learnin

Probably an ignorant question but here goes. I like using a baitcaster for topwater fishing but there's times when a backhand cast is all that will work for getting the bait where you want it. I realize the pros and some amateurs can make this look easy but I've found it's a lot tougher than it looks. The only way I can sometimes get it right for both reasonable distance and accuracy is to lighten up considerably on spool tension which also sometimes results in backlashes. Am I on the right track re spool tension or is this type cast something that just takes a lot of practice to master. After working on it for a while it's easy to understand the popularity of spinning gear.

Thanks to all for the info.

Is there any water temp that's generally accepted as too low for effective topwater fishing?

Yep, glad that didn't happen . I got the popper back and the fish got away. That was a really good fish. I got one a week before on the same lure that might have gone four lbs based on it's length. This one wasn't on that long felt a lot stronger.

Got a good hit yesterday on a 1/4 oz clear Rebel Pop R in shallow water. I could tell right away he was a really strong, big fish. There was a down tree close by and he got around a limb that gave him some leverage, straightened out two of the tail treble hooks and that was it. Took him about ten seconds, talk about a quick rush. Not saying Pop R hooks are bad, I've caught plenty of bass with all sizes of Pop Rs and this was a first. For all I know this fish would have straightened any brand of hook under these circumstances. Didn't get this one but sure makes you want to go back. We fish a lot of top water and try Whopper Ploppers, Spooks, Ricos and various Pop Rs, for whatever reason the 1/4 oz clear pop R has out fished them all by a lot this year.

I probably fish topwaters more than makes sense as far as catching a lot of fish but I like the action and you never know. Last week I got a good one, 20" maybe 4lbs, on a 1/4 oz clear Pop R in 4 or 5 feet of clear water, in a rocky bottom reservoir at around 11:30, sunny with no clouds, about as unlikely a time or place for a top water strike as you'll find. We hadn't caught anything in over an hour. The guy I was fishing with was trying Ned Rigs in deeper water with no luck and we were about ready to call it a day. I'd made half a dozen casts around the same small piece of cover toward shore and stopped my retrieve about half way back to the boat. It sat there about ten seconds and I wasn't expecting a strike. The hit was so strong he had the whole bait completely in his mouth, almost swallowed it. Took some work to get him unhooked and back in the water.

What kind of rod & reel are you using, spinning gear or baitcaster? You can go with lighter lures as well as heavier with most spinning gear, depends on the rod rating. You can also do this with a baitcasting rig if you're experienced and good with a baitcaster. Otherwise I wouldn't go below 3/8ths oz lures or baits max or you'll spend as much time dealing with backlashes as fishing. I agree that crankbaits might not be the best for a lot of pond fishing unless you can run them shallow and fast. As others have said top waters & plastics will get it done. Shallow running spinner baits are also probably worth a try.

Meant to say I agree with Bulldog 1935.

My fishing is for Lg Mouths in reservoirs so its not the same fish or conditions as what you're doing and I don't have current to deal with but I agree Bulldog 1935 that a low drag setting could be a big part of the problem. I'm using a med. 6ft spinning rod, 10Lb braid, 6 or 8 lb fluro leader and a std 1/10th oz Ned Rig set up with the hook bent all the way back to where it's barbless. Drag is set to where it can be moved but it takes some pressure. Hook sets are easy with that barbless wire hook. and as long as I can keep the pressure on I don't lose them regardless of size.

Didn't have one with me or I would have.

The guy I fish with brought his fourteen year old grandson along for his first bass fishing trip in a boat. The kid was using a spinning rod and a floating Rapala. It was the original grey, two sets of hooks model, looked to be about four or five inches. We're not always successful but usually manage to catch some and have a few pretty good days. We caught a few this day but I'd say he easily caught more than both of us combined. When we started his grandfather said, "that's primarily a trout lure, want to try something else". The kid said that since he already had it tied on he'd give it a try. While it was a PIA fishing three in a boat we learned something. He'd throw that Rapala next to cover, give it a few twitches and if nothing hit it then they'd often enough hit it right after he started the retrieve. We alternated between Pop Rs, Senkos and Ned rigs. Maybe the bass hadn't seen many any Rapalas before and maybe it was a one time thing but it sure worked that day. I know I'll be trying one next time out.

