Baitcast question

[BrianinMD]

Okay, I have always been a spincast person but this year bought a baitcast setup. Having a problem with a backlash when I first start the cast, right when I first lift my thumb to release the cast. I can not figure out what I am doing wrong for some reason. Can someone shed some light on my issue....please?

[TrailerHook]

You probably need to adjust your spool tension knob to match the weight of the lure you are trying to cast. It is the little knob on the side of your reel behind your reel handles. Turn it clockwise (I think) a couple of turns to tighten it down. Now with your selected lure tied onto your line, reel it up so that it hangs about 2" below your rod tip. Then hold your rod with the butt at about waist level and the rod tip up at about the two o'clock position and depress the spool release bar. If you have tightened the spool tension knob sufficiently, the lure should not fall....it should still hang in the same spot even though you've depressed the spool release bar. Now ever so slightly begin to turn the spool tension knob counterclockwise (back toward you) until you've loosened the tension on the spool just enough for the lure to slowly begin to lower itself under its own weight. If it is adjusted correctly, the reel spool should stop spinning when the lure hits the floor.

Now you've set your spool tension to the correct setting for that lure weight. Whenever you change to heavier or lighter lures you'll want to re-check and adjust your spool tension in the same manner. This will go a long way toward reducing backlashes.

[.RM.]

BrianinMD,

Sounds like you need to do a little reading...

Try this ..Basic Baitcast Reel Setup 101

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!  

[MSPbass]

That's a nice little tutorial, it should help out a lot.

My suggestion is to practice on dry land as much as you can. Don't shoot for the moon or even your neighbor's garage, like Reelmechanic says. Distance will come later. For me, it was easier to learn with the lure/practice plug all the way up at the tip of my rod though; not hanging down. As I learned to throw I was able to let out some slack, which helps to load the rod and therefore cast farther. But, like I said before, don't worry about distance in the beginning. Just take it slow & easy and practice, practice, practice.

[muskyxl]

Another trick I learned years ago when first learning to chuck huge musky baits on b/c's was to keep the handle either on top or bottom (depending if its a lefty) when casting... a legendary musky boy taught me that.

I still do it today...

[BrianinMD]

Thanks everyone!!!!

Reelmechanic, read the article and first read thru got an idea of what I was doing wrong. Along with the method of adjusting it described by everyone I will go out tomorrow and try some more.....

[New Bass Man]

It'll work.  

[joeyd50]

Try this, cast as far as you can, then peel off a couple more yards. Now get some electric tape and tape up the spool, next time you cast you can't go any further then the tape, this will reduce your backlash till you get the hang of it.

Good Luck

Joe

[NDet-Fishing]

Hang in there and keep practicing. I have used spincast for many many years (and trained my kids on them) but using a baitcast setup is much better. In essense, you only have a couple of knobs. Work with them in the yard until you don't have the backlash anymore. When you have that, you're ready for water. Be prepared to adjust "that knob" when you change lures that differ in weight by a good bit. Once you have this down, it'll all be ok.

[Castamasta]

tension knob = key , and PRACTICE!!!