New rod!!

[Saavedra9]

Ok so after many many years of just using a spinning reel I finally made the decision to purchase my very first baitcaster. I looked up a few and decided on getting the Abu Garcia BlackMax. I read that it was one of the better choices to start off for a beginner. Are there any tips or tricks for a baitcast rookie like myself? I spooled it myself which is something i hadn't done. Hopefully I did ok.

[Hammer 4]

Rod..? Maybe change the Title to this post..

[GTN-NY]

Good luck!

what lb test line did you spool up? 
what rod are you putting this reel on?

watch some youtube

https://m.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+cast+a+baitcaster

[Saavedra9]

@Hammer 4 rod and reel lol my bad I'll try fixing it right now

[WRB]

You might want to remove about 25' of line so the full spool level is about 1/8" (2 peen thickness) below the spool rim.

Tom

[jimmyjoe]

11 minutes ago, WRB said:

You mat want to remove about 25' of line so the full spool level is about 1/8" (2 peen thickness) below the spool rim.

Tom

 

   Excellent advice, especially for someone beginning to use baitcasters.     jj

[Hammer 4]

1 minute ago, BaitFinesse said:

Is it just me or is that reel looking crooked? 

Maybe the camera angle, but it looks a tad off to me also.

[Saavedra9]

Dang so i messed up lol 

Maybe its the camera angle to though haha

[Hammer 4]

18 hours ago, Saavedra9 said:

Dang so i messed up lol 

Many new folks mess up at some time. Don't worry bout it. Hang around here, and learn..

[Saavedra9]

The file size is to big to upload lol

[Mbirdsley]

That is a very good combo to start with. That was my first baitcaster. I still have mine and it has caught a lot of fish.  Only thing the reel struggles with his the bigger cranks that dive below 12-14 feet.  For the money paid it is not going to do everything like a nicer reel will 

[Saavedra9]

[Saavedra9]

I was told i would probably birdsnest alot since im new to this kind of reel so went cheap on line. Stren think it was  12 or 14 pound mono. It was affordable so why not.  The reel is 6:4:1 gear ratio 5 bearings i think. Dont have it right in front of me

[ATA]

8 minutes ago, Saavedra9 said:

this is good all around rod, why don't you start with braid? keep the breaks max to start for now, also don't cast it as you cast spinnerbait(weeping), just do casting very smooth and you'll be fine.

watch this couple video and I am sure you'll be happy with your choice.

 

 

[WRB]

Braid isn't a good choice to learn to cast a baitcasting reel with. When you backlash braid it tends to be a deep into the spool because braid is dry and light weight. Blow up a reel using braid and you can't use the wind over backlash technique to remove the over run.

My suggestion is learn with Berkley Big Game 12 lb test.

Tom

[Hammer 4]

^^^ This. Braid isn't a cure all. What Tom describes, a back lash is much easier to clear with mono vs braid. Good advice.

[Linewinder]

Personally, I really like the Blackmax and think it is a quality reel that is very affordable.  Underrated.  I have one, and BTW have been fishing with baitcasters 40+ years -- I don't go fancy. Take care of it and it will last many decades but you may need to replace some parts along the way like any other reel.  I still have my Ryobi AD5000v in service and my son has his grandfather's Speed Spool BB1.

 

Anyway.  Birdnests, backlash, overruns.  Whatever you want to call it, you should learn how to get them out.  Cheap line for learning -- your pick is fine.  Some of the Zebco lines seem slick and easy to cast, and to get the messes out.  Here's a video about removing the mess (the guy is a little loud to me), but there are many out there:  

 

Remember the comment above about leaving 1/8" below spool rim?  Use that exposed edge of the spool to provide a little tension when gently pulling out the backlash in freespool.

 

You have a thumb?  So use it.  Slow the spool, or if you hear/see a backlash coming, just stop it hard.  Don't try to feather it down to a stop because that makes it worse -- the line on the outside of the spool is slowed by the thumb but the spool is still going full steam.  Just stop it, but not by engaging the gears.  Use your thumb.  Despite all the magnets, centrifugal weights, pins, knobs, artificial intelligence, whatever the reel has, don't forget to use your thumb.

 

Always have a little tension on the line as it goes back onto the spool.  Always.  If you need to, as you are winding in, reach over with your fingers to pinch it a little as you reel it back in.  Cuts down on backlash chances on the next cast. 

