Baitcasting Question

[kybass10]

Yesterday I went to Sportsman Warehouse and purchased a Revo S with a 7'0 medium fast action shimano crucial rod.  I practiced with it for a couple of hours today, and didnt have one backlash.  I am new to baitcasting, and I was previoulsy using a couple of older reels on 5'6 rods, and got a backlashes much more often.  On the Revo S I didnt have any brakes set on and the spool tension rod was loosened so that if the lure falls to the ground their would be a big birdsnest.  I have heard that the revo s has caused backlash problems for some users and i am wondering why it is not happening to me, because it probaly should be based on my little experience with baitcasters.  With a 2/8 oz bait i get about 25 yards of distance.  I am wondering if their is another way to better setup up my rod and reel so that I can get more distance?  I would even be fine with having a few backlashes because i want to be able to improve my thumbing technique so that on a properly setup reel i could cast with maximum distance.

Sorry for the long explanation, but any advice would help.  Thanks.

[Hot Rod]

Hold the rod out in front of you parrallel. Tighten the spool tension so that when you release the spool the lure you are thowing just barely falls from the rod tip.    It is best to tighten the tension down all the way, depress the thumb bar then back off the tension until the lure starts to fall.  I like to back the tension off just a little bit more once I make a few casts this way.

Then turn down the magnetic brake to about half or less.  You'll be amazed at how much farther it will go with less effort and better control.

[=Matt 5.0=]

With a 2/8 oz bait

Isn't that like 1/4 oz. ?

Welcome to the forums.

[kybass10]

I was just a little surprised after casting it because even with the spool tension loosened a lot, no matter what I did I couldnt get a backlash.  It just seems weird because I never have to put my thumb on the reel until the lure hits the water, no matter what the settings are.  I know that is a good thing, but I feel like I am not learning how to baitcast and if ever use any other reel that I wouldnt be able to properly use it.

[jasone]

Hey, I sent you a PM.  

I'm wondering if you messed with the brakes on your Revo.  Mine all came with two of the brakes on already (out of the package).  So you may have brakes on and not even know it.

One thing I have noticed about the Revos is that they take some dialing in and will cast a mile but they are fairly unforgiving (to me at least) and will backlash if I make a mistake.

Most all reels will allow you to set the brake high enough to not backlash even without using your thumb.  The secret is to dial that back to where your distance and anti backlash properties serve you best.

J

[kybass10]

None of the brakes are on, but yet I still dont get the casting distance that others say the experience with the revo s. The reason may be that the reel is not spinning fast enough but since I dont have any brakes on, and the spool tension is loose i dont see how it could spin any faster.  I know it doesnt spin fast because I never get a backlash.

[kybass10]

Nevermind i just figured it out.  It turned out that the brakes were infact turned on.  I thought that they had to be extended all the way up until it clicked which made them on, but I just realized that the brakes werent clicked down so they were sliding up and causing the spool to slow down.  Thanks for the help.

[jasone]

Not a problem.  I have three Revos.  Two are S's.  I had the hardest time figuring out how to get to the brakes so glad I could pass on some knowledge.  

J

[Mike-in-WV]

Actually if your casting a 1/4 lure 25-30 yards your doing great! As for the setup on the Revo S it seems that everyone has there own idea as to how they like them set up.

I like 2 brakes on, one across from the other. Then I set my spool tension knob so that when I push the button and shake my rod tip just a little it will fall about 12"-14" at a time. If I shook the rod hard enough it would drop to the floor slowly with no back lash.This is with #15 Big Game Green line for now but I usually use #12 or #17 Cajun Red Cast.

Using a rubber plug that weighs a little less than 1/2 oz (0.45oz) I can cast 41-43 yards on the average without touching the reel with my thumb unless I want to stop it some where. This is using a smooth cast with the wrist and forearms. It feels good and looks good when you make a habit of nice cast! Later you will want to practice all the different casting methods also.

One thing I like to do when I'm setting up a lure is to watch the reel spin on the first couple of cast to see if the line is lifting off the reel and trying to birds nest on me. If it does I will tighten the reel tension knob just a hair more. The adjustments on a Revo S are sensitive and it doesn't take much to change any adjustments. Thats good because you can dial this baby in to your style and it stays there!, Love the Revo S. Hope this helps a little, Mike