Anyone else still have their first baitcaster?. Still got mine, a rig I got in 1952 at the age of nine. 5'2" Shakespeare "Wonder Rod" and a South Bend Model 666 reel that still has some old (rayon, nylon?) line on it. I think the rod was some early variation of fiberglass. I'll say it's a "wonder" it's still in one piece. I initially used that combination with live bait for all kinds of fishing, later for bass. I also used it for pier fishing on the North Carolina coast with some pyramid sinkers that had to be way above that rod's weight class. It was all I used until I got out of the service in 1966 and got my first spinning outfit. Never used it since. I didn't use a baitcaster again until I got a new one in the early 90s. As advanced as they are today I've never been as accurate as I was with that first combination. Which was basically free spool with no real drag other than my thumb. I did a lot of fishing with it and practiced with it the first few years I had it in the back yard a lot too. Got to where I was surprised if my bait didn't land where I wanted it to.

Thanks to all for the info. I'll work on getting better with the mono.

I've used mono on my baitcasters for a lot of years. For someone that bass fishes about once a week I'd say I'm about average for backlashes. The older I get the less patience I've got with them. I've noticed a lot more people using braid. Is this because it's less likely to backlash?

Too many good things to pick one but I'll start with the first bass I ever caught when I was around twelve years old. Fishing a long black plastic, or rubber, worm from shore at a public reservoir with a split shot on the bottom with no luck. Someone said time to go so I started reeling in pretty fast. When the worm got up on the surface it was really moving and about a 12" bass hit it so hard it came out of the water and I was hooked.

I had read and heard this reel might be the"best" $100 reel . I've always been a Shimamo fan but Cabelas has the Lew's LFS on sale for $75 a couple of weeks ago. I had enough of their "Club" points and got one. So far it casts as well and is as smooth as any of my Curados. Don't know if it will last as long as some of them have but I'd have to agree that Lew's Speed Spool LFS is a good reel and IMO would be hard to beat at it's regular $100 price.

In my OP I should have included the question, will a DC reel actuallly minimize or eliminate backlashes?

My nieces son has decided he wants to try bass fishing with a baitcaster. He's never used one but seems to think the digital control will eliminate backlashes and the need to learn to use his thumb for spool control. I've got my doubts but I've never used a DC reel or fish with anyone who does. My guess is he may be right to a degree but he should learn to cast with a non DC reel first. Am I wrong on this?

Anyone tried these? At 9/16ths & 3&1/2" they're noticeably bigger than the original. Was wondering if the size difference changes the action.

This is a smaller crankbait, a litlle under two inches long. It look like a spinning rod bait but supposedly because of their enclosed magnetic bearings they cast ok with a baitcaster. IF anyone here has tried these this one with a baitcaster how does it cast?

Thanks for a great post and congrats on a great morning. With those conditions you earned it.

Stale KracKer, Looking at them side by side the 50E IMO is noticeably smaller than my 100B but since the 50E's on a 5'6" rod it works fine for balance and feel. IMO it's not a better reel than a bigger Curado but I'm more accurate with it on the 5'6" rod than with a full size, by today's bass fishing standards, 7' rod and a larger reel.

Thanks to all that answered. Looks like there's still plenty of users. I agree, it's one worth keeping. When I use mine it's for lighter topwater baits, primarily the Pop R.

A lot of good info, looks like about all I've got for this is the reel, Curado 200K. Guess I'll use my med/hvy rod and go with the lighter and soft plastic swimbaits for starters. Thanks to all that responded,

Looking for general info and experience re what's worked as far as brands and rod and reel weight/size to use with them? Didn't realize how much some swim baits cost. Are the more expensive ones that much more effective? Are there relatively lower priced ones that work well?