I went to Bass Pro Shop last weekend, purchased a Daiwa Zillion and had all my other reels strung. I was just organizing my stuff when I noticed that the two of my baitcasters that I had strung, my new Zillion and my Shimano Calais, were way over strung with line (PowerPro). I thought no big deal at first, I'll just peal off some of the extra line. It turned out to be a bigger problem than I thought. I started to take off some line when I noticed that I could not turn the crank on either one, so I slowly pulled a little line off. When I got about 30 feet off, I had what looked like the mother of all backlashes. The more I pulled off, the more the line was tangled (all the way down to the mono backing). I have never seen a reel(s) so messed up just after being spooled. My questions are, should I try to return the line, what do I do if my reels are damaged, and how could this happen?

PS

The salesman at BPS is someone I have trusted in the past and I have never had a problem.

I am also going to call the store in the morning and scream at these guys. I hope I can get this resolved over the phone since I live about 1.5 hours away.  I guess it pays to inspect your reels before you leave the store.

Anyway, thanks again for any advice.

Its hard to say if the whole problem was there when you left the store. Over-spooled reels are a MAJOR problem because if it moves to the edge of the spool it will bind up and keep it from turning. Braid could be REALLY bad if you didn't notice. As for the backlash, I've had the same problem if I try to peel it out. I've found that rather than pulling out the line while freespooling and applying pressure with your thumb, turn down your drag and pull line out against the drag. This works with ALL backlashes. Pulling against the drag instead of your thumb will stop most minor backlashes in half the time.

Matt

Thats why when I buy new reel from them and they ask me if I would like it strung up with whatever there promoting at that time, I say no thanks   Some of the people working at BPS are lucky to even know the difference between a Baitcaster and spinning reel let alone how to spool one up.  My advice would be do it yourself from now on and know it's right.  Good thing you didn't get out on the water and have this problem

Thats why when I buy new reel from them and they ask me if I would like it strung up with whatever there promoting at that time, I say no thanks Some of the people working at BPS are lucky to even know the difference between a Baitcaster and spinning reel let alone how to spool one up. My advice would be do it yourself from now on and know it's right. Good thing you didn't get out on the water and have this problem

I feel the same way.  If I do it, I know it is done properly without damage to the rod, reel, or the line itself.  When they do it, you risk having any or all damaged, and if your lucky they just put it on wrong without damaging the reel or rod.  It took me two times of getting the line stung for me at the store to relize those folks rarely have the slightest idea of the correct way to spool line onto a reel.  I don't like other people touching my gear because it is MY gear, and even though it isn't top of the line, it is the best I can afford and I don't want someone else breaking it, or causing me more problems.