Baitcaster Casting Problems

[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.