 

As backlashes cause your line to get kinked up some (assuming mono as you have) you can extend the day a little by stretching the line in your hands -- not directly from the spool but between your hands.  Just pull it, feel it stretch a little and put it back.  No tugging, just gentle pulling.  Go home and decide if you need to replace the line then.

 

Also, look into casting backhand or underhand.  Practice long casts (e.g. for crankbaits and spinnerbaits) and short casts (e.g. jigs, worms).

 

Geez.  I talk too much.  Good luck.

 

[BrianMDTX]

To the OP: I just got back into fishing in late April after years away from the sport. I had a Daiwa Millionaire 3H baitcaster, which is nothing like today’s modern low-profile reels. I wasn’t afraid to spend $$, but did not want to re-start fishing again with a high-dollar baitcaster that may have frustrated me learning the casting game again. I did some research as well and decided on a Black Max. Paired with a MH fast action Fenwick HMX rod and spooled it with 12 lb. Yo-Zuri hybrid. I decided that having zero experience with braid (when I really got into hunting and stopped fishing it was so long ago I never even heard of fluorocarbon or braid, other than old-timey Dacron braid), I was going to start with something that was more user-friendly. So far I have not had one backlash casting with the this reel. I’ve had a few trying to flip lol. Not bad ones. Maybe 20-30 seconds to square away and ready to fish again, but I either have a ham-handed approach or need to do a better job of adjusting the brake and/or spool tension. But as far as straight casting it’s been a pleasure to use with frogs, crankbaits and Texas rig Senkos. 
 

Good luck with your new combo! 
 

[Fishingmickey]

9 hours ago, Saavedra9 said:

I was told i would probably birdsnest alot since im new to this kind of reel so went cheap on line. Stren think it was  12 or 14 pound mono. It was affordable so why not.  The reel is 6:4:1 gear ratio 5 bearings i think. Dont have it right in front of me

It is good to start with Mono. Like Tom suggested remove some line.  Having a over filled spool will make "birdnesting" much easier.  A 3/4ths filled spool is much easier to manage. Start off with easier casts. Don't swing for the fence. Use lures that have some weight to them. Jig, T-rigged worm and lipless crankbait come to mind and try not to bomb cast into the light lures into the wind. 
FM 

[DomQ]

Perfect combo to start with!

[new2BC4bass]

 

As already suggested....don't swing for the other side of the lake.  Baitcast reels don't like jerky strokes.  Which can happen a lot if you are trying to power the cast as a beginner.  Don't try to cast like you would your spinning rod.  I didn't try one until after I already knew how to cast.  Wish someone had told me before then.  Start with a sidearm roll cast.  Or underhand cast.  Whatever people call it.    This will give you a smoother casting stroke.  Just be sure you aren't going to catch a weed or branch on the backcast.  Instant blow up. 

 

Start with a 1/2 oz. compact lure (or a bit heavier).

 

I've read that learning to pitch is a good way to learn thumb control.  Should also teach you how to remove backlashes quicker. 

[dodgeguy]

12 hours ago, Hammer 4 said:

^^^ This. Braid isn't a cure all. What Tom describes, a back lash is much easier to clear with mono vs braid. Good advice.

totally disagree with this. braid is easier to remove it from. and it doesnt damage the line. that said im using mono this year. 

[michaelb]

I just got a black max too as an extra reel for an extra rod (I like both and will use them a lot). So just to cover a dumb question, to adjust the brakes on the side, you turn that dial counterclockwise to "tighten" the brakes to go up to max. That seems counterintuitive to me at least, and there aren't numbers on the dial or a clear indicator of what setting it is on. For my first 10 casts or so, I couldn't figure out why it was trying to backlash, when I had the brakes on max (I actually had the brakes off and set and at 0 or the lowest/least setting).

[dodgeguy]

Dial on handle side is spool tension. Set so lure drops slow with rod straight out. Turn clockwise for more soil tension. Dial on other side is magnetic brake. 0 is no brakes. Set at 10 or Max  and slowly back off. Learn to loose your thumb. Watch videos on how to cast without backlash. 

[Saavedra9]

Wow lots of great info here from everyone, will definitely watch some YouTube but feel like thumb control is gonna be super important and useful.

Wow lots of great info here from everyone, will definitely watch some YouTube but feel like thumb control is gonna be super important and useful.