Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

[Elmer Fudge]

I recently recieved a baitcasting rod and reel combo as a gift, having only ever used spinning and spincast tackle, backlash was never an issue, i now spend all my darn time trying to get untangled <br />Is there as easy way in getting the hang of this

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

I here ya, the first time ya pick one of those things up can be very frustrating.<br /><br />OK, first off, most of the time, bait casters are used for heavier baits, at least a quarter ounce, and better 3/8 untill you get used to it. Your reel will have an anti backlash feature on it somewhere so you can adjust the tension of the spool. Tie on a bait that you will be using, release the spool and hold your thumb on it with the lure hanging about a foot from the tip. Now realease your thumb grip slowly, the lure should very slowly fall to the ground and when it hits, the spool should not continue spooling line off. If this does not happen this way you need to adjust the tension feature untill it does. You will allways have to thumb the spool some when the lure hits the water though. Practice, Practice, Practice, You will get it down in know time.<br /><br /> Here is some more info

 

[roscoe]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

no

 

[noelm]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

Hi<br /> been a baitcaster man for yonks, first thing is make sure the lure and rod are matched, maybe on a sticker on the rod will tell you what lure weights are recomended, too light and a backlash for sure, too heavy and you get a hole in the ground at your feet where the lure landed!( and a backlash) without these fundementals set you will be frustrated for ever trying to get a good cast away, then it is practice, practice and more practice

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

What kind of reel?<br /><br />If it is an ABU I may be able to help. I have been using them for about 9 years now. (I still get the rat's nest now and then) They just get easier to untangle.<br /><br />If it came with a small manual telling you what every little dial and knob does READ IT. The anti-backlash is an important knob. Remember, if you loosen the drag, it loosens the anti-backlash setting. At least on mine it does. Also, a very important tip, stretch the line. Some lines, especially the heavier test lines have a bad memory. I love Maxima Chameleon line for it's toughness and resistance to abrasive rocks and sticks. I hate it for it's memory and stiffness. Braided lines are bad, bad, bad for a beginner to cast. They will untwist and go through each other's loops. Cut it and start over, gets expensive.<br />Start casting with a heavier line to learn and work your way down to lighter lines. I bought some inexpensive 30 lb line, stretched it, tied on a 7/8 oz lure with hooks removed and started with that. <br />You WILL get better at casting it. Like noelm said practice, practice, practice. Don't just practice casting, have a target in mind and aim for it. You will be surprised how far and accurate you can cast with one of these setups.<br /><br />Enjoy,<br /><br />AK Chappy

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

Hey man, don't feel bad. I've been using baitcasters for... um, a long time. That said here's a photo from opening day a week or two ago:<br /><br />

<br />

<br /><br />Follow all the adivce here. Especially, start out using heavier weights or lures, easier to cast. <br /><br />I like using it, but to be honest I don't really see the point to use it as a casting rod. You can cast further and more easily with an open face spinner in my opinion. Plus you don't have to cut the line off the reel like I had to do above. <br /><br />What I do use mine for a lot is drop line fishing, bottom fishing, that kind of thing where you cast once and leave it or just drop it straight down. There is where it's best used. <br /><br />Have fun.

 

[TwoWatt]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

@ Nibbles. That is definitely a mess. <br /><br />No help other than that.....I only use ultralite spinning reels.

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

Hey poppet valve,<br />Did you figger it out??<br />Or did you blow a poppet? <br /><br />Just curious.<br /><br />AK Chappy

 

[ehenry]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

Professional Over Cast is a common occurance with a bait caster. Just like LubeDude says "Practice, Practice, PRACTICE ! !" and you'll get the hang of it.

 

[one more cast]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

This is a real question.... Why switch to a bait caster? I tried one a few times and could not for the life of me see why anyone would need one.Is it just to say "I use a bait caster" or is there really a reason to use one?

 

[KM2]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

LD is right on. Even the pro's still do it once in a while.

 

[skeeterboy]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

would you stick 65 pound braid on a spinning or 30 pund mono on spinning thats why you would use baitcast. With that you also have more control or feathering your bait out, you dont have to click over the reel or put a finger up to feather the line. Spinning has its place as with baitcasting. And yea LD is right again! practice makes perfect.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

i have always been more accurate w/bc's. and they don't twist line like spinreels do, to me.<br /><br />the tip on using tape is what my pop does. the upper half of the spool's line will be ez'r to cast, so he just leaves old line on to partially fill the spool, and ties to new line, covers with tape and adds enough new line to cover his maximum casting range. <br />but you'll find good use with the b/c if you just use it for your heavier lures until you get more practice. its great for weighted worm fishing - just press a button and let the fish run off with the worm until you're ready to set the hook. <br />or fling that 1/2oz buzzbait, and when it starts to fall down to the water, a partial turn of the handle engages the gears with a click, and you can start winding right before it touches the water no reaching up to close the bail by hand and then drag the lure back to the top of the water...<br />i usually have both spinning & b/c tied up with diff type lures when i hit the lake.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

The conventional reel was intended to eliminate the less agile folks from the fishing scene, then someone came about and invented the spinning reel. That's why your favorite fishing place is getting overcrowded. Chief

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

LMAO at Chief.<br /><br />Never thought of it that way!! But ain't it the truth!<br /><br />AK Chappy

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

There are plenty of very high quality saltwater class spinning reels that will hold lot's (300 yds or more) of 50lb mono no problem. spinning reels are so good today that With bait runners (dual drag sinning reels) you can even fish with live bait with ease. The real place spinners can't yet really compete with conventional reels is large game - tuna, marlin, etc and I'd prefer a conventional when bottom fishing for something like Cod in 300 ft of water too...

 

[one more cast]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

But REAL fishermen don't need 30 or 50 pound test to catch bass. Just kidding, for the fishing I do I like using a spinning reel. So maybe in heavy weeds a bait caster would come in handy?

 

[Terry H]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

OMC, REAL fishermen don't fish for stinkin' bass either. Just kidding. If you're just fishing freshwater bass you don't need anything other than a spinning reel anyroads. Chief

 

[skeeterboy]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

That 8lb line wont last in lake fork with those stumps or in FLA with the lilly pads and thick water hyacinths.

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Non-Fishing Technical Tackle Frustration

Sorry that i took so long in getting back to this thread, this is the info on the rod and reel.<br /><br />Reel: Bass Pro Extreme<br /> ETX 05 HA High speed<br /> Gear Ratio 6.3:1<br /> 5 Ball Bearing system<br /><br />Rod: Bass Pro Extreme<br /> 6'6" Med Act<br /> 1/4 - 5/8 Lure<br /> WL 8 - 17 Lbs Line<br /> K4