Need help With Baitcasting

[frosty]

1 hour ago, Hulkster said:

as you get better and better and get to know your reel, you may find you don't even thumb your reel as it casts. I've been using a baitcaster now since the late 90s and my thumb only makes contact to stop the spool as the lure hits the water. during the cast my thumb is off the spool.  I guess its how I learned. don't know if im in the minority on this??

I don't use my thumb until I start hearing the line going through the eyes slow down. I've only been using a baitcaster again for a few months, used them a little way back in the 90's, but we didn't have bassresource  and me and dad didn't really know anyone who fished so we just kinda wung it. Needless to say we didn't use them for long!

[ohihunter2014]

1. would you guys think the medium/heavy rod would be causing an issue and i should go medium?

[Damn Yankee]

The rod you have is fine,should throw a 1/2oz.lure well.Practice your roll cast and remember to use a reversed c motion or c motion for lefties.As mentioned b4 let the rod do the work. Accuracy is more important than distance at this point. Heavier lures won't pull left as much.

Now get out there and practice! 

[jr231]

DONT WHIP IT ! You want a nice smooth motion... Using your thumb is called feathering the spool.. 

 

The spool tension is a bigger deal than your brake system ! I rarely use any brakes but always adjust my spool tension for the lure I am using.... 

 

I don't have my thumb on the spool while my lure is traveling... Only lightly press (feather) as the bait hits the water so it doesn't get the over run. 

 

Tighten your spool tension just a bit til you get comfortable with your casting motion.  And then ease off it as you get more comfortable with it. 

[iiTzChunky]

Just like everything else in life, practice practice practice. You'll get the hang of it. And once you do you'll wonder why it was so hard to figure it out. 

[BassGirl71]

On 4/16/2017 at 7:54 AM, MassBassin508 said:

Once you get it down,that sideways wrist flick will become your friend.I almost never cast overhand with a baitcaster.Use the correct weighted lures,let the rod do the work.If the rod loads properly and your keep ithe cast under control,you can bomb a lure with a simple wrist flick.If your trying to throw it across the pond you'll be picking your line out a lot.Like @Fishin' Fool said.Keep it controlled,take it easy and that lure will go plenty far.

I was going to say the same thing.  The roll cast is about all I use when casting.  If you are going to cast overhand, turn your hand sideways so the reel is at a 90 degree angle to where you are throwing.  Using a bait caster is tricky to learn, but once you get it down you'll wonder why it was ever so hard.  You can't just cast straight out like you would with a spinning reel.  Keep at it and you'll get it.

[Hulkster]

Quote

 You can't just cast straight out like you would with a spinning reel.

 

I cast exactly the same with a spinning reel as I do a baitcasting reel. the only catch being you need to let your rod load fully with a baitcaster to get that momentum of your lure going otherwise the spool spins faster than the line is being played out and bingo: backlash time.

[NHBull]

Can't imagine saying anything that hasn't  been said, but I was in your boat not to long ago.

The video available on youtube are invaluable.

What I went back to

1. Dial in your lure.

2.  Never let you elbow leave your side

3. Start side arm

4 use only your wrist

5. Cast short distances until you can drop it in a bucket at will, before adding distance.

Practice,practice,practice 

 

Look on the positive side, you are getting great experience on getting out bird nest!

[new2BC4bass]

13 hours ago, Hulkster said:

I cast exactly the same with a spinning reel as I do a baitcasting reel. the only catch being you need to let your rod load fully with a baitcaster to get that momentum of your lure going otherwise the spool spins faster than the line is being played out and bingo: backlash time.

 

Yup.  Except for one minor detail.  I can guarantee your release points are not in the same location for both types of reels.

[Hulkster]

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

 

Yup.  Except for one minor detail.  I can guarantee your release points are not in the same location for both types of reels.

 

very true

[12poundbass]

On 4/17/2017 at 11:14 AM, frosty said:

I don't use my thumb until I start hearing the line going through the eyes slow down. I've only been using a baitcaster again for a few months, used them a little way back in the 90's, but we didn't have bassresource  and me and dad didn't really know anyone who fished so we just kinda wung it. Needless to say we didn't use them for long!

Your story is similar to mine around '00-'01 my friend and I saved our money and each bought a bait caster. Well young, dumb, and knew everything didn't read directiins. Spooled them up, tied on lures and away we went. After 45 minutes and we were on our way to take them back because we couldn't get more than 15' each cast. Fast forward a few years, buy a new one read the directions and what do ya know....it went further than 15'! Now all I pretty much use is baitcasters. 

[frosty]

3 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

Your story is similar to mine around '00-'01 my friend and I saved our money and each bought a bait caster. Well young, dumb, and knew everything didn't read directiins. Spooled them up, tied on lures and away we went. After 45 minutes and we were on our way to take them back because we couldn't get more than 15' each cast. Fast forward a few years, buy a new one read the directions and what do ya know....it went further than 15'! Now all I pretty much use is baitcasters. 

