Baitcasting topics of misunderstanding: Casting

[casts_by_fly]

3 hours ago, Donald Tyson said:

Hey Tom could you explain the T-rigged Soft plastic? Are you talking a Senko on a bare hook, wacky style?

15-25 yrs exceeds the requirement for anywhere I fish.

I found out the hard way, early on, that you can't whip bait casters. It's more like artistic lobbing. 

 

This is a texas rig

[Donald Tyson]

HaHa. I fish that often just never hears it called T-Rig. Thanks you so much!

 

[WRB]

BR members debate what a Texas rig is often. Some say it’s the method of weedless hooking a worm like the photo above less the bullet weight. My interpretation is the rig shown in the above photo. But let’s not open that can of worms again. 
I was referring to the worm hook rigged weedless and a sliding 3/16 oz bullet weight that overall weighs about 1/4oz +.

No reason lob cast a T-rig using a bait caster just let the rod load up to launch the lure. A Medium Standard action rod will load up nicely using lures in the 1/4oz to 5/8 oz range. After learning to cast properly the MHF rods are the common choice.

Tom

 

[new2BC4bass]

It seems you've discovered that it's a rod problem more than a reel/line problem.  I was 61 before getting into baitcast reels.  I'm sure I was over 66 before learning how to cast a 3/16 oz. lure (#5 Shad Rap).  Rod was critical for me.  Used 3 different rods and 2 different reels (TD-Z 105H and 2 old gold colored Carbonlites).  All spooled with 8# mono or co-polymer lines.

 

Vast majority of my Medium and ML casting rods carry 8# mono or co-polymer.  I see no problem with that line weight.  If I'm going to use a Medium power rod to fish in cover, then I use one with braid spooled on the reel.  Normally I stick with MH rods for that.

 

I didn't learn to cast with my left arm for a medical reason, but to be able to buy reels offered in right hand only or right hand reels selling at excellent prices on the used market.  I'm not as accurate with my left side, but distance remains good.

[Donald Tyson]

17 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

It seems you've discovered that it's a rod problem more than a reel/line problem.  I was 61 before getting into baitcast reels.  I'm sure I was over 66 before learning how to cast a 3/16 oz. lure (#5 Shad Rap).  Rod was critical for me.  Used 3 different rods and 2 different reels (TD-Z 105H and 2 old gold colored Carbonlites).  All spooled with 8# mono or co-polymer lines.

 

Vast majority of my Medium and ML casting rods carry 8# mono or co-polymer.  I see no problem with that line weight.  If I'm going to use a Medium power rod to fish in cover, then I use one with braid spooled on the reel.  Normally I stick with MH rods for that.

 

I didn't learn to cast with my left arm for a medical reason, but to be able to buy reels offered in right hand only or right hand reels selling at excellent prices on the used market.  I'm not as accurate with my left side, but distance remains good.

I just realized that we are Neighbors. I was working at Greentree Nurseries way back when the announcement was made to drain Leaser Lake, Must've been 91 or 2. Rumor, and this may be all it is, rumor is that a worker dropped something into the gears of the gates and they ceased to function. That prompted the drawdown. I have trouble believing rumors but they are fun sometimes. Then I gave up fishing until 2018. 

Now I fish Gouldsboro and especially Spruce Run. Spruce Run is a multi species lake and I caught my first Hybrids there. Sometimes I fish the Nock, Mauch Chunk, and Giving Pond but this is rare rare.

[Donald Tyson]

On 7/24/2024 at 2:37 PM, bulldog1935 said:

3/8 oz was long considered the low-end weight for a baitcaster from the turn of the last century up until just about a decade ago.  

When mini-Ambassadeurs came out in the '80s, 1/4 oz low end was a baitcaster coup.  

 

A few things you learn along the way, especially coming from inshore, where 1/4 oz vs. 1/8 oz can make all the difference between dragging up grass every cast and catching fish.  

 

Lighter line helps casting lighter lures to distance.  Also, centrifugal brakes are better at preventing start-up backlash with heavy weights, while (linear) mag brakes are better dialing-out mid-cast backlash casting lighter weights.  (you might hear something different from people who don't understand the physics)

 

You cast light weight by reducing loaded spool mass (inertia), low-inertia spool bearings can also help.    The next best thing to BFS is a linear mag reel, low-inertia spool bearings, and a deep spool fishing 20-lb braid.  You back your spool with the largest-diameter mono you can fit, 20 to 25 yds of 20- to 25-lb mono.  Tie a backing knot that will go through your line guide (improved allbright), and top with 100 yds braid.  This works for casting 1/8 oz and, in my case, hauling in slot redfish.  

 

Good morning Tom and bulldog, I applied a little bit of both of your suggestions and went out pool fishing this morning. I found there are no fish in the pool but I had a great time casting anyway. My pool is 29 feet long and a surrounded by considerable decking so I can cast of various targets and check for accuracy in my casting. 

I removed the 40 pound braid fishing line that was on my royal legend too. Now remember I'm drawing from my own inventory rather than going out and making purchases to try out different concoctions.

Bulldog: I placed 25 yards of 30 pound mono on the real for backing. Then after connecting it with an Albright knot,  I filled the real almost full with 6 pound viscous line. Which is what I had an inventory for trout. 

Onto that I placed a 1/8 and 1/32 conehead sinker and #4 EWG medium wire hook. The bait was a normal 2.75" Z-man Ned bait. After adjusting the reel I consistently made accurate 50-60' casts. At first it was kind or sketchy but I turned the magnets to 2 or three and lightened the tension 2-3 clicks more than it took to stop an overrun when dropping the bait to the floor. It kept my thumb pleasantly busy and there were no backlashes.

