Backlashes Be Gone

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Photo: BassFan

Mike McClelland learned a handy backlash removal tip from fellow Elite Series pro Mark Davis.

By Todd Ceisner
BassFan Editor

If you've fished for any length of time with a baitcast reel, you've most likely encountered the dreaded backlash.

Whether it's casting into the wind or not having the reel tuned for a lightweight bait, the wad of tangled line that results can lead to unwanted frustration and rob you of precious fishing time on the water.

In this first installment of our "In The Boat" feature, Bassmaster Elite Series angler Mike McClelland shows us a quick way to eliminate a backlash.

12/29/1967

Info

Hometown	Blue Eye, Missouri
Age	57
Former Occupation	Sales rep for Champion Boats
Height	5' 7''
Weight	165 lbs.
Injuries	Broken ankle (bowling)

Stats

Years Pro	27
Top 10 Finishes (Wins)*	35 (8) As of 11/27/2022
Career Earnings*	$2 million As of 11/27/2022
Current World Rank	195
Best Finish in 2023	59 - Lake St. Clair, 6/24/2023
Last 3 Finishes	59 - Lake St. Clair, 6/24/2023 69 - Mille Lacs Lake, 9/10/2022 65 - Cayuga Lake, 8/6/2022
Bassmaster Classics Fished (Won)	11 (0) As of 11/27/2022
REDCREST Championships Fished (Won)	2 (0) As of 11/27/2022

Angling Stuff

Angling Hero	Jimmy Houston - "I like his moral beliefs and his spinnerbait techniques. I've always been a diehard spinnerbait fisherman."
Home Lake	Table Rock
Favorite Lake	Lake Champlain (NY/VT) - "It's such an incredible smallmouth and largemouth fishery. There's not many places you can go to that are like that."
Least Favorite Lake	Florida lakes - "I feel like I'm fishing in a big farm pond there. It seems like there's no defined patterns or transitions. You're just pretty much fishing a big, grass-infested farm pond."
Favorite Technique	Off-shore structure fishing
Primary Fishing Strength	Shallow-water flipping and spinnerbaiting
Secondary Fishing Strength	Shallow-water junk fishing
Biggest Weakness	Grass lakes
Boat	Ranger
Motor	Mercury
Fishing Sponsors	Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Big Bite Baits, SPRO, Gamakatsu, MotorGuide, Garmin, Sunline, Falcon rods, Mustang Survival, Odyssey batteries, Amphibia Sunglasses, T-H Marine, Pro Locker, BeatDown Outdoors
Non-Fishing Sponsors	Andy's Frozen Custard, Geico, Fayetteville Toyota
Tow Vehicle (Sponsor)	Toyota Tundra

Personal Stuff

Favorite Food	Mexican (burritos)
Favorite Music	Contemporary Christian and rock and roll
Favorite Book/Movie	Bassmaster Magazine/The Rookie (movie)
Non-Angling Hero	Father - "He's always supported my dream, and he's very optimistic about achieving your dreams."
When Not Fishing	"I like to archery-hunt for deer, but I enjoy any type of hunting. I also like to fish with my wife."
Why He Fishes	"It's always been a lifelong love. I was introduced to it at a young age. I also think it's the competitive nature of it. I wasn't big enough for the other sports, but this is soemthing I felt like I could compete at and be one of the best at."
Website	www.mikemcclellandfishing.com/

Tournament Finishes

Click here to view tournament data for this angler.

*BASS events (all events because BASS does not report Tour and Open earnings separately) and FLW Tour.

Biographical data last updated: 11/27/2022

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