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How to fix birds nests

4.9K views 33 replies 15 participants last post by  Handler  
#1 ·
i got a baitcaster for christmas with 40 lb braid...went to a local pond and got a birds nest of epic proportion, can any of u tell me how to fix it, Id really appreciate it! Thanks!
 
#4 ·
Next time you have a knot-less spool, make a cast, and pull some extra line out. Then put a piece of tape across the line on the spool, reel the line in over the tape as you normally would. Next time you get a over run, it will not go any deeper than the tape. That should help save you some headaches in the future. If you catch a large fish that pulls out your line past the tape, the tape will simply fall off.

http://www.bassedge.com/media/show/Mike ... Backlashes
 
#5 ·
Get a spin reel. I know you won't feel like a real pro with out the bait cast but you will survive, and probably cast twice as much. The bait cast design is made to make reeling in as easy as possible, casting was not in the blueprints when the origins of that design came to be. Modern and sometimes super expensive equipment really makes casting way easier and useful for almost all applications nowadays or even with grandpas old baitcaster. However the design is ancient basically a pulley, but the only tool to use for reeling in large bait, or large fish, definetly salt water, or those giant white sturgeon in the Artic. My old buddy Tommy is a musky guide by trade, he uses braid as well like you, but 20lb he recomended. He also prefers a spin reel, even though admitting it made the fight harder.With the spin reel there is no birds nests, you might like the fight of the fish with a light or medium setup and never go back. This reel was specifically designed for casting. Maybe you have one or tried and didn't like in the past these are just suggestions, good luck and look foward to reading your fishing posts.
 
#6 ·
No matter how bad a birds nest gets you can get them out. I never had much luck with that technique/video that charged posted. Instead, I always put the reel in free spool and slowly pull the line from the reel. When you can no longer pull, follow the line from levelwind to the spool. You will find a loop, sometimes several, that are holding the running line to the spool. Pull on those loops and then give the running line a tug to see you can pull more than before. I may not be explaining it right but if I could show you, it would make sense. I haven't had a birds nest I couldn't get out in over 10 years.

I have to disagree with AuxPleins. I think that bait casters are a hundred time easier and better casting then spinning. The trick is taking the time to learn. Once you do, you can out cast spinning set ups with ease. Accuracy, distance, etc...it's all better with a bait caster.
 
#7 ·
c'mon outcast a spin reel? Maybe with a half pound lure. Good debate anyway 8) I just think catching all these fish 5lbs and under with a baitcast is overkill. But then again so is the money people like to spend on equipment too. To eachs is own though and we already talked about spending/performance curves. I'll contact some physics engineers to go over casting and the difference in friction between the two reels to settle this debate since everyone in here is bias. Just joking fish on
 
#8 ·
AuxPleins-aka-DPR said:
c'mon outcast a spin reel? Maybe with a half pound lure. Good debate anyway 8) I just think catching all these fish 5lbs and under with a baitcast is overkill. But then again so is the money people like to spend on equipment too. To eachs is own though and we already talked about spending/performance curves. I'll contact some physics engineers to go over casting and the difference in friction between the two reels to settle this debate since everyone in here is bias. Just joking fish on
I would absolutely be willing to go toe to toe with you and spinning set up vs me and a baitcasting set up. I'll even go down to as light as 1/16th oz
 
#9 ·
AuxPleins-aka-DPR said:
I just think catching all these fish 5lbs and under with a baitcast is overkill.
Add 10 pounds of weeds the bass wrapped it's self in and you'll wish you had something more.

EGFish, My only advice is never pull hard on a over run, give it a tug and if it is not coming out, thumb the spool and give it a crank just like in the video charged posted. Just takes practice, I can pull one out in seconds now. :D
 
#10 ·
catchafew said:
I was going to send you the above link but I've had backlashes many times worse. Just have to keep working it sometimes you'll get and sometimes you'll say "F*** it" and respool. Welcome to the world of baitcasters
it takes a lot, ask Juicebox2020, it took me 20 minutes to work out one he was about to give up on. Saved him about 20 feet of powerpro. :D
 
#11 ·
BA that light of weight you cast with distance? Think about that toe to toe line when your cleaning your next birds nest, j/k... But don't act like its not gonna happen. That being said judging from your posts I'm sure that bait cast setup does you no wrong. Keep the post coming.

Big Rick, I lost alll respect for u when u said Coolio was a top ten rapper. LMAO I wonder who else is on your list? Vanilla Ice, Criss Cross, Snow.... And whens the last time you posted a fish?
 
#12 ·
Both reel designs have their own nitch, and can excel under a variety of conditions. I grew up with spinning reels, and up until a few years ago I was unable to see the logic behind using a baitcaster. It wasn't until I forced myself to spend some time with them, that I was able to experience there capabilities. I would never try to convince anyone that their the ideal reel for everyone, but there is definitely more to them than just the hype.

Baitcasting pro's:
Increased casting distance with less effort, Accuracy of the cast with the ability to slightly steer the cast mid air towards your target and drop it in where you want it, Smoother Drag, No Line twist, The ability to more easily use heavier lines without it effecting the cast, increased cranking power with the design of the parallel mechanics.

