Practiced baitcasting yesterday

[jwo1124]

Well, I think I had a little bit of cabin fever. either that or I just needed to get water side for a little while and enjoy what I've been missing since the weather has cooled. The high yesterday has a scorching 25*F

I went down to the local pond with a Baitcasting combo I have had but never really put to use. I firgured since I had nothing else going on that day i should try to practice my baitcasting skills. I stipped the old line of the reel, spooled up some fresh 15# stren high impact line(which is pretty cheap line, like $8 for over 800 yards.) After setting the cast control knob I practiced casting with a 1/2 oz. Rat'L Trap for about an hour an a half. I must have made about 100+ casts, all backlash free.  

I picked it up well, and got the hang of it quickly. I think the new line helped out alot in regards to preventing backlashes. I spooled the line on the reel with tension so the line would go on tight to the spool. I was easily outcasting any cast I could make with my spinning rods.

I was using a cheap $35 7' MH Berkely Lighting rod and a cheap $35 Shakespeare baitcaster with 1 Ball bearing. Both I purchased at Wal-Mart last year. I must admit the combo seemed sufficeint for such low money. The reel casted pretty far, I'm not sure how it did in competition to other higher end baitcasters since I don;t have much experience with them, but I'm sure a higher quality baitcaster with more bearings would give further casts due to the more ball bearings.

All in all I was proud of myself for picking up baitcasting so well. Honestly, it seemed to raise my spirits a lot just knowing I executed a new skill. For thos eof you that don't own baitcasters and fret them due to backlashes...don't let that hold you back. Like I said, I made over one hundered casts yesterday without one backlash, and it was only the second time I casted with a baitcaster. As long as you properly set the cast control knob for the size lure your using and as long as you stay mindful of what you are doing, you will be able to pick it up as easy as I did. I have a new born hunger to get out their in the spring and try out bass fishing with baitcasters. I have a couple spots and new techniques I would like to try that i couldn;t do with my lighter spinning stuff before. Flippin lily pads and grass beds, froggin' Pitching to heavy wood cover...and the higher Horsepower of a baitcaster will allow me to do this.

I strongly suggest you go out and get an inexpensive baitbasting combo, possibly even a higher end baitcaster(at least $70) and some line and go practice if you haven't already picked it up.

I have evovled so much this one season going from unresponsive ugly stik and replica type rods, to my first all graphite spinning rod, and now I am using a baitcaster...it's a game of knowledge, experience, and skill, and the more of each you aquire the better you will become as an angler.

I plan on all graphite next season, possibly baitcaster exculisve except for one spinning outfit for lighter stuff. I feel like I'm evolving into a real bass angler.

[Redlinerobert]

Congratulations on your accomplishment.  It sounds like you are well on your way.  Once I started using baitcasting gear, it was all over for the spinning gear.

[RobbyZ5001]

I was thinking about doing the same thing. You could also try putting a bucket out 5 yards and try to flip and pitch a jig into it. Try 5 yards then 10 yards so on and so forth. Good luck!

[jwo1124]

That sounds liek a good drill. Thanks robby. I did try fully releasing the casting knob so the spool would spin very easily and just go through the motion on pitching, but I could see the tangles starting in the spool, so I didn;t pursue it. Plus the air temp was 25*F and the rod guides kept freezing over making in difficult for line to easily pass through.

[MALTESE FALCON]

Way to go!!! Alot of my buddies had a fear/apprehension of using a baitcaster. Once they seriously tried them they wondered what the big deal was. I use my baitcasters about 95% of the time, and with the better reels on the market we can cast even lighter baits.

Keep practicing, by spring you'll be ready to go.

Falcon

[Tokyo Tony]

Congrats on that jwo - there's something about using baitcasters that is more enjoyable than using spinning gear.  I think it's just the actual feel of a cast with a baitcaster that is superior.  You have better control once you get used to it, and there's nothin', and I mean NOTHIN' better than setting the hook into a nice fish with a baitcaster  ;D

I would, however, recommend that you upgrade to a better baitcaster though, if you are able.  There's a big difference between a 35 dollar reel and a 90 or 100 dollar reel.  This is a good time of year to get discounts on last year's models as the new ones start popping up.  You'll have even less problems with backlashes and it will be even more of a pleasure to use.  Of course, as soon as you start upgrading, it becomes very difficult to stop the trend, but it sounds like you're already on that path, so good luck to you  

[slomoe]

Congrats jwo. I too tried my hand at baitcasting for the first time yesterday. After reading all the posts here, I found it to be quite easy thanks to everyone here at BR. Only had minor backlash that fixed itself on the fall. These things are fun.

