Casting & line twists

[hawgchaser]

I confess, I prefer fishing for toothy critters, but do a fair amount of smallmouth fishing with my son in MN and MI (Lake Erie). I have been using 12 lb. PLINE floroclear on my jig/tube casting reel but am frustrated with how quickly the line twists build up & the line ends up wrapping around the rod tip or twisting in wads & hanging up on the guides. It seems I have to let my line out and drag it behind the boat several times in a days outing. Can some of you give me an idea of a better line to minimize this aggravating situation? I do spool the reel correctly. Any input is appreciated as I'm starting to get ready for our June fishing trip.

BTW, I'm using mono/floro line because Lake Erie is so gin clear. One spot we fish is 14ft. and you could drop a quarter on the bottom and tell if it's heads or tails, so subtle is a priority.

[CAMAN]

Okay, just to be clear, are you using a spinning or casting reel? I know you mentioned casting reel, but all your symptoms point to spinning reel.

[hawgchaser]

Casting Reel...that's the frustration and the enigma.

[CAMAN]

Okay, then it sounds like the lure is spinning on the retrieve. Either fix it so it doesn't spin or put a swivel in the line to reduce the twist. Also coating the line with a spray like Blakemore Reel Magic could help also.

[hawgchaser]

So the line is not the issue... I suspected that. The only thing close to a tube hook at FF is the offset hooks. What's a better hook for tubes? I'll order them if I need to to minimize my frustration.

[Deitz Dittrich]

line twist has nothing to do with the brand line you are using. If using casting gear, it has to be the lure spinning. Either try re-rigging so your lure is not twisting or install a swivel up the line a ways..

What lure are you using?

[BoxMN]

Make sure the bail roller is spinning, and also instead of turning the handle to flip the bail, do it manually. Both will help. The last and biggest is don't reel against the drag. Maybe you know that, but just in case. Good luck.

[slipperybob]

How much weight do you have on the end of that line? If you don't have enough weight to straighten out the line, it will memory coil on you.

[Craigums]

Is it a typical baitcaster or SpinCast reel?

[scott b]

Over filling could be the problem. Especially with twelve#. I bought a Pfluger President and get line twist, so does the guy I work with on the same reel. I've filled 1000's of spools in my life and it is definitely the reel doing this to my line. Just a thought. You could go to a lighter line?

[hawgchaser]

Thanks for all your responses. The reel is the Cabelas Prodigy baitcaster bought last Spring. I like the reel. I usually throw tubes with a Texas rig using a 3/8 or 1/2 oz bullet (slip) sinkers. I've used the PLINE floro on a spinning reel, but mostly for drop-shotting so that's not a fair comparison. I'm concluding that probably my tubes shifting on the dropset hooks - causing the rig to spin on the retrieve so I've ordered some different hooks. We'll see if that helps. BTW, do any of you fish smallmouth in really clear water with PowerPro. That's what I really like casting with, but was concerned with the visibility issue. Thanks again for the input. It helped me eliminate some causes.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I use Power Pro on all of mt rods for rigging and jigging and have never had a line-twist problem. Some of my reels have had the same line on them for 2 years of steady use!

Great line!

The lake that I fish does have stained water though.

Cliff