New to Baitcaster

[Jefferson]

Gonna give baitcasters a shot this year and I read a lot on people complaining its to hard. I don't really buy that. I plan on spooling my revo s with 12lb yo zuri hybrid. I'd prefer to spool up the toughest stuff to learn on, making everything else easier. Any thoughts on starting on a baitcaster? Maybe a different line?

[robhj]

I probably use baitcasters 70% of the time & spinning 30%. I have some friends & brothers that use spinning reels exclusively and I'm shocked that they won't spend the time to learn how to use baitcaster. There are definitely some significant advantages and I don't think they are difficult at all with a little practice. My 11 y/o daughter learned how to use one 2 years ago! I don't think your line choice is a factor at all. I would strongly recommend spending the most money you can afford on one. Many great manufacturers out there and you can get a solid reel for $100-150 that will last you several seasons. Shimano, Lews, Pfleuger, Abu just to name a few all make some good reels. I happen to have all Shimano and I feel that having the same reel on all of my casting rods allows me to be more proficient because I'm used to the feel & operation of that model. I would recommend that you practice as much as possible, even casting & flipping/pitching in your yard before the season starts. Start off with more of the internal breaks of the reel turned "on" until you get used to thumbing the spool. As you get better, you can adjust the breaks & the magnetic control of the reel to match your abilities. It won't be long before you'll be wondering how the heck you ever fished without one.

[Slipkey]

"When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

I can't, anymore, imagine fishing a drop shot without a spinning rod or a spinnerbait without a baitcaster. I also prefer to jig fish, including tubes, with a baitcaster.  I agree with Rob, in theory, on sticking with the same model but some of my favorite baitcasters are over 15 years old and the models have long been discontinued.  Best advice I can give you starting out is to stick with lures 3/8 oz and above for awhile and get a casting plug to practice with.  With magnetic brakes, the learning curve for a baitcaster is much less steep than it used to be.

[fiker]

There's some really good deals out there on the Shimano Curado.  Without a doubt that's my favorite reel. 

I find that if I use line that is too small on bait casters it can be a problem. 

I think Trilene XT is a pretty good line for all around use.

[Mike S.]

I bought my first bait caster when I was 14,  in 1994.  It was an Abu Garcia, and I still have it, but it has been retired for many years now. When I bought it, my dad bought me a bunch of cheap line and told me to practice all day while he was at work, but be ready to go fishing when he got home. I spooled that reel 8 times that day, but I got really good at it.

I fish all of my crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, jigs, swimbaits, and top water baits with a bait caster. With all of the different gear ratios out there, you can do just about anything you want with them. Good luck. Once you get it dialed in, you will love it.

[gmetime24]

5 years ago I only fished spinning gear. I bought one baitcast setup and tried it for a season and loved it. Now I have 8 baitcasters and 2 spinning setups. Take the time to practice in your yard. Buy some cheap mono because you will backlash and respool. Plenty of time to practice before the season starts, once you get a feel for it you will love it

[Waterfoul]

Most people think I only fish with a spinning rod set up.  Ha!  I see that as a benefit since they don't think I can handle a baitcast set up.  Far from the truth.  Been fishing them since the late 80's (with about a 6 year break from fishing to go to college) and actually have more baitcasting rigs than spinning rigs.  I learned by throwing a casting plug at a bucket in the back yard.  This time of year, head out onto your favorite ice fishing lake, tie on a fairly heavy jigging spoon, drill a hole, and cast at it till you can hit it most of the time.  Then you can practice pitching to the same hole.  Bet it won't take you a day or two to get proficient with it.  Might even catch a fish!!  LOL!!!

[Dan]

First timers to the baitcaster, IMO, need to pay particular attention to the tension control knob. Each time you put a different weight bait on, reel it up near the tip of your rod and then release the spool with your thumb at the ready, and watch the rate of fall. You will need to adjust the tension knob so that it falls at just the right speed. How fast is that you say? Well that comes with practice. You will learn to know it. To much tension control, and you won't get much of a cast, too little and it opens the door for big back lashes. Once you have that set, you can mess with your side plate and adjust your magnets according to wind etc. They really are just a fine tune of the tension knob.
Next, be sure you walk off 35 yards of line. (An average casting distance.) Then put a piece of tape right across your reel, and then reel your line in over it. You will never backlash past the tape. Saves you some time during your initial practice. You'll will be amazed at how deep a backlash can get. Just cast and hit your motor cover once to find out.
Tie on a medium heavy bait, and make your cast. Not directly overhand with your wrist, because that increases the centrifugal force on the spool, and also contributes to potential backlashes. Roll your wrist to the inside during the cast and the spool will spin away from the forward movement of the rod. Feather the spool to control the cast and make sure you stop it before the bait hits the water.
The comments above are all right on in terms of line, etc. These reels are made for specific applications and baitcasters aren't made to deal with light lures on light line. That's why they also sell spinning tackle.
There is a distinct learning curve to a bait caster, in my experience it is around 25 years. Just kidding, but it does take more time to get comfortable with it coming from a spinning/spincast background. It is kind of like learning to drive a stick, which not too many do any more, or like learning to type, your brain needs enough time with the task to move it from the concrete side of the brain to the automatic. Once you have it you won't have to think about it. You'll just make the cast and hope it lands in the right spot . If it does you will notice a distinct but slight smell of bacon, because you'll have a hog on the line.   My two cents.