[fishfordollars]

I comend all of you that are taking the time to improve your casting ability. Set up some targets and get after it. Another thing that will keep the backlashes way down is to keep fresh line on the reel. I change each reel that I fish after each day of fishing. When you backlash a spool and pick it out you kink many places in your line that will come back and increase the problem. i know most of you will not respool after each trip so use a line conditioner like reel majic. It will help keep the line limp. Once you pick out a bad backlash that portion of the spool will tend  to knott up more so than before. Put some backing on so you do not have to strip all the line off and enjoy.

[sal669]

Great accomplishment!

I suggest you look at some "$100+" reels in Dec, Jan or Feb : might find something in clearance @ $50-80. You will be glad you upgraded. It makes a lot of difference with lighter weights. Try using the Shakespeare with 3/16 or 1/4 oz bait/"practice weight", you will see what I mean. Or you could find some good deals on this forum, if you don't mind buying something used.

Keep at it !

[jwo1124]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I really liked the feeling of using the baitcaster. It just makes you feel like you accomplished something. It's like a coming of age experience. I just found my can of reel magic the other day and sprayed the reel down after practicing. I can't afford to strip the line every outting. Although maybe purchasing a large quantity spool may save me some money in the long run. I just checked and it's only $35 for 2400 yards. That's filling up a 150 yd. capacity reel sixteen times. That's four months of line if you were to change lines every week for four months. I will probably look into and try changing the line once a month since I usually only fish 10 hours a week unless it's summer break.

[HesterIsGod]

Congrats on your switch to baitcasters!!! A couple words of warning about baitcasters though,

1. 1/2 ounce rattle traps are REALLY easy to cast. It is heavy and is designed to cast like a bullet through the air. I suggest practicing with lighter, less aerodynamic lures too, like small topwaters and weightless soft plastics. Once you master those you will be able to throw practically anything.

2. The wind is really frustrating with baitcasters, especially with lighter lures. I suggest practicing in the wind too.

3. Dont throw away your fiberglass rods just yet. They are great for crankbaits, or any other lure with treble hooks. Their less responsive nature is perfectly offsets an anglers quick hook set, and this allows the lure to  not pull out of a fishes mouth too soon.

Good luck.

[fishfordollars]

An item I forgot about getting backlastes out. Before you start to pull on it apply some thumb pressure to the spool. Many times they will clean up and pull right out without kinking any line. Does not work always, but more times than you would think.

[.dsaavedra.]

Congrats on that jwo - there's something about using baitcasters that is more enjoyable than using spinning gear. I think it's just the actual feel of a cast with a baitcaster that is superior. You have better control once you get used to it, and there's nothin', and I mean NOTHIN' better than setting the hook into a nice fish with a baitcaster ;D

I would, however, recommend that you upgrade to a better baitcaster though, if you are able. There's a big difference between a 35 dollar reel and a 90 or 100 dollar reel. This is a good time of year to get discounts on last year's models as the new ones start popping up. You'll have even less problems with backlashes and it will be even more of a pleasure to use. Of course, as soon as you start upgrading, it becomes very difficult to stop the trend, but it sounds like you're already on that path, so good luck to you

i felt/still feel the same way about baitcasters man! they are more fun to use than spinning gear. casting w/ them feels awesome...having that much more power in your cast. i like the big poof of misted water from the line when you make a really hard cast....it all adds up into a nice experience

you should definitley upgrade though. i upgraded from a $70 reel that i found outside at a pond (exposed to the weather)  to a brand new $120 Citica reel (only paid 100, got a deal) and the difference is amazing. it makes me love baitcasters even more:) keep at it its loads of fun!!!! ;D

[Guest muddy]

When I started to learn last year it was suggested I put a 1/2 ounce casting plug on, and it worked beautifully to learn, I now spend long days on the water with minimum overrun problems. So that 1/2 ounce rattle trap is perfect Also do not upgrade or anything else until you get the hang of it, no use in spending more money until you figure out if you want to in the first place and then what do you want to go with.

[Crestliner2008]

It seems like some bass fishermen here are either using strictly baitcasting or only spinning rigs(?); whereas these are just tools to accomplish the same thing - catching fish. Like the difference between a putter and a driver, you should include both in your rod locker if you expect to be consistently successful - IMO. And if you get real itchy come January, you might find a small pond which has a thick layer of ice on it, and practice baitcasting over it! Your line guides won't free up, although some people walking by may think you're not dealing with a full deck!   And THANKS for sharing an important point: you do NOT have to have a GLoomis/Calais rig to successfully baitcast. I'm not knocking the high end products, but that's all I seem to hear about on this site?  

