first impressions with a baitcaster

I picked up a Pflueger low profile baitcasting reel this week, as well as a 7′ medium 1-piece Berkeley casting rod. This was my first time using a baitcaster and a rod longer than 6’6″

I strung it up with 10lb Fireline which was a mistake. Should’ve done my homework. After a handful of tentative casts I gave it a good whip, failed to thumb the spool before landing and ended up with a birds nest that had to be cut out.

Switched to 10lb mono. Still had a couple of backlashes, mostly due to getting the brake and sensitivity dialed in, but the mono was easier to sort out and didn’t require surgery. Once I got everything dialed in for any given lure I really started to understand how much more control I’m gaining with this reel. That also means more opportunity for user error, but taking the time to adjust with each lure change really pays off.

Spoons cast a mile with this thing, but I guess spoons cast a mile with spinning reels too. What really impressed me was the extra distance with a 2 3/4″ flicker shad, which isn’t ridiculously heavy. From the shore by the Ford Dam I could cast well out into the main channel. Pretty fun. The rod’s not bad either. Loads up nice and is surprisingly sensitive. Think this will be my go-to for this summer.

You will be amazed at your accuracy once you learn to use a bait caster. #1 thing you must do is adjust the tension knob EVERY TIME you change baits. The bait should just hang at the rods end when you push your button. If you bounce the rod the lure should SLOWLY drop down. When that happens you are dialed in. Then just get use to thumbing the reel and you will be good. If you get a birds nest grab the line in front of the reel with one hand, with the other apply slight pressure on the line on the reel with your thumb. Then slowly pull line while “massaging” the spool with your thumb. Hard to explain but you work your thumb on the line from the top if the reel towards the bottom. What you are doing is working the slack line out of the spool. When you learn to do this you will be able to pull out 60% to 70% of your backlashes without digging into the mess. I also found it easier to learn with heavy mono vs the lighter weight. For me 20lb. was easier then 14lb or 10lb.

When you had your braid on did you have a mono backer? Absolutely a must have. Spool old mono on the reel before attaching the braid.

Good luck, you will love it when your get dialed in.

I have tried but never been able to like them. I have mastered spinning rod casting to an art form. I don’t musky fish though. If I had to throw huge lures often I probably would.

Mike you need to practice. Grab a lawn chair, go cut the hook off a long shank 1/2 oz jig head. Super glue a 8″ rubber worm on. Grab a cold beer and the wifes cat. Go sit in the back yard and toss the jig & worm in the direction of the cat. Slowly reel in and repeat. You will learn the cat will chase that worm all day long & you will learn to run the bait caster. Heck you might even get the neighbors cat involved with enough distance.

I did have mono backing, double uni knot. I think I would’ve been able to pull the backlash out if I had heavier braid. 10 lb fireline is the same diameter as what, 4 lb mono? Just not a good place to start for a beginner. It wedged under some line right on the edge of the spool and just dug in.

Thanks for the tip on massaging the spool. I shouldn’t need to use it once I complete that baitcasting routine a few times!

I can see how throwing weighted plastics or jigs is gonna improve as well.

Dutch, you’re very right about fine tuning with every lure.

I have heard that this works well for learning to use fluorocarbon and mono on low profile reels.

The piece of tape works or at least prevents a rat’s nest of epic proportion… The other newer technology to try is the “SV” reels from Daiwa. They are made to greatly reduce/eliminate rat’s nests. Problem is the cheapest SV reel is the Tatula (to be released this week at $200).

Watch Al’s tutorial…

Daiwa Zillion: The Reel That Won't Backlash

Al Lindner is extremely impressed by Daiwa's new Zillion reel, and he backs their claim that it's nearly impossible to backlash.

由 Lindner's Angling Edge 发布于 2016年9月20日

FryDog62 wrote:

The piece of tape works or at least prevents a rat’s nest of epic proportion… The other newer technology to try is the “SV” reels from Daiwa. They are made to greatly reduce/eliminate rat’s nests. Problem is the cheapest SV reel is the Tatula (to be released this week at $200).

Watch Al’s tutorial…

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Daiwa Zillion: The Reel That Won’t Backlash

Al Lindner is extremely impressed by Daiwa’s new Zillion reel, and he backs their claim that it’s nearly impossible to backlash.

由 Lindner’s Angling Edge 发布于 2016年9月20日

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If you are a Cabela’s club member you can order the tatula sv 20% off with free shipping today.

great tip!!

Piece of tape, genius. Also in my price range, unlike the Daiwa.

Mr. Derek wrote:

If you are a Cabela’s club member you can order the tatula sv 20% off with free shipping today.

Thanks! Gonna go check that out

IMHO baitcasters are mainly for boat use jigging, flipping, trolling and making short easy casts where you don’t have much interference from trees/brush behind/above you.

Another issue baitcaster rigs have are the rod eyes on top. When a fish or snag pulls down on the rod, what happens to the rod eyes? They try to roll over towards the pull, this puts a rotational torque on your wrist. I do have a couple of helically wrapped casting rods where the eyes are mounted to spiral around the rod till the tip eye is on the bottom of the rod.

Dutchboy wrote:

Then slowly pull line while “massaging” the spool with your thumb. Hard to explain but you work your thumb on the line from the top if the reel towards the bottom.

I crank down the drag and then apply firm pressure with my thumb and reel. Then I pull the line off by hand until I hit the next knot.

This is exactly what I do, including first just trying to fund the V in the line where the line is getting hung up and pulling on it. There are several videos online, but I like this one because the dude narrating.

The tape idea is pretty dumb IMO. Just learn how to cast.