New to baitcasting, need some tips

[spore]

I've been using a spinning set up for most of my fishing tenure. But I recently purchased a cheap baitcasting setup(Abu Garcia Black Max).

I've got the casting technique down so I rarely get backlashes, but when I throw lighter bait that's when I run into problems. Either I can't cast more than a few feet, or I try to cast too far and I get a birdsnest. I think I have all the dials adjusted correctly on the reel, but maybe not.

I'm using 12lb mono. I believe the rod mentions that bait's should be 1/4 - 1 1/4oz (somewhere in that area).

Basically what I'm asking is this: What is the best set up for a newbie to baitcasting? (Line type/#)

Thanks!!

[b.Lee]

Glad you moved over to expanding your knowledge of different reel techniques.

First off my rule of thumb is adjust the weight of the lure with the side knob so it will fall smoothly.  Secondly with throwing light baits or lighter baits it most commonly has to do with the Rod.  If the Rod action is not meant to handle lighter than what you have on there it will not throw it properly. 

Now with throwing lighter stuff, I use a rod with less action.  Kind of a whippy rod, so you can get some load on the rod for casting distance. 

I am sure people with more knowledge than me will chime in, but that is how i deal with it.

[spore]

Glad you moved over to expanding your knowledge of different reel techniques.

First off my rule of thumb is adjust the weight of the lure with the side knob so it will fall smoothly. Secondly with throwing light baits or lighter baits it most commonly has to do with the Rod. If the Rod action is not meant to handle lighter than what you have on there it will not throw it properly.

Now with throwing lighter stuff, I use a rod with less action. Kind of a whippy rod, so you can get some load on the rod for casting distance.

I am sure people with more knowledge than me will chime in, but that is how i deal with it.

That clears alot of things up.

I think the rod that my reel came with is MH.

The Black Max is obviously just an intro BaitCaster. I'd rather spend $59 instead of $299 only to discover I don't like baitcasting reels, lol.

[flippin and pitchin]

Check your PM

[spore]

Check your PM

The information you supplied was awesome, I'm really looking forward to trying out what you've told me. Would you recommend fluorocarbon or mono for a beginner?

[bwell]

I started out with a Abu Garcia Silver Max and I still cant cast light lures with it very well...  I then jumped up to a Pro Qualifier and Revo STX and have no problems whatsoever casting light weight lures/plastics.

Just make sure you have your setting right on your reel, and dont be afraid to set the mag break a little higher than you need to...

[SausageFingers23]

Just like you, Im trying out a baitcast setup for the first time this season. I  went with a Black Max as well.  I didnt want to spend a lot to find out I hated a baitcast reel. 

My advice - practice.  It does wonders.  I was incredibly frustrated after my first two experiences but am getting comfortable now.

Make sure to adjust the spool tension knob (the silver knob adjacent to the handle) every time you throw on a new bait. For me anyway, I want the bait to drop very slowly with the spool tensioner set correctly and the mag drag set to 0.  Once I find that spot, I set the mag drag to my normal setting.  It doesnt throw light stuff all that well.  That doesn't mean it won't, just that I haven't figured out how to yet.

Also make sure you tighten down the drag a bit.  I've had the drag slip on a couple of bigger fish this season, the crank spun in place, and with a little slack in the line they spit the hook on both occassions.  My fault but I figured I'd pass along my experiences so it doesn't happen to you.

All in all, I think you'll like it but will likely want to upgrade in time.  Im already looking at the intro Revo lines now that I've started to get somewhat comfortable with a baitcast setup.

[spore]

Just like you, Im trying out a baitcast setup for the first time this season. I went with a Black Max as well. I didnt want to spend a lot to find out I hated a baitcast reel.

My advice - practice. It does wonders. I was incredibly frustrated after my first two experiences but am getting comfortable now.

