[Shawn M]

I had asked some baitcaster casting questions before and had some real good responses but then the site went down and it was lost.

I am practicing casting every chance I get, but am having a tough time getting the hang of it. My problem now is I can finally get some decent distance, but have a good 10 ft of line on the spool that is loose and I spend 5 minutes getting it off. What am I doing wrong?

It is driving me nuts, if I didn't take a few deep breathes after each cast today, the rod/reel would have found itself a watery grave.

Thanks in advance!

Shawn

[The Dutchman]

Shawn, Everyone is in the same boat as you when they begin throwing a baitcaster. It takes a lot of practice. When I began I quit several times and went back to the spinning outfit. First, most people try to throw the thing too far when they are learning. Start small. Pull off about 50 feet of line and put a piece of black tape on the line on the spool so no more than 50 feet ( or whatever you choose for length) so that your professional overruns only go to that spot and no further. Next, only use your wrist. Don't use too much arm. The reel should have a know on the side which can be turned clockwise and counterclockwise. Usually on the right side under the drag bar. Tighten this down but not all the way. If it has magnetic brakes set every other one (left side). Now, the very important things: don't try to overthrow the bait; use a heavy bait or plug with no hooks; use your THUMB to feather the reel spool. This takes practice. Your thumb should never leave the spool. However, getting the correct pressure on the spool is key. Also, as stated becore, don't try to throw it too far. Just try for 25 feet working up until you get it right. Also, don't take it too the lake too soo or you will go back to using your spinning outfit. Practice at home until you become proficient. Then, all of a sudden, you will "get the hang of it" and you can take the tape off and use it all the time. A note, when learning, do not throw into the wind. Throw with the wind or across. Throwing into the wind will cause backlashes beyond repair. Also, if you have access to a dental pic - get one. It will come in very handy for the pro overruns. I know this is long and some my add to it, but these are the basics. Hope you master it soon. Good Luck Joe

[pete s.]

shawn, turn the reel in your hand to the left 1/4 turn until it is vertical; instead of horizonal. in the dinasour days the reels didnt have all the backlash protections they have now and we had to do it that way to help with backlashes. to me it seems to it is easier to thumb the spool this way(rest your thumb between left side plate and spool)practice pitching a plastic worm. you can even practice in the living room.(if the ceilng fan is not on) start with the worm in your left hand and wind up the line until the worm is even with the reel. with one underhand motion swing the worm out with your left hand and raise the rod tip up at the same time(while releasing the spool.) stop the worm with your thumb just as it hits the floor. practice,practice. put an object out there as your target. at least if you get a birdnest it will be easy to get out. after you learn this,it will be easy to cast with distance. you just need a educated thumb. side benefit is you will be able to pitch like the pros. at times a deadly technique. forgot,set your backlash adjustment so when freespolled the worm falls straight to the floor with out a backlash(set it slightly looser to pitch vs casting). 1/4 oz weight and 7in worm is easier to start with. good luck!!!!!!! dont use red worms might stain the carpet.(from experience)

[spare tire]

I had the same problem a few tears ago. So I went to Bass Pro Shop, and asked the guy at the rod shop for the most forgiving one, it was an ambassador, cant remember the particulars, but it sure helped.Don't give up, I almost did, got so frustrated I wanted to throw the thing overboard.
But if you stay with it ,it will improve your fishing more then you could imagine.But practice and the other advice by others are right on. I also cast mostly side arm when I started this helped as well. No matter what you do you will have some backlashes, its all part of the game. Also don't get a cheap baitcaster to start with, learn with quality equipment, then you will be able to cast all of them, but you will probably want better, hope this helps.

[sim]

Along with all the other tips, the most important (IMHO) is to ensure that your reel is properly adjusted.

I'm not sure what reel you're using, so I cant be too specific.

Brakes - no matter the type, start with 1/2 turned on.
Spool Tension - probably more critical - this is the "knob" that stands out on the handle side... you want this to be adjusted so taht the weight of the bait pulls line without effort, but stops without any loose line when it hits the ground.

If the loose line is coming in the middle of the cast, add brakes
If the loose line is coming when the bait hits the target, tighten the spool tension.

Lastly, be sure to be using the right "weight" for the rod, and don't try to power the cast... use the wrist... most of my issues now come when I try to put an extra "umph" in the cast, or get excited due to a busting fish "just over there"....

[bamabass]

shawn,
until you get used to it i would suggest learning to flip/ pitch the lure.it doesnt use much line and you can overpower the line as much causing less backlashes
good luuck

[Shawn M]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I have tried adjusting the knob under the drag but haven't seen any type of change. The manual says it is to tighten the spool and notice the tighter it is, the less the spool moves side to side, but I didn't see a change in how the lure drops.

So far I don't get the benifit of a baitcaster. I cast farther and with accuracy with a spinning rod. I have enough patience to spend an hour with the baitcaster, but then it is back to a spinning rod. I guess if I caught my first fish on the baitcaster my patience might last longer.

Thanks again and I'll keep trying, I'm not one to give up too easily.

Shawn

[JEVSkeeter]

Pete S. has the right answer for you. By turning the reel vertical you utilize gravity to help you out. It may sound simple however, the line has to climb the spool and the slight resistance helps to slow down the line just as mag brakes do.

Sim's instructions are perfect for setting up the reel and need to be followed each time you change baits or weight of baits.

Practice, practice, practice, practice.......

[smirkplug]

Thanks Pete, Good Discription Of What To Do. Also, Creck The Spool With The Brake On Tight, And If The Spool Wobbles Get A New Reel, It Should Not Stay Loose, It Should Cast Shorter But Not Backlash. I Dont Use A Baitcaster On Less Than 10 Pound Line. To Practice Casting (if Your Reel Is Working Properly) Buy Some Cheap, Stiff, Heavy Pound Line And Expect To Birdsnest About A Mile's Worth Before You Start To Get Good. Practice, Practice, Practice. The Advantage Of A Baitcaster When Playing A Fish, Working A Jig Or Worm, Or Setting The Hook Is Enormous!! Spinning Rods Catching Tuna On Partyboats Can Be A Problem For Everybody On Board, You Get A Much Better Angle Fighting The Fish Up And Down, Not All Over The Place. On A Spinning Reel You Have To Lift The Rod Then Reel In The Slack To Gain Line, On A Baitcaster You Can Crank Down On The Fish !!! Ive Seen Too Many Guys With A Broken Off SPINNING Reel Handle In One Hand And The Rod In The Other With A Screaming Albacore At The End Of His Line !!!

[pete s.]

one other reason to use baitcast. mho the guides being on top of the rod instead of the bottom,it seems to tire fish faster. even with the same rod action and line size. my opinion and others who have fished a long time for large salt water fish. food for thought.