How To Use A Baitcaster

[Zmokin]

My son wants to try his luck at salmon fishing, so I knew I needed to get something heavier than the ultra lightweight spinning gear I normally use (2 lb test is my favorite line).  So we bought him a longer medium weight pole, and a Abu Garcia Bait Caster reel and some 15 lb test line.

I put the line on the reel and with my first cast, proceeded to end up with a rats nest on the reel.  I figured with the heavier pound test, maybe it needed to rest and get used to being on the reel, so I managed to remove the rats nest and get to fresh line.  Waited a few weeks, and once again, a single cast ends up with a rat nest.  I've never had this kind of problem with my open bail spinning reels. 

 

I'm in desperate need of advice as it is too late for me to return the reel now.  If I can't master casting with this reel to then teach my son how to, I guess I'm going to have to eat the cost and buy a reel I know how to use.

[Long Mike]

There is a ton of information to be gained simply by reading the articles in our Fishing Articles section.  Here's one that may help.

http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/how-to-use-baitcaster.html

[Zmokin]

There is a ton of information to be gained simply by reading the articles in our Fishing Articles section.  Here's one that may help.

http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/how-to-use-baitcaster.html

Well, that helped to prove my ignorance.

 

Please explain what this means as I have a feeling this just might be my problem, but I am at a loss as to what to do exactly.  This sounds like I am supposed to disassemble the darn thing.

 

 " Setting up the baitcaster’s anti-backlash system is next.  “On a general setup I would pull out at least three of the centrifugal brake pins,” says Ponds. “On the right hand side of most reels is an anti-backlash dial. I would set that up by tying my plug on and back off that dial until the lure barely starts to drop and then turn it up just a little bit from there. As you progress you can loosen it up and also mash in one of the brakes.”  Even though he is a seasoned veteran with a baitcaster Ponds always keeps one brake pin engaged."

[ThatZX14Fella]

What hand retrieval is your reel?

[deep]

I'll try to keep it simple.

 

1. Tie on a 1/2 oz casting weight (a sinker/ worm weight will do).

2. Set the spool tension knob (should be on your reel's handle side) tight enough so that the weight falls *slowly* when you disengage the reel, and the spool *stops* when it (the weight) hits the water.

3. Turn the brakes to at least 50% or higher.

4. Practice casting so that the rod does the work (don't snap-cast).

 

Hope that helps a little.

[ThatZX14Fella]

Listen to him. I was gonna try to simplify it a little more, but he done better than I would've.

[chelboed]

For a second, I thought this was a troll.

[new2BC4bass]

Which model?  I assume it is new so its braking system should be either a magnetic brake or a dual brake system,  I'm not familiar with all of Abu's reels so they may have a centrifugal only brake system as well.  If you bought a round reel, it most likely will have centrifugal brakes or a version thereof.

 

If it is magnetic only, set spool tension as described by Mr. Deep.  Set the magnetic brakes to MAX.  Distance won't be great, but that is not the point when trying to learn.  I feel the side arm roll cast is the best cast to use while learning.  It keeps the rod tip loaded, and helps to maintain a smooth casting stroke.  You can't snap cast a baitcast reel like you do a spinning reel.  Instant backlash.  Point of release is totally different from a spinning reel.  More than likely your first casts will go way left....if casting right handed.

 

The majority of backlashes are at the beginning of the cast which is why a centrifugal or dual braking reel is the type normally suggested to learn on.  If centrifugal braking, and a 6-pin style, turn on at least 4 of the pins (slide them out).  Remember the first thing you have to do is to start training your thumb.  Once you start getting the hang of it, THEN start turning your brakes down.  Once you can handle low brakes, start backing off on spool tension.  Distance will increase automatically.  It is also a good idea to do some initial practicing in your yard or a park.  If your first casts are on the water while trying to fish, you will wind up frustrated in a hurry.  No one wants to be removing a backlash when they could be fishing.    If a bite is on, you will drop that baitcast reel and grab a spinning rod.  Can't learn to use a baitcast reel if it isn't in your hand. 

 

EDIT:  I also want to welcome you to the forum.  It helps to fill out your profile.  Guys on here like to help.  Most would be glad to stop by if living in your area, and give a few pointers.   Maybe even offer to let you try a couple of their reels........once you stopped backlashing every other cast. 

[DocNsanE]

Here are a video that will help you figure this out:

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/cast-adjust-baitcast.html

 

There is certainly a learning curve to using a baitcaster but it's certainly not an impossible task. Usually, better reels do a better job at preventing backlashes, but you should be able to dial in the settings correctly to get yours to work.

 

You should train your thumb though. Even you set it in a way where it won't backlash every cast, use your thumb to feather the spool as the bait is approaching its destination and apply a bit of pressure as it hits the water. This is to ensure the spool does not continue to spin with its own momentum. You want the lure to be pulling line out only.

[ThatZX14Fella]

Well, I'm kind of proud of myself. I decided to see how good I'd do with mine and so I made the spool tension really loose and practiced. I don't know how to access the brakes on my reel because I don't see any way to get the sideplate off. Anyways, I made quite a few casts and didn't backlash. I didn't seem to cast very much further than I do when I have my spool tension knob to where the bait slowly falls. Not sure if that is because of using too much thumb pressure or because of the brakes. I'm proud of myself nonetheless, because I've never considered myself very good with a baitcaster.

[Zmokin]

Thanks everyone for your help.  This certainly is going to be a lot more work than I expected.  I don't know if I can master the art of feathering with my thumb, let alone try to teach someone else how to do something that I can't.  And it may be that from my own ignorance, I bought the wrong kind of reel for the intended application.  I'll give it a go but I'm losing optimism, which is a rare thing for me.

[Zmokin]

OK, checking things out, I have an Abu Garcia Black Maxx.  Am I correct if I turn my magnetic brake up higher, I might be able to prevent backlash without having to feather with my thumb?  It looks like my drag was set to minimum and my magnetic brake was all of the way off and I did not feather, so I'm pretty sure my reel and user technique was set up for maximum backlash which is exactly what I experienced twice in a row.

[Zmokin]

One more question.  How much line should I have on the reel?  Should it be close to full, or should I only fill the spool part way?

[ThatZX14Fella]

If you turn the magnetic brake up it'll be less likely to backlash. Turn it down when you start getting comfortable with your abilities. Your spool should be almost full with line.

[Zmokin]

If you turn the magnetic brake up it'll be less likely to backlash. Turn it down when you start getting comfortable with your abilities. Your spool should be almost full with line.

 

Thanks, I can report some success.  I haven't tried to feather with my thumb, but I'm able to cast without creating a rat's nest.  Problem is I can't cast very far, but I'm willing to live with that for the time being.  I know I have the drag & brake turned up more than normal.  My spool was pretty full before cutting off my first 2 disasters.  I know it still has plenty of line for now, but at least now, I'm OK with working on learning the technique of this reel enough to teach my son how to use it.

 

Again, thanks everyone for your help.