Make sure to adjust the spool tension knob (the silver knob adjacent to the handle) every time you throw on a new bait. For me anyway, I want the bait to drop very slowly with the spool tensioner set correctly and the mag drag set to 0. Once I find that spot, I set the mag drag to my normal setting. It doesnt throw light stuff all that well. That doesn't mean it won't, just that I haven't figured out how to yet.

Also make sure you tighten down the drag a bit. I've had the drag slip on a couple of bigger fish this season, the crank spun in place, and with a little slack in the line they spit the hook on both occassions. My fault but I figured I'd pass along my experiences so it doesn't happen to you.

All in all, I think you'll like it but will likely want to upgrade in time. Im already looking at the intro Revo lines now that I've started to get somewhat comfortable with a baitcast setup.

More great advice! What type of line do you use?

[kikstand454]

just my oppinion but when i started out... i was told to put on fairly heavy line. (15lb mono) this was because it was easy to manage and more impotantly... easier to pick out the backlashes.

dont worry about light lures to practice with. look at your rod and grab a weight that is in the upper spectrum of your rods rating... (if it goes up to 1oz, tie on a 3/4... etc.) and then go out in the back yard or a park and start casting. go for normal "bankbanging" length casts at first. this will help train your thumb. then later you can go for the open water cast where its all out. then comes pitching, which is much more about precision and control.

you will get it man, just practice.

and like was said before... dont worry too much about your distance or your accuracy at first. train your thumb. when you get that down you will find that you can out cast your entry level reel,(that you can catch many fish on) and want to move up to the 100 dollar level.

then the baitmonkey has you in his furry paws....

[spore]

just my oppinion but when i started out... i was told to put on fairly heavy line. (15lb mono) this was because it was easy to manage and more impotantly... easier to pick out the backlashes.

dont worry about light lures to practice with. look at your rod and grab a weight that is in the upper spectrum of your rods rating... (if it goes up to 1oz, tie on a 3/4... etc.) and then go out in the back yard or a park and start casting. go for normal "bankbanging" length casts at first. this will help train your thumb. then later you can go for the open water cast where its all out. then comes pitching, which is much more about precision and control.

you will get it man, just practice.

and like was said before... dont worry too much about your distance or your accuracy at first. train your thumb. when you get that down you will find that you can out cast your entry level reel,(that you can catch many fish on) and want to move up to the 100 dollar level.

then the baitmonkey has you in his furry paws....

Awesome post!

Looks like tomorrow I will be in the backyard! Currently I have 12lb mono tied up. THe one lure I've wanted to use is a Pop-R, but it just isnt working.

The Spook is heavy enough I'd imagine, so that will have to be my top water lure.

[islandbass]

just my oppinion but when i started out... i was told to put on fairly heavy line. (15lb mono) this was because it was easy to manage and more impotantly... easier to pick out the backlashes.

dont worry about light lures to practice with. look at your rod and grab a weight that is in the upper spectrum of your rods rating... (if it goes up to 1oz, tie on a 3/4... etc.) and then go out in the back yard or a park and start casting. go for normal "bankbanging" length casts at first. this will help train your thumb. then later you can go for the open water cast where its all out. then comes pitching, which is much more about precision and control.

you will get it man, just practice.

and like was said before... dont worry too much about your distance or your accuracy at first. train your thumb. when you get that down you will find that you can out cast your entry level reel,(that you can catch many fish on) and want to move up to the 100 dollar level.

then the baitmonkey has you in his furry paws....

Awesome post!

Looks like tomorrow I will be in the backyard! Currently I have 12lb mono tied up. THe one lure I've wanted to use is a Pop-R, but it just isnt working.

The Spook is heavy enough I'd imagine, so that will have to be my top water lure.

The Pop-R might be a bit of a challenge for you at this time, especially if you're learning.  I highly recommend using at least 1/2 oz. I just use lead weights. The "bass casting" weights that you find in any tackle section are ideal for a number of reasons:

1) You don't have to sacrifice any of your lures to learn.