Baitcasting con's:
Takes some Practice as it is a learned skill, Loss of concentration may result in a overrun although this becomes less likely with experience, Difficulty in casting the lightest of baits

Spinning Pro's:
Ability to cast very light / ultralight lures, Simpler to cast, better suited weapon for a new caster, Is also my choice for night fishing.

Spinning Con's:
Number one con is Line twist, The design of the perpendicular spool provides more drag on the line throughout the cast (This factor is much improved with the new Berkley Nano line),While cranking the Internal mechanics are less efficient having to deal with the 90% turns, The drag mechanics are also less efficient for the same reason.
 
#15 ·
The reason I first got interested in baitcasters, was one time I was out fishing in a canoe and there was a shore fisherman on the bank casting away. I purposeless went out into deeper water as I passed, and gave the guy much more room than I thought he could ever use. To my surprise, I watched the guy cast again and lay his rattle trap about 5 feet from my canoe.

I'm sure he was trying to mark his territory, but I remember being amazed at the distance he was achieving. That is what started my interest.
 
#20 ·
Reels are tools. For some jobs, the spinning rod is the preferred tool. For others, the baitcaster is the preferred tool. Same goes with rods. I don't think there's a "one size fits all" here.

Usually when I get a bird's nest it's because I tried to cast too hard. But it's been a while since I couldn't pick one out. Just takes a little practice.
 
#22 ·
BigRick said:
As did Charged, Navyfisher, and Con Solo. IMHO, 99% of the time a nest can be picked out. Key word "picked". It can be a process. I know guys who keep a crochet needle in their tackle bags for the extremely nasty nests. Don't be discouraged as it's bound to happen and everyone catches a tangled mess once in awhile, even pro anglers. This shouldn't deter you from improving your skills by learning how to use new and different gear. If everyone reverted back to the old familiar equipment at the first sign of adversity, we'd all still be using our old spincast reels, no?
Well put, BR. I bought bargain baitcast reels when I first tried them and almost quit the game. Once I tried a quality reel, I changed my attitude. I have a couple crochet needles in my bag along with a couple of dental picks just in case of the dreaded backlash. The crochet needles work better, but are more damaging to my masculinity when I go into a fabric store to replace the ones I lose every couple years or so. The good news is I don't backlash so much anymore (except when throwing into the wind or trying to get that extra 5' on a cast).
 
#23 ·
EGFish353 said:
I definitely utilize my spinning outfit, but i felt that with bigger baits i wasnt getting what I wanted out of my spining tackle so I got a baitcaster
I say good on you, it is like going from driving an automatic to a 5 speed. Remember a backlash is not the end of the world and it happens to everyone, just like stalling a manual. I find staying calm and a light touch makes a huge difference.
 
#24 ·
A lot of good information on this topic so far! The video that Charged posted is what I use 50% of the time, the other 50% I can usually pick out by hand without having to crank down my drag to do the thumb trick. I have used spinning reels almost exclusively up until the last two years and I have to say the baitcaster is a lot more versatile than the spinning reel in most situations. Accuracy is better, it can handle a wider range and weight of baits, it can handle heavier line, and in most cases it has more drag available if needed. Yes teaching your thumb is harder than hell sometimes...but you get the hang of it once your reel is dialed in correctly. As for casting distance...it all depends on the lure choice, I bet I could cast a weightless zoom fluke as far or farther than most baitcasters on the market today.
 
#25 ·
BrookfieldAngler said:
No matter how bad a birds nest gets you can get them out. I never had much luck with that technique/video that charged posted. Instead, I always put the reel in free spool and slowly pull the line from the reel. When you can no longer pull, follow the line from levelwind to the spool. You will find a loop, sometimes several, that are holding the running line to the spool. Pull on those loops and then give the running line a tug to see you can pull more than before. I may not be explaining it right but if I could show you, it would make sense. I haven't had a birds nest I couldn't get out in over 10 years.

I have to disagree with AuxPleins. I think that bait casters are a hundred time easier and better casting then spinning. The trick is taking the time to learn. Once you do, you can out cast spinning set ups with ease. Accuracy, distance, etc...it's all better with a bait caster.
x3
 
#26 ·
Well this topic got interesting if you subtract all the bickering.

EG, you were given some good info on how to handle a birds nest. If you have a late model baitcaster you should have no problem with a little practice. I myself always carry a leatherman micra tool. I use the small blunt to pick free when needed.

I use both spinning and baitcaster and love them both. They both have their time to shine. But if I had to choose just one to use for the rest of eternity it would be the spinning reel. Much more versatile IMO. Everytime I see comments saying they can cast further with a baitcaster compared to a spinning reel I think to myself, bring it on. I can cast further with my spinning gear wether it be an 1/8 oz jig or a small crankbait and my accuracy is about the same. My casting technique with spinning gear is a bit different from others and that's where I get my distance.

Maybe we should all get together someday and have a cast off and put these words to the test.