Line Tangling

Question
I have recently started fishing for Bass, spinning, using a 12ft beach caster with a large (cant remember the weight) dexter wedge.  Sometimes I cast and the line tangles mid cast and is brought back in in a terrible mess!  Can you tell me why this would happen and what I can do to stop it?  Many thanks.

Answer
Vanessa; It would help if I knew what kind of reel you are using.  I am not familiar with using a 12ft beach caster for bass unless you are fishing for salt water bass.  In any case I may be able to help.  If you are using a spinning reel of the open face type there are two things that are most likely to cause such a problem.  If it is a casting reel different reasons may be causing it.

Lets start by assuming you are using an open face spinning reel not a spin cast closed reel.  With the open face reel you may have put the line on backwards or have allowed it to get twists in it.  In either of these cases the solution is getting the twists out.  One way to do this easily if you are fishing on a long beach.  wade out into the water knee deep,  take everything off the end of your line and start walking in the water allowing the line to stream out behind you.  Let out about 2/3 of your line and keep walking.  You can turn around and walk back to your starting place keeping the line in the water so it follows you around and back.  If this is impossible find a grassy place and do the same thing allowing the line to trail through the grass. This will allow the line to untwist.  One cause of line twist is putting it on incorrectly but most of the time it is reeling the line in without tension on it between the first line guide and the reel.  NEVER REEL IN WITHOUT PUTTING TENSION ON THE LINE HERE USING YOUR THUMB AND INDEX FINGER ON THE NON CRANKING HAND.  Twists can also be introduced by continuing to reel while a fish is taking line off the spool.  Each turn of the handle puts one twist in the lint.  Don't ever try to reel in a fish.  Always pump the rod up high and then reel while lowering the rod tip keeping tension on the fish with the rod then pump up to nearly vertical again and once more reel in while lowering the rod.  If your reel is giving line do not reel just keep the line tight and your rod tip high.

If you are using a casting reel it is probably your cast that causes the problem or you may have your reel end bells not screwed down tight enough.  To make a good cast leave only a few inches of line off the tip of your rod while preparing to cast. With your thumb on the spool holding the line point the  rod directly at the place where you wish your lure to land.  Bring your rod up sharply past your ear.  Just as the rod passes your ear sharply stop the back cast and pause a fraction of a second. You will feel the rod bend back as the weight puts a strain on the rod.  Just at this instant bring the rod back past your ear very sharply.  Just as the rod passes your ear release your thumb pressure but keep your thumb very lightly on the edge of the reel spool not on the line.
As the line goes out keep slight pressure on the side of the reel spool. (that part on the side of the spool above the line level.  The spool should never be filled to closer than one eighth inch from the top.  As the lure goes out slowly and carefully increase the pressure on this edge of the spool and when the lure hits the water put enough pressure on the spool edge to stop it completely.
The same rule applies here as on spinning outfits, NEVER REEL IN WITHOUT TENSION ON THE LINE BETWEEN THE FIRST GUIDE AND THE REEL OR A FISH ON THE ROD.  

These are the most common problems that I can think of that might cause the problem you give.  

If this does not solve the problem give me a follow up with a good deal more information on the kind of rod and reel and line and where and how you fish and I will see if other problems might exist.

PS One more thing I did forget.  Keep your reels very clean and well lubricated.  Put a tiny big of reel grease on the teeth of the gears and use a good  quality reel oil everywhere else.  Don't put grease anywhere else besides gears.

Thank you for calling on me to answer your question.  If there is further help I can give don't hesitate to call on me.  If you would like to e-mail more information I will answer any questions you might have about fishing.

I am

Jack L. Gaither (JackfromSeminole)
Lake Seminole, Georgia
[email protected]