I have 8lb suffix Advanced Mono on the way. I beleive the a better scale lightened up spool may just be 20 or 25 yards of the 17lb XL and 50 yards of 8lb Advanced or Seige/Elite. I'm not sure how 8lb advanced will perform on a baitcaster but it was wonderful on my Spincast collection.

I remain hopeful for the future and I thank you for your help on these matters...

[Eric 26]

@Donald Tyson For what it’s worth I have 10 pound Suffix Advance Monofilament on a few different bait cast reels and I really like the way it handles. Also I haven’t felt the need for it but KVD line conditioning comes highly recommended on here.

[bulldog1935]

1 hour ago, Donald Tyson said:

Good morning Tom and bulldog, I applied a little bit of both of your suggestions and went out pool fishing this morning. I found there are no fish in the pool but I had a great time casting anyway.

The topic always comes up, spin vs. baitcast - this is always the correct answer.  

 

 

Casting spinning tackle is always utility - casting baitcaster is always fun.  

[Eric 26]

17 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

The topic always comes up, spin vs. baitcast - this is always the correct answer.  

 

 

Casting spinning tackle is always utility - casting baitcaster is always fun.  

⬆️🆙⬆️

[Donald Tyson]

1 hour ago, Eric 26 said:

⬆️🆙⬆️

Pretty Much Nails it!

 

1 hour ago, Eric 26 said:

@Donald Tyson For what it’s worth I have 10 pound Suffix Advance Monofilament on a few different bait cast reels and I really like the way it handles. Also I haven’t felt the need for it but KVD line conditioning comes highly recommended on here.

I was hoping to hear this. It works well on My ZO3 and also my Bullet MG. 

Line Conditioner....I don't doubt it. I'll look it up. I would expect it to be important with fly main line but will read how it helps casting line. It can be a can of worms served when the fish aren't biting I bet....

[WRB]

I have been using Tangle Free line conditioner for decades on mono, copoly and FC line. KVD isn’t formulated for mono, it’s designed to wet FC line.

Tangle Free is now owned by DHT who bought Punisher. The 2 oz plastic bottle is convenient to put in your pocket and apply as needed a few times each outing.

Tom

[Donald Tyson]

6 hours ago, WRB said:

I have been using Tangle Free line conditioner for decades on mono, copoly and FC line. KVD isn’t formulated for mono, it’s designed to wet FC line.

Tangle Free is now owned by DHT who bought Punisher. The 2 oz plastic bottle is convenient to put in your pocket and apply as needed a few times each outing.

Tom

What do you do, just spritz the line every now and then. 

[WRB]

The bottle isn’t a spray it drops droplets onto the spooked line soaking the line.

The solutions wets the line and stress relieved the tension by allowing the line to stay on the spool and not spring off. 
essential. For spinning reels and also for FC on casting reels. Mono line naturally wets unlike FC line that doesn’t. Wet line stays on the spool without spring off during the cast, especially important in hot days.

KVD must be applied at least a day in advance whereas Tangke Free can be applied seconds in advance. 

Tom

[Mike L]

I’ve found with the KVD stuff that as long as it dries before casting you’re good regardless of when it’s applied and that will depend on how much you use. 
 

I spray at intervals when spooling and a shot around the spool the night before.
I’ve applied during the day But again, as long as it’s completely dry I’m good 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[new2BC4bass]

On 7/26/2024 at 9:36 AM, Donald Tyson said:

I just realized that we are Neighbors. I was working at Greentree Nurseries way back when the announcement was made to drain Leaser Lake, Must've been 91 or 2. Rumor, and this may be all it is, rumor is that a worker dropped something into the gears of the gates and they ceased to function. That prompted the drawdown. I have trouble believing rumors but they are fun sometimes. Then I gave up fishing until 2018. 

Now I fish Gouldsboro and especially Spruce Run. Spruce Run is a multi species lake and I caught my first Hybrids there. Sometimes I fish the Nock, Mauch Chunk, and Giving Pond but this is rare rare.

Need to update my profile.  Moved to Lake Helen, FL 1.5 years ago.  Fished for 2 years after moving to Bethlehem.  Only places I knew to fish sucked.  Started back up in 2009 with baitcast gear.  Found a few more places to fish.  Still sucked.  Didn't quit again only because of buying new and new-to-me gear.

 

As Tom said, after a few casts with mono the line gets wet and loses most of its coils without a line conditioner.

[Bazoo]

When I first switched from a medium/medium to a Heavy/fast rod, there was little bit of a learning curve for me to be able to effectively cast.

 

Each rod is a bit different, but each speed is bit different. I found that a good technique with a heavy rod will be a good technique with a M/M, but a passable technique with a M/M will be nearly useless with a heavy rod.

[Donald Tyson]

I have poor Rods. Where I fish and what I fish for I should mostly use 6.5 - 7' M power Medium action. I need to make purchases but am not ready. I like some fiberglass. I like making rods, but I'm not ready. Recently I placed reels spooled with 8lb Advance onto Rods made in the 80's for Daiwa Spincasters. They are 6' light action and are made from hollow fiberglass I believe. They don't have the power to launch baits a mile but they are very accurate and easy on my casting abilities. I'm mentally exhausted and will stay in this safe place for the rest of summer at least.   

[bulldog1935]

Hi Don, don't rush into this, but those soft-tip glass rods would be a lot of fun casting UL mono on a BFS-mod reel.  

[Donald Tyson]

On 8/1/2024 at 8:58 AM, bulldog1935 said:

Hi Don, don't rush into this, but those soft-tip glass rods would be a lot of fun casting UL mono on a BFS-mod reel.  

I'm finding that out.