About 3 months ago I bought a Quantum Catalyst PT baitcasting reel for roughly $110.  I had used a Abu Garcia Black Max baitcast reel last year with no problems what-so-ever. So I thought that this year I would upgrade.  Well when I got the reel I put 10 lb spiderwire line on.  I went out in the lawn and did some practice casts and I would constantly get backlash, I would adjust my tension and braking, same result.  at first I thought it was the line, then I put on 12lb Berkley trilene same result, then I put on 20lb Berkley trilene, same result.  but when I get backlash I push on the bail button and pull my line out with my hand and I get about halfway into my line spooled on and it always cuts of either because of abrasion or something else causing it... I need some ideas on how to properly line and cast a baitcast reel so I can throw my crankbaits with ease.

That casting model has internal adjustment for centrifugal breaking. I am assuming you are only using the mag breaks on the outside. backlashing will cause break-offs due to abrasions and crimping on the line... so set your reel correctly and you should be good to go. also typically using braid under 30 lbs especially for someone just learning hot to use a caster... good luck

 

Mitch

Yeah I recently saw a few reviews of the KVD with dual brakes just bashing the reel all cuz they didnt set the cent. Brakes inside

I'd recommend learning how a centrifugal baitcast reel operates 1st.  It is possible that your reel is junk.  That particular reel architecture (KVD, Accurist PT, Catalyst PT) has known problems but is too new to really establish any patterns yet.

You may know this already or maybe you don't need this trick but either way. You can make a long cast "try not to backlash" or pull off line and put a piece of tape on the spool. Your backlash won't go past the piece of tape so they should be easier to pull out.

If you make a cast and it start to backlash real bad just cut your losses and stop it with your thumb. Letting the bait keep moving while line is bunching up is only going to make it worse if you don't know how to properly feather it out.