Baitcaster help

[BigJohnny]

I recently bought my first baitcaster and when I was casting in my yard with a 1/2 ounce sinker I had 2 backlashes out of about 50 casts, and only one of them was bad. I went out today to fish with it for the first time, and holy backlash batman...I had 3 backlashes in probably a total of 10 casts, costing me almost all 150 yds of line. I set the spool tension so you have to jiggle the rod tip for it to fall, and the brake is set at about 75%. Am I doing something wrong, or do I just need some more practice?

[Micro]

Try to pay attention to your cast technique.  You were obviously doing it right in your backyard.  You are doing something differently while fishing.  

Practicing in your backyard is great and highly encouraged.  But there is no substitute for learning the reel while fishng.

[bigtimfish]

I read that you are supposed to set the brake to where if you twitch the rod tip the lure should fall 10". I usually go a little tighter than that when starting off on a new reel. I like to throw hard two handed casts. so I dial all mine in as if i were going to throw like that. It never hurts to start off too tight and loosen as needed. you will cast a little more to get it tuned up, but you won't get backlashes.

[topwater.va]

Is the bait that you are using lighter then 1/2 ounce?  if so then that could cause you to backlash more.

That happened to me too when I got my first bait caster.  I then realized that the bait I was using was lighter then the one that I was practicing with.

[FishDontLikeMe1301600221]

I read that you are supposed to set the brake to where if you twitch the rod tip the lure should fall 10". I usually go a little tighter than that when starting off on a new reel. I like to throw hard two handed casts. so I dial all mine in as if i were going to throw like that. It never hurts to start off too tight and loosen as needed. you will cast a little more to get it tuned up, but you won't get backlashes.

i wouldnt say you should have to twitch yer rod for it to drop,i started out setting my knob right at the point when i had it the bait would slowly drop on its own and when it hit the ground the spool would stop at that point.try setting your cast knob like that see if it helps,if not then your lure is to light.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

Is the bait that you are using lighter then 1/2 ounce? if so then that could cause you to backlash more.

That happened to me too when I got my first bait caster. I then realized that the bait I was using was lighter then the one that I was practicing with.

That's what was thinking.  Depending on your setup, a slight weight change can make a world of difference with a baitcaster.  I suggest you start your actual fishing day with your brakes to 100%, assuming you are using mag brakes, back it off little by little until you find your comfort zone.

[Hammer 4]

Along with what was already suggested, I'd check your casting Technique, sometimes, and I do this now and then.. :-[ is to Snap your wrist hard. When is the backlash happening..? If it's at the begining of your cast, then it's the brakes, if it's toward, or at the end, then it's the spool friction/your thumb. I have my reels set pretty loose, you may try and tighten the spool friction knob, although your distance will suffer somewhat, at least you won't have to untangle your line.

[sweet daddy]

Try the elbow technique, use your elbows, not your arm, and back. On a six pin reel push all the brakes in then using only your elbows make a cast.

[NBR]

A 1/2 ounce sinker is heavier than many if not most baits an d it is not wind resistant at all. I've been bait casting more than 60 years and on occasion try a long cast into the wind and pay the price with a backlash of monster proportions. I'd do my yard work with a 3/8 ounce sinker and then with a 1/4 ounce.

You haven't told us about your line or rod. Both play a big roll in casting.

I don't agree with Micro. I think you learn to cast in the yard and learn to fish with the reel on the lake. When you are in the yard you are thinking of accuracy, distance and freedom from backlash. When youre on the lake you add many other variables.

[MarauderYak]

It aint easy to diagnose a problem like this on a forum, but a couple of thoughts...

I personally think it's better to set the actual cast control & back off the tension knob further than that.  Don't try to set the reel up to where it's a "thumb free" cast.  Only let go of the spool for a second before you start to feather it with your thumb again, and stop the spool with your thumb before the lure stops pulling line.  If you make a high, rainbow cast the lure is going to quite pulling line before it ever reaches the water.