Help getting past the little ones...(reel help)

[MendotaBassMaster]

Thanks for all your help guys and now I will give you a little more information.

Here is the equipment I am using at the present time.

My number one comfortable rig is as follows:

Shakespeare Excursion Graphite

EXC66.1MM 6'6" (1.98M)

Action: Medium Heavy (8-15lb Line)

Shakespeare Ugly Cast (spincast) Have not been able to figure out a baitcaster

Gear Ratio 3.8:1

Number two rig

Daiwa Heartland-S

Model # HL-S 661MRB-G 6'6"

Medium Lure 1/4-1oz

Line 10-25 lbs.

I have to same reel on this one as the first.

I am probably not using any of the line you mentioned so could you please give me some tips on what to get?

Any other information you might need please let me know and I will be more than happy to give it.

I bought a Bill Dance baitcaster reel off ebay 6.3:1 and it was really nice feeling but I could not cast it no matter how much I tried so I sold it back on ebay. Is there a really good spincast reel out there? I heard the Zebco33 is a good one. I saw a Rhino that has 5 ball bearings in it at WalMart but didn't know.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Have you considered a spinning reel?

Also, there are things you need to know about a baitcaster.  There are things you need to "set" according to the weight of what you are throwing and also a few quick tips from the folks here will surely have you throwing one in no time.  Don't be intimidated.  Spinning gear is in between the two as far as ease of use.  After a 1/2 hr, you'll be a pro.

[moloch16]

Unlike a spincast or spinning reel, you have to adjust a baitcaster based on the lure you are chucking.  Here's how...

1.  Tie on the lure you plan to fish

2.  Hold your rod at a 45 degree angle and disengage the spool allowing the lure to free fall to the ground

3.  About the same time the lure hits the ground the spool should stop spinning

4.  If the spool keeps spinning, tighten the spool tension knob.  Otherwise loosen it.

5.  Fiddle with the tensioner until step 3 is achieved

After you adjust the spool tension you are ready to fish.  If you have some magnetic control doo-hickey adjust that to your preference but the spool tensioner is the real key.

You may want to tighten down more while you are learning to help avoid backlash.  As you get better you can loosen up.  After a while you won't even bother with the tension cuz you'll control the whole thing with your thumb.