Need Help With Bait Caster Reels

[DILLY07]

Hello Bass Resource,

Today, I went fishing today and I was very frustrated with my reels. But, Im still a novice and but I have some experience. I have Abu Garcia Black Max original and I also have Abu Garcia Black Max 2.

Today I put brand new line. I put on 12 monofilament trilene green color on both reels then put my lure on.

Then I went over to the Backside Creek, ( a slough ) then Chicken Creek that connects to the Cedar River and Mad Creek that is connected to the Miss. River and Klum Lake. All those times, I kept getting back lashes ( bird nest ) I kept getting mad. Yes I am putting my thumb on the line so it does not occur the bird nest happening. But It does. I feel i just want to quit fishing. I need some tips or give me some inputs. Or else I'm just gonna sell these reels/rod then get a couple spinning rods. But I prefer to use my baitcaster to learn. But I just keep getting those stupid bird nest. /rant.

But it'd be so nice to give me some tips/lessons/inputs.

Thanks.

Dillon (DILLY07)

[j223oifdsf]

Don't try to cast it a mile, thumb on the spool before bait lands, practice. You can go out in the back yard to practice aim at an object

[DILLY07]

Thanks, jlc2ay. I'll be practicing tomorrow before I hit the ponds tomorrow.

[rockchalk06]

Didn't over spool did you? I had that same problem today. Took 30 yards or so off and fixed my problem

[MemphisFF]

Didn't over spool did you? I had that same problem today. Took 30 yards or so off and fixed my problem

When I backlash this seems to be my problem.. I got a BpS near me so with most of my line I'm gonna let them spool it up for me.

[Basswhippa]

You mention you are a novice and that you kind of are even thinking of giving up. Do not give up. I'm not sure of the quality of the reels, and low quality reels could be a problem, but I doubt it. Make sure your line is 1/8 inch from the top of the spool. Get a heavy lure. Tighten all the mechanical adjustments on your reel. Go to your local pond or yard and start casting. Slowly back off the mechanical adjustments. You will be fine. Practice and stick with it.

[rockchalk06]

Memphis. If you want that will work having then do it. However there are about 30 videos on the web on how to. I spool with cheap mono till I have about 1/4" of spool left. Two uni knots and finish with fluorocarbon. Leaving about a 1/8" left. If that backlashes, I take off 20 yards or more of mono and retie. I've landed some big wiper way out there on a cast and never hit my uni knot.

[MemphisFF]

Memphis. If you want that will work having then do it. However there are about 30 videos on the web on how to. I spool with cheap mono till I have about 1/4" of spool left. Two uni knots and finish with fluorocarbon. Leaving about a 1/8" left. If that backlashes, I take off 20 yards or more of mono and retie. I've landed some big wiper way out there on a cast and never hit my uni knot.

Thanks for the advice..

[LgMouthGambler]

Check the brakes. Maybe add a bit more. If you tune it right, you dont have to thumb the spool.

[NBR]

Learn to cast in the yard. Don't waste valuable fishing time clearing backlashes, Set up your reel according to the instructions that came with it and the instructions at the beginning of the rods, reels and lines part of the site. Put a target in the yard abour 1/2 the distance you want to progress to in your casting. Work on accuracy with short casts and being backlash free. As you improve increase your distance but still be accuracy modivated. I've bait casted for years and still practice in the yard when the weather warms but before the ice goes off the lakes.

As your skills improve you can looses the cast control in small increments to increase your distance.

Practice, practice, then practice some more!

[Michael DiNardo]

Go to the Fishing Rods, REELS, and Line forum and watch the video on "How to Setup a Baitcaster".

Mike

[Fishes in trees]

To echo most of the other opinions in this thread, you've just got to practice son. A side arm cast is probably the easiest to learn, but you ned to learn to be versatile, overhand, side arm, back hand, one handed, two handed, etc. Once you learn these casts, then you'll need to learn how to pitch. It might be easier to learn how to pitch first. I don't know. Different schools of thought.

I have a bud (who has never fished tournaments and always fishes out of his own boat) and he will move the boat before he will try a cast he's uncomfortable with. On the other hand, I have fished BFL for a number of years as a co-angler. Moving the boat isn't an option and you seldom get your choice of casting angles, so you learn how to make all kinds of different casts. Better equipment helps. As I get older, I'm learning how to pitch sitting rather then standing. There is a knack to it, I'm getting to the point to where I don't suck at it but there is still room for improvement.

Back to the original point of this post, if you're still frequently getting back lashes, you just haven't practiced enough.

[38 Super Fan]

Assuming everything is set up OK, it just takes practice. Maybe I'm just slow, but honestly, I would say I fished for months before I got to a level that I would call "good" with a casting reel.

