Baitcaster for plastic worms????

[new2BC4bass]

23 hours ago, JimSparks said:

That makes sense. I was for sure whipping it out there. I'll give that a shot. I feel comfortable casting all my other stuff with a baitcaster. Not an expert by any means, but not a backlash yet this season. It's just the plastics. I watched half of the video. I'll catch the other half today. Definitely will work on my setup and then technique. I want to get a new reel once I get it down. Something with at least 7:1 gear ratio. I am looking at the Abu Garcia Pro Max. I'm thinking decent bang for the buck? I can find them for about $50. 

 

This is probably your biggest problem.  The spool really speeds up at the beginning of such a cast which is going to require good thumb work by you.  Tightening down the spool tension a lot will help avoid backlashes...........but brings its own problems.  For one you start throwing harder to get the distance you want.  Throwing hard with a baitcast is not as easy as with other types of reels.  That is how I taught myself to cast the first year I got into baitcast reels.  That winter I sent a few to an Online friend who offered to clean them and upgrade a couple.  His comment was that the spool tension was so tight on my Fuego that he couldn't cast a 1/4 oz. weight the way I had the reel set up.

 

At his suggestion, I lowered spool tension to where it was just enough to remove side-to-side play and filled spool to the bevel.  Basically I almost had to relearn to cast................but it was worth the effort.  Set up thusly it doesn't require a hard cast to get decent distance.  Let the rod do its work.  It seems from your previous comment that you do very well other than with the plastics.  It may require a bit more practice to get the thumb working right on the plastics.

 

I have never used a Black Max LP, but have used other Abus and around 7-8 other brands of reels.  What I know from experience is that not all work well set up the same way.  A few require more spool tension than others.  Some require more brakes.  Some require more of both.  Practice tells you the right combination.

 

I use a MHF to throw unweighted 10" ribbontails on a 3/0 or 5/0 hook.  Texas rigging one only adds to the casting distance.  Never have a problem with backlashes because of the added weight.  Like I said, I've never used a Black Max, but maybe a little better reel would help a lot since you have no problem with other types of lures.  Not too long ago I picked up a used Patriarch XT (the older blue model) at a ridiculously low price.  I already had one that I use for the above lure/hook.  One internal brake on and 3 on the dial.  Casts like a champ. 

[JimSparks]

Thanks everyone. I will give some of these suggestions a try. Although I like the zebcos...the newer z03 pros...i would like to get to a point of using a baitcaster. Any suggestions for a good tell that is a step up from the Abu Garcia is using? $100 ish would be the budget. I plan to practice with the black max them upgrade once I feel a little more comfortable with a baitcaster and plastics. 

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, JimSparks said:

Thanks everyone. I will give some of these suggestions a try. Although I like the zebcos...the newer z03 pros...i would like to get to a point of using a baitcaster. Any suggestions for a good tell that is a step up from the Abu Garcia is using? $100 ish would be the budget. I plan to practice with the black max them upgrade once I feel a little more comfortable with a baitcaster and plastics. 

 

$100 new it is tough to beat a Tatula/Tatula CT.  $10 more can get a new Lew's Tournament MB.  Another fine reel.

 

If you don't mind used, some good deals can be found.  Currently some Tournament Pros in different ratios for sale on another forum for $100...a $200 reel new.  Or a Lew's Speed Spool LFS SSG1H for $70 tyd.  Must keep an eye open, tho.  I got a tremendous deal on an older blue Patriarch XT for $65...a $250 reel new.  I'd rate it an easy 8.5 maybe even 9.0

 

EDIT:  I should mention the Pro Qualifier even though I've never used one.  Lots of people recommend it as an excellent reel not only for beginners, but for people not willing to spend more than $100 on a reel.  Can be had for around $60 when on sale.

[fishnkamp]

I agree I love the Daiwa Tatula CT choice for you to step up to. 

Having said that I also have several friends happily fishing a Black Max reel on other rods. So I am going to suggest you try an inexpensive option.

 

Go to your local Wal Mart. Look at a rod called a Berkley Lightning Shock rod.  Find a 6'6" medium  model. It should be priced at around $49.  Take it to the register for a price check. Several members have purchased it on an unmarked clearance for as low as $15.  Move your reel over to it.  

