New To The Forum And New To Baitcasters

[Kylems11]

Hello everyone. Just decided to join this forum because im still somewhat new to bass fishing and figure i can learn alot from here. So all my life i have used spinning reels. I just recently picked up my first baitcaster and having a little trouble with it. So i got the cast down pretty good, not the best obviously but can cast without getting a backlash about 80% of the time. The problem i am having though is when i try to make a long cast. Right now i am making shorter casts maybe 20-30 yards. But when i try to cast any further i get backlashes. I have watched alot of youtube videos and messed around with the settings on my reel. Still cant seem to do a long cast though without backlashing. With the weight i tied on to practice with i did adjust the reel(turning the spool tension all the way up and adjust it until your lure falls to the ground without getting a backlash). The reel i have has 4 breaks(the ones under the removable plate)i have 2 on right now. The knob you use to tune those has a setting of 1-10 i have mine on 5. To get a longer cast do i need to be focusing on adjusting the magnetic breaks?the the spool tension knob?do i need to do something else with my thumb? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Catch and Grease]

Welcome to the forums! Read the pinned threads about baitcasters at the top of the forum.

They will help you get an idea on how to set your baitcaster up, a 30 yard cast is pretty good!

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard! I second the information from C&G. There is a *LOT* of information on casting reels, how-to's, etc. Spend some time and you'll learn a lot!

[new2BC4bass]

   Welcome to the forum.

 

It may be necessary to use another internal brake, but first I would turn up the outer dial to 8-10.  Magnetic brakes have more affect at the end of the cast.  It will hurt distance a little, but should help a lot with the backlashes on hard casts.

[Catch and Grease]

Oh and BTW go on over to the introductions section and tell us a little about yourself!

[Jaderose]

You'll get there.  Last year at this time, I'd never thrown a baitcaster in my life.  This year, I have the brakes shut off and use nothing but the spool tension and my thumb and can get 30-40 yards with a flick of my wrist.  Practice, practice, practice.  Watch everything, read everything.  You'll get there....it's all about the muscle memory.

[Bladesmith,]

I have been using baitcasters since the Ambassadeur 5000 was state of the art. Now I have Diawas, Shimanos, Lew's, and modern Ambassadeurs. I consider 30 yards to be a very long cast, especially to cast that far with any kind of accuracy. When I see references to people making longer casts than that I think they are either exaggerating or don't know how far 30 yards is. Remember a yard is 3 feet. I didn't make this response to upset anyone but maybe your expectations of casting distance greater than 30 yards may not be realistic.

[John G]

I have been using baitcasters since the Ambassadeur 5000 was state of the art. Now I have Diawas, Shimanos, Lew's, and modern Ambassadeurs. I consider 30 yards to be a very long cast, especially to cast that far with any kind of accuracy. When I see references to people making longer casts than that I think they are either exaggerating or don't know how far 30 yards is. Remember a yard is 3 feet. I didn't make this response to upset anyone but maybe your expectations of casting distance greater than 30 yards may not be realistic.

I was thinking that same thing. 90' is not a short cast IMHO!

[hatrix]

You'll get there.  Last year at this time, I'd never thrown a baitcaster in my life.  This year, I have the brakes shut off and use nothing but the spool tension and my thumb and can get 30-40 yards with a flick of my wrist.  Practice, practice, practice.  Watch everything, read everything.  You'll get there....it's all about the muscle memory.

It has to be very minor tension. In my experience nothing will bring a cast to a end faster then tension. Once the spool starts to slow tension just brings it right to a halt.

[Kylems11]

Yea what am i kidding 30 yards. More like 10 yards. Man ive been messing with this baitcaster for about a week now and cant seem to cast more then 10 yards. Ive messed around with the settings tried tunning everything, tried different settings. And cant cast this thing longer then 10 yards if that. Am i doing something wrong?

[new2BC4bass]

I have been using baitcasters since the Ambassadeur 5000 was state of the art. Now I have Diawas, Shimanos, Lew's, and modern Ambassadeurs. I consider 30 yards to be a very long cast, especially to cast that far with any kind of accuracy. When I see references to people making longer casts than that I think they are either exaggerating or don't know how far 30 yards is. Remember a yard is 3 feet. I didn't make this response to upset anyone but maybe your expectations of casting distance greater than 30 yards may not be realistic.

