Re: fixing a backlash
I worked on ocean charter boats for a couple years in Westport, WA. Pretty much dealing with 20-25 inexperienced baitcaster users all day long. I've seen balls of line on spools bigger than the reel itself, and we could usually get them out. What worked for us was holding the line slack off the spool, setting it on free spool and and giving it a couple very quick yanks by hand. Don't just pull, that will tighten it up, but a quick yank will tighten it and slack it again quickly. If it doesn't work the first 2 tries, look where the line overlaps and try to pull it up loose, and quick yank again. Almost ALWAYS comes out.