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[QUOTE=KYCatfish;445725] Which dial should I be tinkering with...the left or right hand side?
Thanks for helping a newb :D [/QUOTE]
Both. Set the adjustment on the right hand side to where the bait will fall slowly, and set the left hand (magnetic brake) on 5. That is just a general set up. Main thing is keep casting and adjusting until You get comfortable with it.
I rarely adjust my breaks. Attach the lure that you will be using. Then set the break to the middle sitting; If yours goes 1-10 set on 5. Hold the rod about 4 feet parallel to the ground. Hit the thumb bar to release the lure and observe the lure as it falls. Make sure you do not have your thumb on the spool;let it free fall on its own. It should fall at a slow even pace. If it does not fall any loosen the cast tension. If it falls to fast the lure will hit the ground and the spool will keep spinning for a second and that will result in a over run/tangle.
When you have the cast tension adjusted correctly the lure will fall on its on and when it hits the ground the spool will stop instantly or maybe make 1/2 turn.
The only time I adjust the breaks is in the wind. As soon as it turns into normal condition I go back to orginal break sitting.
When casting you can use your thumb as a break to slow down/stop the lure right before it hits the water. During a cast, using your thumb as a break does not work very well.
Also remember that there is a centrifugal brake on the inside of that Johnny Morris Reel. There is a reaosn for two brakes. Make sure your centrifugal brake is set right as well. I like mine set with 3/6 on. Then you make adjustments to your magnetic brake to control overrun at teh end of the cast when the centrifugals are spinning too slow to make a difference. Usually if you have the spool tension set properly, and you are not having backlash issues, but you are getting no distance, it means that too many centrifugal brake pins are engaged.
I've casted in the back yard for 30 minutes today and yesterday and not getting any backlash so far. However I gotta ask...I know you put your thumb on the spool at the end of the cast but do you keep your thumb on it the whole time? I think I'm killing my distance by keeping constant contact on the spool.
One more thing...I know I can do this but I have to admit that if I get caught up in a conversation or don't pay attention the ENTIRE time, I'm gonna be seeing a lot of bird's nests. It requires constant focus.....for me anyway.
Well I didn't get a chance to get to a Bass Pro sale due to a death in the family and attending the funeral out of town. Today I got another sale paper for catalog and internet orders. They have the pro-qualifiers on sale for $79 bucks. I think I may go this route.
I picked up a couple more a few weeks ago for 65 bucks with a reel trade in when they were still offering that. I have a 4 PQ's and 2 citica's, both are great reels for the money but for under 100 bucks the PQ's are pretty hard to beat and you can get them in several gear ratios. They also have Bionic Blades on sale.
[QUOTE=KYCatfish;445902]I've casted in the back yard for 30 minutes today and yesterday and not getting any backlash so far. However I gotta ask...I know you put your thumb on the spool at the end of the cast but do you keep your thumb on it the whole time? I think I'm killing my distance by keeping constant contact on the spool.
One more thing...I know I can do this but I have to admit that if I get caught up in a conversation or don't pay attention the ENTIRE time, I'm gonna be seeing a lot of bird's nests. It requires constant focus.....for me anyway.[/QUOTE]
I keep light thumb pressure on the reel all the time however I keep my reels set on the loose side. You keep using your reel and it will become second nature as to how much pressure to keep on the reel. Biggest mistake is to overcast the reel we are talking big rats nest. You will get by better losing the reel and casting easy with some pressure on the reel.
best way to get back lash out is tighten the drag engage the reel put hard pressure on the line with your thumb then turn the reel handle disengage the reel pull out the line until it
stops then repeat until back lash is out.