Well I bought a KastKing Assassin bait caster months ago but have been afraid to use it. I've been reading, watching YouTube videos, and asking questions(reading these forums) and practicing some. Finally sucked it up and went out today to a lake I like but never really had any luck at. Tied on a squirrel tail shaky head and went for it, got skunked again, not even a nibble, BUT.....  In 2 hours of fishing NOT ONE BACKLASH!! I set the both brake setting to start on 3 and as the day progressed back outer brakes to 2. Casting distance was nothing to write home about but I'm not concerned with that yet. More concerned with cast consistency and accuracy, distance will come. 

Now if I can only figure out what to throw and when I will be in good shape.

 

 

Not to wish any ill deeds on you, but there is a lot of value to birds nests while you're learning. It will force you to learn why you birds nested and how to better avoid it. It also teaches you the limits of exactly how light you can go with each reel/rod combo. And probably most importantly, backlashing a bunch (and then picking them out) teaches you that most birds nests really aren't that bad, and you can finally get over your fears. 

I don't know what it is about the Kastking baitcasters but they seem to be as backlash free as you can get. Watch Youtube vids on their Speed Demon reel. AJ Gore and Southern Outdoors Fishing show how backlash proof they are.

 

I am a believer through experience. I have my Stealth's breaks set to where I can cast a 4" or 5" stickbait a nice distance with no backlash. I don't need to feather the spool with my thumb with this reel. Simply amazing. It has become my favorite baitcaster.

 

I ordered a Spartacus. If it is as backlash proof as the Stealth I will be over the moon happy.