Casting Weightless Plastics with a Baitcaster

[Numpty]

I got my 2 baitcasters (1 Citica and 1 Callisto) yesterday and read everything on here and everywhere to learn how to set them up...LOL

I think I have got the hang of setting up and casting lures. But I am getting backlash about 1 out of 10 casts when I use a weightless Berkley Power Worm.

I have the little knob thingy adjusted so that the worm drops slowly and hits the ground without backlash....I have the brake set at 3....If I set the brake at 4 or 5 I do not get backlash at all but it does not cast very far. When it is set at 1 or 2 it casts exactly where I am aiming but I get backlash 1 out of 5 casts. 3 seems like a have decent balance but I would still like to be more consistent without backlash...AS OFTEN  

I have the 2 reels mounted on Berkley Medium Heavy casting rods....should I have a lighter rod for casting Plastics.

Thanks in advance

[Ghetto_Basser]

Take the Callisto and tie to the end of the Citica rod. Cast as far as you can when the reel sinks cut the line and stick with the Citica. The brake control sux on the Callisto, it is a all show no go reel.

[S I G M A]

i use a medium rod with a baitcaster and i occasionally have the same problem as you... however, the backlash isn't really that bad at all and after i pull out the like 1 foot of line that overran and just reel it right back in. i have my brake set at full however since i was using 12lb test flourocarbon which seems to backlash at any brake level except max on my baitcaster. i can only get about 20-25 yds max cast but thats enough for me to work with when i throw a weightless plastic

[Numpty]

I got both reels and they are in New condition...for $60 including shipping.....The Callisto is fine I have been using both and albeit the Citica is by far a nicer reel...The Callisto is more than fine.

I would love to have an extra $400 to go out and get 2 new Citicas and 2 nice rods to match up with them.

I knew when asking the question that I would get comments.....Anyways

I am able to cast overhead, forehand and backhand....would either way be best for plastics?

As you can probably tell I am very new to fishing and am trying to learn all I can. I have never even seen someone use a baitcaster before so I am attempting to absorb as much as I can.

[Jeff H]

Just keep working at it.  You are doing fine.  With a few weeks of solid practice you'll wonder why you ever bothered asking this question.

[Tenka]

Try to make sure that you aren't jerking the rod at all during the cast, smooth is the key to distance.

Also, learn the rollcast, when you have get it, backlashes disappear.  

Good luck.

[Cory20]

Be gentle

[burleytog]

Aye, gentle and smooth is the key.

Also, how is the tip on the rod you're throwing it with?  You need some whip to the tip to throw weightless plastics, esp. something light like the Power Worm.  Stick baits (e.g. Senko, etc.) aren't as light and a little easier to throw.

[dodgeguy]

a weightless power worm would be much better off thrown on spinning gear.

[cart7t]

I throw weightless senko's or other soft plastics all the time with baitcasting rigs. Backlashes do occur sometimes. While a smooth reel is preferred, I use a Revo S with the brakes set 3 in and 3 out, the rod is the key.

As previously stated, a smooth sidearm or roll cast works best.  

Get the feel of the rod and lure during the cast, you want that lure to load the tip as much as possible.

If you're not using a Med action rod with a faster tip I'd suggest doing so.  A MHVY just won't work well for what you're trying to do.

Practice in the backyard, practice, practice.

[Bream Master]

I throw all weightless plastics on spinning gear.  I don't see how some of you guys are able to throw weigtless plastics on BC gear.  It's just too light for BC in my opinion.  

I'll use BC for a heavy C-rig but apart from that, I fish weightless plastics on spinning gear.

Cheers.

[.ghoti.]

Brooks, it's probably the rod you're using, not the reel. You'll need a softer rod to throw an unweighted Power worm with a baitcaster. The key to good casting is matching the lure weight to the rod, or vice versa. The bait needs to be heavy enough to load (flex) the rod on the backcast. For unweighted plastic worms, you need a really soft tip. Either of the reels you have shaould be able to do what you want, if they're matched to the right rod.

What size line are you using. Lighter line may be something you need to try.

Cheers,

GK

[ssaB_htuoM_egraL]

I throw all weightless plastics on spinning gear. I don't see how some of you guys are able to throw weigtless plastics on BC gear. It's just too light for BC in my opinion.

I'll use BC for a heavy C-rig but apart from that, I fish weightless plastics on spinning gear.

