To baitcast or not

[BuzzStPoint]

I'm in the market for a new rod. One that is a little larger.
I was shopping and found a rod that is real comfy in my hands and doesn't feel like a cheap heavy sword.

Problem is, this rod is a baitcasting rod. So I've been reading and reading about baitcasters and wondering if I should pick one up.

I know I'd catch hell for doing it. My Cousin bought one and I did the "Are you sure you want one of those? They can be tricky." 2 days later he returned it. Now I'm thinking of getting one. But I think I have more patience then he does to go through the learning curve.

 

[Ithica DB]

Re: To baitcast or not

It depends what you are fishing for I have got to where I use one a good bit (6500 Abu Garcia) I do alot of Striper fishing and need the heavy reel but you have to teach your thumb what to do. I very rare have a birds nest but I am always straiting my buddys out. I have told him if he can't use it I would give him an old zebco 303.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: To baitcast or not

We do a little walleye fishing, But primarily Large and Smallmouth bass.

 

[Ithica DB]

Re: To baitcast or not

Than I would recomend a smaller reel that has a thumb plate realese on it. I know this will not make you feel any better but the neibor boy (3) comes down to my dock and fishes with one of those his dad has titened the cast up alittle but he can still get it out there.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: To baitcast or not

I mostly made the switch a couple of years ago. I am a righty, but I use a low profile, left handed reel. Use a fairly heavy line (15 pounds or so) and spray some of this on it. http://www.lineandlure.com/info/faq/ Also, fill your spool up as far as possible. A full spool turns slower and will have less over-run. Finally when you start using a baitcaster, set the brakes and spool tension fairly hard (high numbers and tight).

There are many people out there who give up, so you can get a good baitcaster thru craigslist, etc quite cheaply. Just make sure you get a good one to start with. It will be easier to use, last longer, and be cheaper in the long run.

TerryMSU

 

[dingbat]

Re: To baitcast or not

Unless the rod has a trigger handle, there is absolutely no difference between a spinning rod and a bait casting rod except a name.

My middle daughter, now 17, has been proficient at using conventional since she was 7 years old. If a 7 yearsold girl can learn, so can you. Then again, she out fishes most people on the boat 2 to1 so maybe that?s not such a great example.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: To baitcast or not

Unless the rod has a trigger handle, there is absolutely no difference between a spinning rod and a bait casting rod except a name.

My middle daughter, now 17, has been proficient at using conventional since she was 7 years old. If a 7 yearsold girl can learn, so can you. Then again, she out fishes most people on the boat 2 to1 so maybe that?s not such a great example.

It does have the "trigger" handle.
It's bigger then my current, and rated better.

With the lures I'm starting to use, they are just too large for my pole. Plus with the last couple of "big ones" snapping my line and bending my rod ( I know, set the drag) in a serious arc I started to look at a different rods.

Plus you can't have too many fishing Rods.

 

[barbosam]

Re: To baitcast or not

Unless the rod has a trigger handle, there is absolutely no difference between a spinning rod and a bait casting rod except a name.

Baitcasters have much smaller eyes, especially the first eye, compare a spinning rod to any baitcaster and you will see a huge difference in the size of the first eye. I would not recommend using a baitcasting rod with a spinning reel but I've seen it done a hundred times without major issues. Not a huge problem but it can effect how smoothly the reel operates.

 

[dingbat]

Re: To baitcast or not

Baitcasters have much smaller eyes, especially the first eye, compare a spinning rod to any baitcaster and you will see a huge difference in the size of the first eye. I would not recommend using a baitcasting rod with a spinning reel but I've seen it done a hundred times without major issues. Not a huge problem but it can effect how smoothly the reel operates.

Using a larger collector guide will have absolutely no affect on the performance of the bait casting reel. In fact, a large collector guide would probably improve the performance on 75% of the combos I see people using.

 

[lncoop]

Re: To baitcast or not

Modern baitcast reels are very user friendly. They will still backlash if you make them mad, but they're nothing like the old red Ambassadeurs (which are still very good reels but require more practice than modern ones). Something like a Shimano Citica would be a good choice for a first baitcaster. You'll get the hang of it in no time.

 

[fishndirk]

Re: To baitcast or not

If all you were doing is bass fishing than spending the extra time and money to learn baitcasters would probly be worth it in the long run but if you are a multi-tasked fisherman than you might as well stick with open faced reels. A baitcaster is better for bass fishing because its all about pitching control, hook set and fast line retrieval rate (higher gear ratio). However, many people still catch any type of fish on an open faced reel (including me). A baitcaster does take a bit to learn but once you commit it aint so bad. I guess the biggest question is, give it an honest try, whatever you can use better, stick with it. Whats the worst that you can do...catch a fish?

 

[dingbat]

Re: To baitcast or not

A baitcaster is better for bass fishing because its all about pitching control, hook set and fast line retrieval rate (higher gear ratio).

