Bit the bullet and got me a baitcaster

[bigjim]

I tried one about 3 yrs ago and not knowing anything about them at the time,as far as the correct way to cast it, my first cast was a disastrous mess, major birds nest. said to myself ( this thing sucks! & returned it) well yesterday I decided to give it another shot and headed up to the Cabelas by the house and bought a baitcaster combo for about $70..

found a few good instructional video's/tips on YouTube. just so i avoid the basic mistakes i made the first time around. then practiced a little bit in the front yard.

went out this morning, made my first cast w/ it and wham, landed a nice 2-1/2 lb Smallie on the River. (literally 15 seconds)

had a couple of small mishaps, minor birdie nests. but they came out easily. overall I had a good experience w/ it. still gonna take lots of practice, but Im Liking it

[TN_Bassin]

Once you get used to it, you probably won't want to go back to a spinning reel for anything but finesse type fishing.

[bigjim]

just gotta fine tune my accuracy and find my comfort zone, had a little bit of trouble getting my bait where i wanted it to go. kept hooking left

[carolina-rig-01]

Once you get the hang of it you will be way more accurate with a baitcaster than any other type of reel, plus they give you a lot more power and hold a lot more line than other types as well. Congrats on taking a huge step in fishing and I am sure you will love it.

[MallenManson]

Congrats, bigjim! Second time's the charm eh?

[bassinbob]

Your story is similiar to mine. Tried them and gave up. Then tried them again and won't go back. Keep it up.

[walkeraviator]

I like you guys who give up...I got a nice deal from a guy like you on craigslist. hehehe

I guess I grew up lucky, my Dad had me using old 4000's and 4600's by the time i was 10. I dont own a single spinning rig, but that may change as i want to learn to finesse fish a little more.

[nofearengineer]

Be very careful. I was in your shoes one year ago. Now I own 10 baitcasters (and 4 trolling linecounters). They are very addictive.

[BassinNC]

I fished with a buddy yesterday and was trying to get him to use a bait caster and he wouldn't. I think they are way more accurate and you can let the bait drop in the water with a lot less splash. I only use a spinning outfit for drop shot and shakey head.

[BigBassin144]

I also much prefer a baitcaster, and I'm sure once you get the hang of it, you will too. Just remember, even the best of the best get a backlash occasionally.

If you have any trouble, read this article I wrote about properly setting up a baitcaster.

BB

[bigjim]

thanks for the replies fellas..

thanks BigBassin ill be sure to check out your article

[shawn]

I got my first baitcaster last year. Like you, I had some issues with backlash at first, but after practicing in the back yard and keeping with it when fishing, I hardly ever get backlash now.

When I do get backlash, this trick comes in very handy.

[Captmikestarrett]

I remember my first baitcaster. And that steel rod from Daisy-Heddon.

But like the monkey I have an issue with new fangled cane poles now. Think I have 42 now.

Capt Mike

[66KingFisher]

My first baitcaster was a gift from a buddy that kept trying to get me to buy one and I refused after watching him pick out birdnests and cussing the whole time....still yet, he swore it was a better tool to fish with so for my 22nd birthday he purchased me a custom reel and rod combo put together at Okiebug in Tulsa.

It took me awhile to get the hang of it, but then I realized that he was right....it is a better tool to fish with, and 30yrs later I still get backlashes, but i'll keep using them.....lol. Fortunately, they're fewer and further between nowadays, and after watching Kevins video trick, on how to remove a backlash, I can now remove a serious birdsnest in no time......"Thanks Kevin"....My cardiologist thanks you....lol....Lord know that trick has saved me some major headaches on several occasions, and has kept my blood pressure in check....lol.

Just last week on lake Ouachita, I got me a doozy of a birdsnest tryin to cast into a healthy headwind....Duh!....At first I got upset, but then I used Kevins trick and within a minute or so I was fishin again. So if'n ya don't do nuthin else beside practice in the yard, make sure you watch Kevins video....it could could keep you from blowin a gasket and save yer life.

[GregK9]

Originally Posted by TN_Bassin

Once you get used to it, you probably won't want to go back to a spinning reel for anything but finesse type fishing.

Exactly!!!

Originally Posted by nofearengineer

Be very careful. I was in your shoes one year ago. Now I own 10 baitcasters (and 4 trolling linecounters). They are very addictive.

LOL!! I must have about that many too! I still have a couple in boxes I haven't set up yet.

Originally Posted by shawn

When I do get backlash, this trick comes in very handy.

This is way cool!!!! can't wait to try it!!

[Cavs1123]

When you do get another baitcaster(I know you will) go with the BPS pro Qualifier in the gear ratio you please. They have dual brakes and you almost never backlash! Just in case your wondering I work for the monkey! LOL

[BassMan83]

Originally Posted by shawn

I got my first baitcaster last year. Like you, I had some issues with backlash at first, but after practicing in the back yard and keeping with it when fishing, I hardly ever get backlash now.

When I do get backlash, this trick comes in very handy.

That trick works awesome. Its got me out of a jam many times. Ive also found that if your vary your thumb pressure on the spool as your cranking, it will help a lot.