Backlash Help

I was looking at Sheldon's web site and I saw this tip for minamizing backlashes. Sounds like it might work for someone learning.

How to prevent large birds nests in level wind reels.

How to reduce the size of birds nests in your level wind reels. Make your first cast the longest of the day plus pull out a little extra line. Then place some tape (about 1 inch of masking tape or one of the small round or square stickers) across the line on your reel and then wind line in over the tape. If you get a birds nest it will be a small one because the line can not un-wrap any further than the tape you place across the line. If a large fish pulls line pass tape, it will harmlessly tear away. If you generally fish with 60 feet of line then you could have a piece of tape at 75 feet. A small piece is all it requires to do the job.

Thought this one was sorta funny.

How to knock out a nightcrawler! No Joke!

How to knock out a nightcrawler so they are easier to put on the hook or thread with a threader. Place nightcrawler in your slightly cupped hand and clap hand sharply with the other slightly cupped hand. Once you have the technique down so you do not mash the nightcrawler then you will find it is easy to work with a stunned nightcrawler. You have to really whack them, to knock them out. Clap your hands like you would if you just won the lotto!

The backlash tip sounds reasonable, but I don't know about clapping your hands with a worm between them. 

How to knock out a nightcrawler! No Joke!

How to knock out a nightcrawler so they are easier to put on the hook or thread with a threader. Place nightcrawler in your slightly cupped hand and clap hand sharply with the other slightly cupped hand. Once you have the technique down so you do not mash the nightcrawler then you will find it is easy to work with a stunned nightcrawler. You have to really whack them, to knock them out. Clap your hands like you would if you just won the lotto!

I wonder if that would have a similar effect on a pileworm?? 

hey it works on flies, you stun them with the concussion but dont end up with splattered fly guts.  Of course they're squirming so may be tough