New @ fishing looking for help

[B1gD4ddy]

Hello all, I am new to the fishing world.. Well I fished when I was a kid but stopped when I was about 12 as I never could catch anything except for mackeral when visiting my grandparents..  Anyways I remember the joy of fishing and now being a father of 4 I really want to get "good" to teach them the joy.  I have been out a few times this year so far but keep getting knots when casting,  I feel like I'm spending more time trying to undo the knots then fishing, I'm. Using 30# braid on a spinning reel this is what the sales guy said was best for river fishing in my area.  What am I doing wrong? I don't remember this ever happening to me as a kid. 

In advance I want to extend my appreciation for any assistance.  This is frustrating and know it will deture my kids from taking up this sport.  I spooled this past Friday and already need to respool.  I filled the spool to about 1/8 from the edge like I seen on a youtube video but couldn't find anything to help me with knots when casting, maybe I am not searching the right words.

thanks again everyone happy fishing

[j bab]

Are you closing the bail manually after each cast or are you slamming it shut by reeling before it's closed?

[Yudo1]

It sounds like you're getting wind knots.  Make sure the rod tip loads before casting forward.  It just takes a bit of practice and there are tons great videos online to help.  Always close bail with you hand and not by cranking the handle.

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

Some good advice above. Wind knots can 
be a pain, but as you learn you'll get better
at avoiding them.

My youngest son often whips the rod and 
when it doesn't do what he wants, he shakes
the tip, making whatever he did worse.

So loading up the rod is the right idea. This 
means as you rear it back to cast, the weight
of the lure causes the rod to bend back, then
you fling it forward.

Now you also want to know what weights your
rod is listed for. Look above the handle where
there's writing on the rod. You'll see some 
weights there. You could be casting something
that is too light...

[B1gD4ddy]

Thanks gents..  When I was getting them (seems like every 4th cast) I was using just a soft plastic worm on a black ring (waky style I believe) no weights, so I was probably too light I will double check..  Thanks so much,  ill post back once I get back out to confirm the tips 

[B1gD4ddy]

After looking at the rod (boy this reply is delayed) it was rated for 6-12lb test, it didn't mention anything about lure weight requirement.  I did switch braid brand to spider wire brand and have not had an issue, the very odd wind knot but nothing like before which I guess is to be expected. 

I thank you all again for the tips in this manner.

[new2BC4bass]

57 minutes ago, B1gD4ddy said:

After looking at the rod (boy this reply is delayed) it was rated for 6-12lb test, it didn't mention anything about lure weight requirement.  I did switch braid brand to spider wire brand and have not had an issue, the very odd wind knot but nothing like before which I guess is to be expected. 

I thank you all again for the tips in this manner.

In that case it is probably a Medium power rod rated in the 1/8-5/8 oz. area.

I had hoped to turn my grandsons into fishing partners, but no luck.  Kids need action.  Even panfish aren't plentiful in my area.  I suppose that is because of fishing pressure and the fact that most people keep just about any fish they catch.  I remember catching them in the hundreds back when my brothers and I were young.  Different part of the country, tho.

[fishnkamp]

B1gD4ddy  Where do you live and what type of waters are you fishing?  Are you fishing from a boat or shore. To keep the kids interested in the beginning I always go to a lake or pond that I can shore fish from. Rig up the old bobber and worms.  Make sure there is a small swivel to help with line twist.  Panfish are always willing to bite in a pond or small lake.

As for new2BC4bass you live close enough to my good friend Jamie. She is the only female Captain and of the best guides on the planet.  Give her a call and tell Bob Rampolla sent you. Tell her you are interested in taking her regular night trip, but want to go early in order to catch some panfish and a few smallies.  She knows the Susquehanna, and can handle the aircraft carrier of a boat ,better than I have ever seen anyone on that river. Hopefully the river gods will smile upon you and each of you can catch their own river monster.  My biggest cat was 18 pounds, my wife caught a 341/2 pound monster.  Jamie will give you an amazing trip, but can also teach you how to rig rods to catch fish in waters near you.  Her website is  http://www.breaklinecharters.com/  She even does fishing schools, check out her website and facebook pages.  She runs her trips out of a county park near York PA so it is not too far from you.  I promise you will enjoy your time with her. I first met Jamie at Big Bee boats before she was a guide. She sold me my current boat.  Hope this helps and we want to see fish pictures.

