baitcasting help

[jeremyt]

I have just started using a baitcaster. Its a BP tournament edition on a 7ft  m action ugly stick. The problem I am having with it is the fact that when I am using 1/2 oz or less on it my casts are hitting about 10-15ft to the left of my intended target. I have been using good ole kentucky windage on it, but is there something I need to adjust or is it me just being used to a spinning rod. Thanks

[Cigarlover 1]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1151590913

This will help you out. The rest is lots and lots of practice. My suggestion is to start out with heavier baits until get comfortable using a baitcaster.

[Sam]

I think this happens to all of us.

You aim at the target area and cast. The bait sails out, the reel spins correctly, the bait has a beautiful arc, and then it lands to the right side of your target.

Have a friend stand behind you when you cast to see how your arm or body is rotating when you cast.

Although you think you are throwing the rod tip at your intended target, your body motion is having the bait slide to the left or right.

All I can suggest is that you practice so your motion is the same for every cast without you thinking about it.

It is just like your golf swing.  You can hook or slice the ball and have no idea why, thinking you are swinging the club directly at the greens.

And may I suggest you practice with a nice Senko at your local pond.  Might as well have some fun practicing.

[roadwarrior]

The problem I am having with it is the fact that when I am using 1/2 oz or less on it my casts are hitting about 10-15ft to the left of my intended target.

Aim 10' - 15' to the right!

Seriously, it's just a matter of practice. Most guys think baitcasters are MUCH more accurate than spinning gear. Now, I don't happen to agree with that statement, but the point is after some time on the water your accuracy will improve dramatically.

[jeremyt]

Thanks for all of the replies. That puts me more at ease. I am not having too many backlashes, its just an accuracy problem for me. I tend to cast sidearm as overhand doesn't feel right to me. I am going back out to a pond after work to try it out.

[Raul]

That 's exactly your trouble, you are casting sidearm so you release the thumb too late and the bait flies off target to the left. Release the thumb as soon as you see your hand with the corner of the eye and the lure will fly in a straight line into the target, it takes practice ( as usual ) to achieve the accuracy but it can be done, you don 't need to look at your hand with full sight but with the peripheral sight.

[islandbass]

That 's exactly your trouble, you are casting sidearm so you release the thumb too late and the bait flies off target to the left. Release the thumb as soon as you see your hand with the corner of the eye and the lure will fly in a straight line into the target, it takes practice ( as usual ) to achieve the accuracy but it can be done, you don 't need to look at your hand with full sight but with the peripheral sight.

Raul nailed it. Your release time is too late for the weight of the bait. You will have to program yourself to let go much sooner than you are accustomed.  Thank goodness you didn't make an overhand cast. The lure would smash down in front of you and you might be greeted with a bird's nest.  ;D

Since you come from a spinning background as I did, you have probably realized or you will that the time your thumb releases the spool with a bc reel is slightly earlier than the time your forefinger leaves your rod on a spinning rig.

If you release your thumb from the spool earlier, it will fly straight. Every time if flies to the side opposite your casting hand, the thumb is letting go too late. Good luck.

[.dsaavedra.]

Thanks for all of the replies. That puts me more at ease. I am not having too many backlashes, its just an accuracy problem for me. I tend to cast sidearm as overhand doesn't feel right to me. I am going back out to a pond after work to try it out.

big problem there. now, if youre fishing open water, making random long casts, sometimes side arm is the way to go, but for accuracy, overhand is the only way (for me at least...) overhand didnt feel right to me either at first, but then i took some advice here and now im equally skilled at each method. the two key points of advice that really helped me out are 1) release your thumb from the spool much earlier than you'd think you need too. i like to let go when the rod is in about the 2 or 1 o'clock position behind me. if you let go practically anything past 12 o'clock infornt of you, your lure will smack the water a few feet away from you. so let go early. 2) hold your reel so the handles face the sky. i dont know why but this seems to work very well. also, after your release the spool, dont stop, follow all the way through till your rod is parallel to the ground. by the time you are done w/ you follow thru, your reel handles should also be level, not pointing up.

hope i didnt make that too long. thats about the best advice i can give.....besides PRACTICE!