[Guest muddy]

Hey Crestliner: I still have 2 spinning rigs, one for the back of the truck and one for some smaller Rapalas and soft plastics, I will never give up spinning forever I love my Pflueger President/Fenwick HMX rig too much 8-)

[fishfordollars]

I have several spinning rods in my boat. One has braid on it and I use it a lot. As far as high end stuff I consider my stuff mid line. Get something you are comfortable with and stay with it. You do not need 200-400 reels. I do not own any. At least I didn't until I stumbled on the Core100mg last week in that pawn shop.

[BUCKEYEone]

Although I'm far from having anything resembling an "arsenal" of gear, I definately plan on keeping one spinning rod around for those situations when a baitcaster just doesnt get the job done the way I'd like it to.  Recall Mike Ike's 2003 bassmaster classic day three when he broke out his light spinning gear to follow-up on bass that wouldnt hit his baitcasting gear.  It did the trick, saved his day, and he later found out that he had the only baitcaster out of the 400+ rods the pros had on the water that day!  The whole point of having multiples of this and that is to have something for every situation, so having a baitcaster and spinning rig is a most for any serious angler!

[roadwarrior]

... you do NOT have to have a GLoomis/Calais rig to successfully baitcast. I'm not knocking the high end products, but that's all I seem to hear about on this site?

That is not the case at all. When members specify a pricing point, equipment that is in that general price range is almost always recommended.

[Guest muddy]

You will get recomedations for your pricing point and you will also get a lot of unwanted and out of your price range reccomendations, some people just are that way > Take what you need and leave the rest, it's never gonna change :-/

[jwo1124]

I will definately always keep a spinning rod, as I heard many instances where they are essential. Dock skipping for once, drop shot, small tube jigs, light line in light cover for a wacky worm.

Bottom Line is spinning gear is made for light applications. Where as casting gear is made for heavier applications. They do have heaavier spinning gear, but a heavy powered baitcaster that holds a good amount of heavy line is almost always going to be about half the weight of a spinning reel of similar line capacity.

I am even thinking about buying a casting set up for the stripers in the summer and fall.

I'm thinking about a 7' Tiger Lite casting rod with a reel to hold about 200 yds. of 20 mono.

[.RM.]

jwo1124,

I was using a cheap $35 7' MH Berkely Lighting rod and a cheap $35 Shakespeare baitcaster with 1 Ball bearing. Both I purchased at Wal-Mart last year. I must admit the combo seemed sufficeint for such low money. The reel casted pretty far, I'm not sure how it did in competition to other higher end baitcasters since I don;t have much experience with them, but I'm sure a higher quality baitcaster with more bearings would give further casts due to the more ball bearings.

Remember this.. Baitcasting reels, any bearing count over 3 (free spool support), the bearings are used in the crank assembly, to smooth the cranks feel. There are only up to 3 ball bearing packs, that affect the casting ability of any baitcasting reel.

On spinning reels with big bearing counts, they are mostly used to help ease and smooth the crank torque out.

Keep practice, practice, practicing all winter, and think about how ready you will be come spring, targets out in the yard (when it isn't snowing), will kept the eye and hand coordination sharp.

Tight Lines!!!  

[HesterIsGod]

When I started to learn last year it was suggested I put a 1/2 ounce casting plug on, and it worked beautifully to learn, I now spend long days on the water with minimum overrun problems. So that 1/2 ounce rattle trap is perfect Also do not upgrade or anything else until you get the hang of it, no use in spending more money until you figure out if you want to in the first place and then what do you want to go with.

No offense or anything, but I'm gonna have to disagree. I do not think a 1/2 ounce trap is perfect to learn how to cast with. I read that when Roberto Clemente was a kid he used to practice hitting soda caps from plastic bottles. Then, when a game would come around, the baseball looked like a watermelon in comparison. It was much easier to hit. I believe this to be true in this case for practicing casting with a baitcaster. If you practice using a light pop-r, a weightless tube, a mini-crankbait, etc.. Then throwing almost any other lure will be a breeze, kinda like hittin watermelons.

Just my opinion though, we all have different ways of learning

[Guest muddy]

The wieight shift and hand eye coordination needed to drive a bat through the strike zone over the plate is a WAY DIFFERENT SKILL than the soft motion and relase of bait casting. I know having failed at hitting a baseball effectively and taking the advice from a few experienced fellas around here and becoming a proficient bait caster. I need a lot more seasons to get the control and acccuracy I got with a spinning reel. Starting at a 1/2 ounce was a great suggestion as I was able to step up and down in wights by increments of a quater ouce with ease and now comes the years of experience I will need to get where I want to go.

[HookedinNY]

Wow after reading how great using a baitcaster is I almost feel bad about upgrading my spinning gear this year!