Reel issues - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Fishtraker · 06-13-2013, 10:38 AM

Ok I have a problem casting my avet 5.8 MXJ. I feel like it may be my line. I have 65lb spectra on there right now and cast after cast I get horrible backlash. I don't know if the line was old on the tackle shop spool or what but its really starting to upset me. I've missed atleast 4 fish because of it. Any ideas? New line suggestions?

MrPatrick · 06-13-2013, 10:46 AM

Sounds like it isn't tight on the spool

ful-rac · 06-13-2013, 11:17 AM

Casting spectra isn't the easiest thing to do. It can be done but with a lot of practice. If you are using it with a jigstick and are only casting jigs I suggest you use mono, a lot easier to control.

Fishtraker · 06-13-2013, 11:28 AM

Yea I have it on a 8" teramar ts4, I'm casting surface iron and flylining bait

ful-rac · 06-13-2013, 11:45 AM

Go with a long topshot of mono and you should be just fine.

TJones · 06-13-2013, 01:14 PM

you can have it spooled up tightly , but make a long cast with a light jig and i don't think it is gonna go back down the same . i haven't figured it out myself .

FlyFishinYakr · 06-13-2013, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishtraker

Ok I have a problem casting my avet 5.8 MXJ. I feel like it may be my line. I have 65lb spectra on there right now and cast after cast I get horrible backlash. I don't know if the line was old on the tackle shop spool or what but its really starting to upset me. I've missed atleast 4 fish because of it. Any ideas? New line suggestions?

As with Bass fishing, sounds like you haven't 'tuned' your spool to the proper weight your throwing. Sounds like it's too loose, tighten it up a bit.
FFY

alanw · 06-13-2013, 11:19 PM

I get tons of backlash on my Avet if I don't set it right. I'm not that good with thumbing it yet so I sometimes set the drag lever to the bait position and adjust the side tension knob so that whatever weight I have on will just unwind off the reel under its own weight, then cast and start to thumb it as it's nearing the water. This usually keeps the spool from over spinning.

jorluivil · 06-14-2013, 01:05 AM

Is it magged?

oneyedeer · 06-14-2013, 05:13 AM

Tighten the spool tensioner .....dont try to chuck the sucker jus a nice smooth cast once you gotten use to it lessen the tension bit by bit. Its like riding a 250cc motorcycle and moving up to a 750 same thing but just a lil different

Fishtraker · 06-14-2013, 06:28 AM

Thanks for the advice everyone, it was just really frustrating me a lot yesterday. I think I'm also going to change my line on it. I think I may have better luck with flouro.

taggermike · 06-14-2013, 08:47 AM

Cast braid can take some getting used to but it can cast
Well. I understand avets cast better than many lever drags
But few LD cast as well as star drags. To be consistant braid
Needs to be tight on the spool. When you're mending the line
Back on to the spool don't just guide back and forth, pinch
It tight so it lays with some tention. With I cast mono I find
I can get a small basklash going but let it ride and it will
Cast on through and clear its self. With braid 1 damn loose
Coil will end the cast. If you feel even the smallest b-lash forming
Clamp your thumb down and stop it right there. Like an earlier
Poster said, start your cast a bit slower and accelerate threw. Don't
Try the bass pro snap thing. Try different lengths of line from tip
To jig until you find one that feels and cast best. A smooth stroke
And follow through is the way to go. And practice befor you see boiling
Yt. Keep at it. Mike

stephenG · 06-14-2013, 11:45 AM

I would recommend using mono, braid is great if just gonna be dropping baits, but mono cast better and is much easier to get outta a backlash. Just my .02$

JarrodMc · 06-14-2013, 08:27 PM

Braid also casts nicer after it's wet. let some line out while you paddle so it's wet and you might get some better results in addition to what the other guys said.

IMTHESKI · 06-14-2013, 09:26 PM

Not sure of your experience with that style reel or casting straight braid. On my Avet MXJ I have braid with a mono topshot. But just in case or for others, the way I learned was by taking a light hookless iron(a weight will work just fine) on an Abu Garcia to the park. I tightened the reel down quite a bit and gave it a light toss. Confirmed what I read in other message boards, the second it hit the ground(simulated water) I got the birds nest of line. I cleared that mess out and tried again. What works best for me is the second before it hits the water is thumb the line/reel to stop the spooling. So after an afternoon of trying that I hit the water. I still get the birds nest of line from time to time but knowing how to prevent it and clean it up as fast as possible has been very useful. I can say from personal experience in other reels knots in braid are no joke! Good luck getting them undone. I learned to tie a double-uni real fast because sometimes it is better to just cut and tie it over again!

jorluivil · 06-15-2013, 04:42 AM

If its not magged go get the magnets or have it magged

06-13-2013, 10:38 AM	#1
Fishtraker Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Oceanside CA Posts: 88	Reel issues Ok I have a problem casting my avet 5.8 MXJ. I feel like it may be my line. I have 65lb spectra on there right now and cast after cast I get horrible backlash. I don't know if the line was old on the tackle shop spool or what but its really starting to upset me. I've missed atleast 4 fish because of it. Any ideas? New line suggestions?

