I'm with Long Mike. Braid is much easier -- in my experience -- to pick out, given that it doesn't damage like mono, FC, or copoly. I have had to cut out some of the other line, but don't believe I've ever had to cut out braid. Now I only use braid for mainline on all my reels, spinning/casting, and leaders for each (don't do straight braid).

I use mono, and all of my backlashes have been pretty easy to pick out.   

 

Only one time ever, did I have to cut it all out and start fresh.  And that, was an extenuating circumstance.   Trying to cast my bait between two trees, with the closest one only about 4 yards out.    Reached back, and flung that bait out there, and it quickly crashed right into that closer tree.  In the time that I had watched it smack the tree, and fall to the ground....my reel was saying, "wwhhhiizzzzzzzzzzzzzzz." 

 

pfft.    

 

Just wrapped it up and went home. 

I did this the other night with my new Tatula. First cast. Coming from the Curado I's braking system to MagForce  Z was a rude awakening. Swallowed my pride and upped the braking force til I get used to it, as I ruined nearly a whole spool of Yo Zuri with one cast lol.

There´s nothing to brag about "easy to pick" backlashes, on the contrary, that only means that you don´t know how to prefessionaly overrun a reel, that´s sad.

When you get distracted by that dumb looking bird mid-cast…

Now that´s what I´m talking about, excellent job !

Have not had many, to the point where they need to be cut out, but I have had a few like that!

Clipped a tree branch while shore fishing a couple of weeks ago. First one in a long time. What really ticked me off was I did not have a back up rig with me. Had to go home and get one.

That´s why always carry spare spools, s*t happens ya know.

I've had my share and then some. The worst was when trolling for stripers with a Storm Big Mac. I had the rod in a rod holder, the lure snagged on the bottom and when I reached for the rod, I inadvertently hit the free spool button.   

 

By far, the biggest mess I've ever made of a reel.

 

Tom

Thanks Raul. It's been a long road to the top but I'm finally so good that I can actually professionally overrun just about any reel you put in my hands. I guess all that hard work and dedication really pays off.