Help setting brakes and tension knob for Pitching

[Victor Cerabone]

Pitching is NOT my strong point.  I need some help... How do you guys set your tension knob and brakes when pitching?

I had an excellent "jig-practice" session on Pontiac last night.  Just looking to improve a bit more before I use this method in a tourney.

Thanks,

Vic

[32eml24]

I don't like an brakes at all for pitching and the lowest spool tension I can get away with.  That way you can pitch at a lower trajectory- meaning you can get it under more places and in my opinion make a quieter entry if you stop it correctly.  Always let it fall on slack line so it's not swinging away from your target on the decent.  Happy pitching!

[Waterfoul]

Practice practice practice.  It's the only way.

[dartag]

I keep it as loose as possible and thumb the spool.  As you get better pitching you will get better picking out back lashes. 

[Skulley]

I keep it as loose as possible and thumb the spool.  As you get better pitching you will get better picking out back lashes. 

Ain't that the truth.



BD.                   

[bassmandan]

Practice practice practice.  It's the only way.

this, play with the settings in your yard, and also a yes on picking out backlashes  
and another key thing is to make sure your bait is at an even length with the reel

[bassfan586]

And with more practise you can skip them.  I glue the trailer to the hook shank.  It helps it to skip better.  Also i tighten down my tension just a bit to keep backlashes down.

[dartag]

head out to Wolvarine lake.  take out 1 rod.  go left or right and fish the whole lake. never start the big motor.   lots of docks and pads.  by the time you get back to the ramp you will have it figured out.

let me know and I will ride along.   love that lake.

[Victor Cerabone]

Thanks for the all the tips guys.  It helps to know that some backlashes are expected. 

@Dartag, thanks for the tip on Wolverine.  That's exactly the kind of lake suggestion I am looking for.  I would like to fish that lake with you.  I am headed out of town for a few weeks.  I contact you after that.

Vic

[thedude]

a decent reel with good bearings will go a long way. i tend to run my brakes 3/4 to full on and then lay off the spool tension.

[Lightningboy]

I'm with the dude on the settings.  I keep most of the brakes on, and loosen up the spool tension.  Makes sense since the spool tension controls start up, and the brakes control over runs.

I don't backlash much anymore pitching, but no matter what you will build up loose loops in the spool.  Just shoot out a long cast behind you every now and then to retighten the line on the spool.

Wanna practice in the back yard?  Stand on a milk crate so it's like being on the front deck.  Place a pie plate under a lawn chair about 20 feet away.  Try to pitch the bait into the plate without hitting the chair.  Kinda like getting a bait back under a dock or some limbs.

BTW- a great bait to practice with on the water is a soft stick.  Has good weight to it, little air resistance, and catches lots of shoreline bass to keep it interesting.

[djkimmel]

No one puts tape in their spool a little ways down to keep backlashes minimized?

[TimH]

I agree with the practice part.  My buddy and I have a pitch course set up in my back yard that consists of everything from 5 gallon bucket, oil drain pans, garbage can lids, and boards with holes drilled in them.  We practice for about 30 minutes a week, but starting out it was 5 hours a week.
We have also done the practice of only taking our pitching rods on the lake.  When its the only rod you have, it really forces you to learn how to do it.
Who on this site uses a reel with a flip switch?  If so, do you really think its an advantage.  My reel has one, but I still prefer the "normal" way.