NEW to baitcasting

[Bignick11]

I just got a 6'6" abu Garcia fishing rod MH-F with a Abu Garcia lack max fishing reel. what line should I use and what are good lures to use with it?

[Fishin' Fool]

Depends where you are fishing? It's probably a good worm rod.  Personally I like a good fluorocarbon or P-line CX line in 12 pound. Best of luck.

[Bignick11]

I either fish in Northern Michigan or golf course ponds.

[TylerT123]

Don’t put fluorocarbon on. Put heavy mono on. 17# Big Game is a good choice. Since you’re new you want thick line since it’s harder to backlash and easier to unpick. As for lures, that’s up to you, worms, topwaters, whatever you want to use. We can’t tell you what to use without conditions. Do you know how to use a baitcaster?

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

I second that it's a good worm rod. And since it is your first,

you probably want to practice a bit with it to get proficient!

So perhaps an inexpensive mono or copolymer line would 

be the ticket.

 

When you get it spooled, put a casting plug on it (maybe 

a 1/4 oz) and cast as far as you can.

 

When you've stopped the spool, cut a piece of electrical tape 

the width of the spool and tape it over the line there. This

way if you have a nasty backlash (which you will), you will

only lose some of the line up to the tape, not the entire spool.

[TylerT123]

2 minutes ago, Darren. said:

When you've stopped the spool, cut a piece of electrical tape 

the width of the spool and tape it over the line there. This

way if you have a nasty backlash (which you will), you will

only lose some of the line up to the tape, not the entire spool.

This is a really good idea

[kingmotorboat]

First step thumb control, second step avoid the bait monkey

[Darren.]

1 hour ago, TylerT123 said:

This is a really good idea

Can't take credit for it, though  

 

First I heard of it was watching a Bill Dance TV show

where he demonstrated the technique!

[FishDewd]

I learned on braid... it's a bit harder to undo a backlash, but then again, it's harder to backlash in general. But yeah, if you can learn on mono you'll be set to go! I still can't really use mono or co-polymer on a baitcaster very well. Watch the lighter lures though, at least at first. I think this is one of the key points when learning, start with heavier, learn the reel, then work your way down in weight. The lighter the lure is, the more the spool wants to over-spin compared to the speed that the lure travels: the lure will slow down faster than the spool which causes looping that results in a backlash. I had this issue when I got my first low profile baitcaster and it took me a while to figure out why it was happening as opposed to my larger baitcasting reels which don't turn as quickly. It's possible to do, but you have to have that spool knob turned just right, and I think that's the key point with baitcasters in general.

 

Also, I recommend watching this video and a few others like it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK5UfRzLbR8&t=65s

[NYWayfarer]

14 or 15lb mono is a great line to start with when first using a baitcaster.

[lmbfisherman]

Darren gave great advice.  I'd definitely do that.  As for what I'd use that for, the stick will probably be a bit stiffer in my opinion than a standard MH-F.  I have an old Veritas MH-F that I still use, I use it for almost everything. Just follow the lure ratings, best to stay in the middle for best performance.  I'd also use mono anything 12+ lbs as it is cheaper to respool if you get a bad backlash.  Welcome to the BC world!  

[Fishingmickey]

Big Nick,

     I'd go with 14#-17# mono. Don't fill up the spool, fill till you have 3/4 or maybe a little more. Don't swing for the fences (trying to make super long casts) until you get comfortable with the reel and using your thumb. Using the electrical tape is a great idea.

     Casting a bait caster is different then casting a spinning rod. You have to load the rod. In other words when you bring the rod back to cast the rod has to bend. Don't bring the rod back, stop then try to go forwards from a stop. Make your cast in one continuous movement like starting at 12:00 back to 10:00 then forward to 2:00.

    As others mentioned use a heavier weight like 1/4 oz to 1/2 oz. Adjust your cast control to your lure weight so your lure falls slowly to the ground and the spool stops without over running. Good luck and once you get used to it, you might not go back to spinning!

Fishingmickey

 

[Glenn]

 

[LCG]

I picked up my first baitcaster in the fall last year. Spooled up 50lb braid and tied on a 1/2 oz practice plug. I am by no means an expert, but I have been practicing daily for a few months now and I am becoming proficient. 

 

I am using the winter to practice pitching across the living room. Learning control and accuracy is the name of the game. 

[FishDewd]

6 hours ago, Glenn said:

 

Nice, Glenn! I didn't know that about casting with the handle up, I will definitely have to try that and see if it helps my accuracy. I tend to cast off to one side or the other sometimes, and that very well may be why that happens. Never seen that tip mentioned in any other video.

 

Edit: actually, scratch that in my case... I don't do overhand casts with my caster since my pole doesn't set very much. I do more of a side-roll which gets me plenty far out there. Plus, I'm a right-handed reeler, but use my left hand as my spool control hand, but still cast from my right side. It would be the fishing equivalent to being goofy footed in skateboarding (which I was when I used to skate).

[BrackishBassin]

It was my first baitcaster too. Definitely not a bad set up. I actually really like the rod that came with it. Reel leaves a bit to be desired, but you can beat it up and not worry about it at that price. 

[Fishin' Fool]

22 hours ago, Bignick11 said:

I either fish in Northern Michigan or golf course ponds.

Dude I'm from Michigan near St Clair but I know what those Northern Michigan Lakes are like. Deep and ultra clear. You're better off with a spinning rod and light line but to each his own. @A-Jay is a northern Michigan bass expert. Follow this guys posts and you'll be on em in no time.

[fvogel67]

On 1/25/2018 at 7:59 PM, kingmotorboat said:

First step thumb control, second step avoid the bait monkey

Great advice on the thumb control,Wishful thinking on the Bait Monkey.

[Riazuli]

I feel much more confident using braid than mono, and I feel it casts better too, with less back lashes.  If you do decide to go with braid, check out this guide I just put up to prevent your braid from snapping on casts (yes it can happen but it's also preventable).