First Baitcaster Setup

[zenyoungkoh]

hi guys, i just ordered my first baitcaster setup on cabelas. Paid $50 for a $75 combo because of the sales going on now! Its a daiwa strikeforce paired with a Daiwa triforce 6'6" medium heavy, fast action rod http://www.cabelas.c...ch-All+Products. Im spooling on 14lb tourney tough mono line from bps. I mainly fish heavier soft plastics, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater with this combo. It is also my 'heavy cover' combo as my other spinning combo is medium action with 8lb line. Do you think this is a good first baitcaster setup? im a full time student so i dont have alot of money to spend on fishing. And are there any good tips to offer on using a baitcaster well?

[zenyoungkoh]

oh yeah and how long did it take you to be able to cast successfully 95% of the time without backlashes?

[zero limit]

oh yeah and how long did it take you to be able to cast successfully 95% of the time without backlashes?

Not too long, maybe a couple of hours in the backyard throwing a practice plug. But I bought my first baitcaster back in the mid 90s( cheap Southbend combo) and could not figure it out so it sat im my garage for about 10yrs. before I decided to try it again( Thanks to Bass Resources) and Its members for all the tips. The one thing I can tell you is concentrate on every cast and soon it will become effortless

[NBR]

Nothing wrong with your gear, although some will chide you about getting a better reel. I would use a softer mono since it casts a bit easier. I have been working on the backlash thing for over 65 years and still manage to get one from time to time. Watch the pro's like KVD, every once in a while he will lift his rod after a cast. He is just getting rid of some slack on the reel spool that was the making of a backlash. I do it often!

[astaf]

I dont know much about the Rod and Reel because im still pretty new at bass fishing.I got my first baitcaster a week or so ago, at first all i would get was backlashes, after setting it down for a bit out of frustration i picked it back up put on a practice plug and went at it, took me maybe an hour or so to start to get the hang of it, but what i didnt realize is the timing of your thumb changes with each lure size/weight so you really have to concentrate like what zero said. Start out with small casts till you get comfortable with it and then once you are, you can start hurling it. You really got to concentrate though cause the timing of your thumb is the key to fishing for hours or sitting on the bed of your truck fixing those backlashes.

Good Luck, and practice practice practice

[John G]

Adjust you reel so that line does not come out easily when you press the button. As you get better, you can loosen it up a bit. Shimano says that if your backlashes occur in the beginning of the cast, you need to adjust your magnets of whatever you have. If the backlash occurs at the end of the cast, you can just use your cast control knob to to slow the spool down.

[zenyoungkoh]

right thanks guys, cant wait for my baitcaster to arrive on tuesday!!! the wait is killing me

[Packard]

Should be a decent starter set up. Once you get the hang of it I'd upgrade though.

[zenyoungkoh]

aaah im so mad! My baitcaster finally came and the reel doesnt work! when i crank the handle the spool doesnt turn. it does everything fine. Now i have to wait for another week before my new baitcaster comes. Cant believe cabelas doesnt check if their items work before putting it in the box!

[johnnytoxin]

Check your drag if its too loose the spool will not turn.

[zenyoungkoh]

d**n wished the customer service told me that earlier when i call them but thanks alot!! I fixed it, but hopefully i can cancel the order i placed. ahhh this is making me crazy

[zenyoungkoh]

yeah i can pitch to the middle of the carpet 3 yards away consistently now without any backlash using 1/2 oz lure

[ChiCityBasser]

Good to know u figured it out and got it working for you and just keep practicing.

[zenyoungkoh]

Im good at pitching now, but casting is pretty tough. I can only cast up to 8 yards without backlash. My spool tension is pretty loose, the lure can drop vertically and cause a small backlash. and the magnetic brakes are at 3. What should i do to get more distance? Im educating my thumb now so most of the time when i cast i stop it with my thumb.

[ChiCityBasser]

Trying to cast like you are using a spinning reel will cause you to backlash as well. Try more of a roll cast with more wrist than arm and that should help also.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Practice with a little heavier weight, like 3/4 oz. Think of it like learning to drive. Concentrate on smooth acceleration and braking. Hitting your target will get you more bites than casting a mile.

[zenyoungkoh]

True. Okay now i can cast 20 - 30 yards quite accurately with the overhand cast. However i cant cast sideways well lol, either the lure goes flying too left of too right. I cant really get it straight 8 out of 10 times. How should i get more accurate with side arm cast?

[Diggy]

Trying to cast like you are using a spinning reel will cause you to backlash as well. Try more of a roll cast with more wrist than arm and that should help also.

this...I just got a baiycaster too and once I discovered this, my life has been more prosperous