06-13-2013, 11:17 AM	#3
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Casting spectra isn't the easiest thing to do. It can be done but with a lot of practice. If you are using it with a jigstick and are only casting jigs I suggest you use mono, a lot easier to control. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

06-13-2013, 11:45 AM	#5
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Go with a long topshot of mono and you should be just fine. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

06-13-2013, 01:14 PM	#6
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,523	i would agree you can have it spooled up tightly , but make a long cast with a light jig and i don't think it is gonna go back down the same . i haven't figured it out myself .

06-13-2013, 11:19 PM	#8
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	I get tons of backlash on my Avet if I don't set it right. I'm not that good with thumbing it yet so I sometimes set the drag lever to the bait position and adjust the side tension knob so that whatever weight I have on will just unwind off the reel under its own weight, then cast and start to thumb it as it's nearing the water. This usually keeps the spool from over spinning. __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe

06-13-2013, 10:46 AM	#2
MrPatrick Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Waiting to launch Posts: 1,381	Sounds like it isn't tight on the spool

06-13-2013, 11:28 AM	#4
Fishtraker Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Oceanside CA Posts: 88	Yea I have it on a 8" teramar ts4, I'm casting surface iron and flylining bait

06-14-2013, 01:05 AM	#9
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,855	Is it magged? __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

06-14-2013, 05:13 AM	#10
oneyedeer Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Orange County, ca Posts: 684	Tighten the spool tensioner .....dont try to chuck the sucker jus a nice smooth cast once you gotten use to it lessen the tension bit by bit. Its like riding a 250cc motorcycle and moving up to a 750 same thing but just a lil different

06-14-2013, 06:28 AM	#11
Fishtraker Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Oceanside CA Posts: 88	Thanks for the advice everyone, it was just really frustrating me a lot yesterday. I think I'm also going to change my line on it. I think I may have better luck with flouro.

06-14-2013, 08:47 AM	#12
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Cast braid can take some getting used to but it can cast Well. I understand avets cast better than many lever drags But few LD cast as well as star drags. To be consistant braid Needs to be tight on the spool. When you're mending the line Back on to the spool don't just guide back and forth, pinch It tight so it lays with some tention. With I cast mono I find I can get a small basklash going but let it ride and it will Cast on through and clear its self. With braid 1 damn loose Coil will end the cast. If you feel even the smallest b-lash forming Clamp your thumb down and stop it right there. Like an earlier Poster said, start your cast a bit slower and accelerate threw. Don't Try the bass pro snap thing. Try different lengths of line from tip To jig until you find one that feels and cast best. A smooth stroke And follow through is the way to go. And practice befor you see boiling Yt. Keep at it. Mike

06-14-2013, 11:45 AM	#13
stephenG Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: San Clemente Posts: 97	I would recommend using mono, braid is great if just gonna be dropping baits, but mono cast better and is much easier to get outta a backlash. Just my .02$

06-14-2013, 08:27 PM	#14
JarrodMc Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vista Posts: 411	Braid also casts nicer after it's wet. let some line out while you paddle so it's wet and you might get some better results in addition to what the other guys said. __________________

06-14-2013, 09:26 PM	#15
IMTHESKI Junior Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 10	Not sure of your experience with that style reel or casting straight braid. On my Avet MXJ I have braid with a mono topshot. But just in case or for others, the way I learned was by taking a light hookless iron(a weight will work just fine) on an Abu Garcia to the park. I tightened the reel down quite a bit and gave it a light toss. Confirmed what I read in other message boards, the second it hit the ground(simulated water) I got the birds nest of line. I cleared that mess out and tried again. What works best for me is the second before it hits the water is thumb the line/reel to stop the spooling. So after an afternoon of trying that I hit the water. I still get the birds nest of line from time to time but knowing how to prevent it and clean it up as fast as possible has been very useful. I can say from personal experience in other reels knots in braid are no joke! Good luck getting them undone. I learned to tie a double-uni real fast because sometimes it is better to just cut and tie it over again!

06-15-2013, 04:42 AM	#16
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,855	If its not magged go get the magnets or have it magged __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer Last edited by jorluivil; 06-15-2013 at 05:01 AM.