That rod is a very good rod for treble hook baits. You can fish anything on it, but it works really well on treble hook baits like crankbaits, traps, and some topwaters.

Buzzbaits and chaterbaits would be good on it too.

 

Now I want you to go to an open field, your backyard, anywhere you have some room. I use my side yard. It has a tree that i can lean my rod against. I want you to loosen up the drag so the line easily pulls off the spool. Walk out a bunch of line, like way more than you could cast. Take a cloth and while putting pressure on the line stretch it out. I use a micro fiber towel and I also like to use some line conditioner. This cleans your line as well as takes out the memory. I fish with P Line FloroClear and it is a high memory line.  I like the stuff, it just requires some maintenance.  Once you have gone down the line several times, reset your drag to about half way and reel the line in as normal. It may be helpful to run the line through your fingers to keep it tight as you reel it in.  Now go put on a 1/2 ounce jig and learn to cast it.  If that works as I know it should, then you have a good working combo.   You could add a better reel to the old rod, or just go look at a combo like a Lews Mach 1 or Mach 2. Those would be a better combo for fishing bottom bouncing lures like jigs and worms.

[Catt]

Lew's® American Hero Combo, 6'10" MH rod & the reel 7.1:1 gear ratio @ Academy $79.95

[Fishingjuggernaut]

On 7/7/2017 at 5:24 PM, JimSparks said:

Ok. How in THE heck do you baitcast with texas rigged plastic worms? Oh my word...I tried it. I've tried it before. I want to get away from my Zebco Spincasts. Every. Single. Cast. Backlash! Please oh please throw me some suggestions on how to do this. I don't want to admit defeat so quickly but I had about 5 casts/backlashes before my hook/worm flew off. That's a totally different issue. Don't tie on when you're in a hurry

I've used a baitcaster for Texas rig as long as I can remember. Maybe up the bullet weight to help? 

 

I love using the Lew's tournament speed spool for it also. Very smooth reel. Did a review for that reel you can check out if you like here https://fishingjuggernaut.com/lews-reel-review/

[Buffdaddy54]

Check out the KastKing line. Almost all can be had for less than your budget and all (I think) have a duel braking system.  I love the KastKing ASSASIN and really love the duel brakes. I had trouble with soft plastics also, best thing I did was check out Glen's video on how to setup a baitcaster and then go practice. I'm a lot more confident now than I was but still need to practice. Good luck to you.

[LxVE Bassin]

On 7/8/2017 at 0:47 AM, JimSparks said:

So you're saying it might be my setup? ? let's see

7 ft Abu Garcia Vigilante MH 

Abu Garcia Black Max

P-line Fluoroclear 10 lb test 

1/4 oz lead bullet weight

2/0 eagle claw offset hook

Berkley powerbait 7in worm. In motor oil color.

 

Sounds like operator error. Nothin to be ashamed of. When I got my first baitcaster I let it sit for 2 months after getting fed up with not knowing how to work it. It takes practice.

[WRB]

The OP's problem is his casting motion or mechanics, Catt offered excellent advice.

I have watched a lot of bass anglers casting baitcasters over the years and most have poor casting mechanics, it's in your wrist not your arm.the faster the rods action is the more critical your casting motion becomes, let the rod luanch the lure.

Tom

[Finesse_crankin]

I think lews throw weightless stuff excellent with braid. Your bsit has to be faster than the line coming off the spool. Dont put as much line on the reel only like half. I find doin an underhand cast works the best. Not flipping style. Instead of sidearmin it or over the top do underhand like softball. If I need to be very accurate I do an underhand cast

 

[sully420]

On 7/7/2017 at 11:47 PM, JimSparks said:

So you're saying it might be my setup? ? let's see

7 ft Abu Garcia Vigilante MH 

Abu Garcia Black Max

P-line Fluoroclear 10 lb test 

1/4 oz lead bullet weight

2/0 eagle claw offset hook

Berkley powerbait 7in worm. In motor oil color.

Do your self a favor and put some 50lb power pro on that black max and get comfortable with baitcasting. Your gear is good but floro takes some experience and losing line to backlash damage is expensive. You have to learn to walk before you can run.

[jr231]

I agree.  Spool with braid. At least 30lbs. You can still use floro as a leader. I actually recommend it because if you get hung on a log or in a tree you can break the leader without losing half your spool.