I love using mine, it's so effortless to get a good cast , and once I quit thinking about it it feels really natural. I still occasionally hook one to the left, usually when I'm trying to get back in the water fast

[ohihunter2014]

Well it's official I'm done with these things!! Went out today and got the bait to fall without a backlash and still throwing left and lost 2 baits and my lightning rod shock cracked when trying to get the snag undone. 2nd time these things cracked one was while setting a hook the tip snapped. I'm done with it too much headache I'll just stick with spinning gear.

[frosty]

56 minutes ago, ohihunter2014 said:

Well it's official I'm done with these things!! Went out today and got the bait to fall without a backlash and still throwing left and lost 2 baits and my lightning rod shock cracked when trying to get the snag undone. 2nd time these things cracked one was while setting a hook the tip snapped. I'm done with it too much headache I'll just stick with spinning gear.

Don't give up on it! It will work, but your going to have to keep practicing. Go cast in the back yard with a 1/4 ounce weight or somewhere there's not a bunch of trees. Don't muscle it, just smooth and clean is what you want. The rod cracking, that's crazy. I'd be calling Berkley about a faulty product if it's happened twice! Good luck, just don't give up!

[ohihunter2014]

30 minutes ago, frosty said:

Don't give up on it! It will work, but your going to have to keep practicing. Go cast in the back yard with a 1/4 ounce weight or somewhere there's not a bunch of trees. Don't muscle it, just smooth and clean is what you want. The rod cracking, that's crazy. I'd be calling Berkley about a faulty product if it's happened twice! Good luck, just don't give up!

first one I got a hard bite and set the hook and heard crack and looked and the top eye broke right off. took it back to Walmart and had to go through hell cause I got a clearance medium/heavy for the $9. the girl said get another one which I did but It rang up $40 she said if you can find one online for $9 within x miles ill price match it. so standing there for 20 min trying to find a store with another $9 rod I found one for $15 so got my replacement for $6 more.

 

today I got snagged and upon pulling on it I heard the blank start cracking. idk if its because Walmart just crams all the rods in a little rack and they get cracked or what but it finally broke so its in the trash.

 

No matter what I tried today I got either bad backlashes or the thing slings far left. I would push the button, lure falls slow and hits the ground with no backlash and then I cast and backlash. I tried what was posted on here in a video about letting the rod load up and then cast and it made me get the worst backlash and I even went with a spinner bait thinking the heavy/med rod needed a heavier bait.

[new2BC4bass]

It is too bad most of us have to learn on our own.  A friend who is proficient with a baitcast reel to watch us cast and make suggestions would be a big help.  Also if they could cast the reel well, then we would know it was us and not the rod/reel combo.  I know it took me longer to become decent with a baitcast reel than it should have.

 

I like seeing people use a baitcast reel because I like them so well, but I'd rather see you stick with a spinning reel if trying to use a baitcast reel caused you to give up fishing.  There are a few on here that only use spinning.  Nothing says you have to use a baitcast reel if it is causing you too much frustration.  Fishing should be fun....whether you are using a baitcst reel, a spinning reel or a line tied on a cane pole.

 

I don't know where you live, but I am certain that if there is anyone on this board living near you, they would be glad to help you learn to use a baitcast reel.  You probably have mentioned where you live, but I don't remember, and there is nothing in your profile to give a hint as to your location.  Stop by if you are ever in my area.  I've got several baitcast reels and would be willing to let you try them.

[pondbassin101]

Learning how to cast right witha baitcaster was the most frustrating thing Iv'e ever done

[frosty]

3 hours ago, ohihunter2014 said:

first one I got a hard bite and set the hook and heard crack and looked and the top eye broke right off. took it back to Walmart and had to go through hell cause I got a clearance medium/heavy for the $9. the girl said get another one which I did but It rang up $40 she said if you can find one online for $9 within x miles ill price match it. so standing there for 20 min trying to find a store with another $9 rod I found one for $15 so got my replacement for $6 more.

 

today I got snagged and upon pulling on it I heard the blank start cracking. idk if its because Walmart just crams all the rods in a little rack and they get cracked or what but it finally broke so its in the trash.

 

No matter what I tried today I got either bad backlashes or the thing slings far left. I would push the button, lure falls slow and hits the ground with no backlash and then I cast and backlash. I tried what was posted on here in a video about letting the rod load up and then cast and it made me get the worst backlash and I even went with a spinner bait thinking the heavy/med rod needed a heavier bait.

