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!

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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!

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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.

Fire on the Mountain

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Well, as much as we'd love to bring you a fresh, new post this week, some more important activities have been taking place around here. As most of you know, Tim lives on the shores of Clearlake and Matt is a guide on the lake. This week, the mountains near Clearlake caught fire.

The "Rocky Fire" has been explosive since it took off a few short days ago, now encompassing 67,000 acres! Let me begin by saying we're safe and not at any risk of direct impact from the fire, so please don't worry about us. We've continued doing our jobs and living life, but fishing is the last thing on either of our minds.

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While we've been blessed with safety, others are not so fortunate.  Its burned 24 homes, more than 6900 others are threatened, and it shows no signs of slowing!

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and communities being impacted by the blaze! Whatever you believe and wherever you are, we ask the Tacticalbassin community to pray for those being impacted by this brutal fire! This too shall pass but its leaving destruction in its wake and we can't help but hurt for those that are losing everything.

We'll keep you posted of any drastic changes and will be back to our normal content shortly. For now, the safety of friends and neighbors trumps the need for bass fishing content. Be safe and we'll see you soon! 

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