PS It is my experience that the old adage, "You get what you pay for." definitely holds true in baitcaster purchases. Dang spell checker keeps wanting to make baitcaster two words.

[Jefferson]

I picked up and Abu Veracity 6'9" MH Fast and a Revo S. Hoping this would be a good all around setup to learn on. Getting ready to spool it up play around in the backyard now that the snow is finally melting.

[Waterfoul]

I picked up and Abu Veracity 6'9" MH Fast and a Revo S. Hoping this would be a good all around setup to learn on. Getting ready to spool it up play around in the backyard now that the snow is finally melting.

Not a bad choice my padowan learner!  Soon you too will become a Jedi Baitcasting Night.   

[Dan]

A Padawan, Padawan learner, Jedi Apprentice in Basic, or Jedi in Training, referred to a Force-sensitive adolescent who had begun one-on-one instruction with a Jedi Knight or Master outside of the Jedi academy. Having passed the Initiate Trials and ascended in rank from an Initiate, Padawans were given more responsibilities within the Jedi Order but were subject to the demands of their masters.

[Waterfoul]

A Padawan, Padawan learner, Jedi Apprentice in Basic, or Jedi in Training, referred to a Force-sensitive adolescent who had begun one-on-one instruction with a Jedi Knight or Master outside of the Jedi academy. Having passed the Initiate Trials and ascended in rank from an Initiate, Padawans were given more responsibilities within the Jedi Order but were subject to the demands of their masters.

.

Holy crap Dan... you know way too much!!   

So I guess now that Zerocool has "built" his baitcasting light saber he needs more formal instruction from someone deemed to be a Master Caster. 

[Jefferson]

As soon as I opened my mouth about snow melting we got hit again. Guess my "force" wasn't strong enough!

[djkimmel]

There must be unusual activity in the dark side of the force... (also known as cabin fever )

[Jefferson]

I would like to add a shallow crank rod to my slowly building arsenal, is there a setup out there for around $175 that would give me the right feel? I think the MH Veracity will overpower smaller baits. Thinking a 6'6" medium glass.

[Jefferson]

So the first three days of practicing with this kicked my butt. I was using a 1/2 oz weight and I'm not sure if that is to light to start with. Brakes set, tension good, the problem is figuring out when to release with my thumb on the cast. To late and it shoots left, to early and the spool starts to spin to early. Is there a trick to find that right release point or is it all feel? Just got back from Brandenburg Park casting into LSC. Pure Michigan wind right in my face. I didn't last long.

[Jay-MadWags]

So the first three days of practicing with this kicked my butt. I was using a 1/2 oz weight and I'm not sure if that is to light to start with. Brakes set, tension good, the problem is figuring out when to release with my thumb on the cast. To late and it shoots left, to early and the spool starts to spin to early. Is there a trick to find that right release point or is it all feel? Just got back from Brandenburg Park casting into LSC. Pure Michigan wind right in my face. I didn't last long.

Now don't laugh at my comment.
I have played golf since I was in 8th grade.  I played 4 year varsity in high school and received a golf scholarship while playing at Wayne State University.  I will use the analogy of a golf swing to describe casting a bait caster.  One fluid motion, an athletic move.  Don't think of your thumb leaving the spool and then clamping down on it to avoid a backlash.  Finesse the cast like your trying to hit a high draw into a par 3 that is 165 yards away with the pin tucked in the front left side of the green.  In other words, let your thumb feather spool.  Always stay in contact with the line lightly.  Watch the bait, not your hand or thumb.  And just when the bait is about to come in contact with they water, apply pressure to the spool with your thumb.  Just as the the golf club is an extension of your arm, so should the fishing rod be an extension or your arm also.  I find the two athletic moves to be very similar.  The more you practice the two the more your body with develop muscle memory making them become second nature.

I hope this helps.

[Jay-MadWags]

One more thing IMHO.
I cast with my right hand and reel with my left.  I find it easier to fight the fish with my strong and reel with my other.  I believe I make a few more casts during the course of the day because I don't have to switch hands.  Easier for flipping and pitching too.  I golf right handed as well.  Not that it really matters.
LOL

[Jay-MadWags]

One more thing IMHO.
I cast with my right hand and reel with my left.  I find it easier to fight the fish with my strong and reel with my other.  I believe I make a few more casts during the course of the day because I don't have to switch hands.  Easier for flipping and pitching too.  I golf right handed as well.  Not that it really matters.
LOL

Fight fish with strong hand reel with other.  Make far more cast during the course of the day.
Typing with IPad not keyboard.
Sorry

[fiker]

I agree.  I am right handed and use left handed reels.   I throw with my right hand and reel with my left.  It just makes sense to me from a speed, power, accuracy and energy efficiency point of view. 

I understand guys that don't though.  After so many years of doing it the way I do, when I pick up a right handed reel and try to turn the crank it's not intuitive at all.