Baitcaster Casting Problems

[ThaKing]

Baitcasting is a little difficult but if you know what to do and never done it then you'll do a little better.

Pros can cast that thing in several ways and rarely backlash, they make it look very simple. But you have to realize that they have been doing this for years. Once you get the hang of it, you wont want to go back to spinning unless fishing real light.

Just bought the new shimano curado 100dsv and threw it on a shimano carbomax and i love it.

[sowl323]

I just bought my first baitcaster and used it for the first times on saturday and sunday. Of course I got some backlashes; many minor ones and a few major ones (luckily i was in a kayak, so i could backup while letting out line to fix them). I found backlashes to be almost non-existent when I casted backhand, it was casting forehand where I had more problems. But overall I think I did pretty well and also got a lot of fishing in. The distance I got was somewhat decent and I figure it will only get better. However, the big thing for me was my accuracy was terrible; with my spinner I can hit a 2 foot circle just about anywhere, but not even close with the baitcaster. Is this generally the case that casters are less accurate? I hope not, I really hope the accuracy improves!!

[Guest the_muddy_man]

I( just went over to baitcasting last year THAT ARTICLE FROM REELMECH PROVED TO BE THE BEST!!!!!!!! Anyway I am to the point where I can ast all day with limited tangles my avg cast is between 35 and 40 yards WITH CONTROL

Listen to what the fellas suggest. The #1 thing that helped was going on the Fork trip and fishing with various fellas one would say Hey keep the handles up. another don't horse it LOB IT etc Practing in those windy conditions really helped :

[rebar]

The first thing I allways tell a new "baitcaster" is release the line a little sooner than with spin-cast or spinning. For example on an overhand cast with the reel handles sticking up (right handed, right hand reel) start you overhead cast. With a lot of tension on your spool you can do this in fairly slow motion until you get the right trajectory. Release spool with rod in 12 O'clock position but don't stop, follow through until your rod is pointing at your target. Then practice previous mentioned spool control.  It took me nearly all summer to learn by myself. What made the light come on was when I picked my spinning reel after learning baitcasting and made a cast and the lure went straight up. I have taught several men and kids to throw a baitcaster this way and they allways make me mad when I remember how long it took me to learn! > It still takes a lot of practice but this should get you fishing pretty quickly. It's allways a good idea to take an extra reel or enough line to respool. Sometimes, it's easier to trade or respool than to pick the loops out, easier on your nerves and on your line. Also most baitcasters work with a certain weight line better, especially if you're on the lighter side. Most heavy lines cast pretty good if they're limp enough. You need a small light spool for light lines. HTH. I'm not that good but I'm old and made all the mistakes. ;D

[fishfordollars]

Here's a trick to get the backlash out. Before you start pulling on the line put your thumb on the spool and apply some pressure. Nine times out of ten you will be able to spool the backlash off without having to pick it out. Another suggestion is to change the line after a day of backlashes. It kinks the line and will cause additional backlashes. I keep a backing on all of my baitcasters and change the line after each day of fishing.

[Jake P]

i had a shimano spirex spinning reel and heard alot of talk about these baitcast reels so i went ahead and got me an abu garcia 2 days ago. due to work i havent hit the lake yet so i havent got to try it out but from what ive read yesterday and today it looks pretty intimidating. this weekend im headin out to the ol' fishin spot, i have a feeling im gonna need to bring my other rod n reel

[Jake P]

Well that wasnt so hard  

[TeamBerettaGold]

A trick I used to use when I first started out throwing a baitcaster is to make a good long cast that doesnt backlash. before you reel it in, take a peice of tape and put it on the spool, now you can only cast that far, with no backlash. This really doesnt increase your skill level though.  I used to do this when it would  get really bad.  But you cant beat parctice.

[Castamasta]

i have a bass pro edition bc setup and i have been having great success with it for about 2 years, recently after catchin a couple of lunkers with my friends it seems that the brakes have been engaging immediatly after i cast.........any one know why????

[basspro96]

I learned when I was nine years old in Mississipppi. I stole my dad fishing pole cause he made me mad not letting me use it and learned to throw it. Same thing with his gun! ;D ;D ;D ;D

[FishingMastah1]

I use my personal "two touch method" in which case you give it a solid solid cast for distance and RIGHT AFTER you cast you put your thumb on the line and pull it back off. This slows down the spool to the good speed, while keepin the solid cast distance. Then the second touch is stopping it before it hits the water. Almost fool proof for me.

[coolhandlala]

I got my first bc reel about 2 months ago and it just took a lot of practice and fine tuning the brake and spool control and now I have it just right. I can tell when someone has messed with it because it doesn't cast the same if you change the settings just a little bit.  Just keep pracxticing and you will get it. To start with turn the spool tension so it is pretty tight. You won't be able to cast very far but you will get the feel of the reel, then slowly lighten up the tension to the point you like and then you are ready to rock and roll.

[minnesotabass]

I just found this forum - great resource.  I just bought my first baitcaster after using spinning rods all of my life.  I took it out tonight to try and practice and on the first case got a backlash that looks like it's about half of my line.  After reading this and watching some online instructional videos, I think I had too much line on, didn't keep my thumb on the spool AND had it set on free.  Sounds like the perfect storm.  

