How do I keep my line from tangling in the hook when casting plugs or spinner baits? Have some favorite top water lures I like using but half the time my line ends up around the hook.
16’ Bonito 65 Johnson
a couple thoughts are don’t cast into the wind, don’t cast too much upward, and more important start slowing down your cast as the lure gets close to the target and control when the lure stops rather than having the lure just stop on its own
All of the above is good advice. Also, you might try to eliminate flipping your wrist when casting. Use the smoothest motion you can, a lot of straight arm motion. Kind of like you would cast a double rig, such as a topwater bait with a jig trailing it. A more flexible rod might load up and cast better on those baits. I use a 7’ medium light baitcasting rod when throwing topwaters. Loads up well and casts a mile.
Anytime you put new line on the reel…troll it behind the boat …let out a good 50 yards…that will keep the line from curling.
Key West 1720 115 HP Johnson Saltwater.
CRM, just the line or can you put a small weight on it, like a split shot:question:
If you’re using braid a stiff section of mono/floro leader will prevent the plug from tangling in the main line…
Just using mono on my freshwater stuff. Nothing special, just 6’ medium action ugly stick with zebco 33 reel. Don’t try to cast any real distance, probably 50 to 75 feet some times less.
16’ Bonito 65 Johnson
You could still use a short heavier/ stiffer piece of mono or floro …that’s what I’d do and it’ll solve the problem. it won’t allow the limp mono to fold back on itself and foul your plug. Best of luck ~
What kind of line you using Coot?
“George”
16’ Mirrocraft
25 HP Yamaha
“Jazzed”
24’ Seahunt Triton 240
250 HP Yamaha V6
Sounds like a good excuse to buy a small baitcasting reel. They can be calibrated for different types and weights of baits. Even the inexpensive ones will usually give you good results when throwing artificial lures. If you can afford it, look for a reel with the six pin calibration system instead of the magnetic backlash control.
No offense to the 33’s. I probably have 2 or three in the shed. The problem you are having is one of the reasons they mostly stay in the shed for me unless I’m fishing with live or cutbait. They are pretty good reels. I fished with the 202’s growing up. Back then a 33 would have been my pride and joy.
Also, just a thought, don’t cast side armed. Throw your baits with the 33 using an overhead cast. Might help, might not.
Two things: already covered above. 1. Use a mono or fluoro leader 15-25 lbs. 2. Make a smooth cast so your plug lays out straight. It will cast much further also, kind of like a football with a tight spiral.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com
Not sure of the brand Jazzed but it is somewhere between 12 to 15# test. Have a spool of 20# mono, might try adding about 2 feet to my line and see what happens.
Spoonmaster, I actually cast overhand unless it is a really short one then I use a side arm. I like using a jitter bug and a plug with front and rear blades and 2 treble hooks. Some times I even get tangled throwing spinner baits. Guess I need to stick with weedless worms or fishing under a float. (**(), sounds like I should just quit fishing and just be a watcher. The wife would love for that to happen. Always comes up with excuses for me not to go.
16’ Bonito 65 Johnson
Just let the line go out…don’t add anything to it. Troll it for 5 minutes…takes the curl right out.
Key West 1720 115 HP Johnson Saltwater.
One more thought. Are your baits tumbling in the air during the cast? Try leaving about a foot or so of line between the rod tip and your bait. See if that helps. I still think a baitcasting reel will solve your problem. You can adjust it so that there is a small amount of tension on the bait while it’s flying through the air. That will stop most baits from tumbling in the air.
The most aggravating bait for me, when casting into the wind, is a spinnerbait. The blades tend to get caught by the wind. I guess that’s one reason why I like the old original Chatterbait. Great action, easy to cast and they come through heavy cover with very few hangups. Even works at night on bass. Try one for shallow or schooling bass, and you might have a new favorite bait. Fish it just like a spinnerbait. I like the 1/2 ounce size the best.