I have one for all you bait casters out there

[tennwalkinghorse]

Hello everyone am new to this forum and to using a bait caster rig so I have a question. I am casting 30 to 35yds. with a 3/8oz. and 18 to 20yds with 1/4oz lure on average. My rig is a Cabelas Prodigy reel made by Daiwa(nice reel)with braid spooled (Sufix 20lb. test) brake set at #2 and free spool set to drop from eye level to 1/2 a loop on spool when lure hits floor. Rod is a Shimano Compre 6' 10" MH(10 - 20 lbs) extra fast tip. I know everyone has a different skill level but I can not find any thing to us as a rule of thumb on what a good distance is on casting. I am pretty good at hit a mark I am looking for a cast to cover a lot of water. I have heard the fishing story's about 65 to 75yds. with a 1/4oz. Looking forward to hearing from so honest fisher man or woman on this subject.

[Big-O]

Not too familiar with that particular reel but I'm sure that it has brake adjustments on it like most of the newer models. Practice with releasing your brakes a bit more as well as bearing and spool tensioner knob on the reel handle side. Throw it every different way you can adjust it to feel the differences it makes. Not only will you start casting farther, but you will also learn all of the adjustments that are necessary for throwing into the wind, cross winds, etc. Some say that practicing and learning a new reel is almost as much fun as fishing it. Not  ;D

You'll figure it out and once you do, let us know how you did it, then you can teach us.

www.ragetail.com

[tennwalkinghorse]

Thanks all ways room for improvment and never to old to learn. ;D

[kms399]

the way you have it set now is how i usually tell beginners to start. the half loop on the reel when the lure hits the floor. as you get used to the baitcaster you can back off on the tension. I have mine set so loose that if i let a lure hit the floor with out thumbing it i would have quit the mess. so I would say back off the tension until you find that sweet spot between complete mess and max distance.

[skillet]

 Can't add much to those answers! Just wanted to say WELCOME to the forums!!!

                          As Ever,

                           skillet

[tennwalkinghorse]

Thanks kms399 for your info I have a bad thumb joints are fused not to much flex in it. But I don't give up to easy. I will keep you posted on my progress

[tennwalkinghorse]

Skillet Thanks for the wecome !

[cart7t]

First off,  the Compre rod I quickly looked at was the 7' model, MHVY action.  It showed the lightest recommended lure weight at 3/8 oz.  A 1/4 or 3/8 oz lure is going to be tough to toss very far on that rig with 20lb test.  

[Catt]

Practice, practice, practice; I stated throwing bait casting reels 45 years ago  

You are a newbie to bait casting who can accurately cast 20-35 yards; that's pretty dead on for your skill level.  

[LAO162]

Great Thread, I was about to start a similar one.  Besides equipment setup, can you please address how the thumb should be working during a cast and maybe describe the arm motion during the cast, i.e. snapping the wrist vs smooth motion with the arm.  Thanks

[tennwalkinghorse]

cart 7t I have other rod B/C with all most the same reel set up on it and I'm with in 2 to five yds. using that rod and reel. The rod is a M/H (10 -20 lbs) but a mod tip. that rod shows the lure wt. 1/4 to 1oz. My form is elbow at side reel handle facing up 12 to 16" of line hanging from rod tip and a smooth release with a wrist snap. I am not a expert on rods but I think the margin is pretty close on both rods to matter.

[tennwalkinghorse]

Catt I'm also a bow hunter and shooter so I have good eye hand coordination I guess.

[Catt]

You didn't learn how to shoot over night did you?

Practice, Practice, Practice  

[tennwalkinghorse]

Lao162 thanks for the input.  Ever thing comes in to play and I too am a big believer in form, whether it's a rod and reel, bow and arrow or gun and ammo. Matched equipment and form and practice matter big time; that's why I joined this forum.  Input from people matters to me.  I spent a lot of money and time teaching myself how to do things shooting, reloading, archery, huntin and now fishing because I had no mentor, so everyone's input matters to me. Thanks for taking the time to answer.

Walking Horse

[LAO162]

Tennwalkinghorse, welcome.  Like you, I'm teaching myself to use a baitcaster.  So, I'm looking to see how to get to the next level...  So far, I'm not snapping my wrist as much as I do when I want extra distance with my spinning rig.  I'm also experimenting with how much thumb to use, and when to use it.  Guess I just need to let go & risk that backlash.  Cheers