Cheers.

I agree with Bream, unless it is a weightless Senko/*** worm or Fat Ika.  I can cast them weightless on a BC easily.  All other weightless presentations are used with spinning gear.

[tkoglin]

I second the previous posters suggestion about using a nice spinning combination for casting soft plastics. I struggled with the same thing you are in that I could throw a stick bait all day without a backlash but I would often backlash when throwing a worm.

Now I have a spinning combo rigged for soft plastics and couldn't be happier...  

[Numpty]

Awesome replies as usual.....I think from reading everything, I will continue to use my Spinning set up for my light plastics.....I will also look into getting a different rod for one of the baitcasters. I think the Medium/Heavy Rod may be the issue with the plastics.

I am heading out in about an hour....will post an update on how everything went.

To answer one of the questions....I am using 14 lb. Fireline

[roadwarrior]

Well, I know a lot of guys (including Gary Yamamoto) fish weightless plastics on baitcasting gear and heavy line. I fish soft plastics almost exclusively on spinning tackle (7' Medium Power/ Fast Action) and Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6.

[Raul]

Well, I know a lot of guys (including Gary Yamamoto) fish weightless plastics on baitcasting gear and heavy line.

Yup.  

[smb]

I have had great luck using Falcon Cara series rod to throw unweighted soft plastic of all different stripes.  It is their model number CC-5-167MH.  This rod features a soft tip with a strong mid to butt section.  I have caught LMB up to 9 pounds and smb up to 7 pounds on this rod.  I have used Shimano Chronarch and Curado reels and 12 to 17 pound test line.

[Peter E.]

More than anything else, being patient and practicing will eliminate back lashes. You'll get the feel of it.

[Numpty]

Everything went well tonight...Used my Spinning gear for my weightless worm and used my Citica for my heavier lures...Only Backlashed a couple of times.

UNTIL.......I cast out my SPRO Bronzeye Frog....($11.49 + TAX) here in Canada ........ And "PING!!!!!" Line breaks Bye Bye Bronzeye...I am hoping to borrow a boat tomorrow and retrieve it from the lilly pads......and fish my lake properly.

I checked all of my eyelets for burrs...found nothing.....don't know why the line broke during a cast. Is this a normal occurrence with Baitcasters?

Anyways...I did catch a few tonight including a beautiful 3.5 lb tonight....The wind was blowing pretty good and took my line out quite far and it hit almost immediately after the Frog Hit the water.....I counted to 2 then set the hook (Different feeling with the Baitcast Set Up vs. Spinning Gear).....I understand now that the Baitcaster works more like a winch. It was nice being able to direct the fish to where I wanted it as opposed to getting it in quick with the spinning gear before it heads for the lilly pads and/or fallen trees.

I am still a hell of a lot more accurate casting my Spinning Gear...but do like the strength of the Baitcaster and the confidence that when large fish does get on I am not so concerned with it heading into the crap.

Again thanks for all the advice...This site is great

[Numpty]

Almost forgot.......

For people just starting to learn to use a baitcaster......

I did not see this anywhere and I wanted to mention it.

When casting do not get freaked out if you feel the line getting loose while the cast is in the air...It will work itself out 95% of the time.

I found the first 50 or so practice casts that I was thumbing the spool unnecessarily when I felt the line get loose....I then started to just feather the spool to slow it down and the birds nests never came.

[dodgeguy]

i really don't consider a senko a weightless plastic because it has so much salt in it it's far from weightless.

[Guest muddy]

Thats a good point, the Senko is heavier than most , but it is still weightless. I just learned baitcasting and have become somewhat sucessful over this whole season. I have to get better at it as I have been able to cast plastics, with considerable accuracy with a Med?fast rod. I know I should get up to a MH ,because the Med Action is costing me hook sets.. There is a percievable difference in the feel of the cast, OH WELL THIS WINTERS CASTING PROJECT IS ON!!!!!!!!

[Raul]

because the Med Action is costing me hook sets.

It 's not a problem of rod stiffness Muddy, it 's a problem of rigging and improper hook setting technique.

[Guest muddy]

Hey Raul The rigging is correct but if you can help me with the hookest I would appeciate it, maybe on another thread so we don't hijack this one. A lot of the fellas have suggested that I go to MH, I would like your opinion. I am catching a lot more fish, but I am missing enough to know I am the problem