Preventing Backlash, Tip-Down, Reel, Thumb on Line

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IceSkimmer.com >> Tip-Down FAQ >> Preventing Backlash

Preventing Innovative Tip-Down Reel Backlash

With any free flowing reel system, there is always the risk of backlash. While Innovative Tip-Downs come with high quality manufacturing features to prevent spool backlash, it can still occur. Preventing backlash on your tip-down is easy if you take a little bit of care in how you set and reel in your tip-down system.

Tip-Down Line Guide

Take a look at the image to the right. Just forward of the reel you will see an orange plastic prong that comes off the reel and then sharply turns in. There is also another one of these prongs just under the one you can see and running in the opposite direction. This creates a notch that the line sits in to help guide it back on the reel.

Please also observe how close the edges of the reel sit to the rod frame. There is very little room for the line to slip between the reel and the rod frame.

That being said, backlashes can and do occur. The good news is they only occur because of one reason - you are not keeping your thumb on the reel when you let line out. You do not want to rapidly start reeling out line when putting your tip-down down the hole. This will greatly increase your chances of backlash and you may need to take the reel off to fix the problem.

Please use the following procedures in letting out line and reeling in line to prevent backlash:

Keep your thumb on the reel at all times. You can easily do this with gloves on.
Take a look at the bottom picture to the right. It is possible to let line out of your tip-down by leaving it on the stand. However, we do not recommend it until you know your bait is nearing the bottom. Keep the rod in your hands and keep the pole as close to the hole as possible. Pull out line with your free hand while keeping tension on the reel until you know your bait is close to the bottom. At this time, you can put the rod back on the stand and make minor adjustments, again, with your thumb on the reel. When it comes down to inches, you can usually take your thumb off the reel at this time since you will not be winding it out wildly.
When reeling in your tip-down, make sure that you have the reel in your hand in the proper position so the line will reel in. Do not turn it backwards.
Keep light tension on the reel with your thumb as you reel your line up.

In the event that you have a balcklash and you need to remove the reel then please see Removing the Reel

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