Any tips on getting my line back in shape - it's a total and complete mess.  

[BFBoy]

My first reel was a Pflueger Akron. This was a knuckle busting baitcaster. This was before monofilament line, and braided dacron was the line of choice, for me. It took quite a while to learn how to cast it without big backlashes. (At least I learned how to get them out).

When I bought my first ambassadeur reel, things began to change. After many years of practice and technology, baitcasters became my reel of choice.

I still get backlashes, now and then, but they don't annoy me too much. The control I get with them is worth the occasional overrun.

With a new baitcaster, I make sure I have a lure that is streamlined, and set the spool so it drops to the ground just fast enough to overrun slightly. When I cast it, I don't whip it too fast, but try to cast smoothly. (one of the problems, people face, is watching the guys on TV whipping the rod very hard, and they try to replicate that move). My thumb is always close to the spool ready to slow it as the lure hits the water. This also allows for a good measure of distance control.

Once I have become used to the particular reel, I can loosen it up a bit, and get longer, smoother casts. Practice and confidence are the keys.

[darcy tucker]

Usually I set my VBS at neutral (half on half off) with my shimano reels and as I switch from differing weighted lures "I only manipulate the cast control knob."  I've never had a problem with this before and have been very happy with my limited backlashes.  

I just bought a new Citica and was talking to the salesman.  He said it was vital that when I change lure weights that I also change VBS settings.  Is this true?  Is it like a must?  I do not understand why I must do this if the cast control knob seems to be doing the trick.

[dodgeguy]

that's completely wrong.the cast control knob should be loose once your thumb is trained.the brake weight setting controls the intial backlash and should remain constant unless your casting style changes.

[darcy tucker]

So if I am fishing and switching from a heavy spinnerbait to a light crankbait there is no problem with me just adjusting the cast control knob looser like I normally do.  No need in me switching the VBS if I don't feel I need to?

[kyle90ranger365v]

Darcy, do what works for you. There's no absolutes about using BC reels. My Dad and his brother set theirs completely different and neither one has any troubles to speak of. My Uncle sets his where he ALWAYS has his thumb on it (i.e. very loose) and my Dad and I both work ours until its set where the spool stops or is going very slow just about the time the lure is hitting the water on a long cast and we then use our thumb to stop it. I've got different reels that require different settings for different lures and then I've got others that seem to need very little adjustment.

I'd say how you're doing it is very close to how I would. Changing those brakes (once I found what worked good for me would only happen for me if I go from one extreme to the other and just have to). You can use your thumb instead of the brakes anyway.

Let me put it this way.....I have to vary my casting and thumb action a little when I C-rig. My cast becomes more of a real lob and I let the line start to slip just the slightest bit earlier than normal to start the spool spinning slower instead of a jerking quick start that can happen with the longer line out of the rod tip that a C-rig requires. It's all about feel. You've got to throw them enough and think about what you're doing when you do it. Play around with the settings and find what works for you and your casting style. Some seem to do better with a lighter spool tension knob setting and more brake and some the other way around. YES - the initial setup shown in that article is a great place to start and then ease up on brake and knob tension until you can maximize your casts with minimal overruns. Guys these days have it so much easier trying to learn how to use BC's than we did when I was growing up. You either learned how to "feather" that spool with your thumb or put the thing down, cause you'd spend all day picking out backlashes. Learn to use that thumb .......heck GOD put it there for a reason....use it

I used to be able to throw farther with my spinning reels years ago but once I got comfortable with my BC's, not so......not even close.

[bass slayer 17]

this is probably a dead topic but anyway i couldnt even immagine fishing without a baitcaster.. when i first began using them i thought i would never be able to cast beyond 20 ft with it ;D but after practicing everynight with it in the backyard i am able to cast well beyond what i could do with a spinning reel/rod setup.. take the time to use it and you will be happy

[dodgeguy]

So if I am fishing and switching from a heavy spinnerbait to a light crankbait there is no problem with me just adjusting the cast control knob looser like I normally do. No need in me switching the VBS if I don't feel I need to?

correct!!!

[adclem]

There is some great info in here.  It has really helped me get my bait caster setup good and I am beginning to cast very well with it.  They are very intimidating at first but rather easy if you just practice and practice.

Thanks,

[Bass Bro]

Does anyone know where i could find a video on the web that shows how to cast a baitcaster the right way?Thanks ;D

[JL Zingg]

Practice!?!  However, after I bought my baitcaster, I practiced probably twice, got intimidated and let it set for about three weeks.  In the meantime, I read every article, and viewed every video I could find on successfully using it.  The next time I "practiced", I had pretty good control and accuracy.  I basically studied the technique.  My friend who was practicing almost daily started asking me questions, now we have it figured out, but yeah, we still get the occasional backlash and overruns. I am definitely no pro, but I can now use it with confidence.  Is there a place where you can trade in all of your spinner reels for baitcasters  

[JL Zingg]

Videos.  For those still lookin', here is a link to some informative videos.

[JL Zingg]

OKAY, for real this time, here is the link for those informative videos...

http://www.truveo.com/tag/baitcaster