its all in the setup. 99% of fisherman who aren't VERY VERY familiar with bait casters don't understand this one important concept --> YOU MUST ADJUST THE MECHANICAL BRAKE EVERY TIME, I REPEAT..EVERY TIME YOU CHANGE LURES.. .if you do not do this one simple thing, you are asking for backlash. A properly setup bait caster will not backlash at all even when you don't use your thumb to apply pressure to the spool.