The braking on a baitcaster is the most important thing to master. if you get it dialed in correctly, it is very hard to backlash even with out thumbing the spool. not for sure if you have tried it but using the cast control knob just make sure the lure barely falls. it might be too tight and not allowing the lure to go as far. also the weight of the lure you are throwing might have something to do with it.