Watching Thinking Tackle. Danny and Darrell playing fish back winding. Appreciate it's all personal preference but interested in how forum members play their fish. Which method you think is better?
In reply to Post #1
I prefer to back wind but do have the clutch set to give line in case of any sudden lunges.
It's just the way I've always done things so couldn't say if it's better.
I prefer to back wind but do have the clutch set to give line in case of any sudden lunges.
It's just the way I've always done things so couldn't say if it's better.
In reply to Post #1
I was thinking the Korda Boys had probably gone back to back winding due to Daiwa making the drag to quick on their reels now.
I was thinking the Korda Boys had probably gone back to back winding due to Daiwa making the drag to quick on their reels now.
In reply to Post #1
Have always played fish off the clutch since I got my hands on a Mitchell with a match spool sometime in the late sixties. Back winding seems clumsy, bumpy and prone to disaster. Each to their own.
Have always played fish off the clutch since I got my hands on a Mitchell with a match spool sometime in the late sixties. Back winding seems clumsy, bumpy and prone to disaster. Each to their own.
In reply to Post #4
Nothing beats the sound of a clutch clicking with a fish pulling line.
Nothing beats the sound of a clutch clicking with a fish pulling line.
Is it clutch or drag, Noj? 
In reply to Post #3
Hammer
Nail
Head
I believe lol
Hammer
Nail
Head
I believe lol
In reply to Post #6
Clutch/drag/clicky thing
Clutch/drag/clicky thing
In reply to Post #2
Same as this, I use both, backwind but have my clutch set to resist any lunges
Same as this, I use both, backwind but have my clutch set to resist any lunges
I was brought up back winding in general fishing but now I nearly always use the drag and vary it during a fight.
Try back winding a angry Grassy
recipe for disaster right there, wouldn't even want to cup the spool in that scenario!
Try back winding a angry Grassy
recipe for disaster right there, wouldn't even want to cup the spool in that scenario!
Like to back wind but as others have my clutch set so that when I flick the switch it's roughly where I need it. Feel with back winding I'm in more control of fish.
Clutch and I piss about with it constantly
I have nice through action Free Spirit Xs rods
Which really help.
I have nice through action Free Spirit Xs rods
Which really help.
I prefer backwind. Always have done. Tryed the clutch with different reels but never got on with it.
I try to backwind as much as possible . I find using the clutch increases the chances of line twists ,... This is especially noticeable on a runs water
In reply to Post #14
50lb mono tighten right up and reel in like a div
50lb mono tighten right up and reel in like a div
In reply to Post #15
Never thought about the back winding to avoid line twist. 🤔
Never thought about the back winding to avoid line twist. 🤔
In reply to Post #15
Never thought about the back winding to avoid line twist. 🤔
Never thought about the back winding to avoid line twist. 🤔
In reply to Post #11
ditto - backwind but the clutch is set in case it really needs to yield. feel more in control, and minimises line twist.
ditto - backwind but the clutch is set in case it really needs to yield. feel more in control, and minimises line twist.
In reply to Post #1
back in the day for years I used to backwind
but with improvements in reels means the clutch is now super reliable and I prefer using the clutch and dont find I get an amount of line twist that would bother me and I can stick my finger against the spool if needed
back in the day for years I used to backwind
but with improvements in reels means the clutch is now super reliable and I prefer using the clutch and dont find I get an amount of line twist that would bother me and I can stick my finger against the spool if needed
In reply to Post #19
Always clutch for me - never seemed to have major issues with line twist either.
Never actually tried to backwind, which is somewhat embarrassing.
Always clutch for me - never seemed to have major issues with line twist either.
Never actually tried to backwind, which is somewhat embarrassing.
In reply to Post #19
Same as. my current reels are shimano ci4 med baitrunners no drag snatches. so far.
Same as. my current reels are shimano ci4 med baitrunners no drag snatches. so far.
