Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2021 - 53

Fighting fish
A line twist can also happen
when reeling while the fish is
pulling drag. If you hear the drag,
allow the fish to run and enjoy
the fight. When the fish stops its
run, reel.
Your drag should be set
properly. Drag is set according to
the rod stiffness and the amount
of stretch in the line. I typically
keep my drag tight enough that it
will not slip during the hookset.
But, it should not be so tight that
a moderate fish is unable to take
line. The drag tension is not a fixed
setting, so remember to fine-tune
as needed.
To up your game, try
backreeling. When fighting a large
fish, flip the anti-reverse switch
on the reel body. This allows the
reel handle to move in either
direction. Now, you can maintain
line tension with the reel handle
by recovering line (reeling in the
normal direction) or by paying
line (reeling in the opposite
direction). These are small
adjustments based on feel. If a fish makes an aggressive
run, the drag will take over.
Backreeling was a necessity prior to my lifetime.
Reeling against the drag is a leading contributor to line twist. Try backreeling. Flip the
anti-reverse switch (found on the reel body of most spinning reels), and keep tension with
the reel handle while fighting a fish.
Precautions
Line twist may be the result of a lure's action. Tube
With improvements to drag systems, backreeling
has become a lost art. Some high-end reels no longer
include an anti-reverse switch. That said, it plays a role
in landing large fish on light lines. Plus, backreeling is a
bit like driving a manual transmission-it is fun to feel
100-percent of the fight.
jigs (with internal jig heads) and drop shot rigs are
known culprits.
Some lure types, like spoons, allow for a swivel tied
18 inches or so up the line. Choose a quality crane or ball
bearing swivel that spins freely. Avoid snap swivels, which
add weight to the nose of the lure, deadening its action.
When using soft plastic lures for bass, panfish, or
Walleyes, ensure that the plastic is rigged straight on the
hook shank. Otherwise, the lure may corkscrew.
Embrace and resolve
The final stage in line twist is acceptance. Fortunately,
we can fix this on the backend.
From shore, make a long cast with a bank sinker. Pinch
the line between thumb and forefinger as you reel. Submerge
the rod tip to lubricate the line. This method requires a few
repetitions, but you are back to fishing in minutes.
Water resistance can also remove line twist. From a
boat, remove the lure and place about 100 yards of line in
the water. Troll with the outboard or electric motor at a
constant speed for a few hundred yards. Then, recover the
line while the boat remains under power.
Line twists and tangles are an unpleasant reality. Be
Incorporating a small crane or ball bearing swivel will help
reduce line twist with some lure types.
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proactive, and most issues disappear or are easily remedied
without reaching for a pair of scissors.
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * November/December 2021
53

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2021

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