I'm having a trouble with alot of line twist.. 1 set-up I have is a Dobyns 743 with a TD Fuego,7 lb sunline.. The other is a 7'6" ST. Croix Legend Elite, Quatum pt 30, 6lb p line halo.. Each Set-up is twisting like crazy by the end of the day.. I'm all ears,Thanks for your help Slimm
Try to make sure you bait isn't creating spin by hooking straight as possible. The sinker type or method of hooking to your line is often the cause of twist. Many anglers I know use an inline barrel swivel a short ways above the lure on the main line to stop the twist from going up the line.
Some baits are worse than others. Worms aren't bad, gobies are. Whenever I am getting too much twist through the day, I quickly take off the bait, cast as far as I can. Point the rod tip at the hook /weight while pinching the line between finger and thumb tightly out towards the first eyelet and reel it in. Line is usually straightened back enough to fish a few more hours trouble free. It seems like wasted time during a tournament, but I don't have to deal with the unexpected line explosion.
THe way you hook the baits and speed of retrieve will also increase/decrease line twist. I use InvisX and only notice line twist with goby baits. You might want to try that and save some money too.
You can also use fireline w/ flouro leader. I don't and won't (too many knots to fail), but some do.
like dan said about the weights if you dont already, i would try to use weights with a swivel built in. but other than that i kind of see line twist as inevitable, after my line twist starts getting where it will fowl a cast or twits over my rod tip in the wind i just cut the bait and weight off and drag the line behind the boat on the way back to the boat ramp. a couple of mins will do the trick usually and it will be just like new. i also add a little line conditioner after that
I don't know if it makes a difference how you put it on your spool, but I would imagine that the line should be coming off the spool in the same direction it is going on to the spool of your reel? Maybe you spooled your reel up backward? Also, silicon spray seems to help keep it from twisting up. Obviously your drop shot could be twisting also. Just a couple ideas to try.
Are you nose hooking your bait or Texas rigging?
Duane
So your nose hooking, I suggest Texas Rig over a nose hook, I prefer the Owner Rig N Hook...
Duane
Thanks for everyone's input.. Can some explain why a pencil weight would twist vs a teardrop.. Thanks Gary
I am using a round ds swivel, 6 lb. P-Line Halo on a 7' Quantum PT Energy spinning rod with a Pflueger Supreme 8030 reel. I have not had much line twist at all, almost none.
When I spool a spinning reel, after a couple turns of the handle I dip the rod tip down towards the filler spool. If the line twists up, I flip the spool over.This seems to help some. Also, I tie on a barrel swivel with a clip on it and hook it to my barn. I walk away until I unspool the line and then reel it back on as I walk back to the barn. I"ve been doing this awhile and it seems to help also.
I know that seems like alot of extra time but its really only 5 minutes or so per fill. Well worth it to me.
As far as a pencil weight vs. a teardrop weight, I have no idea why one would twist more than the other. ???
Willie
It is easier for a pencil weight to start swinging off balance which will cause it to spine when you move or reel it in.
Thanks fellas!!!!
You can also bend the pencil wieght (like a bannana) to prevent line twist...
Duane
You must me a good bender. Sometimes that makes mine swing around even more. But you're never too old to learn...
Line twist happens. You kind of just have to deal with it... some times I say that if the dang DS didn't catch so many fish I wouldn't have it in the boat! LOL!!
I refuse to put a swivel in the line... I KNOW I will wreck a rod tip if I do...
I put a SMALL Swivel between my main line and my leader, and that take care of ALL of the twist in my line.
i had the pleasure of fishing with Jackall Pro Chris Jackson of Alabama when the Bass Northern guys were up here last month. Chris is very good friends with Kota Kiryama, who is regarded as a drop shot authority. Chris shared with me a little secret that Kota had shared with him and he guranteed it will cut down on line twists.
Kota says whenever a fish is making a run and pulling out drag, DO NOT try to reel the fish through the fight. He says this is a huge contributor in line twisting in the reel. I have been practicing this method but my old habits get the best of me most times. its hard to change something you always do but if i can get the hang of it i will surely let you know if it cuts down on line twists.
Here are a couple things i do to cut down on line twists tho that might help.
Make sure the tag from your weight is cut close to the clip.
make sure your bait is hooked straight and there are no kinks or bends in it.
reel your rig back in slower. alot of times it wont spin if brought in at a lower speed.
you can use a swivel, tho i do not, and it should help somewhat
the biggest thing i have found that has pretty much eliminated any issue i had previously with line twists is taking a tip from my partner Kev and switching to low diameter Berkley Fireline and using Seaguar Carbon pro as a leader.
Not only has this got rid of the line twists, it has helped me hook alot more fish and cut down on lost fish due to line breaks. I will never go back. it took me a while to be convinced and i guess it took a couple tries to get comfortable with but im telling you that it is the only way to DS.
McCarter himself :-\'
I use a ballroom dance move when spooling ... keeps things straight that way ... :-)
I hope you do that move in a private place... I don't plan on adding that to the bass fishing tips page!! (http://www.greatlakesbass.com/fishing/basstips.html) :o