The diameter of the spool plays a bigger role in retrieval rates than a gear ratio. The larger diameter spools on the spinning reels trump the higher gear ratios in the BC every time.

 

[j_martin]

Re: To baitcast or not

If yer losing big fish, learn to use the winch reel. It's worth it.

I usually run 20 lb firewire on mine, 75 yards backed by 12 lb mono.

Screwing around during no-bite times with light tackle, I've lost 3 over 4 lbs in the last week. First one bushed me and snapped off. Second was seen going under the boat at about 40 mph and never slowed down. Third one, about 5 lbs, skyrocketed from about 9 feet down 40 feet from the boat and snapped the line. Partner almost needed the heart paddles for me.

No fish, but lotsa fun.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: To baitcast or not

Well I gone and did it.
Bought bait caster. Since I'm a cheapskate I didn't spring for an expensive one. Spooled up some line, set the brakes and tension on the tighter side. Started plugging in the back yard.

All was going so well till I decided to try and pitch into the pool. That one didn't work so well.
Hopefull the rain will take a break tomorrow so I can try it out on the river.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: To baitcast or not

Depending on the line you may find that uit does a LOT better once the line gets wet. My line softens up very nicely when it gets wet, and then it does not "explode" off the reel.

TerryMSU

 

[sschefer]

Re: To baitcast or not

I use a G-Loomis BCR803 with a Diawa Steez. The 803 has a little softer tip and I personally like it because it'll absorb those hard hits and give a little more on the fast runs. The Steez is a fast reel both in and out and some say it's hard to learn but I don't buy that. I was pulling crank baits with it this morning and managed to snag 5 nice fish.

If the G-Loomis is out of your reach you can do quite well with a Lamiglass. Both companies are owned by Shimano but G-Loomis is kind of left to do it's own thing.

If you're throwing toads or top water then you might want a stiffer tip to get the action you need while you're learning. Later on you can go to a softer tip. Guides do make a difference and you can tell cheap or universal guides on the first real cast. Large collectors usually do better with spinning reels and small collectors with baitcast. In a flippling rod I prefer a medium collector because I want control but if I'm casting really long I'll go with a rod with a bigger collector.

The problem most begging bait casters experience is that they try to use a baitcaster for everything. It just doesn't work that way and in short order you'll get frustrated. I never leave the dock without at lest 6 rod and reel combos. On minute I might be baitcasting and the next I'm working top water and a few minutes later I'm throwing sinko's. You just never know what's going to work on any given day.

 

[fishndirk]

Re: To baitcast or not

Just remember, keep your thumb on top of the reel. Thumb tension on before bait hits the water.

 

[dingbat]

Re: To baitcast or not

If the G-Loomis is out of your reach you can do quite well with a Lamiglass. Both companies are owned by Shimano but G-Loomis is kind of left to do it's own thing.

Where did you come up with this stuff? Lamiglas Inc. is a privately held company that has absolutely nothing to do with Shimano. Never has, never will.

Guides do make a difference and you can tell cheap or universal guides on the first real cast.

For the most part, the guide quality is irreverent. A well designed rod using inexpensive guides will cast better than a poorly designed rod using the best guides on the market. From a performance perspective, 99.8% of the people couldn?t tell the difference between $1.50 and a $7.00 guide if it walked up and introduced itself to them.

Large collectors usually do better with spinning reels and small collectors with baitcast. In a flippling rod I prefer a medium collector because I want control but if I'm casting really long I'll go with a rod with a bigger collector.

The collector guide's diameter and location is determined by the reel. Anything bigger only increases the weight of the rod. Anything smaller will decrease performance.

 

[Fishn4Funn]

Re: To baitcast or not

Been using a bait caster for many many years and you'll find that you can cast one helluva distance by merely lightly floating your thumb over the reel as it rapidly spins off line just enough to prevent it from spooling fluff and snarls. It's a very light touch and I have always moved my thumb just a little left and right as it spins off line to keep up with the level-wind gear as it moves back & forth. It's more a feel that you develop as time goes by. Nothing technical about it.

I think you'll never go back once you master it fully. Best of luck.

 

[sschefer]

Re: To baitcast or not

Wow dingbat, you're a really smart guy..

Shimano America, Inc.

One Holland Drive
Irvine, CA 92618, U.S.A.​

Telephone: (949) 951-5003
http://www.shimano.com​

G-Loomis​

http://www.gloomis.com/publish/content/gloomis_2010/us/en/conventional/support.html​

Gary and I beleive his brother, worked for Lamiglass before he started G-Loomis. He has since retired but still consults from what I understand.​

When you, if you, visit the G-Loomis site, take a few minutes to read about guides and different types of rods. You might be suprised at what you'll learn.

The relations of Lamiglass isn't as bold as the one with G loomis but it's quite clear in the SEC filings.​