Line For Baitcaster And Distance

[greatone1210]

I love my new Lews Speed Spool but have been noticing that my casting distance is much less than before with my low-end Shimano Caius. When I say much less, I mean my distance has probably been cut bewteen 25% to 50% at times. I have it spooled with P-Line CXX 12 lb. Considering I fish 99% of my time from shore, my ability to gain a bit of distance is advantageous. I have the reel set on a MH/Moderate St. Croix Mojo rod. The lightest bait I throw is a 3/8 oz and usually it is a spinnerbait, crank (lipped or lipless), and maybe a weighted T-Rig Senko. Everything else is thrown on a Spinning combo with 8 lb fluro.

Any ideas on what to do for greater casting distance? I was thinking of switching to a braided line and using a fluoro leader as needed. Just not sure which way to go.

Thanks,

DU

[hooah212002]

Sounds obvious, but have you adjust the brakes? I don't know what yours has, but on mine, a minor tweak on either the brakes or spool tension can add about 10 feet or so to my cast using the same power.

[iabass8]

try adjusting your breaks differently. i had that rod years ago and was able to launch baits a country mile with that same line.

[new2BC4bass]

Probably the longest cast I've made to date was with 12# mono. Yes a lighter line will gain some distance, but I don't think it will regain anywhere near what you have lost. I have to agree. Tweak your brakes and spool tension. I have the TP and haven't noticed a decrease in casting distance, but then I really haven't paid that much attention to it. Been using it from shore so far and am pleased with my casts with it to date.

[roadwarrior]

Start by adjusting the cast control, I suspect that is the problem.

[greatone1210]

^{I have been adjusting my control but when done according to proper tecnhique (as shown in the how-to video and so on), I still don't get a great cast at all. The one problem I am finding with my Lews is that it only has one set of brakes. I really should have gotten the dual braking system. I am noticing a ton of backlash which I did not experience before. Maybe more practice is all I need.}

[hooah212002]

I've noticed the proper techniques, as seen in Gene's video, is good for a starting point, but you should vary it according to your comfort and lure type. Every time I change lures (since I only jave one BC reel) I adjust the brakes and spool tension. Mainly just spool tension since less brakes means more backlashes.

[BASSHUNTER1961]

I am not a fan of Mag brakes only as the Speed Spool has. You should have bought the model with centrifugal brakes as they are so much better. You have a Shimano now, if I were you I'd return the SS and get a Citica.

[greatone1210]

I am not a fan of Mag brakes only as the Speed Spool has. You should have bought the model with centrifugal brakes as they are so much better. You have a Shimano now, if I were you I'd return the SS and get a Citica.

I need to see what the return policy is at Cabelas. And I am not familiar with the Citica but have heard nothing but good things about Lews.

[iabass8]

The lews are great reels. Mag breaks are something that takes a bit more adjudting to.

[greatone1210]

The lews are great reels. Mag breaks are something that takes a bit more adjudting to.

I do like my Lews. Not sure I want to "give up" on it quite yet. Will most likely just keep working on getting it finely tuned.

Out of curiosity, should I change the line I am using? The P-Line CXX seems to have a TON of memory. I am thinking of switching over to braid. I rarely throw soft plastics on my casting gear other than a weighted senko or something heavier than 3/8 oz. Mostly it is cranks and spinners. I was thinking of switching to a 30#-40# braid. Good idea?

Also, should I switch over from my MH/Mod Mojo to my M/F Triumph? Would this help or change my experience at all?

Thanks!

[LgMouthGambler]

I am not a fan of Mag brakes only as the Speed Spool has. You should have bought the model with centrifugal brakes as they are so much better. You have a Shimano now, if I were you I'd return the SS and get a Citica.

Better you than me, lol.

[Diggy]

What # is your brake set to? For heavier baits for me the sweet spot is between 3 and 5, weightless flukes I can cast on 5 with no probs a pretty good distance. Im using 12lb hybrid. I had 65 lb braid and it bombed my frogs when I was using it for that

[new2BC4bass]

I've no experience with the Mojo, but braid may be okay on it for treble hooks since the rod has a moderate action. Braid won't be a problem with single hook techniques. Braid is usually easier to pick a backlash out of than other lines. I don't think switching rods will help. In fact the Moderate action may help you with your casting since the tip shouldn't react quite as fast on a cast that isn't smooth. I've stated before that most of my reels are magnetic brake only, but my reel suggestion for beginners is always to buy either a centrifugal or dual brake reel as a first reel. I feel that it does take longer learning to cast a magnetic reel well. It usually doesn't happen overnight. It takes practice, but once there I am sure you will like the reel a lot. It is my personal opinion that a magnetic brake only reel requires a better educated thumb than the other styles.

