinking line on the spool. As a result, you won’t be able to find the loops on the line.
How To Tune Your Baitcaster
When it comes to tuning your baitcaster to prevent birds nest, you know about the most important mechanical parts. Below we have discussed how you should appropriately adjust to prevent baitcaster birds nest.
1. Spool Tension Knob
As referred by the name, it is used to adjust the spool speed according to your preference. On a baitcasting reel, it is located near the handle, right beside the drag knob. Here is how to tune it:
- Hold your baitcasting rod at 2’o clock.
- Begin reeling until it throws about 10 to 12 inches of line.
- Push the knob in the forwarding direction to tighten it.
- As you notice slight pressure, push the thumb bar.
- This will allow the lure to drop down slowly.
- When the lure completely drops on its own, note that you have set the spool tension correctly.
2. Braking System
Braking systems on a baitcasting reel play a vital role in reducing backlashes significantly. These are designed to prevent the spool from spinning rapidly, saving the spool from accumulating the line. Manufacturers integrate two common types of braking systems in baitcasters. Understand how to adjust both of them to avoid baitcaster birds nest.
2.1 Magnetic Braking System
The magnetic braking system comes with a dial located on the outside of the reel. This dial makes it easier to adjust these brakes as compared to the centrifugal ones. It comes with easy readings labeled as MIN and MAX on the adjustment dial.
For beginners, it is best advised to activate these brakes at 50%. While you might notice reduced casting distance but there won’t be any birds nest issue. However, experts can start with brakes set lower than 50%.
2.2 Centrifugal Braking System
These come in two types of adjustments i.e., a dial or a lever. Generally, a dial will unscrew the side whereas, a lever is responsible for releasing the plate. Inside the plate, you will find a multicolored arrangement of pegs that you can move in or out.
Similar to the magnetic system, as you turn the settings ON, the centrifugal forces will be applied on the outside. Beginners should set the centrifugal weights at their max strength. Just like magnetic brakes, you will get a compromised casting distance but no backlashes.
2.3 Hybrid Braking System
Several higher-end models integrated both magnetic and centrifugal braking systems in a baitcasting reel. These could be a little complicated for new anglers hence, only suggested for the experts. To start off, you must keep the settings on low and check for backlashes.
3. Drag
Tuning the drag is one of the simplest things to do. Baitcasters usually come with a star-shaped drag near the handle that is quite visible. Tighten the drag by pushing the knob forward, make sure to not tighten it too much.
How To Avoid Birds Nest Baitcaster
Following are some useful baitcaster birds nest tips that will help you get past this annoyance in the long run.
1. Choose The Right Line
Fishing lines can have a great impact on the baitcaster bird nest. If you are a novice angler, a monofilament line is best recommended. While is it not as robust as a fluorocarbon line but has reduced the chances of backlashes. Fluoro or braided lines are not only susceptible to birds nest but line breakage too.
2. Get The Right Equipment
When it comes to a successful baitcasting experience, never settle for anything less than the best. As a newbie, you should opt for a good baitcaster and pair it up with a shorter rod length with medium action. This will reduce the chances of backlashes to a great extent.
Furthermore, choosing the right fishing line will save you from tangling issues. We have already discussed the ideal line choice. While fluoro and braided lines can be a bit rough, mono would be the best choice for no backlashes.
Remember, lures make a difference too so, try heavier lures at the start. These are less likely to put you in situations like a birds nest. Whereas, lighter lures are highly susceptible to frequent overrun.
3. Practice
Practice makes a man perfect. Every expert fisher you see has reached that level of expertise with practice. When you are new to baitcasting fishing, make sure you learn how to use a baitcaster reel then perform as many test casts as you can before hitting the water. This will help you understand how to control different systems on the reel.
The best way to achieve success is by practicing against the wind. This strategy can help you take wind as an advantage and that is what professional anglers do. Start by pushing your bait forward. Initially, you will notice a slower casting because of the lure but with great accuracy.
With time, once you get hold of it, you will get your desired casting distances with superb accuracy against the wind as well. Again, make sure to perform some test casts in such conditions before actually doing it in the water.
FAQs
The foremost thing is to learn to slow down the spool speed timely to cast a baitcaster without backlash. Alongside, you should also tune your reel’s important parts such as the spool tension knob, drag, and braking system.
The main reason for your baitcaster birds nest can only be spool overrun. It could happen when you fail to slow down the spool speed or your baitcaster is not fine-tuned. You should practice slowing down the spool and get your reel tuned appropriately.
Shimano SLX DC has made its name as the only true baitcaster without backlash in the current market. Its advanced anti-backlash system allows tremendous casting distances and accuracy while eliminating all the possible chances of baitcaster birds nest.
1. How to cast a baitcaster reel without backlash?
The foremost thing is to learn to slow down the spool speed timely to cast a baitcaster without backlash. Alongside, you should also tune your reel’s important parts such as the spool tension knob, drag, and braking system.
2. Why does my baitcaster keep birdnesting?
The main reason for your baitcaster birds nest can only be spool overrun. It could happen when you fail to slow down the spool speed or your baitcaster is not fine-tuned. You should practice slowing down the spool and get your reel tuned appropriately.
3. What is the best baitcaster with anti-backlash?
Shimano SLX DC has made its name as the only true baitcaster without backlash in the current market. Its advanced anti-backlash system allows tremendous casting distances and accuracy while eliminating all the possible chances of baitcaster birds nest.
Conclusion
Baitcaster birds nest can be a surprise guest to any fisher regardless of their experience. What important is that you should know the right ways to overcome it. Remember, it isn’t a piece of cake to learn to avoid backlashes but, practice can take you too far.
All you need is to understand how to cast a baitcaster without birdnesting with appropriate tuning. Make sure to adjust the key parts such as spoon tension, brakes, and drag at the right settings.
Also, build strategies by practicing as much as you can. Once you get hold of your baitcaster, no one can stop you from achieving the best results baitcaster birds nest in different water and weather conditions.
