Baitcaster Casting Problems

[Moveon]

This is the key. There is a setting on the side of the reel (knob) that adjusts the tension of the reel when it's in free spool.

With the bait you are going to use to fish with on the line put your rod straight out and parallel with the water. Open the feel spool and watch the lure to see how fast or slow it falls. Adjust the tension on the knob so that the lure just barley falls downwards. If it goes down too fast tighter up the knob and if the lure falls too slow loosen up the knob tension.

This is the first step for each and every bait you fish with. Do this every time you change baits on the line. Different baits weight different.

Now I would also adjust the centrifugal brakes on your reel if you have that type of reel. Then adjust the magnetic braking system to your liking.

Those three things are on most all the newer Ambassador and Shimano or Quantam bait casting reels. Plueger and the other high end bait casting reels should have these as well.

Read the manual for your reel and see what they suggest as far as maintence and adjusting the reel for fishing different type or weight of lure.

Then practice in the yard often. They sell small rubber practice lures that you can tie onto the line and practice with inside the house. Practice pitching the lure into a waste basket or an old tire out in the yard. Practice makes perfect.

When you maintain your reel remember that these new reels have very close tollerances and all it takes is too much oil to slow them down. When oiling these reels just apply a drop of oil to the end of a cotton Q tip and squeese out the excess oil before touching the Q tip to the reel's parts that need to be oil. Less is more in this case especially with the Shimano Curado type reels. Clean the reel with dry Q tips to get the dust out and if necessary apply some rubbing alcohol to a Q tip and squeeze out any excess and then use that to clean the reel's parts where applicable.

There are some good U Tube videos about cleaning the Shimao Reels. These are made by the Shimano Factory people and posted on U tube.

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.

[Ranger492]

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[Ranger492]

I agree but would just add that the way you tell if it's "too fast" is that you let it hit the water without thumbing the spool to stop it. If you get even the slightest overspin/backlash, it's too fast. You want it to produce no "overrun" when it hits the water

This is the key. There is a setting on the side of the reel (knob) that adjusts the tension of the reel when it's in free spool.

With the bait you are going to use to fish with on the line put your rod straight out and parallel with the water. Open the feel spool and watch the lure to see how fast or slow it falls. Adjust the tension on the knob so that the lure just barley falls downwards. If it goes down too fast tighter up the knob and if the lure falls too slow loosen up the knob tension.

[smashdn]

Have the brake set correctly for the weight of the lure you are using and have the correct rod.

I had a baitcaster on an old med-heavy broom handle of a rod that I tried to use for bass fishing. Instead of casting with a nice flip of the wrist I had to sling it like a surf rod. Big pain in the rump. I was fortunate enough to have someone here set me up with a nice rod that fit what I was trying to accomplish much better. Now I can flip jigs and shoot texas rigs and what-not without creating a birds nest every cast or hanging crap in the boat just to cast.

Make sure you are set up for success from the outset. The rod and reel have to work together as a system.

Plus practice. Lots of practice.

[outdoorsman_33]

I agree but would just add that the way you tell if it's "too fast" is that you let it hit the water without thumbing the spool to stop it. If you get even the slightest overspin/backlash, it's too fast. You want it to produce no "overrun" when it hits the water

THis is an important tip. Another great tip when learning how to cast is to use a little bit heavier line. Try putting on 20lb line and cast a little heavier lures. The larger line will not backlash as easy. Also When you make a long cast take out about another 10-20 feet of line. then put a peice of tape on the reel. Then proceed to real up the line over the peice of tape. This will prevent any backlash from going beyond the peice of tape. This tip was givin to me when I was a young kid and it helped me wonders. A third tip is when you get a backlash (it will happen) you do not have to cut the lure and pull the line through. I spent the first 5 months doing this everytime I got a backlash. Instead you can pull the loops on the reel and it will come out.

[smashdn]

I apologize if I have confused anyone. I think I may have been using brake and spool tension adjustment knob interchangeably. My reels only have one "dial" on the side to turn aside from the drag.

[DJD]

The few guys I helped had to go to a heavier weight (1/4-3/8 oz) so they could feel the weight more. It let them know and understand the feeling of when to release the spool with their thumb. I would recommend side arm casting (short casts) until you get that "feeling" of knowing when to release the spool. Overhand casts are nice but might be to much for a beginner. A good rod, heavy weight and side arm casts are good places to start.

[fishin-fool]

Got some practice in today with the new baitcaster on the Elkhorn in Georgetown. Didn't catch anything but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. Unfortunately I got hung up on something and had to cut the line once. But I played with the braking occasionally on my Shimano Caenan and at the moment I have all brakes pushed out except for two, which are pushed in (not sure whether pushed in is "on" or "off"). I had a big gamakatsu hook with a 6" yamamoto senko on it, texas-rigged. This heavier lure setup was definitely easier to cast than the practice plug I had been using in the field near my house.

[dabassking]

Got some practice in today with the new baitcaster on the Elkhorn in Georgetown. Didn't catch anything but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. Unfortunately I got hung up on something and had to cut the line once. But I played with the braking occasionally on my Shimano Caenan and at the moment I have all brakes pushed out except for two, which are pushed in (not sure whether pushed in is "on" or "off"). I had a big gamakatsu hook with a 6" yamamoto senko on it, texas-rigged. This heavier lure setup was definitely easier to cast than the practice plug I had been using in the field near my house.

Pushed in is off. Pushed out is on.

[papawbass]

Another suggestion to consider is the line you are using. Start with something in the 10 to 12 pound range (mono). Heavier line is typically going to be alot stiffer and will create more issues coming off the spool. Braided line is normally quite flexible and casts pretty well but when you backlash braid it can be a real mess.
Good fishing!

[GWScott]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I think I found out my problem. I didn't have the spool tension set correctly and also realized that my breaking system was not set right. Once I fixed these I was casting like a pro with barely any back lash. I love my baitcaster now and can see why people say once you get the hang of it, its all you will ever fish with.
Good Fishing everyone!

[KYCatfish]

I fished Green River yesterday and although I didn't even get a bite I had fun trying out my baitcasters. Not one backlash in an hour or so of casting. I played with both adjustments...on left and right sides...dunno which one does what but everything you guys said was right!! It was actually hard to backlash even without my thumb on it. I couldn't believe it!!. Granted I was using a heavy lure though.

I think I'm still a little short on my casting though. I was making it to around the 30 yard mark. 40 is for experienced right?