fishing question

Question
QUESTION: how come i always seem to get a "rats nest" in my line after i make a cast? it seems like after i make a cast there is not enough tension on my line or something?

ANSWER: It would help if I knew if you were using a spinning reel or bait caster.. but here is the problem either way.
Spinning Gear... Normally if you happen to get a loop on the spool, it will cause you to birds nest when you cast. You need to keep an eye on it and watch between casts. Get any loops out. It could also be caused by using a spinner bait with no swivel and the line taking a kink.

Baitcast Reels will do what is called over spin. This occurs if you cast hard and the reel continues to spin after the bait hits the water. You need to keep your thumb on the spool and stop the spool as soon as the bait hits the water.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,
To help clarify my question, my rod & reel are made by Shakespeare. the rod has no "trigger". so the reel is "open"
there is no case surrounding the spool. I do believe I may have been using a spinner bait. no bobber & no weight. I make sure to always make a nice easy cast, nothing to fast or overpowering. But I do believe I have had a "loop" form on my spool just before the rats nest would appear. Also it seems like after i make my cast and reel in the excess line. that the line that was cast is now been wound much more loos on the reel? I really do appreciate the help because I really love the water and enjoy fishing. I am hoping to get my son (4) and my daughter (7) out with me as soon as i feel confident.

Thanks Again, Dusty Decker

Answer
Several thngs come to mind.
One is that you might be using Flurocarbon and that is a definite no no on Spinning reels. Flurocarbon does not take a set, so it tends to fly off the reel uncoiling as it goes.
Another factor can be not enough line tension due to the bait being too small for the line. This will cause the line to spool loose enabling loops and bad casting, and occasionally the line will come off in several coils causing a rats nest.
Only thing to do is either to use a heavier lure, or create some tension as you reel with your hand some how. I can do it for short periods, but if you have to do it for the whole cast then you are definietely using the wrong size lure for the line.
Jim