Super User Munkin Posted March 25, 2012 Super User Posted March 25, 2012 I learned how to use a baitcaster in 1989 and can tell you it takes a lot of practice along with some trial in error. Since I have been fishing with one for so long I would not be a good teacher as I forget how to cast, it is just muscle memory now. Things I has learned over the years though are; cheap baitcasters are just that= cheap, trying to learn on a $30 baitcaster is frustrating and counterproductive. Now this does not mean you need a $500 Steez reel to learn on! Anything in the normal retail price range of $100-150 is fine. Brand and model is a matter of personal preference and if purchasing a new reel go to BPS to handle them before you buy. Steps to avoid professional overuns (aka backlashes); fill the spool only 1/2 to 3/4 full, pull out a cast length of line and place a piece of electrical tape on the spool. Use cheap line in 10-12lb mono until you get the hang of it, otherwise it gets expensive. Allen 1 Quote
Traveler2586 Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 KingFisher, "should a right handed person like myself buy the RH version of the reel?" You don't have to, it's personal choice, go with what feels right to you; I started RH and moved to LH after using one because it felt better for me. Try both on the same type of rod at the store before you decide. Suggestion, when your at the store look for a pack of practice lures, they come individually or in a three pack (1/4, 1/2, 3/4 oz). They work well when practicing in the back yard, they pull through the grass easily or you can use a parking lot (that's better, use the parking lines as distance markers). Start with the 1/2 oz and make very short cast - only a yard (3 feet, not the whole back yard) or so at a time until you get the feel of it; then cast about 10 feet until you get the feel of that, then 20 feet, then 30 feet, and so on. Then do it all again with the 3/4 oz, and then the 1/4 oz. Take the time to practice casting every day or so - your training you muscle memory to do a job so it will be automatic when you get on the water. it's like shooting hoops. Setting up the reel for the lure weight is important. Hold the rod at 11:00 and release the spool; the lure should drop smoothly, not too fast, not too slow. There's more to know, but I have to sign off for tonight. 1 Quote
slaynbass365 Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 Kevin, I have a RH retrieve Pinnacle baitcaster on a 7' BPS rod that you can try out and see how you like it. Seems like we run into each other a bit so i'll throw it in the car next time I head out. You can give it a shot, birdnest the hell out of it a few times and see if you like it. PM me your number actually, maybe we can arrange a time to meet up. 1 Quote
TheKingFisher Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 Allen, Eric and Nick thanks for the replies and all the info. Wow, I feel like I'm on my way now. Eric, wait there's more to know?! I love the casting suggestions and will definitely give these a shot when I get a rig. For a minute I was just gonna go with the right hand but I've been know to switch the handle on my spinning reels to left and thought I preferred that although lately I've conformed to RH in case the family needs to handle them to reduce the need to switch them back and forth. Since the baitcaster would be something only I would use I shouldn't have to worry about sharing. Nick thanks so much for the offer. I'll get with you in a little bit on it. Heading off to get some Z's. Quote
Traveler2586 Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 Kingfisher, You would be amassed at how many anglers use their spinning reels LH and their bait casters RH. Bottom line comes down to you - what feels good to you. Like I suggested, go to a store, grab two rod of the same model, place a LH on one, place a RH on the other. Then play like your fishing, cast out and reel in, over, and over, until you get the feel of it. Then switch rods and do it all again. Which feel best to you. Never pick a reel because your buddy has one. Your two different people. 1 Quote
dcfdpipeman Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 Congrats to BrianMD for getting the big lunker/winning the Team Tournament yesterday at our club. Brian reeled in 4.?oz lunker. It was my 1st tournament in a very long time. We caught fish but others did better. Best was to hang out with the Club's VP and his very nice Ranger Boat. Big difference from my Tracker boat. It doesn't catch fish but sure makes life a bit easier.. Friday - spent time on the Potomac from Gravely up to Fletchers. Tons of boats trying to catch the shad run. Had some luck that day but got a wicked sun burn too, Saturday - tourn day - we hit fish early but no keepers, later on was better. We tried to target some big fish but no luck. But not a bad start for March! Good job Brian - not sure he got a photo Quote
Super User BrianinMD Posted March 25, 2012 Super User Posted March 25, 2012 Thanks Peter! The lunker was 5lbs 10ozs. Sam is a great guy to fish wish, willing to share a lot of information. And you can never argue against riding in a 22ft ranger. Surprised to hear it got better later in the day. Most our fish came early. Quote
dcfdpipeman Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 Thanks Peter! The lunker was 5lbs 10ozs. Wow, I thought you said 4.6 + Did you get a photo? I know ESPN was doing the winner interviews, so I hope you had time to sneak in a photo of your own. Quote
Super User BrianinMD Posted March 25, 2012 Super User Posted March 25, 2012 Ha ha....no i didn't take a pic. Quote
KenLattimore Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 Finally got out to BH this morning with 301-fisherman by the stick ups and boy was it worth it! Started throwing a lipless crank but lost two and switched to plastics...an nothing. Switched to a spinnerbait and started off with a 3lber and then caught my personal best which had to be pushing 5 lbs if not more. Great morning! I'll post a pic later today 1 Quote
Fat Boy Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 Congrats to Brian for his win! Way to go Ken on your PB!!!! Quote
301-fisherman Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 Nothing beats the spinnerbait bite! Knew those stick ups actually held fish! No bike contest was going to hold us back from getting some quality fishing in Ken Quote
