Baitcaster practice

[Fletch]

How many of you had trouble with your bait caster when you where first using them. Now I've been using them some but not as much as I should. I went out today with MrGreen on a lake fishing for smallies. Water was VERY ROUGH at first but then calmed down. Slight wind and would gust a few times up to maybe 10 miles an hour. but slight breeze most of time. Water temp was chilling 42 and visibility was about 35 ft down. Clear as looking through a window lol.
SO back to my question......did or do you practice casting in your yard or wherever? I had some trouble with my bait caster.....Yes its new and I have to get use to set up and what not. Im running 12# Flourocarbon and had crankbait on it. Even tried a tube for little bit with it. But couldnt seem to get the magnets/brake right. A few times had a birds nest....and I think one time was because of wind gust but....just frustrating as hell. Any suggestions? Im tempted to send reel back just cause I couldnt get it set right. I know I need to be patient but havent fished baitcasters much and would like to learn it and get better. Having said that I dropped about 150 on reel. Only because its a brand I like and I've seen other post on here about reels for fly rods and other reels....with...cheaper makes it harder to learn. This is the reel I bought. http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Pflueger ... PPRCR.html
Somewhat disappointed. Wish I did better with it. Now im second guessing my decision. I just wanted versatility in my gear.

[MidTNKayakAngler]

I practiced a lot. In the yard especially I would set a 1gal icecream bucket out in the yard about 10 yards away and practice overhand, underhand while standing on a step stool, sidearm, and back hand. I would cast, and cast, and cast changing baits every so often using areodynamic baits to some that would act as a sail. After a while I would move the icecream bucket farther out, or have a 5 gallon bucket 20 yards out I would turn in awkward positions, and even do stuipd stuff like take off running forward and jump and cast as hard as I could, but hey I was 11 years old and had to entertain myself somehow. With the technology of reels today you should be able to pick it up quickly just put a little time and effort into it.

[w2n]

Yes. Practice practice practice. Just like Jeremy, I practice in my yard.

[ecu daniel 14]

You will get used to it just keep at it.

thats a pretty decent reel you have for your first baitcaster so its def. user error

Use heavier, less wind resistant lures at first. Make sure you set your cast control knob tight so your lure barely falls from your rod tip. Turn your breaks up to around 7 or 8. Cast against the wind. (until your thumb gets educated) As you become more and more comfortable casting it you will find that a smooth cast with very minimal breaking and cast control is an amazing thing....but until then. Keep those breaks tight.

Another thing to note....flourocarbon and baitcasters arent best friends. Try a nice limp braid at first until your more comfortable with the casting motion and speed. (I prefer Daiwa Samurai....yes it expensive...but its super limp and very smooth)..you can also use a higher stretch mono...

[leo]

I'd spool it with cheaper mono in the 12-17 lb range. Heavier mono is easier to cast and backlashes aren't so bad.

If you know anyone proficient with a baitcaster, ask them to donate 20 min of their time to show you how to cast. It makes a big difference. Alos, go for heavier lures, like a 1/2 oz. spinerbait.

Good luck with it, once you get a hang of it you will be hooked.

[Fletch]

I tried braid once on a shakespear Sigma 440 baitcaster. I use to have. So not totally new to it. I didnt care much for braid then. So a mono? maybe? So why s heavier mono? It seems so....stiff/wire like. But if it will help me lol.

I'm curious about some of the more avid semi-pro/pro bass fisherman. Wonder how many of them use only spinner reals? I know someone on here recommended using them for tubes. I have a St. Croix triumph 6 ft medium ....with my spinning reel. It works great. Can cast a country mile with it lol. I guess i'm just expecting same with my baitcaster. Thinking maybe i have little too much line on it....could that cause a problem? I m not sure how much i have on there.....maybe 160 yrds of 12# fluro P-line.

[Fletch]

W2N is that a worm? I guess im trying to figure out what I could use that would work best for me to practice with that wont catch on anything. And maybe then find a right weight line and decide braid or mono....lol

[leo]

So a mono? maybe? So why s heavier mono? It seems so....stiff/wire like. But if it will help me lol.

I am not entirely sure what the Physics behind is, but heavier mono produces less backlashes and easier ones to pick. The heavier line might add mass to the spool making it spin slower, that could be it, not sure

You can get practice casting plugs or just cover the hook of a spinerbait with some masking tape so it won't snag.

[ecu daniel 14]

i actually prefer using spinning gear for finesse applications. I do have some finesse baitcasters which are fun....but spinning gear allows for a more natural bait presentation because of the way the life falls off of the rod vs. a casting rod.

i think heavier mono would probably help reduce backlashes but heavily decrease casting distance...thats why i would go with braid. Heavy mono makes your spool much heavier which may make it even MORE difficult to cast your little tubes....(casting reels pull line off the spool rather then free flowing like spinning)

i normally fill my baitcasters up leaving around 1/8" of spool showing around the edges.

[Mr_Scrogg]

I just spooled up some cheap mono and started with heavier lures. Used more brakes starting out, and then worked my way down. I'm comfortable throwing with only 2 brakes on my Citica. 1 for lighter lures, but I thumb the spool more causing shorter casts.