Please help Going Mad!!!!!!

[bigandy]

Alreet lads, need some help as I am going nuts with this problem. I have been on here before asking about this problem i am having and recieved some great advice, however I am still experiencing this problem. I bought a Slosh 30 as recommended as a great all round reel ( which I;m sure it is)but I keep getting bad nests and snap offs with it. I used to use an old 7000c and had no problems other than it got old. I have added a break so it has a red and white bush in now, I have adjusted spool freeplay so there is the tiniest amount of free play, I am holding my thumb on the line when when casting ( which only makes me think I am adding more break and reducing my cast), I still get bad nests and snap offs. I am a big bloke and thought i was putting to much force into my cast, so backed off a lot, now my cast is going 50 - 60 yards which is causing me snaggs. I thought maybe my leader knot was catching up, I use a improved albright knot, it is not very big and don't think it is that. Starting to think I should have bought a different reel, however I was loaned a slosh 20, it was a bit better but had same problem so it must be something I am doing. Has anyone gat any advice as this is driving me crazy. I am back into fishing after a 15 year break and this is starting to demotivate me, i seem to spend more time farting on with nests and reconnecting rigs.

 

[Charlie_Thompson]

Do you use your thumb as an extra break once you've let fly? I believe you should do ?

 

[Tonyc]

Have you got any of the blocks in it? (I assume they have them like the 20). I also used to use a 7000C, actually still do sometimes and have now got a slosh 20, which in my opinion is much easier to cast with. I have 2 of the smaller brake blocks in mine and I can pretty much cast as hard as I want and don't get any birds nests - well not very often anyway.

 

[DEC]

could be your timing is out while casting.?

 

[tonybax]

andy you shouldnt need to thumb the spool till your lead hits the water. have you tried putting heavier grade oil in the bearings also.

tony

 

[g.ordon]

Sounds to me that it may be your spool release timing. It may be that after a long time out of fishing you just need more practice to get it back.

 

[Stewart 1971]

could be your timing is out while casting.?

I'd tend to agree with this, can't be certain without seeing you cast but my guess is you are snatching at it, too much power too soon making the reel spool accelerate quicker than the sinker can take line and this is leading to the crack-offs.

Two red blocks and engine oil in the bearings should slow the spool down enough to calm it but my advice would be seek out some casting lessons.

 

[The Jester]

I agree with M.T its more likely your casting style, i know lads who remove brake blocks altogether for more distance, but their style is spot on.

 

[g-force]

Could also be that you've overfilled the spool - try taking a bit of line off & see if it helps any.

Gary

 

[airborne]

casting lessons

casting lessons

Hey,

I also use a slosh 30 and have had the exact same problems, so i decided on some casting lessons to find out what was going on.

anyway long story short, got a lads leaflet fron lewis tackle shop in whitley bay, met him around seaton sluice, he looked at my reel and took a **** load of line off, saying i have to much on, once he took some line off, not one more birds nest since, I wasnt overloading the spool, but he did say having to much line on can cause birds nests, worked for me anyway

also would like to add by the end of the 1 hour lesson he had me pendulum casting

best 20 quid i have spent whilst sea fishing

 

[Tall Tony]

Dont give up, as already said it may be that you're releasing your thumb off the spool too soon or too late (hard to say without seeing) with two red blocks in the sloshes are pretty much docile, i use a slosh20 with one red block in and i find it hard to nest unless i dont stop the spool as the lead hits the water.
I think you may be snatching when casting..a nice smooth cast is what you need, no need to thumb the spool until the lead hits the water and then you need to stop it dead.
What sort of casting method are you using...off the ground, gentle swing or some form of pendulum ?
Dont think it's the reel thats at fault mate (no offence) but just take it easy on your cast..smoothness is the key

 

[bigandy]

cheers lads, I have 2 blocks in at moment, i might look at getting some lessons, i do have the spool almost full mind so this may be a problem to.
cheers

 

[g-force]

Forgot to add, a lot has to do with the breaking strain / diameter of the line you're putting on. If you've got your average 30-35lb line on, you should be able to pretty much fill it right up - if you're putting on a lighter line, say 18-20lb, don't fill it up so much. If you do it'll more than likely blow up on you.

If your brake blocks are fitted and the bearings aren't running too fast for you & the line level bit is ok too, then it'll be most likely something in your technique.

Gary

 

[airborne]

andy defo take some line off the spool, i think the lad that i did my lessons had it so it was 3 quarters full with my shock leader on, and the lessons are definately worth it, and his tips for around the sluice/blyth area

 

[bigandy]

cheers Tony, I cast straight over head, think the lessons may be the key, I am having to hod my thumb on all the way until it hits the water, obviously i should not have to do that. I won't give up yet, as i am loving the fishing again.
cheers

 

[adam123]

i had a sl20sh and uses to have exactly the same problem which was down to three reasons ;
1. I didn't have any breaks in, however after these were fitted it was fine.

2. when i was putting the line on i wasn't keeping it tight which caused a loop of line to form on the spool which caused birds nets almost every cast however as soon as i put the line on tighter i had no problems.

3.also if the line you have put on is new try short casts with just a weight on and keep increasing it rather than going for a big cast to start with, i also had this problem i would go for a biggish cast straightaway then get a birdy and a snap off

 

[Tall Tony]

If you dont hold your thumb on the spool mid cast does the line start to lift ? if so i think you have your spool tension too loose...set your rod and reel up with a 6oz weight, tighten the spool right up, have the weight at the rod tip (rod level) and slowly loosen the spool tension off untill the weight is released (falls !)...the lead should just fall slowly so undo the tension a little at a time
All this talk of "you should be able to feel the spool moving" is a bit vague to say the least

 

[tilly]

What type of rod are you using???
I ask this as i used to use a Greys GRX-S(multiplier) and i could not use the slosh30 on that rod,i tried every bit of advice on here but nowt worked i was that p****d off with it i contacted Daiwa to ask if they could take a look at it(which they said yes).
In the meantime i came across another rod which i tried the slosh30 with it and it worked a dream!!

 

[g.ordon]

If you dont hold your thumb on the spool mid cast does the line start to lift ? if so i think you have your spool tension too loose...set your rod and reel up with a 6oz weight, tighten the spool right up, have the weight at the rod tip (rod level) and slowly loosen the spool tension off untill the weight is released (falls !)...the lead should just fall slowly so undo the tension a little at a time
All this talk of "you should be able to feel the spool moving" is a bit vague to say the least

I think it means that you should be able to move the spool slightly from side to side after adjustments and before casting it.

 

[canman]

I have fished with slosh 20/30 for many years, one of my 30s has 40lb line on, and the rest (4) have 18lb, 20lb, and 25lb, but have no problems when casting.
Is the line you are using, very springy or limp. I like Daiwa Tounament which lies on the spool nice and very little lift throughout the cast.
If you are casting into the wind, tighten the spool break up a quarter turn. If you can feel movement at all side to side, it means there is no friction on the spool, so tighten it up till movement just stops. Once confidence has returned, you can slacken it off to suit conditions. I have to say, I usually feather the side of the spool on some casts, (too high or into the wind) but there is usually a bow in the line so doesn't seem to effect distance. Hope this is helpfull.