In mono I like Sufix Elite. Have 12# on a few reels. Put some 14# Neon Tangerine Siege on my daughter's rod. She likes it so far. Of course there are other monos that no doubt will also be very satisfactory. I've only tried a few so far. Was always a Trilene XL guy years ago. See nothing wrong with it today, but wanted to try something different. Sufix has done well for me, but also want to try some Sunline

[greatone1210]

What # is your brake set to? For heavier baits for me the sweet spot is between 3 and 5, weightless flukes I can cast on 5 with no probs a pretty good distance. Im using 12lb hybrid. I had 65 lb braid and it bombed my frogs when I was using it for that

I vary my setting a bit with each new lure that I put on. Usually though you can find it set between 5 and 3. I do find myself cranking the brakes up a bit with the new reel due to a learning curve.

I am finding it difficult to fish from shore and having little distance. Hence my reason for wondering braid vs hybrid and so on. I should say I like my P-Line CXX except the memory. Seems like a good medium between all the other choices. But if a majority said switch to braid w or w/o a leader, I probably would. Once I get more comfortable I plan on fishing more soft plastics from the BC but that will be awhile. Lightest I am going at the moment is 3/8 oz. Trying to keep my combo properly balanced.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

That brake is similar if not identical to the Revo SX system. Be sure the brake is off when setting spool tension and set brake to 50% and fine tune from there. Chances are the bearings as well as the rest of the reel are way over lubed. A good cleaning will show drastic improvement. Beyond that you have to be sure all else is equal when comparing casting. Changes in rod and bait thrown are especially important on a baitcaster. Line can make a big difference on a spinning rig much less on a baitcaster.

[NBR]

For goodness sakeas don't worry about one type or another of brakes. Both work! Your issue is operator control and settings. Go to the instruction in this site to set you reel. Start a little heavier with the cast control and as you gain experience ease off on the cast control as you educate your thumb. Don't try to cast into the next county as you start distance will came with time. Accuracy and minimum backlash first followed by distance.

[islandbass]

Unfortunately, 12# cxx is one thick line and this too could be partially responsible. As for the over runs, cxx can get finicky. What I mean by that is I might have 20 good casts and then on the 21st cast, I am wondering where in the world did that overrun come from, lol?

[greatone1210]

Unfortunately, 12# cxx is one thick line and this too could be partially responsible. As for the over runs, cxx can get finicky. What I mean by that is I might have 20 good casts and then on the 21st cast, I am wondering where in the world did that overrun come from, lol?

I am noticing this as well. So where do I go from here??

[iabass8]

use a line conditioner on the CXX. I used it minimally on the line when i used it and it behaved very well. the problem most likely isn't your line. as said before, i used that line/rod for a while and was able to cast it easily a long ways with that same rod and kvd 1.0 cranks (1/4oz) w/o backlashes or overruns. you're experience with memory and CXX is normal. it can get a lot of memory but just spray some line conditioner on it prior to going out or the night before and you will be fine. your reel might needs it's bearings cleaned and you may just have to adjust the settings differently. speed spools can cast a long ways if adjusted correctly. Braid /w a leader will be easier to use if you are having trouble with CXX but just a word of warning the guides on the mojo (this is based on a personal experience) were awful for me. i had 5 guide inserts fall out an the top guide groove over a year or use. other than the guides, the rod was a fine shallow crank rod. had the guides not fell out, i'd probably still be using it instead of my legend tourney cranking rod.

[iabass8]

For goodness sakeas don't worry about one type or another of brakes. Both work! Your issue is operator control and settings. Go to the instruction in this site to set you reel. Start a little heavier with the cast control and as you gain experience ease off on the cast control as you educate your thumb. Don't try to cast into the next county as you start distance will came with time. Accuracy and minimum backlash first followed by distance.

this is good advice too.

ease your way into making longer casts.

[greatone1210]

I spent some time on the lake today fishing from shore as usual and while got skunked, I used today as a live training exercise. I got a little extra distance throwing a 1/2 oz medium square bill crank. I really like my setup for cranking square bills, lipless, or any other crankbait. Definitely a good setup. I am seeing that throwing appropriately sized lures helps a lot. Plus as I get more comfortable casting, I can turn down the brakes a bit and gain some distance. Still, I saw a guy yesterday cast three times as far as me using a large round baitcaster. It was incredible.

Anyway, where my setup lagged was in throwing jigs. I have been trying to learn the swim jig since I fish lakes, reservoirs that are moderately to heavily weeded. This setup did very poorly casting any distance.

This leads me to the notion I really should pick another setup. I am thinking another Lews on a MH/F or M/F rod, probably in the 6'6 to 7'2 range. Thinking maybe a Duckett since they get rave reviews. Probably spool it up with P-Line CXX 15 or so and condition it with KVD.

Thoughts?

[deep]

Still, I saw a guy yesterday cast three times as far as me using a large round baitcaster. It was incredible.

I won't worry about that too much. My Calcutta TE outcasts my Curado E while throwing baits that aren't quite meant to be thrown on that big a reel. Large and round doesn't mean inferior/ old-fashioned.

[greatone1210]

I won't worry about that too much. My Calcutta TE outcasts my Curado E while throwing baits that aren't quite meant to be thrown on that big a reel. Large and round doesn't mean inferior/ old-fashioned.

Never thought they did but still . . . just incredible

[deep]

Never thought they did but still . . . just incredible

Do you have a 1/2 oz rattletrap? They are very aerodynamic; should fly well and give you some confidence.