2) They will remove aerodynamic problems that some lures might give you (eg, light poppers, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, etc)

If I can leave you with only one piece of advice, it would be this... No matter what happens, and assuming that the reel is set to the lure, all you have to do is stop the spool from spinning BEFORE the lure (or practice weight) hits anything, be it the water's surface, your neighbor's fence, or the ground directly in front of you because you let go too late. You'll get a few of the latter, trust me.  ;D

How you stop it is irrelevant. Feather the spool to a stop, or stop it dead cold....Bottomline, just stop it.  If you do this, you will have reduced most of the potential most backlashes.

Of yeah... Since you're coming from a spinning background as I did, the time that your thumb comes off of the spool to let line out is ever so slightly EARLIER in the cast than when your forefinger comes off of the rod when casting a spinning setup.  And learn to load the rod properly with the weight of what you're tossing.

On a spinning rig, you can get away with murder with terrible casts when you don't properly load the rod during the cast, but that same sloppiness with pay you with backlashes with a casting setup.

Good luck! I'll bet a floating rapala minnow that you're going to ask yourself why you didn't try this earlier. 

[SausageFingers23]

More great advice! What type of line do you use?

I have 12 lb green low-vis mono on there right now, nothing fancy.  I  don't want to throw anything on there expensive yet because I get the occassional nest every now and again.  I might just stick with it for now though, it seems to be doing the trick.

[spore]

just my oppinion but when i started out... i was told to put on fairly heavy line. (15lb mono) this was because it was easy to manage and more impotantly... easier to pick out the backlashes.

dont worry about light lures to practice with. look at your rod and grab a weight that is in the upper spectrum of your rods rating... (if it goes up to 1oz, tie on a 3/4... etc.) and then go out in the back yard or a park and start casting. go for normal "bankbanging" length casts at first. this will help train your thumb. then later you can go for the open water cast where its all out. then comes pitching, which is much more about precision and control.

you will get it man, just practice.

and like was said before... dont worry too much about your distance or your accuracy at first. train your thumb. when you get that down you will find that you can out cast your entry level reel,(that you can catch many fish on) and want to move up to the 100 dollar level.

then the baitmonkey has you in his furry paws....

Awesome post!

Looks like tomorrow I will be in the backyard! Currently I have 12lb mono tied up. THe one lure I've wanted to use is a Pop-R, but it just isnt working.

The Spook is heavy enough I'd imagine, so that will have to be my top water lure.

The Pop-R might be a bit of a challenge for you at this time, especially if you're learning. I highly recommend using at least 1/2 oz. I just use lead weights. The "bass casting" weights that you find in any tackle section are ideal for a number of reasons:

1) You don't have to sacrifice any of your lures to learn.

2) They will remove aerodynamic problems that some lures might give you (eg, light poppers, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, etc)

If I can leave you with only one piece of advice, it would be this... No matter what happens, and assuming that the reel is set to the lure, all you have to do is stop the spool from spinning BEFORE the lure (or practice weight) hits anything, be it the water's surface, your neighbor's fence, or the ground directly in front of you because you let go too late. You'll get a few of the latter, trust me. ;D

How you stop it is irrelevant. Feather the spool to a stop, or stop it dead cold....Bottomline, just stop it. If you do this, you will have reduced most of the potential most backlashes.

Of yeah... Since you're coming from a spinning background as I did, the time that your thumb comes off of the spool to let line out is ever so slightly EARLIER in the cast than when your forefinger comes off of the rod when casting a spinning setup. And learn to load the rod properly with the weight of what you're tossing.

On a spinning rig, you can get away with murder with terrible casts when you don't properly load the rod during the cast, but that same sloppiness with pay you with backlashes with a casting setup.

Good luck! I'll bet a floating rapala minnow that you're going to ask yourself why you didn't try this earlier.

All these awesome posts are making me want to get out on the lake today!