In reply to Post #6
Clutches drive and brakes stop
Clutches drive and brakes stop
In reply to Post #1
Hi Johnny
I think it's mainly personal preference.
"Back in the day" there was deffinately a better arguement for back winding rather than playing off the clutch, but with the technology and reel performance we now have I think that paradime has changed completely.
A cast out and reel in after a "clutchy" fish before you bait and recast sorts line twist.
Lots of the manufacturers seem to be trying to solve already solved problems at the moment imo
(Or they're reinventing themselves as clothing companies)
Best
Jon
Hi Johnny
I think it's mainly personal preference.
"Back in the day" there was deffinately a better arguement for back winding rather than playing off the clutch, but with the technology and reel performance we now have I think that paradime has changed completely.
A cast out and reel in after a "clutchy" fish before you bait and recast sorts line twist.
Lots of the manufacturers seem to be trying to solve already solved problems at the moment imo
(Or they're reinventing themselves as clothing companies)
Best
Jon
In reply to Post #3
This.
This.
I've always used back wind my self
Back wind, done it for years, and I know no difference, I stick with what I know
clutch, the sound from a cardinal 55 is porn. 
In reply to Post #26
since the development of modern reels with top notch clutches i sacked off getting my knuckles wrapped when i got rid of my Mitchell 300's
since the development of modern reels with top notch clutches i sacked off getting my knuckles wrapped when i got rid of my Mitchell 300's
In reply to Post #1
Clutch for me. With the QD system on basiair quick quarter turn to tighten enough to feed line for fish when required and if required use my finger to stop spool when needed.
That being said never tried back turn. Always want to but everytime i get a run my brain goes in default mode lol
Clutch for me. With the QD system on basiair quick quarter turn to tighten enough to feed line for fish when required and if required use my finger to stop spool when needed.
That being said never tried back turn. Always want to but everytime i get a run my brain goes in default mode lol
In reply to Post #29
My exact thought process.
My exact thought process.
In reply to Post #1
Clutch for me , I tend to have my clutches pretty slack and control the slippage with my thumb during the fight ,I like to do it this way to avoid any disasters with sudden lunges it's just what I'm used to but everyone will have there own preference on how they play them in
Clutch for me , I tend to have my clutches pretty slack and control the slippage with my thumb during the fight ,I like to do it this way to avoid any disasters with sudden lunges it's just what I'm used to but everyone will have there own preference on how they play them in
In reply to Post #1
Clutch without a doubt. Backwinding feels so clumsy and the odd occasion where I have tried has ended in disaster!
Clutch without a doubt. Backwinding feels so clumsy and the odd occasion where I have tried has ended in disaster!
Might of been mentioned already. But I used Mitchell 300a for most of my early carpfishing and you had no option but to back wind. If you opened up the clutch on your spool it was liable to fall of. 
If i could off afforded the cardinal 55 it might of been a diffrent story
So I'm a back wind man. Cant teach an old dog new tricks.
If i could off afforded the cardinal 55 it might of been a diffrent story
So I'm a back wind man. Cant teach an old dog new tricks.
In reply to Post #27
clutch, the sound from a cardinal 55 is porn.
I thought the 55 was silent and the 155 made a din, from my old memory of course
clutch, the sound from a cardinal 55 is porn.
I thought the 55 was silent and the 155 made a din, from my old memory of course
In reply to Post #33
Funny you should say that, I'm the exact opposite.
I too always used to backwind, but it was because back then we fished for "churners" or "twitchers" using the Mitchell 300's. The game changer for me was my first Shimano baitrunners, the original Sea Spins, what a difference they made, then onto Aero 4500 GT, then the 8010's, then Big Baitrunner Lc's and 10000 xtea's
Can't really remember if I have ever switched the switch to allow backwinding since
Funny you should say that, I'm the exact opposite.
