If you want to get serious about bass fishing, it's important that you learn to use all the tools. The one I'm going to discuss now is the baitcasting reel. The benefits of these were discussed in Baitcasting Reels - Worth Learning, Pt. 1. So, what is the best way to tackle these buggers? First, you'll want to make sure it's set up right. Let's adjust the brakes on the system to help alleviate some bird's nests. Start learning the baitcasting reel with a 3/8 oz. or a 1/2 oz. weight until you get the hang of it. Put the break at it's highest setting, usually 10. Now, adjust the spool tension as tight as it will go (usually on the right side with no numbers). Hold the rod and reel straight out in front of you and click the line release button to allow the lure to fall straight down to the ground. Start backing off the spool tension until the lure (I use practice plugs) slowly falls to the ground, and when it hits, no more line comes off the spool. This is the correct setting. While you are practicing (yes, you are going to need to practice with this reel), back off on the brake just a little at a time. Eventually you will get more comfortable with the new settings and you should be able to cast farther. Experiment with different settings with the brake and spool. Don't Overspool While you are learning the baitcasting reel, do not overspool. Adding too much line, at least until you get used to throwing it, will cause backlash. By adding less line to the reel, less line comes off with every rotation and it's easier to avoid backlashing, especially with mono which has a memory and will loosely coil up around the spool once tension is relieved. Make Sure To Get The Right Combo The lighter the lure you are casting, the shorter the rod you need for the baitcasting reel. Using too long of a rod with a light weight will result in backlash. Casting a 1/8th or 1/4 ounce plastic plug will result in little if any load up on the rod tip from midway up with a 7 foot rod and the bird's nests are inevitable. Also, the 7 foot rod is not meant for casting. It is meant for lobbing 2 handed as in the Carolina rig or for underhanded pitching as in 1/2 ounce and up jigs. Get a 6 foot medium heavy or a 6 foot 6 inch medium heavy rod and then try 2 handed casting. You will have much more control over the spool as you feather it with your thumb. Thumbs Up - Or Down The whole trick to using the baitcasting reel is the use of the thumb. Applying and releasing pressure to the spool with your thumb is the key to this system, and you must master it. Here it is in a nutshell: put the thumb on the line to hold it in place while you click the line release button. Cast the lure by releasing the thumb pressure, but keep the thumb barely touching the line. As the lure reaches its destination, apply more pressure with the thumb as a brake and to keep the line from spooling off into a bird's nest. Easier said than done. It takes a lot of practice to get the right touch. Again, when you cast keep your thumb on lightly on the spool. A brief touch of more pressure at the beginning of the cast and less as it goes out. Keep practicing until you can cast over and over without a bird's nest and then start easing off the tension knob and the brake. Don't try to be a hero. Throwing too hard will snag you up. Throw a moderate distance until you get used to it. As you get better at this, you will see your distance improve. Now, there is much more to be said about all of this. I have compiled a list of tips for you in Baitcasting Reels - Worth Learning, Pt. 3 |
