Problem:  When fishing hard jerkbaits with an active cadence I throw the rod tip back toward the bait to achieve slack line.  When doing so with spinning gear I'm also creating slack line on my reel.  Slack line on a spinning reel leads to casting a bird's nest.  Slack line on a bait casting reel can be prevented by keeping a thumb lightly on the spool during the retrieve. Question:  Has anyone developed a technique that avoids building up slack line with a spinning reel while jerkbait fishing?

 

oe

I prefer spinning gear for jerkbaits and haven’t found this to be a problem. I run 15-20lb braid to a leader and a larger reel than some (size 35 Pflueger). I jerk against a slack line (usually aggressively) and take up line that is essentially loose, but each pull seems keeps the spool packed tight. I actually find my spool stays more tightly packed fishing jerkbaits than it does with other spinning techniques that are more finesse-y, lightweight, low resistance. I do get occasional wind knots, but I've blamed these on line twist causing poor line lay. Trolling out the line fixes the problem until twist re-accumulates. With spinning gear in general, I prefer the improved line management and casting I get from a larger spooled reel, but many disagree.  I think a larger spool is more forgiving in terms of line twist issues and "over the lip" loops which end in a birdsnest.

 

These are probably obvious, but closing the bail by hand keeps the line laying tidy at the beginning of the retrieve, as does feathering the end of the cast to limit initial slack (this also has the benefit of eliminating hooks tangling the line when the bait hits the water).

1 hour ago, fissure_man said:

I do get occasional wind knots, but I've blamed these on line twist causing poor line lay.

 

You're more accepting of the problem than I am... I also use a Pflueger 35 (Supreme), but don't experience any twist problems with braid (original Fireline).  I think we are experiencing the same issue.  Thanks

 

oe

This is probably not the right answer for you, but don't use braid.  I don't do anything to manage the copoly I use on spinning or casting gear.

I fish everything with braid . I use leaders for several reasons now, but never used to. I don't think braid is the problem at all. 

 

I agree with the wind knots. 

Wind knots are from line twist in braid.  The constant slack using a jerkbait will make it worse.  A soft mono or copoly won't loosen up on the spool because it has a some memory.  A bit of memory is not always a bad thing, and can help with line management.

Do some reading in the jerkbait thread. Many preferences! Some seasoned vets that run braid with their jerkbaits "always" . 

 

I rarely have this issue OP is speaking of. Especially with a spinning rod. Definitely not enough to make me switch from braid. I mean, how often does it really happen to you ? 

 

But who knows. Try the copoly. Might fix your issue. 

 

Maybe you should throw something else like a spinner bait or swim jig if it's so windy that you can't retrieve your jerkbait properly with a spinning rod. 

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Yeajray231 said:

Do some reading in the jerkbait thread. Many preferences! Some seasoned vets that run braid with their jerkbaits "always" . 

 

I rarely have this issue OP is speaking of. Especially with a spinning rod. Definitely not enough to make me switch from braid. I mean, how often does it really happen to you ? 

 

But who knows. Try the copoly. Might fix your issue. 

 

Maybe you should throw something else like a spinner bait or swim jig if it's so windy that you can't retrieve your jerkbait properly with a spinning rod. 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for your input.  How often does it happen?... the way I aggressively work the bait during the summer, pretty much every time.  I'm comfortable with my PE line, I'll just continue using the casting rod/reel.

 

oe

Something that has help me when I throw lighter jerkbaits on spinning gear.

After the jerk or twitch I reel in the slack about 80% while moving the tip of the rod back toward the bait. I don't reel and jerk at the same time with spinning gear.