How to Set a baitcaster Inquiry

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

 Like to let the lure hit the ground when I let it drop.  I’m setting the spool up so that when the lure hits, the spool stops spinning.  
 

that’s my jumping off point.  It’s a super conservative setting. 
 

my best backlashes are at lure “ takeoff” not landing.  Well my ugliest birds nest are. 

As I have mostly mid-range to lower end reels - this is how I set mine too

 

The Patriarchs with dual braking - yep...set the same and as stated above 3-on/3-off on the centrifugal, half setting on the magnetic to start things off and dial in the magnetic between casts.

[CrashVector]

7 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

 Like to let the lure hit the ground when I let it drop.  I’m setting the spool up so that when the lure hits, the spool stops spinning.  
 

that’s my jumping off point.  It’s a super conservative setting. 
 

my best backlashes are at lure “ takeoff” not landing.  Well my ugliest birds nest are. 

 

When that happens, it's one of two things.

 

Your spool tension is too loose, or you're throwing the lure too hard because you're trying to overcome you spool tension being too tight.

 

Sounds like a contradiction..but trust me lol

[GreenPig]

Baitcasters are adjustable! No wonder I............

[Jaderose]

I won't tell you how to set your BC's but I'll give you a great way to get MOTIVATED to learn how.  If you have standing timber in your waters, tie on something heavy...Big ol frog, or crank and go for a LOOOOONG bomb cast.  I mean, get it back there and really LAUNCH that sucker like you're going for one of those mythical 100 yard cast...and fire it straight into the trunk of a tree that is 10ft or so away from you.  You, my friend, will then know what a REAL backlash (and misery) is like.  You'll get that sucker dialed in real good.  (Not that that would save you in this scenario but you'll have the Mother of All Backlashes and you'll never want to pick another one out again...lol)

[NavyVet1204]

21 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

I’ve always used the second way as a starting point and adjust as I become comfortable with the reel and when I change lures. 

Same here. That has worked for me since I learned to use them last year. I still have an occasional “user induced” backlash though.

[12poundbass]

13 minutes ago, NavyVet1204 said:

Same here. That has worked for me since I learned to use them last year. I still have an occasional “user induced” backlash though.

I think we all have the occasional birds nest. 

[Dash Riprock]

On 1/3/2022 at 4:09 PM, Speedy Turtle said:

Quantum smoke s3 pt, daiwa tatula sv tw103, shimano curado dc, and lews tournament pro baitcasters

I may be completely off base on this because it's always confused me, but as I understand it, the Daiwa Tatulas are supposed to be set with the tension knob to where they just barely have the "side to side" action, due to the way the braking system on those reels are designed. My understanding is that only the Daiwa's with that particular system (which I think they call Magforce?) are designed that way. Other reels are set using the "drop" method. 

 

I will add that I have that same Tatula and I set it up using that "side to side" method, and it's a dream to cast. Almost idiot proof unless I do something stupid while casting. I also learned, too late, that they come pre-set from the factory so in theory, you don't have to ever really mess with the tension knob unless you're an idiot like me and start fiddling with everything before you read the manual.    

[PhishLI]

2 hours ago, Dash Riprock said:

I may be completely off base on this because it's always confused me, but as I understand it, the Daiwa Tatulas are supposed to be set with the tension knob to where they just barely have the "side to side" action

There's zero benefit to having the tension knob set to allow any side to side play. Zero play, or neutral tension, will allow just as fast a lure drop as a spool clicking back and forth. I think this idea came from the Ehrler vid on the Tat SV From 5 Years ago. It's nonsense. There's no circumstance where any amount of slop in a drivetrain is ideal, whether it's under load or not.

2 hours ago, Dash Riprock said:

I also learned, too late, that they come pre-set from the factory so in theory, you don't have to ever really mess with the tension knob

Go to any store with Daiwas in stock and you'll find that the "factory" Zero Adjuster tension setting is all over the place ranging from neutral to sloppy.

[PressuredFishing]

On 1/3/2022 at 2:01 PM, Speedy Turtle said:

Need the opinions of very knowledgeable bass anglers. Many videos/website say 2 different things about how to set a baitcaster. One way they say to set it is to stop the spool from shaking back and forth and then adjust the brake on the left. The second way is adjusting the tension knob on the right so that the bait just starts falling at a certain tension and then adjusting the brake. Which way is the right way? I have been setting my baitcasters both ways for the last couple years and just wanted to clarify which way is technically right or if it really doesn't matter. Want to make sure I'm not accidentally damaging the reel or losing out on casting/control due to setting it wrong

All reels are different as well as bait weight, some reels are gussied than others, for lighter baits 1/8th-1/4 I like faster spool drop with breaks medium-high, and for heavier 3/8th-1oz I like tight spool tension at a creep with medium-low breaks. This is VERY general but everyone has a personal preference for settings, I'm no expert caster but this pretty much eliminates all backlashes unless there is major wind or something