New to baitcasters; need help!

[warwickforlife]

Hi guys.  I just got an Abu Garcia Black Max given to me.  I was wondering what is a good way to set up the reel?  There are dials, and things to spin...I have no idea what any of them are, or where to put any of them.  It's my only baitcaster, so I need everything in a spot where I can throw all I throw...senko's, some cranks, spinners etc. 

Thanks for the help guys!

[Kowen117]

well the knob below the star drag adjusts the tension so you don't backlash turn it towards the tip of the rod for more and towards you for less to test it hold the rod tip at about 10 o'clock and let the lure drop the spool should turn about 1 or 2 time around after the lure hits more than that and its too lose after you get a feel for the reel then you can adjust it to your own preferences but that's good for starters

also don't give up if you get backlashes stick with it i had to replace 3 or 4 spools of line when i started so you might not wanna use really expensive line ha ha LOL hope that helps : 8-)

[The Rooster]

I doubt you'll be able to set it and forget it for everything you throw.  Typically I have to readjust the brakes and tension knob everytime I change baits.

[JigMe]

I must have wasted at least 5 spools of lines when I started with bait caster. Just go to a local pond or lake, and practice for a day. There are some useful video on youtube that helps you on casting, etc. So I would go watch that.

Like smokinshad117 said, don't buy expensive lines for now...lol. Use heavier lure when practicing, it will reduce the chance of backlashes.

And Good Luck.

[NewAngler]

I'm with rooster on this one. You're not going to be able to set the brakes to one level and not havr to worry about cvhanging it for the rest of the day. I have to switch mine up everytime I change baits, as said by Rooster. But your lure on, and then hold your rod out in front of you, click the thumb button and calculate how far the lure falls. Ideally, for me, its about 18 inches before it stops. Be careful though, you may get a backlash even when trying this if set too loose.

Practice practice practice. Cheap line is must when learning. Good luck

[K_Mac]

Basic Baitcast Reel Setup 101

The above link will give you a good start.

The proper line does make a big difference. I agree with the earlier posts that you will probably waste some line at the start. We all do. With that said some low end lines are no bargain. Trilene XL is relatively cheap and a good place to start IMHO. Good luck.

Edit: I don't know why I can't copy the above link. :-/ Go to the top of Rods, Reels and Line page, and check out the baitcast problems thread. A lot of good info.

[NBR]

Reel Mechanic has a great tutorial go to his web site to find. Then practise!

[warwickforlife]

So I  took the new to me reel out today, and after five minutes of birds nests every cast, I figured it out enough to catch a few bass. 

I just read that tutorial...still a bit lost.  Can someone explain to me what each part does?  What do the brakes actually do, and what does cast control do?  When I was playing with the brakes while fishing, I did'nt notice a difference.  I did notice that if I loosened up the cast control, I had instant bird nests, so I kept that pretty tight.

Thanks for the help guys!!

[NBR]

The brakes put a load on the spool as it is revolving. The more brakes the larger the load. The cast control is alway on the spool shaft and in part compensates for the weight of the package you are casting. i.e. bait, sinkers and any thing else.

You are correct to keep the cast control tighter as you learn you will be able to loosen the cast control and the brakes and get more distance.

[warwickforlife]

Went fishing again today; no luck just a few hits.

Am I correct to keep my thumb on the spool as it goes out?  I am finding that I can loosen the brakes up, but I have to keep the spool from going berzerk.  Is this correct?

[K_Mac]

Went fishing again today; no luck just a few hits.

Am I correct to keep my thumb on the spool as it goes out? I am finding that I can loosen the brakes up, but I have to keep the spool from going berzerk. Is this correct?

Once the reel is adjusted properly your thumb is the final and most important control of a "berzerk" spool. ;D

[dman]

Here is the website you need.

http://www../-beginners-area-links-274/173-baitcasting-101.html

can you please repost this link, I cannot get it to work.

As far as the question about difference between Cast Control and the brakes....I dont know and im not sure many people really understand the difference because explanations are never really clear as to the job that each does and what makes them different....I can loosen one or the other and cant tell a difference between what each does that is different...Seems like 2 ways to do the same thing....I never touch the brakes from the time i buy the reel! I only use cast control - i can cast a mile and only backlash when im not careful and cast into the wind, for whatever thats worth

[daviscw]

Here is the website you need.

http://www../-beginners-area-links-274/173-baitcasting-101.html

can you please repost this link, I cannot get it to work.

As far as the question about difference between Cast Control and the brakes....I dont know and im not sure many people really understand the difference because explanations are never really clear as to the job that each does and what makes them different....I can loosen one or the other and cant tell a difference between what each does that is different...Seems like 2 ways to do the same thing....I never touch the brakes from the time i buy the real! I only use cast control - i can cast a mile and only backlash when im not careful and cast into the wind, for whatever thats worth

Think of it like this....

The magnetic and centrifugal brakes control the startup inertia of the cast. So when you cast really hard and get a backlash right away you need to turn on more brakes inside.

The cast control knob controls the line at the end of the cast. If you are getting backlashes at when your lure hits the water you need to tighten the knob.

Starting out, you can never have them too tight. Start extremely tight and loosen them as you go. Use really heavy weights and really cheap line starting out also.

You'll find when you are proficient, you won't even need a tight cast control knob. Mine is about screwed all the way off.

[dman]

Here is the website you need.

http://www../-beginners-area-links-274/173-baitcasting-101.html

can you please repost this link, I cannot get it to work.

As far as the question about difference between Cast Control and the brakes....I dont know and im not sure many people really understand the difference because explanations are never really clear as to the job that each does and what makes them different....I can loosen one or the other and cant tell a difference between what each does that is different...Seems like 2 ways to do the same thing....I never touch the brakes from the time i buy the real! I only use cast control - i can cast a mile and only backlash when im not careful and cast into the wind, for whatever thats worth

Think of it like this....

The magnetic and centrifugal brakes control the startup inertia of the cast. So when you cast really hard and get a backlash right away you need to turn on more brakes inside.

The cast control knob controls the line at the end of the cast. If you are getting backlashes at when your lure hits the water you need to tighten the knob.

Starting out, you can never have them too tight. Start extremely tight and loosen them as you go. Use really heavy weights and really cheap line starting out also.

You'll find when you are proficient, you won't even need a tight cast control knob. Mine is about screwed all the way off.

That helps,  now in the case i mentioned of casting into the wind then,  what would be correct - tighten the brakes or cast control?  i would think either one would help

[daviscw]

The inside centrifugal brakes do most of their work at the begging of the cast, then their braking power tapers out as the lure flies out. The cast control knob applies pressure throughout the whole cast. So I think this would be a good chance to tighten the cast control knob for wind.

I don't recommend casting into the wind at all though. If there is any way to avoid it, I most certainly would. Wind acts as a brick wall to your lure. Even though you cast just as hard as no wind, the line feeds off the reel but there is nowhere for it to go since your lure is getting slowed down by wind.

The spool keeps a spinnin', but the lure ain't flyin'!