BACKWIND OR CLUTCH?

[Average-AlParticipant]

This post concerns the merits of back winding or the use of the cluth when match fishing for CARP.
I know that many matchmen prefer to backwind but I wonder if this is a through habit rather than it being a better meathod of playing fish.
I always play my carp off the cluth as I believe it is far more efficient in ensuring that line is given instantly in response to sudden lunges and runs and and offers far better control. I don’t believe anyone can backwind with the same efficiecy as a well set quality clutch which gives line when required but also ensures the fishing is being played to the set limits of the line and tackle.

Please note this is in respect of match carp fishing only. I play silver fish roach, bream etc by backwinding. (yes old habits die hard)

I would be interested to read other thoughts on this subject.

[TF_NathanWatson]

I prefer to backwind, I want to give line when I want to, not when the fish wants it!

[TF_Waveney One]

I used to be a back wind guy but over the last few years as the fish have got bigger and the clutches better I have change to the clutch.

[TF_Paddy]

No brainer for me. Back wind all the time – it’s the way you’ve been dragged up!!
Stay in touch with the fish from the moment go.

[TF_squatt]

With modern reels ie. Daiwa expensive front drag, set the clutch every time. If you use 0.20 (6lbs) set your clutch at home to give line at 1.5lbs ‘pull’. To backwind is a backward move, backwinding has little control, using the clutch is making the rod and fish work in a controlled fashion similar to pole elastic. You just need confidence to use it.

[TF_NW Cut Angler]

I backwind simply through habit but I do wonder if I should use the clutch instead as I can see merits but I guess I am stuck in my ways.

[Stan]

clutch

[TF_kev825]

Clutch for big fish – backwind for small stuff….

[TF_Chum MixerParticipant]

Clutch !!!!

Front drag reels as well

[TF_Gavin]

Clutch for me too, much smoother way of giving line in my opinion.

[Tommy Boy]

Defo The Clutch,

the backwind method is like crackin one off with the wrong hand if your not used to it.

if the clutch is decent and set properly theres no way the fish will snap you due to pulling and, as stated many times in this thread before…much better control of the fish…

cheers! ~clap

[TF_AnthonywatersParticipant]

Clutch for me thats what its designed for the only exception is when fishing a method really short and clipped I wont do it then

[TF_dirkdiggler]

clutch every time.
if your going to backwind you may as well buy a reel without one.

[TF_One fish]

Automatic car or manual?, all depends if you want to be in control or leave it to the machine.

[TF_top2]

Clutch with front drag reels for me.

[TF_carpmagicParticipant]

Bit of both, drag on venues such as earlswood where the Carp are high average size, then backwind for smaller Carp and F1’s.

[TF_PoDd]

Front drag reels with a high quality clutch (currently team daiwa’s) for me. I set it a little looser initially, then tighten slighly whilst playing the fish, this gives all the control I need and stops crack-offs.

It was a tough switch from backwinding, but it was very much worth it.

[TF_Fishman]

I tend to have the clutch set loose and backwind. If the fish makes a sudden lunge then and you don’t have time to backwind, the clutch taking over will stop the line partiing, or the hook being pulled.

[Anonymous]

Fishing today and tried fishing off the clutch instead of backwinding which I normally do and found it helped me no end and only lost 1 fish and landed 10 more all over 10lb.
I am sure that if I was backwinding I would have lost more.
Les

[TF_andy cranes mateParticipant]

Clutch, never heard of backwind

[Giles1Participant]

I ve always advocated using the backwind for carp. The clutch just isnt right for it. Its more important what you do with the rod than the reel in my opinion

[TF_baitchefParticipant]

Clutch every time for me, I find I never lose control with the clutch where as if I’m back winding and a carp gets a run on, I tend to lose control. I use Daiwa reels and the clutches are super smooth and as has been said, its like playing them on elastic.

[Average-AlParticipant]

Thanks for the response guys not suprisingly mixed views though for me its clutch all the way. That said if fishing near to snags when you can’t afford to give much line backwind is probably better.

[TF_Gary]

I am still a backwinder, but feel like I should be using the clutch. I borrowed one of my Dad’s pellet wag rods with a Daiwa TDR front drag reel and did actually quite like the drag set up. I think this is one to experiment with going forward. Having said that, I landed enough fish last week whilst backwinding for me to not think that this is an immediate concern!

[Author]

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