Traveler2586 Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 Here's the pic from this morning. :respect-059: :respect-059: :respect-059: :respect-059: :respect-059: Quote
TheKingFisher Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 Congrats to Brian on the Tourney and to Ken on the excellent fish! Quote
Super User Munkin Posted March 26, 2012 Super User Posted March 26, 2012 The stickups that everyone is fishing, is that the area right beside the boat ramp? Fish spawn on top of the submerged trees there but I rarely catch anything around them. Allen Quote
basser89 Posted March 26, 2012 Author Posted March 26, 2012 The stickups that everyone is fishing, is that the area right beside the boat ramp? Fish spawn on top of the submerged trees there but I rarely catch anything around them. Allen You can technically blame me for the confusion Allen. No, the stick ups is not across from the boat ramp, it's actually the area on the arm closest to Germantown, instead of hooking a right on the main arm to go up the 10 mile creek arm, make the left and go back the channel and follow that back around to the stand of trees back almost to the end of that arm. When I first started fishing Black Hills back in the mid 90's, some friends at work introduced me to that area and that's what they called it. It just stuck with me from then. And I guess I have some catching up to do. Last I knew, we were about 4 pages back. LOL! Will try to catch up with everything else tomorrow. Quote
Super User BrianinMD Posted March 26, 2012 Super User Posted March 26, 2012 Don't worry Sean we would have blamed you for any confusion anyway Sounds like I need to hit Black Hills sometime soon. Great to hear all the good trips and big fish caught. Will have to see if I can make it out next weekend. This weather has been strange but it is making the fish bite. Was odd fishing shallow wood for prespawn fish on the lower potomac saturday. Quote
KenLattimore Posted March 26, 2012 Posted March 26, 2012 Thanks Peter! The lunker was 5lbs 10ozs. Sam is a great guy to fish wish, willing to share a lot of information. And you can never argue against riding in a 22ft ranger. Surprised to hear it got better later in the day. Most our fish came early. Hey Brian. Congrats on your catch...way to go! Quote
Bill Poch Posted March 26, 2012 Posted March 26, 2012 Finally got out to BH this morning with 301-fisherman by the stick ups and boy was it worth it! Started throwing a lipless crank but lost two and switched to plastics...an nothing. Switched to a spinnerbait and started off with a 3lber and then caught my personal best which had to be pushing 5 lbs if not more. Great morning! I'll post a pic later today Nice fish! Quote
TheKingFisher Posted March 26, 2012 Posted March 26, 2012 Hey all, I have a friend who lives in Florida and look what he caught a couple days ago. He doesn't even know how big it was but it broke his 50# scale. I just hate him sometimes... Quote
basser89 Posted March 26, 2012 Author Posted March 26, 2012 Keep in mind, I'm playin catch up here. Had a death in the family, hence not being on much lately. Boett, glad to see someone has had some succes at PEPCO! I haven't had any luck there yet this year (at the discharge and the canal). LOL! Bill, the pond in middletown is kind of the same way (guessing) as baker park. What I've done at the pond in middletown is cover as much water as possible with some bottom bait (t-rig, carolina rig or jig) to figure out what the bottom is like. There could be keys to the bottom that could hold bass, whether that's a change in the bottom (say from mud to gravel or depth changes or even a weed line). Congrats on your personal best too! Kevin W, great report as always! Awesome pics too! Nick, with everything going on, I completely forgot about us talkin about a spring get together!!! Would someone like to take the reigns on leading this one? Not sure I have the time right now to lead this one. Not saying I couldn't participate, the work load is just a bit much right now! 301 and Kevin I, a lot of great posts regarding baitcasters! I started using baitcasters back in the late 90's. Took me some time to settle in with what I felt confident in. Just don't start off with something low end. Its best to save up. Spend time practicing with whatever reel you decide on, whether its actually on the water, in your back yard or even inside. I do use both left and right handed models. I base my decision on which one I use based off of the technique I what to use. Some techniques, I feel more comfortable with lefties over righties. Ken, congrats on the new PB! I think that covers most every thing! If I did miss something, I do apologize! I have got out here and there during my time off to take my mind off things. I've had some success here and there but nothing decent. Caught a few on lipless cranks, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and wacky rigged stick baits from what I remember off the top of my head. With the cooler weather coming, hopefully it will prolong the prespawn. I hadn't checked the water temps lately but they have to be getting up there. 1 Quote
Boett43 Posted March 26, 2012 Posted March 26, 2012 Yeah Basser it was hit or miss while I was home for spring break few good days though. When do you usually see the spawn starting at Black Hill? Quote
basser89 Posted March 27, 2012 Author Posted March 27, 2012 Yeah Basser it was hit or miss while I was home for spring break few good days though. When do you usually see the spawn starting at Black Hill? Traditionally, it seems to come right around the first week of May (depending on the moon phase). With the water temps I got the other week, it will probably start a lot sooner. I just double checked the weather, and even though tonight through tuesday seem to be more common to the temps we're supposed to have this time of year, I see the spawn more than likely kicking off on the next full moon (April 7th) or at the latest on new moon (April 21st). I really hope I'm wrong and its later! Quote
pagliaroj Posted March 27, 2012 Posted March 27, 2012 I have been reading a lot about Black Hills on this forum. I move into Waynesboro this weekend and want to get out fishing in two weeks. How do I get there? Is it a good shore fishing spot, because I don't have a boat yet although it is on the agenda to purchase in a month or so? Quote
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