Dear Mr. BaitCaster

[adclem]

Sounds like the spool is turning faster than the lure is moving out.

Set the brakes at zero then set the cast control so that you have to wiggle the rod to get the lure to fall, and the spool stops turning when the lure hits the ground/water.

Then reset the brakes at about a 4 or 5 setting to start with.

Never set the cast control with the brakes set at anything other than zero, you defeat the proper setup.

Great tip, will try that today, because I was not doing it this way.

Thanks for the advice also Vic.

Thanks again,

[.RM.]

Vic,

You can read the whole article here.....Basic Baitcast Reel Setup 101

Tight Lines!!!!

[moby bass]

Are you swinging the rod too hard?  Easy does it. Every now and again I try to get a little more distance on my cast and swing the rod harder than I should and the bird's nest will start while the lure is still in the air.  That is the one thing I had to learn over again, don't swing the rod hard.  Try real easy soft casts.

[dajmacd]

Quantum reels with the ACS braking systems usually ship with a great deal of Hot Sauce grease on the braking surfaces. Every new one I've ever seen is just gooped up with the stuff. If this stuff is still on your reel I recommend setting the ACS to it's highest setting, removing the side plate, wiping off the braking ring in the side plate and the tabs (weights) on the side of the spool. Use a little Zippo fluid or Ronsonol on a paper towel or kleenex to help get it really clean. Open the side plate and clean again after several casts because the stuff will continue to work out of the spool weight assembly. This should improve the response of the braking system. You can also polish the ring with some wet 1000-1500 wet-or-dry sandpaper and/or metal polishing compound. The weights will brake more efficiently on a smoother surface than on a rough one. Also, try setting the spool tension so that when the rod is held straight out with the handles up and the spool is released that the weight does not initially drop, but when the rod is lightly flexed, the weight/lure drops about a 18" and stops. Start with the ACS on the highest setting and back off as you build confidence. When everything clicks, you'll be glad you stuck it out.

daj

[siiilent]

^ Great to know thanks,

I think I may even have a defective unit, as my drag doesn't hold tight anymore, on the tightest setting I can still pull out drag. Also I'm seeing the lubrication you're talking about

[Gatorbassman]

That's typical on many brands of baitcasters. Most only have a max drag of around 8lbs.

[adclem]

Set my bc up with some new braided line today and reset all the settings as suggested and am going to try it out tomorrow.  It seems a lot better now that I reset it with the brake at 0 and then set the brake.

Thanks for all the help,

[Catt]

#1 your reel is not set up properly, to resolve this problem go to The Reel Mechanic's web site for proper instructions.

#2 uneducated thumb, to educate you thumb start in your living room with you rod tip up, push the release button and watch your lure fall stopping it before it hits the floor, see how close you can get to the floor without hitting it. Next move outdoors and start making short cast remembering to stop the lure before it hits the ground with your thumb, continue until you can cast with close to no back lashes then move on to father distances.

[st00pid]

I'm glad i read before i got mine. I hope you get it sorted out. My first cast ended up in 7 bucks worth of braided line cut off haha. I started with zero brakes set the spool tension then set the brake to ten.

After a month now i normally leave it on 4 or 5. Simply because i get tired of casting. Ive made some nasty ones but i really enjoy using them. I use two hands to cast, i cant use one or my accuracy is little to none. I need to start trying more stuff so i can get to where the fish are.

I just prefer fighting a fish with one vs a spinner kinda hard to explain.

When i got used to casting mine it took me a few trips to get the feel of a fish hitting it. Now i feel that i dont miss near as many as my spinning set up.