Talk me down off the ledge, so frustrated

[Munkin]

I didn't read any of the replies so this may have been said, but you need to get that braid off of there asap. It's the WORST thing to learn a baitcaster with. Go to Wal-Mart and get yourself one of those big spools of Renegade Monofilament for like $4. Spool it up and backlash your heart out. If you can't pick out the backlash, cut it out, and respool with your new 2000yd roll of line that cost $4 rather than $20+ for the braid.

Also try turning your hand to the side as you cast. It will help you learn to "feather" the spool as the bait is traveling through the air.

Other than that, just practice a lot.

Good luck my friend

This was what I was going to recommend as mono is easier to pick out and a lot cheaper when you do have to cut it. Other options are only filling the spool 1/2-3/4 full which will lose some distance but decrease the number of backlashes. Second option would be make a good long cast with whatever bait casts the best and then put a small piece of electrical tape over the rest of the line on the spool. While this will not prevent backlashes it does a lot of damage control.

All of us baitcasting experts on here do not get backlashes we have "professional overuns".

Allen

[senko_77]

Braid is the worst to learn with??? Hmm, I never heard that before. I started using a baitcaster last year and I got the hang of it pretty quick, a few backlashes early on but now I am very accurate and rarely get even a small backlash. I have braid on my baitcaster and I have less backlashes with it and they are easier to get out for me. I don't see how braid can be worse to start with??

Yeah main.  It digs a lot easier and rather than it slipping against itself, it grips.  I HATE throwing braind in tournaments because you have to dig it out after every fish/hang up

[evrgladesbasser]

3 things come to mind:

1. Make sure your seting up your baitcaster correctly for each bait your casting. A spinner needs to be set up differently than a senko, unless of course they weigh exactly the same.

2. Get a spinner rod and reel. They are much easier to learn on and much more forgiving. I understand what a tight budget is all about, but you can find a good usable combo for about fifty bucks.

3. Remember always; A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work. That should put it into perspective for you.

Stick with it my friend and good luck

[hiker]

1. Practice in the back yard. You can learn casting better in the yard because if you try to focus on your casting while on the water you'll just start thinking about catching fish instead. I say work on your casting in the yard for 30 minutes a day. You'll get way better real quick, and then when you get on the water, you can start focusing on fishing rather than picking out backlashes.

2. Cast nice heavy lures. 1/4 oz baits require more precise thumb work than casting 3/4 oz baits IMO. Learn with the heavy stuff.

3. Cast downwind. It's way easier.

4. Avoid casting light baits upwind. See points 2 and 3 above. It's a recipe for disaster even after you get a little better.

5. Less line on the spool will slow things down and make it easier to cast. Also tighten up your cast controls and brakes. Loosen them only when you start getting better and only a little at a time.

[Nibbles]

Braid is the worst to learn with??? Hmm, I never heard that before. I started using a baitcaster last year and I got the hang of it pretty quick, a few backlashes early on but now I am very accurate and rarely get even a small backlash. I have braid on my baitcaster and I have less backlashes with it and they are easier to get out for me. I don't see how braid can be worse to start with??

Yeah main. It digs a lot easier and rather than it slipping against itself, it grips. I HATE throwing braind in tournaments because you have to dig it out after every fish/hang up

From my experience, once you go above 40# test braid, it's usually thick enough in diameter not to dig in. Unless you're using Samurai in which case get 65# test.

[gobig]

Most likely your reel is out of adjustment. But make sure you do not have any bad guides. My brother is getting back into fishing again and bought a new rod and reel set up. Spooled it with 65lb power pro and was continuously  having back lash problems. So I decided to help him out. I adjusted the reel properly and it backlashed on me with conservative settings. Right away I knew something was not right. After a quick inspection I found a small bur on the upper portion of the second guide. Exchanged the rod and no more problems.

[pudmunk]

None of the centif. brakes were set :-? (dummy)

I think I got it smokin now. Casting in my backyard and hitting my targets like a pro with no backlashes. (yay)

Was watching WFN bass shows all day, watching the pros cast on baitcasters and taking mental notes, rewinding and re-rewinding on my DVR to get 2nd and 3rd looks.

Was hoping the rain and wind would die down to get out with no luck, so I just decided to practice out in the backyard.

Excited to get out again, going crazy just waiting :D

[Pikesnogle]

I was going to post some insight, but it looks like you figured it out.

And don't worry when I got my first baitcaster this year, I did the same thing. ALL of my brakes were off... so you aren't alone. After I had 3 of 6 on, I got it down in 30 minutes.

Keep at it, there is no better reel than a caster for accuracy imho. That's why I bought a second one!  ;D