I too always used to backwind, but it was because back then we fished for "churners" or "twitchers" using the Mitchell 300's. The game changer for me was my first Shimano baitrunners, the original Sea Spins, what a difference they made, then onto Aero 4500 GT, then the 8010's, then Big Baitrunner Lc's and 10000 xtea's
Can't really remember if I have ever switched the switch to allow backwinding since
In reply to Post #33
I used to be the same. Had many a rapped knuckle from my Mitchells. Modern reels have reliable drags and no need to backwinding. If your reel doesn't have a reliable drag. Why are you using it?
I used to be the same. Had many a rapped knuckle from my Mitchells. Modern reels have reliable drags and no need to backwinding. If your reel doesn't have a reliable drag. Why are you using it?
In reply to Post #33
Back wind away my friend, each to his own. However all my Mitchells over the years had push button releases. Just checked on my 300 and, "Match" , you need to undo the drag way beyond zero to lose the cap. No wonder I've never heard of that problem.
Back wind away my friend, each to his own. However all my Mitchells over the years had push button releases. Just checked on my 300 and, "Match" , you need to undo the drag way beyond zero to lose the cap. No wonder I've never heard of that problem.
In reply to Post #1
As many are rightly saying, we only used to backwind as at the time, reels had **** clutches. I had 300's, then 410's and fished for churners; those reels had terrible clutches, very prone to sticking and not easy to adjust when playing fish. But the pocket money improved and I got 55's, so then started to use the clutch; then it was 3500B's and we were fishing off the baitrunners and using the clutch.. the rest as they say is history. So, some of us mioved with the times and others kept backwinding. Using reels with quick drags, I would say backwinding is asking for trouble when you connect on a take. But hey, the guys who backwind generally know what they're doing. I can't imagine playing fish like that now. Clutch all the way, much better control and no need whatsoever to backwind with a modern reel. In fact if you are using braid (no stretch) then backwinding could cost you fish - seen it happen.
As many are rightly saying, we only used to backwind as at the time, reels had **** clutches. I had 300's, then 410's and fished for churners; those reels had terrible clutches, very prone to sticking and not easy to adjust when playing fish. But the pocket money improved and I got 55's, so then started to use the clutch; then it was 3500B's and we were fishing off the baitrunners and using the clutch.. the rest as they say is history. So, some of us mioved with the times and others kept backwinding. Using reels with quick drags, I would say backwinding is asking for trouble when you connect on a take. But hey, the guys who backwind generally know what they're doing. I can't imagine playing fish like that now. Clutch all the way, much better control and no need whatsoever to backwind with a modern reel. In fact if you are using braid (no stretch) then backwinding could cost you fish - seen it happen.
In reply to Post #37
👍
👍
In reply to Post #37
Long time ago, too long actually. I had the black 300a Mitchell, I remember my uncle having the Blue Mitchell Match. This was the dogs at the time, has it had the spring loaded bail arm.
Long time ago, too long actually. I had the black 300a Mitchell, I remember my uncle having the Blue Mitchell Match. This was the dogs at the time, has it had the spring loaded bail arm.
In reply to Post #35
Same here Andy. Churners but soon got p#$$ed of with over spins.
Quickly reverted to open bail arms.
Same here Andy. Churners but soon got p#$$ed of with over spins.
Quickly reverted to open bail arms.
In reply to Post #41
Same as, open bail arm with couple of coins on spool lip to stop line spilling off before i think gardner brought out an adjustable line clip which we cable tied to the rod
Then it was a godsend when the seaspin baitrunners came out.
A friend of mine was well ahead of the times he saw the seaspin baitrunners but couldn't afford a set at the time and just loosened his drag on his reels for the take and quickly tightened up after the take!
Same as, open bail arm with couple of coins on spool lip to stop line spilling off before i think gardner brought out an adjustable line clip which we cable tied to the rod
Then it was a godsend when the seaspin baitrunners came out.
A friend of mine was well ahead of the times he saw the seaspin baitrunners but couldn't afford a set at the time and just loosened his drag on his reels for the take and quickly tightened up after the take!
