Baitcasters?

[river scum]

best way to learn to cast a baitcaster is this-

use very heavy(25#mono), cheap line at first, in the yard. use very heavy sinker 3oz. crank the cast control way up. now you can loosen it as you get better. the heavy gear makes it way less sensitive to to over spool, and makes your thumb learn faster. 2dollar spool of kmart junk line because you will be cutting it off at some point! as you get farther and farther in your casting you will birds nest or you arent human. when you master the heavy weight gradually drop back on that too. when you get down to, and are good at casting a 1/2oz. sinker, switch line out. go down to like 15# cheap line. you will have another session in learning to cast the lighter sinkers. this is where you get good at it. keep your knife handy still. you will get good after a couple weeks of practice.

there are a lot of things that can effect the casting of bait caster rods n reels. every one you pick up to use will be different and have its quirks. a limber tip rod and light lures can really give you fits on the back lash. they are finicky beasts but can be worth the hassles at times. and last, never ever think you are beyond back lashes!

good luck in your journey sir!

[flennwagner]

I've been fishing for nearly 60 years, never been what one might call a "successful" fisherman but I've had many hours of fun with family and friends.
Well a couple years ago my wife, who loves fishing more than I, bought me a baitcaster from this website. The first I'd ever owned or fished with, I thanked her profusely and anxiously awaited a chance to show her "this was the reel to use". Well I struck out, big birds nest on my first cast even with using my finger as a brake, embarrassing.
I put the reel aside for that trip, went home and finally read the directions which took a microscope to read.
So I figure out that you have to balance the drag with the weight of your bait, easy enough and next trip I do so. The results were similar, another try another birdsnest. Through the reel in a box of unused equipment where it has sat for two years.

Now I feel sure others have experienced this. Is it the reel or the awkward user (are they that hard to use?) .

Will try once more this spring but before I do I will ask, Is it worth the frustration? And what are the benefits in using a baitcaster ?

Using a baitcaster reel can indeed have a learning curve, especially if you're accustomed to using spinning reels. It's not uncommon to experience backlashes or birdsnests when starting with a baitcaster. However, with practice and the right adjustments, baitcasters can offer several benefits:

1. Accuracy: Baitcasters allow for more precise casting, especially when targeting specific areas or cover. With practice, you can develop the ability to cast accurately and hit your desired spots with greater control.
2. Power and Control: Baitcasters typically have higher gear ratios, which means you can retrieve line faster and have more control over your bait or lure. They also provide better leverage for fighting larger fish due to their sturdy construction and drag systems.
3. Line Capacity and Strength: Baitcasters often have larger line capacities, allowing you to spool heavier lines for targeting bigger fish or fishing in heavier cover. This makes them suitable for certain types of fishing, such as flipping and pitching.
4. Versatility: Baitcasters can handle a wide range of fishing techniques, including flipping, pitching, topwater, and heavy cover applications. They excel in situations where precision and power are required.

While baitcasters offer advantages, it's important to approach them with patience and practice. Start with lighter baits or lures and gradually work your way up as you gain confidence and control. Proper adjustment of the spool tension, braking system, and thumb control is crucial for avoiding backlashes.
It's worth noting that not all baitcasters are created equal, and some may be more user-friendly than others. Investing in a quality baitcaster with user-friendly features, such as magnetic or centrifugal braking systems and adjustable spool tension, can help ease the learning process.
Ultimately, the decision to use a baitcaster depends on personal preference and the fishing techniques you plan to employ. If you're willing to invest the time and effort into learning how to use a baitcaster effectively, it can enhance your fishing experience and open up new possibilities.

[DonF]

Not so funny story about casting bait casting reel's. A friend of my son's went bullhead fishing with me some months ago. Before that when he went with us he always borrowed a spinning rod from me. Guy's an alcholic and likes to run his mouth when he's drinking. Well I have two light low profile set ups for bullheads and asked him if he could cast a level wind. He told me he could do better than I do. So I got one out for him. Got to the lake and his first cast got him the worst backlash I ever saw! So he decide's he gonna straighten it out. Good half hour later he's still working in it so I stopped and went to help him. Ended up he did get all the line off the spool and rewound it back on and that's when I decided to go home. So much for how good he is! I took all that line off when I got home and replaced it. I avoid the guy if I'm going anywhere anymore. Blowhard drunk drives me nuts.

To the OP, try learning to simply toss the weight till you get that down pretty good and then slowly start picking up speed. I learned on a direct drive reel and had a terrible time till I decided I didn't need to cast as far as I could. I use level wind's for pretty much everything except Crappie and small fish, simply like my level wind reels! I'm just guessing but suspect my old Mitchell 300's would catch anything I fish for! The probelmwith them is they aren't level winds!

[Eagle 1]

Thanks to you both, sounds like bait casting may be something I don't need to pursue. I'll probably keep the reel though and play with it again this spring.

I have 4 that I use stripe , bass and catfish with . More power than finesse applications . Catch lots of large bass(2-5 lbs. ) on ultra light spinning tackle . Reels today are so specific with multiple options for gear ratios used in various techniques . Easy control casting vs spinning . The ability to thumb the spool is great for bass fishing . jmo. Keep at it , its like riding a bicycle .