2 days fishing, 2 lures lost! Twice now I've lost lures and leaders on casts where my line backlashed. Does this happen to anyone else? The leaders were tied on new line with fresh Uni-Knots. I never had this problem last year at all, the only thing that has changed is the way I cast. Last year I casted side-arm and this year I've tried to do an overhead cast. Does this have anything to do with it? I haven't noticed that I'm casting any harder with the overhead movement but I'll gladly go back to side-arm. I really don't think I can take watching another $16 lure slowly sink to the bottom of the lake. Help!
You may have done all this already and I know it might sound very basic but it sounds like you might be getting a weak spot in the line or your knot is slipping or breaking under the shock. I would check every guide on the rod and the line guide on the reel for a rough spot or crack that could be causing a weak spot in the line. You shouldn't be breaking that line on a backlash unless you are trying to bomb cast an 8oz bait.
Have you noticed if there is line attached to the lure as it goes flying away or does it look like it broke at the leader? A uni shouldn't slip but it is possible. I like to leave plenty of tag (at least 1/2"). If you aren't you could try that to see if the knot slips while you are casting.
"Esoxonthefly" said:
Thanks for the tips. I'll try the Q-Tip thing today. I left at least 1/2" of tag on my knot and from what I could see, it looked like it broke right at the knot.
Were you using the uni last year? I'm wondering if braid doesn't like the uni, I've never tied it with braid. I would switch to the palomar, I've never had a knot failure with braid and the palomar. The only times I've broken lures off have been with lots of line attached. If you aren't seeing feet of line attached to the lure as it flys away the knot is probably the culprit.
AND….
the Palomar is so easy, even [size=150]I [/size] can do it! [smilie=biggrin.gif]
Animated instructions:
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I think it's important to pull both the attached line and the fly end tight SEPARATELY when using heavy braid. Pulling the attached end is easy; to pull the fly end tight, I grab near the end with my split-ring pliers and wrap the line around the jaws several times and then pull it tight. When done, the knot is quite compact. Also, I pass the initial loop through the tackle's eye TWICE when starting.
The only time I get a backlash is when I try to cast WAY to hard. Even then, it's not really a backlash, but more of just a little tangle on my spool. I have found though, that I can cast further with a sidearm than overhand.
"Grumman14" said:
to reply what will is saying about the guides is to take a q-tip and just run it through and around the guide. and if there is a crack or break it will pull the cotton of the swab. one of my very little tips i learned from reading.
And THAT is a pretty slick trick! 
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