Baitcast Beginner Help

[jiggz125]

I have asked a smilar question before without much success. I am new to using baitcasting setup; by new I mean I have maybe cast it 10 times, the reel is a Pfleuger Trion 3LP and the rod it is paired with is St Croix Triumph 6'6" Medium,

 

What would be the best line to start with? Type(mono,braid,flouro), lb Test and Brand. A line that I can have success with casting and limit my backlashes and ultimately help me gain confidence in using a baitcasting combo? Obviously there will still be operator errors on my part...just trying to have a better head start when I get out there next spring.

 

Bonus question, I have $25 gift card to Gander Mountain; would you guys stick with Pfleuger(i dont think anything wrong with it mechanically) or maybe go spend $100/$125 on a new reel?

 

Thanks in advance

[Paul Peixoto]

Not Fluoro(more memory than the others). I loved braid when I started and had trouble with mono. With more experience , and learning my braking system better I can do either one (braid or mono) I would start with braid 30pound test Power pro or suffix but if u wanna go cheap -spiderwire

[Arv]

Personally, I would start with cheap mono in case you need to cut our a backlash. I would save my money now and figure out how to cast first, just to be sure you want to continue with baitcasters

[5dollarsplash]

I started with a heavier(12-14lb)  mono, but I think 30lb braid is the easiest to learn with.  You can pick out a backlash without compromising the line as much.  

 

Remember to use a mono backing to conserve your main line as you learn, and spool up tight as it helps prevent digging.

[kingkong85]

I will recommend 10lb mono to start out until you get better. I would go with Berkeley trilene or big game and get a 300 or more yard spool. Better yet just have the local store spook line for you and it should cost between 3 to 6 US dollars. Practice practice and more practice. That will help you improve and gain confidence in using a baitcast combo. When I first started using baitcast i would cast in my backyard and front yard. Use what you have and save your money for something else. If it isn't broken don't try to fix it.

[roadwarrior]

We have two threads pinned at the top of this section that should help.

 

You have probably already noticed that our members all have "favorite" lines.

Although I am not a big fan of Trilene XL, it's cheap an manageable. Buy a spool

of #17 to practice with. Start with a 1/2 oz weight, not lures. This will make training

your thumb  and dialing in the reel much easier.

 

If you want to consider a new reel, the Shimano Citica is very "user friendly".

 

When you get comfortable with the gear, I suggest switching to Yo-Zuri Hybrid #12.

 

Good luck!

 

 

 

[jiggz125]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will go with Berkley Mono to start learning. Has anyone tried the Berkley Solutuons Mono its $5.99 17lb test at Gander. It says its made for casting.

[roadwarrior]

If you are just casting lead as I have suggested, I don't think it really matters.

Later you may want to try another brand.

[new2BC4bass]

Haven't tried Berkey Solutions so no comment.  I wouldn't learn on Big Game.  Has a tendency to have too much memory if it sits for any length of time.  Stay with something soft.  XL is ok.  I am a fan of Sufix Elite.  Have Sunline Super Natural on a couple reels and like it so far.  I wouldn't go too heavy to start with.  Heavier mono may not handle as well being stiffer.  I started with 12# for MH rods, and 8# on Medium rods, and still spool the same way.  Works for me.

 

The Trion is an excellent casting reel.  It has a heavier spool, so I wouldn't go very light with lures until your casting ability has improved.  I would stick with 12# mono on this reel to learn on (or 40# braid if you prefer to start with braid).  Stay away from lures on the rod's low (rated) side....mid weight or slightly above being best.

 

I've got one of my Trion's on a 6'10" HF.  DVT cleaned it for me (bought used).  This combo will cast a 5/8 oz. lure the proverbial country mile with no backlashes.  It came with light braid, and because the spool spun so freely, I tried using it on a Medium Compre with unweighted 10" worms.  Backlash city unless I was extremely careful.  Will have to try it on a Medium rod to see if the cleaning and heavier line (17# Super Natural cuz it was handy) will now cast that worm trouble free....in my hands.

[Hattrick7]

I only use mono and I would suggest Sufix Elite. Great line with minimal memory and not expensive. I would recommend a larger diameter. Rather than lb test look at the diameter of the line. I would recommend using .014 or .015 to start. If it's too thin I've found that it tends to backlash easier.

Make sure that when you spool up it's coming off the spool correctly onto your reel so it's not going against the natural coil.

Then just practice. Like golf the distance will come just want to get the technique down first. Before you know it you'll be whipping baits out there at will.

[Insanity]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will go with Berkley Mono to start learning. Has anyone tried the Berkley Solutuons Mono its $5.99 17lb test at Gander. It says its made for casting.

Yep! The spool I bought for my spinning rod cast like the trilene xl but broke at less then the rating. Might have been a bad spool but I'd recommend spending the extra buck for the XL just incase. XL is the best line I've tried for low memory with less stretch. I use it on every thing spinning. And there Fire Line for baitcasters.

