Begginers Experience With A Baitcaster

[Cody0707]

Went fishing today and strictly used the Shakespeare Axiom baitcasting setup I have. I have it rigged with 12# mono. I got the hang of casting the setup using a kind of sweeping motion on my right side. I would still get a few bird nests doing this but for the most part I was pretty successful.

When I cast using an overhead cast I got a bird’s nest just about every time. I didn’t even attempt to cast off to my right side but a few times and those cast only went about 10’. Is there something I am missing when casting overhead?

All in all I had a good day. I ended up catching 4 fish and ponds and lakes I had never been to. I only had 1 nest that was so bad I had to cut the line to get it out. I did not have anywhere near the accuracy of what I have with my spinning setup. Hopefully this will improve with time along with being able to cast the setup anyway I need to in order to put the bait in the strike zone.

[jj'sbassinforfun]

Keep at it and before you know it you'll be casting like a pro!

On the backlash's, I don't pick that much since I found the thumb trick. Place your thumb on the spool and reel it a little. The disengage and try pulling the line. Much easier and there is a video on youtube on it.

[Jake P]

Make sure you are properly adjusting your cast control knob. Im not familiar with the reel your using but the cast control knob is your friend. Make sure your not trying to cast to tokyo, you will backlash everytime. Start with nice and easy casts keeping your thumb on the spool and MAKE SURE you stop the line right as it hits the water or you will backlash there as well. Some people it takes time and others it doesnt. Just keep at it, be patient, use your thumb and make simple casts. It took me a couple days of focusing on casting more than actually fishing. Now its second nature and i have almost disowned my spinning gear. I still use it but prefer baitcasting because to me its much easier and more comfortable. Thats just my opinion though.

Good luck!

[jj'sbassinforfun]

Start with nice and easy casts keeping your thumb on the spool and MAKE SURE you stop the line right as it hits the water or you will backlash there as well.

Great advice! Smooth and easy. Even the pro's get em, But mostly when trying to get the last bit of extra distance. The more you try to over do it the worse it gets IMHO.

[tmier]

How heavy are there lures you are throwing on the 12# mono? When I started I used 1/2 oz lures and up. Anything less caused short casts AND backlashes. I trained my thumb on heavy t-rigs.

[BassinNY]

Great advice! Smooth and easy. Even the pro's get em, But mostly when trying to get the last bit of extra distance. The more you try to over do it the worse it gets IMHO.

X2

[Cody0707]

I was throwing 3/8 oz lures and up to 1/2 oz. I just watched the setup for a baitcaster video a second time. I don't know how i missed it the first time but I never set the magnetic resistant. I had it a I believe full and then just set the cast control knob. Next time I will have to remember to put the magnetic resistant to nothing then set the cast control knob to where it should be. Followed by putting the magnetic resistant back to half once I have the cast control knob to where it should be.

Guess I will have to keep at it.

[Glenn]

This will help: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/adjust-baitcasting-baitcaster.html

[Sam]

1. Match the line test and bait size with the rod's specifications written on the blank.

2. Run your line through Kevin VanDam's Lure and Line Conditioner by creating a wet spot on a wash cloth and run the line through the wet spot as you spool it onto your baitcaster. Leave about a quarter of an inch of space from the top of the spool to the line.

3. Open the side and pull the tags on every other magnet or in an "X" manner.

4. If your reel has a dial, turn the dial to zero.

5. Set the drag.

6. Rig up the setup with your bait.

7. Point tip of rod at 11 o'clock and release the spool. Tighten the spool so that the bait falls to the floor (not carpet) in a slow manner with the spool stopping when the bait hits the floor.

8. Go outside and cast the setup as far as you can.

9. Pull two arm lenghts of line off the reel.

10. Take electric tape or Scotch tape and place one or two or three strips fo the tape across the line on the spool.

11. Reel in line.

The tape will stop any backlash from going deeper.

Check out the video mentioned above, too.

Do not hit anything with the bait when casting. Do not try to skip the bait on top of the water.

Learn the four basic baitcaster casts.

Always use your thumb to control the cast if it starts to go wrong.

Do not cast into the wind unless you use a side arm or under hand cast that keeps the bait close to the water's surface.

Always rebalance your rod, reel, line and bait after changing the bait. This is critical.

Always check your line by running it over your thumbnail to check for nicks and cuts. Replace the damaged line.

And last, always bring one or two extra baitcasters with you ready to change them out if you get a backlash.

Good luck!

[Sam]

Almost forgot.

If your reel has a dial on it, set the dial to 5 or where ever to help stop backlashes.

You do this as shown in the video.

[Cody0707]

I took a few pictures of the reel so you guys can see what all I can do an possibly make some more recommendations. I will be buying a new setup at the end of the month. Just want to get as much time in before I step up to a better setup. I just need to start leaving the spinning setup at the house or truck.

[JunkYard814]

I too learned on a Shakespeare like this 2 years ago. You have magnetic breaking on that, which can all be adjusted from the outside, without taking the side plate off. That dial on the last picture is your magnetic break. When the dot is at the thinnest part of the light gray area, it is pretty much off, and will cast the furthest, but you have a better chance of backlashing. On the other side of the reel is the spool tension knob. Tighten that enough so that when you release the spool, your lure should fall to the ground slowly and not backlash upon hitting the ground. I would then tighten the magnetic break down all they way and cast a few times and slowly back it off as you get comfortable with it until its completely off. I rarely use any breaks now.

It wil be easier for you to cast heavier lures such as big spinnerbaits and cranks. When I first started, I tied a 1 ounce weight to the end of my line and just started casting inj the yard until I got the hang of it. Don't get discouraged, casting lighter lures is always difficult and cheaper baitcasters are a lot harder to cast. I learned on a $20 reel, but when I went out and bought a reel for over $100, it became so easy. Using bait casters, the better you get, the fewer backlashes you'll have, but they will always be a part of it.

[fowlskies]

One helpful tip when you are practicing in the backyard is to use a bright colored weight or lure. This helped when I was learning, its easier to see in the air and its relation to any trees, bushes or the ground while you're learning to cast and you are able to thumb the spool when you see your bright bait coming close to an obstruction. I use a chartruse chatterbait while practicing.

I always found it harder to track a lure in the air while casting it over the lawn than casting it over the water, a bright color negates this problem.

[Cody0707]

Went out to fish a little bit before work. I got there about 2:00 pm. Nice breeze and overcast sky. I was there to practice throwing my baitcasting setup. I had the setup rigged with 12lb mono line and the drag was set at 3lbs. I fished with a Senko, tried a jerk bait but it was to light for the baitcast setup, and then threw a white spinner bait.

Nothing was biting on the senko no mater were I put it. I then started to fish with the spinner bait, trying to get it as close to the tree limbs as possible. I cast out past where I was thinking fish would be and then reel it past the structure I was fishing.

On my last cast I threw my bait about 20ft from where I was. The tree I was fishing was about 5ft from where I was. I was 5ft in on my retrieve when the spinner bait was hit hard. I set the hook and the fight was on. The fish was pulling out drag and headed for the same tree structure I was going to swim the bait by. I had no choice and tightened the drag. Fought the fish a little longer then snap. The top of my rod broke. I got the fish to the dock as quick as possible after that. A few pictures and a weight then back in the water. The fish weighed 2lbs. I am guessing the rod was just a combination of cheap and old.

Time to start shopping for a new rod and reel. I had a great time.

[Michael DiNardo]

When casting straight overhead, it is easy to rotate the spool too quickly. It is much easier to cast from the side or at 1000 and 200 positions. Many times if a really long cast is not needed, I cast inderhand almost like a long pitch.

Mike