Finally purchased a baitcaster...

[beard]

I give another +1 for using some cheap mono to practice. Get some berkely big game and use that. If you have to cut it out it is much cheaper than some nice braid or FC.

Also if you are just trying to get casting down, I suggest using a spinnerbait. Fairly heavy so you don't have worry about overrunning as much. Also it is very easy to see when the bait is about to hit the water, so you can learn to thumb the spool by sight. This will allow you train your thunb with a little less frustration (I said just a little less).

I started using baitcasters about a year ago. Once you get the hang of them they are a great addition to your fishing tool box.

[MidTNKayakAngler]

Congrats, that's a great reel you are starting with.

[weaverbeast]

Had one thought. You could get a spool of Trilene XT 14 pound test for about $ 6.00 to $ 7.00. You might consider practicing with less expensive mono in the beginning instead of inadvertantly turning the braid you want to use into a rats nest with a bad overrun.

This is what I originally suggested to the guy at Gander Mountain, putting on some cheap heaver mono line just to practice with. But he came back and said that he found that it was easier to learn with heaver braid. I know since I started using braid on my spinning setup, I absolutely love it, so I agreed with him.

I just switched over a baitcasters for a few setups this year am I'm very happy with the results. It took a little while to get used to, but now I prefer my baitcaster in a lot of situations.


Although I use a left handed bait caster because to me it is more natural and feels right after using spinning reels my whole life.

I’m going to have to see which feels more natural to me. When I use my spinning reel, I typically cast with my right hand, switch positioning, and then reel with my right. Little strange, I know, but that’s what feels comfortable to me. So I’m wondering if maybe a left handed baitcaster is actually going to be what I need. I’ll find out when I get some time to practice. I have 90 days no questions asked to exchange my setup so I’m not concerned.

I'll agree with above, heavier Mono is cheaper, and probably a tad better to learn on. Besides, if it's a crankbait rod, the stretch in the mono won't be ripping the trebles out of the fish's mouth.

Start with 4 brakes, opposite one another, and when you get comfortable, start dialing them back. I think I ran 2 all them time, unless I was fishing lighter lures. Then I'd leave one on.

Good luck and don't get discouraged. We all have professional overruns.

Yeah, I plan on starting with 4 brakes, opposite one another as this is what was suggested by the guy at Gander and from what I’ve seen on YouTube. It was also recommended to turn the tension up too.


@Hanover_Yakker, thanks for the advice! I’m absolutely going to follow what you said bout setting the break/resistance so that the lure only moves when you shake it a little. I saw some reviews to do that also. If it’s so much easier to cast when the break/resistance is high, why don’t a majority of the people just use this setup compared to no break/resistance? Is it because with no break/resistance, you can cast further?

Congrats on the set-up. Baitcasters are great for cranks and spinnerbaits.

I'll 2nd or 3rd the suggestion on mono instead of braid, even when you're done "practicing" and feel comfortable. The one benefit of mono with cranks was mentioned, which was the "stretch" that will allow you a little cushion with cranks. The same can be applied to spinnerbaits when you're reeling fast & the bass just crush the spinnerbait.

I personally like the 12# P-line CXX in moss green on my MH Mojo spinnerbait rod. I use that just for spinnerbaits & love the setup.

I’ll definitely consider this type of line. It seems popular Since I started using the Power Pro braid on my spinning reel, I’m not sure if I can go back


@Jiggy, I’ll be sure to remember not to pick out the backlashes. Even If I don’t get a backlash at first (which I’m sure I will), I’m going to force backlashes just so that I know how to get them out. I’ve also saw this technique of putting your thumb on the spool and turning the handle about 5 times. Then pull the line out until you feel it knot again, and then repeat the process.


Thanks for the responses everyone. Every bit helps but as everyone has stated, it's going to come down to practice, practice, practice!!

[Hanover_Yakker]

@Hanover_Yakker, if it’s so much easier to cast when the break/resistance is high, why don’t a majority of the people just use this setup compared to no break/resistance? Is it because with no break/resistance, you can cast further?

Some folks run their setups completely "free" with no mechanical or magnetic assistance at all and rely on "feel". It is unique to each individual's preference, their respective casting ability and the setup they have dialed in for a given rod and reel/line combo.