I have a Phleuger I bought second hand so I'm not sure of the model. It's an older five bearing job. If yours cast like it does you'll have little difficulty learning it. Mine has been smooth and held up well for what I think it cost new. Only compliant I really have with it is the cranking power is a little low compared to other reels I have that are around the same dollar value.

[new2BC4bass]

I'd like to make another suggestion regarding learning to cast.  Don't use an overhead cast.  Sidearm is better, but the best is to use a roll (also called an underhand) cast.  This makes for a smoother cast, and using a baitcaster is all about smoothness.  Practice will have you throwing it as far as an overhand cast.  I find my best accuracy is with an overhand cast, but learning to first cast without a lot of backlashes is more important than pinpoint accuracy.  At least you will be fishing more instead of sitting there fixing your line.

[michang5]

I got my first casting setup a month ago (Tatula and *** Black 7'1"). Never touched a baitcaster before.

On a recommendation, I spooled up with 15# PLine CXX. That stuff is thick! But it never backlashed very badly. If I did, it was easy to use the mash-and-crank trick and get it out.

Problem is that I couldn't catch anything. Maybe I was throwing the wrong lures at the wrong places at the wrong times, but each time I was skunked using the setup. And often, I would catch fish after switching to my spinning rod with a wacky senko. Even if it wasn't the CXX, I had no confidence in it.

So I switched to the 12# Invizx that I had been using as leader line for my spinning reel. Picked up a bottle of KVD Line and Lure, too. Due to my poor technique and a few overhanging branches, it was birdnest city. I probably spent about an hour total undoing three different backlashes. But I've caught fish, which may relate to a new crankbait I've been throwing.

All that said, I've gotten much better with the setup. I understand the brakes more and how it related to what I'm throwing. No backlashes the last 5-6 outings.

So what I guess I'm saying is that -- as a beginner -- you're going to backlash. Get ready to dig them out or cut them. Use whatever line you have confidence in. What's important is that you practice.

[boostr]

I think side arm casting is so much easier, and I'm getting pretty good at it. Its probably because of how I throw naturally which is side arm. I can actually cast from both sides left and right which comes in handy. Like everybody said try side arm first, and then over hand. I'm still trying to get the hang of over hand. Line wise I started with PP braid which somebody else stated is allot easier to un backlash.

[sprint286]

I would suggest learning in the back yard when I was learning I would set up 5 gal buckets in the yard and cast at them ,I still practice flipping into cups and other objects to stay sharp .if you practice on the lake you will become frustrated and give up and  go back to spinning rods ect. I learned how at probably 12 years old so you can do it, good luck.

[WRB]

I use Berkley Big Game 12# for crankbaits because it cast very well and 1/4 lb spool cost less than $15 and will last you a few years.

Buy a 1/2 oz casting plug, rubber coated. Remember to adjust the spool end tension so the casting weight pulls line off the reel with a little drag as it falls, this helps to prevent a backlash, and stop the spool with your thumb to keep the line tight on the spool.

Good luck.

Tom

[Insanity]

I use Berkley Big Game 12# for crankbaits because it cast very well and 1/4 lb spool cost less than $15 and will last you a few years.

Buy a 1/2 oz casting plug, rubber coated. Remember to adjust the spool end tension so the casting weight pulls line off the reel with a little drag as it falls, this helps to prevent a backlash, and stop the spool with your thumb to keep the line tight on the spool.

Good luck.

Tom

Your kindling ? I hope ! You must have meant xt. If not you need to try xt or even xl. That stuff isn't much better then shakspeer ?sp. xt extra tough,casting is stiff ,some memory but abrasion resistant and strong Xl low memory,long cast, some stretch . Big game=Stretchy catfishing line. It breaks at about two to three pounds less then the stated value. And in the same pound test the diameter is bigger then xt if I'm not mistaken.

Maybe I'm mistaken but I don't think so. I no one things for sure if you keep it for two years it will be rotten. 15 pound= 10 pound. I got a spool of 15 pound for Xmas last year breaks at 12 I'd say. You shouldn't be able to break 15 off a hook with your bare hands easily. And I can. And it ant the first spool I've seen. I toyed using it for cats. I'll measure the breakage with a scale if you want but I suggest you try it. Upgrade and see what your missing please. Lol. Stren would be the closest in compassion to it. But far better.

[WRB]

Prior to premium mono line like P-line CXX I fished both XL on spinning and XT on baitcasting, good line during the 80's. Tried a lot of different mono line types and finally settled on 12 lb Berkley Big Game for crankbaits and 25 lb for swimbaits. The reason is exceptional durability and knot strength for mid water column lures. The fact I change line often when cranking and swimbait fishing factors in to my choice.

Stopped using P-line CXX when they changed their line formulas and had issues. The higher end line I use Blackwater Int'l Toray FC. Big Game is perfect for a new bait caster.

Tom

[Insanity]

I must be getting old spools. Aka walmart bottom self. I here you on the line changes I changed the xl so often it wasn't funny. Don't change and loose fish.