Having Issues Casting Bait Caster.

[John Hansen]

Looking for help here, wasn't sure where to post this.

 

Using my spinning rod, generally where ever my chest points is where my cast will go.  Spent my whole live with spinning reels and I am pretty danged accurate.  Got a new bait caster and I can not cast accurate enough to hit the broad side of a barn.  Literally.

 

Me and a buddy were out fishing off a dock.  I had been using the spinning reel and working a known spot for me to catch fish.  Switched rods and tackle to the bait cast with a top water frog.  First cast frog goes flying 90 degrees straight to my left and knocks my buddies beer off the dock.  I can not for the life of me get good straight casts with the bait caster.  I have watched all the youtube videos and still nothing.  I feel like I have picked up a bad habit with the spinning rod.  Anyone tell me what causes my casts to go sideways and not out?    I made quite a few casts, not even trying to get distances just trying to get it out there and they were all angled off to my side.

 

 

Am I releasing too late?  Whipping it too much?  Just looking for ideas.  

 

Thanks all.

[roadwarrior]

Read through the pinned threads at the top of the page.

[Raul]

The first thing to check is that your spool tension is set properly, when you are a newcomer to bc´s it´s very important to set it right because it impedes the spool from rotate, just a little too tight and the spool will initiate it´s rotation late in the swing, how tight ? lift your rod, press the release button and see how fast or slow the lure descends, faster means looser which ends up meaning quicker startup. Unfortunatetly when being a newcomer you´ll have to do it with almost every lure until you get the hang of the reel. Thousands have done it before you so you can do it too.

[mjseverson24]

biggest difference between spinning and casting equipment, is with spinning when you let go of the line on a cast it basically comes easily off the spool with little or no tension causing the bait to go basically where it was aimed when it was released, but with casting gear you need to anticipate the tension on the line so you release your thumb from the line about 30 degrees to the right (assuming casting right handed) of where you are intending to cast, this will also ensure the rod is still under load when you release your thumb... i would assume the reason you are having this issue is releasing too late, and the rod is already unloading/unloaded so you will get a big pull to your left... another issue is the way you cast, learn how to "roll" cast as this will keep all of the momentum going at your target instead of a right to left motion(common with spinning gear)... an over hand cast should also reduce the "shanked" cast as well... Raul is also correct that if the setting are too tight with the right to left type cast it will amplify the right to left motion of the bait... good luck...

 

Mitch 

[bootytrain]

This usually happens to me when the lure is way too light for the rod I'm using.

[new2BC4bass]

IMO Mitch pretty much nailed it.  I also grew up with spinning.  When I switched to a b/c reel, my casts were all going far left when throwing side arm...which is the best way to learn.  I am right handed.  It took some (lots) of practice before I could throw straight out using a side arm cast.  Release timing is completely different between the 2 reels.  Since then I learned how to roll cast.  Wish I had learned to use it from the very first.

 

The roll cast will accomplish several things.  1)  The lure won't fly nearly as far to the left.  2) It will maintain a constant load on the rod which will help eliminate backlashes.  However, even with a roll cast smoothness is critical.  3)  It will improve your confidence because of the first two reasons. 

 

I'm sure some people learned throwing over-hand casts.  For most of us it is a sure way to wind up with a backlash because of our timing being so far off.  You will wind up hitting the water right in front of you.  Better be quick with the thumb or else. 

 

Also follow all the other advice given on setting up your reel.  I over compensated by using too much spool tension the first year.  Then when I backed it off where I used just enough tension to remove side-to-side play, I almost had to learn to cast all over again.  Don't use a lot of spool tension for any longer than necessary while learning.  You will be ahead in the long run.