 

I am normally casting fairly hard.  I'd guess that my average casts run 30-35 yards max.  I can do better with a few...especially when on the right rod throwing an aerodynamic lure of reasonable weight.  Mike of DVT supertuned a Curado 51E for me.  This reel on a 7' MF with a 5/16 oz. spinnerbait and 6# Siege beats my average cast, and a spinnerbait isn't one of the best lures for long distance casting.

[John G]

Yea what am i kidding 30 yards. More like 10 yards. Man ive been messing with this baitcaster for about a week now and cant seem to cast more then 10 yards. Ive messed around with the settings tried tunning everything, tried different settings. And cant cast this thing longer then 10 yards if that. Am i doing something wrong?

A little bit more info may help. What kind of reel and more important, what kind of rod. More specifically, what kind of action does your rod have? Is it a Medium/Fast, Medium Heavy/Fast etc. Also, how heavy is the weight that you are trying to throw?

 

Baitcasters backlash for only one reason and that reason is because the spool is spinning faster than the lure can take out the line. There are many reason why the lure may be traveling slower than the spool is spinning, but that is the reason.

 

If I were you,  I would buy a jig or use some other aerodynamic lure that is at the very upper end of your rods weight rating and I turn all of my brakes on and loosen the spool tension cap just enough so that your chosen lure falls to the ground and when it hit the ground, your spool does not overrun. BTW, Spinnerbaits are not aerodynamic!

 

Then I would get into a nice open area that is free of trees and bushes or anything else that your lure might catch on.

 

Then I would practice casting. I would use a two handed overhand cast. Put one hand on the reel and one near the bottom. When you cast, try to release your thumb when the tip of your rod is at the one 1 to 2 o'clock position.

 

DO NOT use all of your strength and try to cast to China. 

 

A nice smooth cast is fine until you get your casting motion down pat.

 

If and when you are successful casting like this, loosen your brakes up just a little bit. The brakes are there for a reason. There is no sane reason that a noob should be using half of the brakes when you should be using all of them.

 

Hope this helps!

[new2BC4bass]

It has to be very minor tension. In my experience nothing will bring a cast to a end faster then tension. Once the spool starts to slow tension just brings it right to a halt.

 

First year I used a baitcaster I was running spool tension way too tight.  Guy I sent my Fuego to said he couldn't even cast a 1/4 oz. weight the way it was set up.  He lowered spool tension, and it flew.  Took me a while to learn to cast with very light tension, but it was worth the effort.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Welcome to the forum. The rod has more to do with casting than the reel does, and as stated above 90' on a cast is plenty. Accuracy is what will put fish in the boat (or net...). A smooth stroke and a rod that loads properly will maximize casting distance when you have to (deep cranks, covering water with a spinner bait, casting to rising fish). Horsing a cast is the surest path to the backlash from hell. Sounds like you're doing fine. Study, practice and most of all enjoy. 

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

Practice with 1/2oz.

Turn off the mag breaks and activate all four centrifugals.

When you cast, ride the spool with your thumb. Tighten down with your thumb a bit if you feel the line start to get loose.

In my opinion, a person should train without brakes, then use brakes to make life easier. I used to practice with Grandpa's old Bronson a lot for this reason. That thing has no brakes and the handle spins on the cast!

I do regularly do 40+ yards when I practice with a 5/8oz dropshot weight. I could go further but my target tree is at 40 yards.

These reels are supertuned, and so I expect more from them than stock reels.

Stock, I expect 30 yards from a good baitcaster. What kind do you have?

Josh

[Kylems11]

A little bit more info may help. What kind of reel and more important, what kind of rod. More specifically, what kind of action does your rod have? Is it a Medium/Fast, Medium Heavy/Fast etc. Also, how heavy is the weight that you are trying to throw?

 

Baitcasters backlash for only one reason and that reason is because the spool is spinning faster than the lure can take out the line. There are many reason why the lure may be traveling slower than the spool is spinning, but that is the reason.

