What am I doing wrong?

I recently moved from "drop it to the bottom and see what you pull up" method of fishing, to now trying to go for certain species. I upgraded from the trusty Penn to a Revo Toro bait caster. I have never really used one, so I thought I had it all figured out after about 20 casts. About half way through my four hour salt session, and I threw the 2 oz jig head out, and when I look at the spool, there are clear breaks in the remaining line. I imagine is got all bungled up at some point and the previous cast had the line cut through the crossed over line that got rolled on top of it all? I cleaned it up (by hand retrieving about 80 feet and taking it to the recycling post at the harbor), retied by jig head, and proceeded to fish about another 30 casts. Then it happened again. Is it just practice that i need to prevent the spool from going loose if I don't thumb drag as soon as it is about to hit the water? Or did I put the line on totally incorrect? I had a full spool of 20lb mono, but I do not want to redo it until I hear if that was the problem.

Thanks! And don't worry, I have twenty more questions that will have you shaking your head.

Are the breaks in the line at a regular interval?

Check the tip guide on the pole. It may have rough edges or chip in the guide or burr. I went shore fishing in Cabo last month and about every 20 or so cast or when I really give it a good whack the line broke. Only much later did I find out I had a bad tip that was slowly braking the line.

I'd respool (make sure there is some moderate tension when putting the line back on), check spool speed, and don't put too much line on the reel.

I'd respool (make sure there is some moderate tension when putting the line back on), check spool speed, and don't put too much line on the reel.

This and adjusting the brakes might help it from over running.

Are the breaks in the line at a regular interval?

+1

Check the tip guide on the pole. It may have rough edges or chip in the guide or burr. I went shore fishing in Cabo last month and about every 20 or so cast or when I really give it a good whack the line broke. Only much later did I find out I had a bad tip that was slowly braking the line.

Sounds like your tip has A crack in it.

I checked the tip, and it seems fine. I am starting to lean towards the "brake setting" issue. I am going to redo the line, then attach some lead, and try to replicate the issue in my backyard. I hate fixing things on the water. Thanks All!

 

  Curious,  I know how to set the drag for casting with a baitcaster for bass, I guess it'd be the same for casting something on the blue then right?  Why would one want to cast on the ocean?  Jigging for something on the surface?  Aren't your simply dropping straight down for most species?

I like to toss the jighead out about 30 - 40 yards, let it settle on the bottom, then give it a tug and reel, tug and reel, tug and reel, until it is coming straight up. Makes good movement along the bottom.

Sounds like your getting backlashes.you need to adjust the brakes or thumb the spool more.what's happening is the line underneath is loosening before faster than the line going out.adjust the centrifugal brake up more

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Good call on adjusting them in the yard I won't remove my side cover otw either