 

EDIT:  There are plenty of posts on learning to cast.  Try to search a few out.  Couplel things to remember are don't throw for the moon.  Use a weight towards the high side of the rod's rating.  Use a soft mono or fluoro or go with braid. Practice, practice, practice.  Then practice some more.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Just like throwing a ball, the direction of your swing and release point determine where the bait (or ball) will go. While learning don't try to throw anything too light. Stay in the upper half of the rod's lure weight rating. Practice form and develop a nice fluid casting stroke. Horsing a cast is the surest way to backlash and/or miss a target.

[John Hansen]

Ive read threads, watched the bassresource videos on youtube and read some more.  Im pretty sure Ive been setting up the reel correctly.  When button is clicked lures drops, not ultra fast but at a reasonable rate.  Im not really have issues with birds nests, had a couple but not too bad.  Even though I switch everything up I can't get my casts to go straight out.

[5fishlimit]

It sounds like a timing thing with your thumb releasing the reel.

What rod aand reel are you using?

Perhaps that info may help us understand the situation better.

[Raul]

Ok, so, reel settings are fine, the culprit is you, it's a matter of timing, your índex finger is timed, your thumb ain't, in order to develop the neuromuscular path ( fancy terms aren't they ? ) you have to , guess what ? practice !

[Mccallister25]

Practice makes perfect. Keep at it. When I started with casting reels, I actually would cast overhead to get the bait where I needed it to go. Maybe that could help, until you get the feel for your lures.

[John Hansen]

Abu Black Max reel and a 7' MH Abu Vengeance rod.  figured they would let me dip my toes in the water with bait casters.  Finishing finals then I can get out and practice more!

[WRB]

With a spinning reel your casting motion and mechanics is totally different from a bait casting reel.

Spinning rod/reel the motion is quick snap cast motion, all in the wrist.

Baitcasting the motion involves arm, wrist and hand motion similar to throwing a overhand bass ball pitch.

You make a figure 8 pattern parallel with the water with the thumb holding the spool pointed upright, the beginning of the spool release point is nearly 12 o'clock and fully released with very light thumb pad contact above the spool at 11 o'clock.

The exact rod position depends on your best feel. I prefer the rod to be about a 45 degree angle between a direct overhead and side arm casting motion, it's what works for me.

As you practice and get the motion down, you can loosen up on the spool tension to increase casting distance. You stop the reel spool with your thumb just before the lure lands to control the splash down and distance accurately.

If you snap the rod forward too fast without the rod loading up on the back motion,you will have trouble, slow down.

Tom

[Hattrick7]

I use to use a spinning setup and then learned a BC and yes my timing was way off. When I first tried to overhead cast with a BC the bait almost went straight down compared to what I was used to with a spinning set up.

You just gotta give it time and practice with it and you'll eventually get the hang if it. One tip I'd say is just get your timing down and forget about distance. Once you get your motion and release down everything should fall into place.

[new2BC4bass]

If you snap the rod forward too fast without the rod loading up on the back motion,you will have trouble, slow down.

Tom

 

Truer words were never spoken.  If you do this, you better be fast with the thumb (stop spool immediately) because the reel will backlash/overrun no matter how many years experience you have.  This is where the majority of my backlashes/overruns come from.  You have to remain smooth when reversing the casting stroke.

[OnthePotomac]

This may help.  http://pages.infinit.net/fishing/bait101.htm

[Drewski73]

#1) Give yourself a break. You dont know how to do something youve never done before! The only person that expected you to be able to, is you.

 

#2) Go outside when it isnt too windy, and there arent a ton of people around, and make a few hundred casts. Get comfy with the new setup BEFORE you try to land a frog in the perfect spot with it.

 

I recently bought my first boat. I had never pitched before in my life. It was insanely frustrating to try to learn that while my buddy was slaying them. When I got home, I made thousands of pitches in my backyard. I still grab a rod a couple nights a week and pitch with it. Its still not 2nd nature, but its getting close!

 

Youll get there! Just give yourself time.

[Fishes in trees]

When I was learning how to pitch, it seems like I had to unlearn some of the stuff I knew about casting.  In hind site, it might have been easier to have learned how to pitch first, then learn different distance casts.