Don't forget the key variable in the process - the entire rod combo itself. If you are trying to learn by casting lightweight lures on heavy braid using a MH to Heavy rod with a Fast action, you may not be able to much distance even with the reel setup pretty "free". Whereas the same combo with a change to a 1/2-3/4 oz mop jig with a trailer or a 4" Stanley Bull Ribbit may not cause any loss in distance at all. I have a setup I use for heavy presentations like frogs and slop rigs and it will cast a Stanley Ribbit (3.5") on straight 65lb. PP braid over 75 feet if I really snap off a long cast. But the same combo wouldn't cast a 10" power worm more than 30 feet at best if I didn't change the settings on the braking. Or I would avoid that setup all together and just tie the power worm onto a combo that was setup for a soft plastics approach for that day.

The reason so many bass pros carry different rods is because each one is specifically dialed in for a given presentation and casting profile. As a kayak angler, we don't always have the luzury of carrying more than 5-6 rods at a time. For some of us, 3 is usually the max, so lure changes necessitate checking the adjustments every time a new one is tied on.

[ecu daniel 14]

i have nothing to add....typically beginners usually fair better with a duel breaking type cast control (BPS, Abu) but Shimanos arent very difficult to master. Daiwa is slightly more advanced to the untrained thumb. (to achieve maximum distance). Either way, you chose a very nice beginning combination. The Citica is probably one of the best bang for your buck reels on the market. Good luck with it!

[Mr_Scrogg]

Be sure to adjust the tension knob (on the handle side) with every new weighted lure you use. You want to have it tight enough to let the lure fall, but have the spool stop, unassisted by your thumb, when it touches the ground.

[Padre]

Well, first of all, you need to understand that all the guys who have responded so far are just trying to make you feel okay about the crappy setup you got. A Citica and a St. Croix Mojo? Those aren't going to work at all, especially when you're just starting out. I'll save you the frustration - just pack that combo off to me, get yourself something else, and then, after you've learned to use it... say, maybe 4 or 5 years, i'll send this one back to you. You don't have to thank me publicly; i'm just here to help out.

Seriously - that's a sweet setup you've got, one that will serve you well for a long time. You've gotten some really good advice here already, so i'll just add one more thing. (If someone has said this previously and i missed it, i apologize.) I'd suggest not trying to learn, at least at the very beginning, with a lure on the water. Get an appropriately sized practice plug (or just a lead sinker), tie it on, and go out on the lawn or something similar. No obstructions or tree branches or (preferably) spectators. That way you have only your cast to focus on. You're going to get backlashes, so expect them and don't take them as signs of failure.

Keep us posted.

[weaverbeast]

Well, first of all, you need to understand that all the guys who have responded so far are just trying to make you feel okay about the crappy setup you got. A Citica and a St. Croix Mojo? Those aren't going to work at all, especially when you're just starting out. I'll save you the frustration - just pack that combo off to me, get yourself something else, and then, after you've learned to use it... say, maybe 4 or 5 years, i'll send this one back to you. You don't have to thank me publicly; i'm just here to help out.

Seriously - that's a sweet setup you've got, one that will serve you well for a long time. You've gotten some really good advice here already, so i'll just add one more thing. (If someone has said this previously and i missed it, i apologize.) I'd suggest not trying to learn, at least at the very beginning, with a lure on the water. Get an appropriately sized practice plug (or just a lead sinker), tie it on, and go out on the lawn or something similar. No obstructions or tree branches or (preferably) spectators. That way you have only your cast to focus on. You're going to get backlashes, so expect them and don't take them as signs of failure.

Keep us posted.

I actually had to read the first paragraph twice When I actually got it, I read it to my girlfriend
I completely agree with you and I'm absolutely going to start off in my backyard before hitting the water. I'm sure there will be frustration but I'll just keep on keepin on as Joe Dirt would put it.

[PaddleOut]

That is a good setup. I have 3 Citica E's paired up on Mojos. The crankbait rod does have a lot flex so braid might not be a bad idea if you are going to fish 3/8 or 1/2oz spinnerbaits. You have to set the hook good with a single hook. With trebles a sweep hookset should work fine.

20# PP is equivalent to 6# mono. That's pretty small on a baitcaster. If you do birdsnest it might be ugly. You could go with 30 or 50# and be good. Don't forget to buy the cheap mono to practice with and the leave some on as backing. You don't need to fill the whole spool up with braid.

PP specs:
http://www.powerpro.com/publish/content ... specs.html

[elhoward622]

With all that good information I see nothing worth adding. Enjoy that nice setup and you will come to love using bait casters. Now make sure to post up some nice fish with it!