In reply to Post #40
Still use mine for float fishing. If the drag on the match spool is set for fine lines, (1.5lb hook links) it works like silk. Coarser settings not so smooth but still effective.
Still use mine for float fishing. If the drag on the match spool is set for fine lines, (1.5lb hook links) it works like silk. Coarser settings not so smooth but still effective.
In reply to Post #42
I loosened off the rear drag on the Ultracast Cardinals and tightened up on the take, immediately flicking the anti-reverse off. When I switched to 3500 and 4000 Baitrunners I simply put the baitrunner switch on while waiting for a run, and again on the take switched the anti-reverse off so I could backwind.
I still use that method now even with the baitrunner QD (or whatever it is called) with the Shimano Beastmasters, tightening up the front spool.
When I'm pike fishing I still shut the bail arm and switch the anti-reverse off while hitting the take, it has become an unconscious action.
I loosened off the rear drag on the Ultracast Cardinals and tightened up on the take, immediately flicking the anti-reverse off. When I switched to 3500 and 4000 Baitrunners I simply put the baitrunner switch on while waiting for a run, and again on the take switched the anti-reverse off so I could backwind.
I still use that method now even with the baitrunner QD (or whatever it is called) with the Shimano Beastmasters, tightening up the front spool.
When I'm pike fishing I still shut the bail arm and switch the anti-reverse off while hitting the take, it has become an unconscious action.
Backwind with mono/flourocarbon & clutch with braid. Have always used the backwind since I was a kin many decades ago during my match angling days on the river where the clutches on the reels where not good enough to cater for very light hooklengths. Also alleviates much of the line twist as well & when fishing have the free spool function as tight as I can get away with without risking losing a rod on the take (I use the Solar P1 backrests closed right up which grip the butt tightly & I make sure I give the linne a good hard pull in front of the alarm to make sure that they are set right as if given a steady pull & line comes off a tight clutch, a hard fast take can cause the rod to move in my experiences in the past with the tightness of the clutch).
Most of the time I don't need to give line until the fish is a rod length of so away from the net as the rod & line stretch seems enough to tire a fish out without hookpulls in the majority of times, & using my finger to control the bail arm rotor is more than enough to let the fish work for the line it wants if it feels it doesn't want to play ball.
Everyone is different though & if what you are already doing works for you & are happy with it, then keep doing it rather than change, as it is the time you change & are not fully used to it yet, that you will hooked the target fish & end up losing it because you are out of comfort zone.
Most of the time I don't need to give line until the fish is a rod length of so away from the net as the rod & line stretch seems enough to tire a fish out without hookpulls in the majority of times, & using my finger to control the bail arm rotor is more than enough to let the fish work for the line it wants if it feels it doesn't want to play ball.
Everyone is different though & if what you are already doing works for you & are happy with it, then keep doing it rather than change, as it is the time you change & are not fully used to it yet, that you will hooked the target fish & end up losing it because you are out of comfort zone.
In reply to Post #45
I think I work the tension along the same lines Diesel.
make them work for every inch. the drag is set as tight as I can get away with for the take.
I use solar adjustable butt rests AND have the butt ring reel side of the alarms.
I use Pits and the transition is smooth. I've seen people bump a fish just from engaging their baitrunner.
when i use my little baitrunners with the Dwarf cycling setup I have the baitrunner drag and front drag set almost the same. But I'm still never completely happy with the transition.
I think I work the tension along the same lines Diesel.
make them work for every inch. the drag is set as tight as I can get away with for the take.
I use solar adjustable butt rests AND have the butt ring reel side of the alarms.
I use Pits and the transition is smooth. I've seen people bump a fish just from engaging their baitrunner.
when i use my little baitrunners with the Dwarf cycling setup I have the baitrunner drag and front drag set almost the same. But I'm still never completely happy with the transition.
My barbel reels do even have a backwind option so drag for me.
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