Forays into baitcasting - Abu Ultracast

[MichaelAngelo]

I practiced some more today, and it feels great to get more and more distance as I'm able to turn the braking down.

I did get a NASTY birds nest today, but NOT from casting. I had forgotten to engage the reel and I jerked the rod tip... OUCH... big backlash that took me 15-20 minutes to sort out. I was trying to fish for the loop holding my line back and trying to sort it out that way. Any more tips for ridding backlashes are appreciated!

I tried the trick where you put thumb pressure on the backlash while cranking forward... but that didn't seem to help some rather nasty tangles .