Newbie attempts baitcasting - and lives!

[Tucson]

I haven't looked at a baitcaster since I was 14 years old (that's about 42 in human years) but I picked up an Ambassadeur C3, spooled it with Yo-Zuri ultrasoft #15 and gave it a shot. Worked out well, no more than one backlash per cast. About 20 minutes later I was doing better so I loosened up the reel a little, started casting side-arm ala Jimmy Houston and voila - doing ok. Amazing how much distance you can get with a baitcaster. Working on accuracy now but excited to be back in the baitcast community.

[Blaze]

I would recommend of course as you are practicing as much as you can. I used a 5 gallon bucket and would work my way back hitting it as best i could. As far as distance, more than would get a good hookset.

[Raul]

Just an advice, don 't get over confident with the beast, treat her like you would treat a trained lion, she 's just waiting for you to do something stoopid and wham ! she 'll bite you. Even the most seasoned anglers get professional overruns every now and then, I 've been fishing with baitcasters since 1983 and even though backlashes for me are rare once in a while I do get one, mine are phenomenal !  

[Rattlinrogue]

Tuscon,it'll only get easier and easier as you get more reps doing it.I agree about distance.I love baitcasters.The accuracy will come.You should've seen me the first day my paw-in-law "made" me use a baitcaster.About a million backlashes.But eventually it got easy.

[Bass Hammer]

Yep mine still bite from time to time but I love throwing them.

[BiggerWorm]

Welcome to the world of baitcasters.  I remember the first time I tried casting one, "Man how do you cast these things?"  A great piece of equiptment.  

[Glenn]

You did much better than me on my first cast.  I simply SMACKED the pavement right in front of me on my first attempt.  I made my second cast about an hour later after I respooled (the backlash was enormous).  That cast went straight up....

....

.........

....and back down again -- right in front of me.  

Now I can cast a little better.  

[K_Mac]

Just an advice, don 't get over confident with the beast, treat her like you would treat a trained lion, she 's just waiting for you to do something stoopid and wham ! she 'll bite you. Even the most seasoned anglers get professional overruns every now and then, I 've been fishing with baitcasters since 1983 and even though backlashes for me are rare once in a while I do get one, mine are phenomenal !

Amen!

It is when you get a little lazy,tired, or cocky (I can get get that extra 15'...) that you catch something on the boat or a tree and....surgery is required. Just one of the joys of fishing. Good luck.

[bassmasta7]

I still make quite the bird nests.