It doesnt matter how many years you fish at one time or another you are bound to backlash!!

Coot- for your question I would say either carry a spare reel or cut off the bad and bloodknot a new piece..bloodknots will HOLD!!Its kinda a biatch having to redo it all but if you dont carry a spare rod or reel thats the best way..

Goose- I hear exactly what you are talking about! What I usually do is keep it free spooled with your thumb on the spool and when your rig drifts around and normally you would reel up just free spool some line out slowly where you can still get a drift.No point in wastin a cast..Once it clears up reel like helll hehehe...

There are tons of what I feel are dumb questions so I just wait and ask someone in private That way you only get embarassed by one person instead of 2000..hehehe TM

I guess no one else is going to offer this tip, so I will...
Borrow a crochet or darning needle from granny, preferably a metal one, the kind with a sort of "barb" on the end. Stick the other end in a wine cork (for a handle) and you'll have the tool you need for reaching the snarls! Easy as cussing, and a lot faster!

Bob, good job of jumping in there and explaining the purpose of this forum. Isn't the purpose to share info and experience?? We can all learn something as we all have different experiences.

Way to go Bob!!! Everyone has started from step "0" and that is a given!!!
As far as birdnests on my baitcaster.... I work on it for five minutes or until I realize it is a lost cause. I don't get too many. I always carry a backup reel to slap on with hardly any time lost. Remember guys.. you spend money for gas plus your time is short on the river so why not be prepared for the worst!

Scaly you beat me to it. Your method works great I have one with me allways. The wine cork is a great idea. I will add one to the hook. thanks

A lot of places sell little picks for this.Bobs in longview has a box full of them.The trick is to pick out the ones that will work best.A lot of times if you have any teeth left,when you go to the dentist for a good cleaning they will have some picks that are worn out.If you ask nice they would possibly give it to you.Just dull the tip a little so it doesnt score your line.The one I got at Bobs has a little crook in it and a small flat end about a 1/16 wide.its perfect for birdnests.

Backlashing is a symptom, but what is the cause?
Figuring that out will make you alot happier than being an expert backlash knot remover. When I was first using the casting reels, I never took it to areas thick with vegetation or rocks that would disturb my cast. Usually a backlash comes from trying to compensate for something in your way like a branch or bank, and you tend to whip your wrist or arm at the wrong time causing backlash.
Try to become an expert at long-distance casting with nothing in your way, learning the spool release tension and drag system. Then you can start the finesse casting in tight situations.
Another thing I learned is the underhand lob cast. This can be done one-handed while facing the river sideways with your casting arm toward the river. Start with rod tip about shoulder height opposite where you are casting, and just give it a gentle underhand swing. When the pendulum reaches close to its axis you'll feel it- release. This method helps to get an idea how much tension is needed for a successful cast, better than the overhead whipping cast point and hurl.
Hope that helps, I'm kind of ramblin' on-

HT

Lots of great stuff here although I was a little miffed :<0) By Dianas suggestion I`ll quit before I fish one of those monstrosities.
Actually I have been fishing baitcaster reels for more than seventy years.My first was a 1927 Shakespere and in those days there was no levelwind,no adjustable brake,and only a click drag. We fished them with silk braid line and had to spool them even by using your fingerr as a levelwind guide.
Man you should have seen some of the backlashes we got in those days.
My moto is try everything but be an expert at nothing.

Hey Coot, what's a backlash? (stupid Q's welcome - right?) I've never had one, hehe - well a few from a belt when I was a routy kid. By the way Coot, just wanted to alert you that WWII is over now (just teasing ya about your earlier post). One thing that some of you new members may not be aware of; when fishing with a professional fishing guide, if you backlash his reels for a third consecutive time in one day the guide can now legally murder you if he so chooses. Wouldn't that have been nice Cowfish back when we were guiding? jk ...

I do have one really stupid question - you encouraged them. "Who put the bomp in the bomp shu bomp shu bomp?" (you early rockers should know that)

Stating the obvious - no matter how pi$$ed off you are at the bird nest, if you cut the line, please take it home with you.

Great reminder Phreak. It's so tempting just to leave that nasty tangle lay. I have to confess that I've done it a few times in the past. Now I carry a ziplock bag to stuff mine and other's in and dispose of it at home. I hate the thought of an otter or a loon or a steelhead or some other critter getting tangled up in it.

Ron

There are no stupid questions-there are only stupid people

Hey RT: I quit fighting ww2 backin 1946 I`m working on the war of 1812 now.My great great grandpappy was in that one and we still reminis about his somewhat exadurated exploits around the dinner table. My great grand kids think I`m prehistoric.
Rt i`m convinced you are the only man alive who has never had to pick out a backlash from his baitcaster.
I ordered up some 20 lb Power pro which I will be trying out shortly.If I get a backlash that takes more than 20 minutes to free;I`ll send the reel and all to you.
When in doubt turn to the experts.

Hey Coot, because of all the backlashes I've had I am able to cus faster than 200 dirty words per minute!

I need a picture of a cheerleader with big pom poms yelling spinning reel, spinning reel!
Great post guys and yes even with spinning reels you get backlashes but not anywhere near as much.Usually because I got carried away putting line on!

Bigger Pom-Pom's please!

Well, I learned from this thread to carry an old comb and not pull too hard. I'm an ol saltwater guy that is new to steelheading, so the backlash info is very useful to me.

Coot, you said you have thousands of these questions. How about another?

Hey Coot, I hated my calcutta when I first bought it too. Then I read the directions. There are some counter balance thingies inside the reel cover that you can adjust. I took the side plate off and adjusted half of them the opposite way that they came from the factory and now it casts like a dream.

Beezer

Hey, I haven't seen this one yet - what I do first is loosten the loops a bit with my finger nail, sort of side-to-side all the way around the spool. Then you can find the individual loops easier. And I know my backlashes - learned how in the late 50's on a Green Hornet knucklebuster - no free spool, no tension adjustment, and no drag. Modern reels don't even remotely approach the backlash capabilities we enjoyed in the "good ole days", right Coot?

Aunty M,
Thanks for the cheerleader, I laughed my a$$ off for a long time. I am over here in Kosovo this winter, longing for steelhead, living with 6 other guys, no girls. They have brought in the Redskins cheerleaders for us to gawk at but that cheerleader that you posted really satisfied my tastebuds, among other things, ha ha, thanks again.