Baitcaster Advice needed

[keepersize]

Another thing that will help is to stand on your porch or other elevated surface to simulate being in a boat. This will help when you get on the water .

[18'stratos]

Also when casting, let go of the spool and let the line start coming out about 1/2 way through your cast. They arent like Zebco's or spin cast reels that allow you to shoot your lure with a snap motion. Good luck. Practice alot and many different ways Before you get to the water.

[Phishin' Fool]

I found this invaluable when I first started using a baitcaster.

http://www.fishing-tackle-repair.com...setup-101.html

[R19]

Get the tension set first then set the brakes.

To set the tension...tie on your bait/lure. Hold the rod out straight parallel to the ground. Have the rod tip about 4 feet high. Press the thumbar like you were going to make a cast. Then loosen the tension knob behind the cranking handle until the bait starts to slowly fall. Do not have your thumb on the spool...let it free fall. You want the bait to fall at a slow steady speed and when it hits the ground the spool should stop.

If the spool continus to turn and over run tighten the tension. If the lure/bait does not want to fall loosen the tension.


If the birds nest is starting to form as soon as you make the cast and get bigger as more line comes off adjust the brakes. They will be located on the oppsite side of the reel crank.

Pending on how the reel is made there is two ways that brakes can be adjusted. Some reels have a knob that you adjust. Some you have to take the side plate off to activate or disable the brake.

If the birds net only starts to happen at the end of the cast adjust the tension knob located on the same side as the crank handle.


R19

[roadrunner]

You have some great tipshere on how to cast a bait caster however when you get a birds nest tighten the drag put your thumb on the reel and push down hard turn the reel handle this will straighten the loops push the release and pull the line out if you get another loop repeat. You will be suprised how this works. AND DO NOT OVER CAST.

[rangerfishing08]

smooth motion dont jerk when u cast...make sure ur brake is set correctly and with a good weighted lure...takes a lot of practice but well worth it

[fishin350]

Spool tension is the key start with short cast and work from there. Rome wasn't built in a day. Good Luck and Good Fishin

[cra97]

Thank you all for the great input. I had no clue there were this many "tricks" of the trade, that's for sure. I appreciate everyones advice and I will be putting it to use in the morning (out on the lawn to start with). The biggest issue I am having with casts over 20 feet is DIRECTION. I can't seem to figure out the trick to getting it to go "where I want it to go" for some reason. I am casting it in one direction and it tends to go about 45 degrees to my left off course. I am only using a 1/2 ounce weight though and I may need to up that a bit to start off, would that be correct? Thanks again for all the help guys.

Rob

[Fishin_4_Fun]

Occasionally it can just be a crappy reel, especially one that may not handle lighter weights very well..