 

If I were you,  I would buy a jig or use some other aerodynamic lure that is at the very upper end of your rods weight rating and I turn all of my brakes on and loosen the spool tension cap just enough so that your chosen lure falls to the ground and when it hit the ground, your spool does not overrun. BTW, Spinnerbaits are not aerodynamic!

 

Then I would get into a nice open area that is free of trees and bushes or anything else that your lure might catch on.

 

Then I would practice casting. I would use a two handed overhand cast. Put one hand on the reel and one near the bottom. When you cast, try to release your thumb when the tip of your rod is at the one 1 to 2 o'clock position.

 

DO NOT use all of your strength and try to cast to China. 

 

A nice smooth cast is fine until you get your casting motion down pat.

 

If and when you are successful casting like this, loosen your brakes up just a little bit. The brakes are there for a reason. There is no sane reason that a noob should be using half of the brakes when you should be using all of them.

 

Hope this helps!

I have an abu garcia vendetta pole 6'6". Medium heavy, extra fast action, my reel is a bass pro brand. And i have been practicing with a half ounce weight. Like i said i have been making short casts pretty good with no backlashes, but as soon as i try to cast harder to get farther, or if i turn the spool tension down it seems to be backlashing towards the end of my cast.

[IAY]

I don't have any BP reels, but I know that some have internal centrifugal breaking system in it. Have you opened it up and to take a look at it? 

[hatrix]

I think you would learn to cast with only cent brakes on and maybe a little mag. Don't use any tension as that will only force you to cast harder. I have not used every reel on the planet and I do not claim to be psychic but I don't think there is a reel with cent brakes that will backlash it self with them all on. Just make a regular cast just do it a little lighter and you shouldn't have to touch the spool.

Get the feeling for the spool on your thumb and keep taking them off 1 at a time till you get down to 1 or 2 and your all set. Don't ever use any tension to learn how to cast. Or for that matter after you become good. Tension IMO is a last resort.

I have taught a couple people with this method and it takes no time to learn really.

[Kylems11]

My reel has the spool tension knob, then on the opposite side another knob numbered 1-10, then when you take the side plate off on that same side it has a switch numbered 1-4. These are the centrifugal breaks right? What ones are the magnetic breaks? Or do reels have either one or the other? Taking the advice from john g i just took my pole out and did a bunch of casts making sure that i release my thumb at about the 2oclock position and my casts are getting more toawds 20 yards then 10. So im assuming i was either releasing my thumb too early or too late because before my cast was more of a line drive and now im getting a little more arc on the cast and it seems to be casting alot farther.

[hatrix]

Yes the tension is under the drag star on the same side as the handle. Just make sure it is tight enough that if you try to move the spool with your finger it doesn't move side to side. That will still be free spool without having any tension reducing your cast. The outside dial on the opposite side of the handle is mag brakes. Those help in slowing a cast down at the end of it. On the same side under that plate with the mag is the centrifugal brakes. Those are basically like your thumb. The faster the spool spins the harder out they push against the race to slow it down. Those work all the way through the cast unlike mags that mostly only work at the end. Mags are also used in winds to slow the spool down if like your lure gets blown and all of a sudden slows down a bunch those kick on to slow down the spool also.

[new2BC4bass]

I have an abu garcia vendetta pole 6'6". Medium heavy, extra fast action, my reel is a bass pro brand. And i have been practicing with a half ounce weight. Like i said i have been making short casts pretty good with no backlashes, but as soon as i try to cast harder to get farther, or if i turn the spool tension down it seems to be backlashing towards the end of my cast.

 

That rod should be okay with 1/2 oz. even tho Abu rods are under-rated.  Still it wouldn't hurt to increase weight to 5/8 oz.  My 7'6"  MHF Villain is rated down to 3/8 oz., but even a 1/2 oz. lure doesn't yield much distance.

 

I don't have much experience with an XF action rod, but I don't think that is the action I would use if looking for long distance casts.  A 7' (or longer)  MHF should get you where you want to be with a 1/2 oz. lure.

 

As I already stated, turn the mag brake up to help control backlash at the end of the cast.  You shouldn't need more than the normally suggested spool tension.  Too much actually works against your learning.  I should know.