[B1gD4ddy]

New2BC4Bass I've experienced something similar in a honey hole in the river there has been some families come down and take out a ton of fish, fish we were catching and putting back but what can you do, I didn't want to report them for removing the amount ad the family was fishing for food and they had 5 kids and (bad of me to say) looked like they needed the food...  

Fishnkamp I live in southwestern Ontario do mostly shore fishing but my wife got me an inflatable raft for Christmas this past year so I have gotten  out a few times on that, SO much fun.. I think I'm gonna try the bobber worm technique this weekend coming and see how they fair..  thanks

[fishnkamp]

When you rig up make sure to tie on a small swivel and then some mono below that. The bobber would go above the swivel and I always use a small lead split shot below the swivel. That swivel helps eliminate some line twist issues..  Boy you live near some good water.  My sister got her PHD in Mid-Medieval history at Trinity College in Toronto. Boy the QE2 was a snooze fest back in the 90's.  Nothing to see for miles.

[MickD]

I only use braid that heavy when I'm going saltwater fishing and can hook into big barracuda or similarly powered fish.  For my bass fishing I don't go over 15.  Braid usually breaks above its advertised strength, so I expect either 10 or 15 will be OK.  Lighter braids don't seem to mind being twisted as much as heavier braids or mono/copolymer/flouro.  I can see the twist in mine all the time, but it seldom gives me a knot.  The swivel is a good idea, but I suggest a quality ball bearing swivel.  I really don't think the cheap ones do a lot of swiveling.  If your mono leader has a lower test strength, then you won't be losing the swivel with break-offs. 

If you are new to braid, you may have to learn some new knots.  Do some research on line to line knots with braid and line to lure knots (if you are not using a leader).

[new2BC4bass]

OP, for tying on lures or hooks I use the Uni Knot.  Check it out Online.  A very strong knot that holds well.  Run the line through the hook/lure eye twice, and it is called a Fish N Fool Knot.  The Improved Clinch is another easy knot to tie.  Used it for years with mono.  There are lots of excellent knots that can give you hours of entertainment practicing your tying. 

If tying on hooks for live worms and minnows, the Snell Knot is very strong.  I use the Uni for hooks as I haven't fished live bait in years.  Not that you couldn't use a Snell Knot for plastics as well.  I just prefer the Uni.

[B1gD4ddy]

Just to clarify on your use of a bobber you apply the bobber to your main line be it braid mono floro attach a swivel to that and then mono on the other end of the swivel..  attaching the bobber above the swivel (depth determining how far from swivel?) And then a lead split shot weight right below the swivel...  or do you use the mono below the swivel to determine fishing depth? 

Sorry if this is a little redundant 

As for knots I use the palomer knot...  it can be tricky with those lures with multiple treble hooks but haven't had a knot ever let go on me..

When looking at the rating on the braid maybe I just don't get the comparison to mono.  30# braid was rated as 10lb mono according to the pack..  

[fishnkamp]

I tie the swivel to the main line then add about 14 to 18 inches  of either mono or copolymer line to which I tie my hook. I rarely ever fish less than 1 and a half to 2 foot deep, even for bluegill. The split shot is about 6 inches above the hook. I find when i cast it helps the bait get tangled less and makes the bait drop straight down.  I adjust my bobber on the main line in order to raise or lower my bait.  I always use the small Aberdeen style hooks, Eagle Claw and some others sell them, It is a small straight shank gold colored lite wire hook.  This rig works good on bluegill, crappie, rockbass, and perch.  My favorite bobbers are the cheap red and white cheap plastic ones with the spring wound around one end and a notch. 

The braid to mono equation is not strength- it is diameter. So if a  reel holds 150 yards of 8 pound  mono then it would hold roughly 150 yards of 30 Pound Power Pro Braid as it is equal in diameter.

[frosty]

If you don't mind, what kind of braid were you using? I've got power pro on a spinning reel, and I have no line twist issues or problems with wind knots. Are you letting the line hang slack?  I try to keep mine semi taught, that way when the wind blows there's not enough line slack to let it twist up.