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F-N-G · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:29 am Post subject: Bait caster problems

The weather was so nice yesterday that I decided to go out to Jasper-Pulaski and do some fishing. Really my main reason was that I recently bought a bait caster and wanted to give it a go. It's the first one I've owned so I was excited about trying it out. I get out there, tie on a lure and cast... The backfeed tangles up and I spend a good 10mins fixing it and getting line straight again. I set the tension dail to max and try again. No luck the backfeed tangles up again. I do this a few more times cussing and getting worked up when I finally give up.. Anyone have any ideas what I might be doing wrong? I read the instructions for the reel and did my best to follow them but I'm assuming it's something with the way I'm casting. By the way it's a Daiwa Megaforce 100TSH on a 7" med action rod.. 12 pound test line on it. I strung the line on myself so I'm wondering if maybe I have too much on it. Any help or suggestions would be great..

-Kley- · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:53 am Post subject:

I just started using baitcasters last year and here's what I've learned:

First off, they aren't as versatile as spinning reels. I say this because it's difficult to cast lighter baits with them. The advantage to them is they are accurate to cast with, sensitive, you can cast very heavy lures, and you can cast for MILES! I absolutely bomb lures with my bait casters. I only use my bait casters for large spinner baits and large plastics. Big lures = big fish.

2nd, there is a learning curve with baitcasters, so assume off jump street that you're going to suck! This will help with frustration.... and yes, it was frustrating to learn. All you want to do is get your cast on and you're fixing birds-nests every 2nd cast.

Lastly, try to buy one with a 'Magnectic' cast/backlash control - also called a magnetic braking system. Even the less expensive reels have it, but some reels don't, just check it out before you buy.

Okay, here's how I cast:
1) Set the drag so that when you hold your rod at a 45 degree angle from the ground and click the release button, the lure slowly crawls to the ground. You will need to do this every time you change lures, or until you become intimate with your baitcasting reels.

2) Many people cast with the opposite hand then they do with a Spinning rod/reel. This will seem really strange at first, but I've asked many people since I've started using them and it seems to be more common than not. So with spinning reel I'm casting left handed and reeling right handed... and with a baitcasting rod, I'm casting right handed and then shifting the rod to my left hand as the lure hits the water, and reeling right handed too.

3) And most important.... when you push the release and your lure goes flying, let your thumb very very lightly drag along the surface of the spool. Right as the lure begins to slow down and it's getting ready to hit the surface of the water, increase the pressure that your thumb is pressing on the spool. You see, the lure is flying forward as a certain rate of speed and as soon as it stops the spool on your reel needs to stop too. The magnectic braking will help this. If you have your magnetic brake set to its highest position, a lot of times you won't even have drag your thumb on the spool, but with it set that high your casts won't go as far. Besides, the other advantage to dragging your thumb on the spool is you can stop the cast at any time.

This is why I say the baitcasters are more accurate. If you cast them overhand as I do, getting your line in the right direction is easy - just line your body up with your target. Now the only thing to judge the distance. If you over throw with a spinning reel your SOL, but with a bait caster you can increase pressure on the spool with your thumb to slow the lure down and hit your target.

Okay, that's my book. Sorry it was so long. I'm not sure if this ^ is how everyone does it, but my brother and I just learned them last year and this is how we do it. It took probably two or three fishing days to learn the trick to them, but it's worth the frustration. Just keep your spinning rod/reel with you when you go at first. Good luck!
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-Kley-
Keith D - Website Admin

F-N-G · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:36 am Post subject:

Thanks for the info.. My reel does have the magnetic cast dial so thats a plus. Hopefully I can get this figured out before too long. Your info should help alot.

Jarz · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:22 am Post subject:

Kley gave you a great overview of the baitcaster technique. My 2 most important hints for the beginner are: always remember to adjust the reel whenever you change your lure and THUMB THAT REEL! When I first started using one I went through the same frustrations as you but after a couple of days in the yard with a few old hookless lures I could hit a 5 gallon bucket on a regular basis. Once you get it down you'll be using it for everything but the lightest baits.
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Keep a tight line.....
Jarz

pigeonflier · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:57 pm Post subject:

Right on,,, very good explanation right there!!!!! Very Happy

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Feet Down!!!!!

-Kley- · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:10 pm Post subject:

Does anyone not do the hand-switching thing... that was probably the hardest thing to adjust to?
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-Kley-
Keith D - Website Admin

wild bill · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:18 pm Post subject:

FNG, LIKE ANYTHING IN LIFE, PRACTICE,PRACTICE,PRACTICE. WHEN I PURCHASE A NEW PIECE OF HUNTING OR FISHING EQUIPMENT I WILL TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL A COUPLE OF TIMES. I NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING THAT REEL OR GUN IS CAPABLE OF. IF YOU HAVE A MAGNETIC BACKLASH SET READ AND EXPERIMENT IN THE YARD WITH IT. IF YOU TRY WHILE FISHING IT COULD RUIN YOUR DAY. LET US KNOW HOW YOU MAKE OUT, WILD BILL.