Backlash Tricks

There's nothing worse than fishing in the wind, trying to hold position on a spot, picking away at a backlash that just won't budge! Some of us face this more frequently than others but the reality is, we all get backlashes. Over the years we've picked up a few tricks to speed up the process.

If you're not using these two quick tricks when you get a birds nest, you're wasting a ton of valuable fishing time!

Both of these methods work best with monofilament or fluorocarbon. (In case you're wondering both Tim and Matt use Seaguar AbrazX when fishing Fluorocarbon) They'll work with braid as well but you'll need them less often.

While both tricks are simple in execution, they're difficult to explain without demonstration. The first involves thumbing the spool and reeling over the backlash then backing the line out slowly to loosen the trapped lines from within. The second method is to back the drag off and remove excess loops instead of pulling 5, 10, or even 15 extra feet of line off the spool to get that last loose loop or two off the spool. Please watch the video to fully understand how both methods are used.

 

Launching a Boat By Yourself

Like many fishing guides around the country I spend most of my mornings pulling up to an empty parking lot and launching my boat without any help, long before the sun rises. Without any other anglers around or bright lighting to help, its important I get it right the first time.

I regularly bump into other anglers struggling to get their boats in and out of the water without the help of a partner. This sparked an idea for Tim and I to show you exactly what it looks like to launch the boat alone. Its really a simple process and with a little practice can become second nature. Having no partner shouldn't keep you from going to the lake and having a great time!

The next time you're at an empty launch ramp take a few minutes to practice launching solo. Before long you'll be catching fish whether your partner is available or not. Good luck out there!

Note: For those of you launching solo in areas without docks or improved ramps, check out the Z-Launch system to simplify the process.

Adjusting to Braided Line

If you haven't picked up the April edition of FLW's Bass Fishing magazine, grab a copy and take a look at the article on properly adjusting to braided line. If you haven't made the switch yet, its worth your consideration. In honor of the article, we're revisiting our video on properly adjusting to braided line.

There have been a few advancements in braided line since this video was uploaded but we still make all of these same adjustments. The brands of line may have changed (Sufix 832 is hard to beat) but the concepts and principals are as applicable now as the day the video was shot. Do yourself a favor and start making the switch to an "All Braid Diet" before your next trip!

 

Understanding Reels and Gear Ratios

Fishing equipment is getting more expensive every year so understanding what you need before making a purchase is very important. Purchasing the right rod comes down to choosing a model you like but reels require more details. Most quality reels are offered in several different gear ratios so choosing the speed that meets your needs is critical.

After getting multiple requests for a video about what gear ratios we use for different techniques, Matt finally sat down in front of the camera to give a brief explanation of his preferences.

Matt keeps it pretty simple. As you'll see in the video, he only uses three ratios, and really, could get by with two. His specific reel preferences  for each speed are:

5:1 ratio: Shimano Curado or Calcutta

6:1 ratio: Shimano Curado or Caenan

7:1 Ratio: Shimano Curado or Lews BB-1 Pro