Well that really sucks about the rods, I would seriously call Berkley about it, I think those have a 1 year warranty. I was using mine the other day, zipping them out there with a roll cast (which is seriously the easiest way to cast just starting out) then I moved to the other side of the pond and it was one over run after another, then I realized I was casting into the wind! Do you have braid on it? If so you should be able to hear the braid when it starts slowing down, then just thumb that spool, don't worry about a no splash landing right now, get the basics down then worry about improving the small details. 

[ohihunter2014]

1 hour ago, frosty said:

Well that really sucks about the rods, I would seriously call Berkley about it, I think those have a 1 year warranty. I was using mine the other day, zipping them out there with a roll cast (which is seriously the easiest way to cast just starting out) then I moved to the other side of the pond and it was one over run after another, then I realized I was casting into the wind! Do you have braid on it? If so you should be able to hear the braid when it starts slowing down, then just thumb that spool, don't worry about a no splash landing right now, get the basics down then worry about improving the small details. 

First rod was returned and swapped out. When this one cracked it ticked me off so much as well as messing with the reel I chucked it in the can and left. nothing like 50miles round trip. I've got braid on it. it was very windy today. I might give it another shot but it will be awhile. I might just get an ugly stick and be done with it. I've pulled in big channel cats on my lite ugly stick so I won't have to worry about getting a snag and the rod cracking. When the rod today cracked it was by the thick part towards the grip it sounded like rice crispys! 

 

i just have to get to get to a place with no trees, no crap on the bottom and have at it. I think this lake ticked me off more than the rod/reel which made me say screw it but it's supposed to be the best in the area. wind kicked up 30min after I arrived, tons of submerged trees you can't see and heavy grass and bushes in the water. snag city. 

 

Thanks for the advice guys I'm taking a break for while and use my spinning stuff.

[Jaderose]

I bought my first BC in the WINTER....when I wasn't fishing.  And backlashed the hell out of it until about March when ...guess what?  It was time to fish.  I would never, ever, ever, advise someone to spool up a BC and take it out to a lake to fish with.  Get some plugs of different sizes and practice in the yard.

[frosty]

1 hour ago, ohihunter2014 said:

First rod was returned and swapped out. When this one cracked it ticked me off so much as well as messing with the reel I chucked it in the can and left. nothing like 50miles round trip. I've got braid on it. it was very windy today. I might give it another shot but it will be awhile. I might just get an ugly stick and be done with it. I've pulled in big channel cats on my lite ugly stick so I won't have to worry about getting a snag and the rod cracking. When the rod today cracked it was by the thick part towards the grip it sounded like rice crispys! 

 

i just have to get to get to a place with no trees, no crap on the bottom and have at it. I think this lake ticked me off more than the rod/reel which made me say screw it but it's supposed to be the best in the area. wind kicked up 30min after I arrived, tons of submerged trees you can't see and heavy grass and bushes in the water. snag city. 

 

Thanks for the advice guys I'm taking a break for while and use my spinning stuff.

Oh man, wind sucks. Glad you're not giving up on it, maybe practice at a lake you know to avoid any added frustration.  You'll get it, what kind of baitcaster are you using?

[ohihunter2014]

12 hours ago, frosty said:

Oh man, wind sucks. Glad you're not giving up on it, maybe practice at a lake you know to avoid any added frustration.  You'll get it, what kind of baitcaster are you using?

its a pinnical. I cant remember what model but last time I looked it up its around $60-70. I think the heavy action rod trying to throw square bills and lipless baits it was too stiff. I have an old ugly stick ill try with it.

[frosty]

2 minutes ago, ohihunter2014 said:

its a pinnical. I cant remember what model but last time I looked it up its around $60-70. I think the heavy action rod trying to throw square bills and lipless baits it was too stiff. I have an old ugly stick ill try with it.

Very well could be to much rod. You get birds nest when the spool goes faster than the line coming off of it, so I'm going to guess your heavy action rod wasn't loading up properly, leading to short casts and the lure just kinda lobbing out there. Hopefully you'll have an easier time with a lighter rod. 

[Lures'n'Liberty]

On 4/22/2017 at 1:02 PM, ohihunter2014 said:

Well it's official I'm done with these things!! Went out today and got the bait to fall without a backlash and still throwing left and lost 2 baits and my lightning rod shock cracked when trying to get the snag undone. 2nd time these things cracked one was while setting a hook the tip snapped. I'm done with it too much headache I'll just stick with spinning gear.

I said the same thing a while ago. I wound up buying a quality push button reel so my girlfriend could use a nicer rod and went back to spinning equipment. Split with girl, kept rod. Used it once on a whim when a spinning reel broke, immediately bought 2 more and started a collection. I'll never say never but I have absolutely no desire to touch a baitcaster again. If I have 4 hours to fish, I want to spend 4 hours fishing, not 2 hours fishing and 2 hours untangling.

[Glenn]