[BrianinMD]

The "How to setup a baitcaster" video is a great place to start, after that its practice, practice and practice some more. Don't give up, the greatest things you will ever achieve in life are the things you work for.

[*Hootie]

Check the brakes. Maybe add a bit more. If you tune it right, you dont have to thumb the spool.

Shouldnt he also get a Shimano?

Tee hee hee!!

Hootie

[Mike L]

The only thing I can add to what everyone else has already told you...

DON'T try to cast with the wrist flick type cast you can do with a spinning reel and think you can get away with it!

That was, and still is my biggest problem with a bait caster.

If you cast with a fluid motion keep your wrist straight and the crank pointing up [if you're right handed] you'll get the hang of it.

Watch the video, adjust your brakes, practice and don't give up on yourself.

You'll be fine

Mike

[Michael DiNardo]

Shouldnt he also get a Shimano?

Tee hee hee!!

Hootie

I thought he was already using a Shimano. I just assumed...OK, first buy a Shimano, then watch "How to Adjust a Baitcaster".

Mike

Just kidding Lews' guys.

[Bladesmith,]

I've been fishing with baitcaters for more than 30 years and I still get an ocasional backlash, mainly when I'm not paying attention. General rule of thumb; if you are casting into the wind, tighten up your drag, make your casts with a lower arc, if you are casting with the wind you can loosen it off. It is better to make shorter casts with no backlash than to make longer casts and spend your time clearing backlashes. With experience you'll learn to follow your lure during the cast and slow it with your thumb just before it hits the water (this also helps prevent splash). Just my .02.

[LgMouthGambler]

Shouldnt he also get a Shimano?

Tee hee hee!!

Hootie

LOL, that would prob help.

[unageo09]

I'm learning how to throw one and it can be frustrating at times but I am throwing in the yard until I get it down to where I am comfortable enough to use it in the boat. I have a small sinker on it and my cats love chasing when i reel back in. lol

[Senkoman12]

Don't try to cast it a mile, thumb on the spool before bait lands, practice. You can go out in the back yard to practice aim at an object

x2. casting 15ft backlash free is better than 30yards with a massive birds nest

[new2BC4bass]

Do you know anyone that uses a baitcasting reel that could make a few throws with it? Might not be you. Might be the way it is set up. Also he could watch you cast, and maybe make a few helpful suggestions.

Another thing....there are plenty of threads offering advice to people that are having casting problems. Might want to read a few of them.

You have been given good advice so far. Don't over-fill the spool. Tighten brakes and spool tension. Don't throw for the moon. Side arm casts are the easiest for most people to learn with. Use a lure on the heavy side of the rod's rating. It is also very important to be smooth. Jerk on the reversal, and you will have a bird's nest before the lure travels 3 feet. Don't use too light of a line. Don't use too heavy of a line if it is mono or fluorocarbon. Braid is more expensive, but normally easier to unravel. It also doesn't 'spring' from the spool like some other types of lines have a tendency to do.

I used 12 lb mono to learn on. Some suggest 14-17 lb as better.

Good luck.

I see you are new to the forum. Welcome.

[Michael DiNardo]

I don't think Bladesmith means the actual drag, I think he means the spool tension knob. If I'm wrong and drag does have some control over backlashes, then I just leaned something.

Mike

[Mike L]

Do you know anyone that uses a baitcasting reel that could make a few throws with it? Might not be you. Might be the way it is set up. Also he could watch you cast, and maybe make a few helpful suggestions.

Another thing....there are plenty of threads offering advice to people that are having casting problems. Might want to read a few of them.

You have been given good advice so far. Don't over-fill the spool. Tighten brakes and spool tension. Don't throw for the moon. Side arm casts are the easiest for most people to learn with. Use a lure on the heavy side of the rod's rating. It is also very important to be smooth. Jerk on the reversal, and you will have a bird's nest before the lure travels 3 feet. Don't use too light of a line. Don't use too heavy of a line if it is mono or fluorocarbon. Braid is more expensive, but normally easier to unravel. It also doesn't 'spring' from the spool like some other types of lines have a tendency to do.

I used 12 lb mono to learn on. Some suggest 14-17 lb as better.

Good luck.

I see you are new to the forum. Welcome.

OP read this, then read it again

Mike

[JHudd11]

When you get a backlash: 1. Hold your rod and reel sideways 2. Tighten your drag pretty tight 3. Press the line release button 4. With the button pushed down, start pulling your line out until the backlash is gone 4. With your drag knob still tight, reel your line in.

This technique is a REALLY fast and easy way to get rid of your backlash and has helped me a lot!

Keep fishin

-Jett