Just got into baitcasters.......

[di$TOrTed]

Hello all

I have been lurking for forum for awhile now but just now joined up so I could ask you experts some questions.

Background on me: I'm 21 and have fished about once a year since I was little, but took up fishing 1-2 times a week about a year and a half ago. I shore fish for fun, nothing serious, just for relaxation between work and school.


So at the end of last summer I bought my first baitcaster. It is a BPS Megacast combo. I took it out a few times and sucked with it. I would birds nest every other time and I just ended up going back to spinning gear for the remainder of the fishing trip.

Over the colder months I have been going down to a little pond on my own and practicing with the caster. I have gotten much better, but still not to where i'd like.

My question is this: I was under the impression that with a similar weight lure I could sling it twice as far as with spinning gear. From what I can tell, I can get maybe 10% farther if that. Is this more realistic or am I not doing something right? I can get my lure out pretty far with a spinning reel, farther than most of my friends, but I figured it would be going considerably farther with a baitcaster. I am a shore fisherman so being able to get out there as far as possible is something I am really working on. I have tried a lot of different weights of lures..... do i need to go heavier? I used 1/2oz spinnerbaits and jigs... i think one of the jigs may have been 3/4oz. I made the adjustments to the spool tension knob and have the brakes set on 5/10.

Any suggestions for me?

Thanks

[cassidyta]

First off, welcome to the site. Cool name.

A baitcaster will usually outperfom a spinning reel on light weight lures. But I can not really say that I can get a 2:1 distance ration out of mine. I would expect to get past the 10% mark, but I would not count on going over 25%. Your 1/2 to 3/4 oz weights should be heavy enough to see an improvement.
The biggest advantage in a bait caster for me is the control that I have with my casts. I can feather the line with my finger to help me get into the zone.
One of the biggest keys for a long cast for me is the rod's ability to load up the weight of the lure. If the lure is too small or too heavy you will negate any advantage of the bait caster.

[BigBassin144]

While I can generally outcast my spinning gear with a casting reel, it's never twice as far. If you're already casting further than your spinning gear, I'd definitely say you're on the right track. While there is generally accepted settings for brakes and spool tension, you can experiment to find something you like a bit better. Maybe a little less spool tension and a little more brakes, possibly the other way around.

I'd say at this point, practice and time on the water is what you need to improve your skill.

BB

[pro reel]

I am going to stir the pot here a bit. Using the right size line and 3/8 oz or more in weight, I can cast further with a good spinning reel than most can with a TYPICAL casting reel using the same line and weight. I stress the word typical because distance casting competitions are still won with casting gear that has been highly tuned for that purpose. If you are casting to open water, using a long spinning rod that loads up good, you can rip a bait as hard as you can with no chance of a backlash and get much more distance than most could with a normal casting reel. IMO, there is one very good reason to use casting reels, that is accuracy. The best user there is would still have trouble putting a jig in a coffee cup at 20 yds with a spinning reel, but lots of guys can do that with casting gear. If you start using a casting reel with the intention of getting distance, you will be constantly frustrated. To learn to use a casting reel you should start with short casts and just learn the basics of controlling the spool. I could write 10 page article on how to do that but this site should already have some in the video section and the internet is flooded with good articles on it. You tube has lots of good videos also. Learn how to set the reel, then learn how to control it, then worry about getting the appropriate distance. Bank anglers that want long casts with casting gear should not be using low profile reels. If you are looking for long casts you should get the correct reel for the job which would be a large capacity round reel meant for distance casting, or use a good spinning reel like the majority of surf casting anglers use.

[Tavery5]

First off, welcome to site. I think each type of reel has its advantages. With equally weighted baits, I can almost always cast a spinning reel farther. I also believe that it is much easier to cast lighter weight baits with a spinning setup than it is with an average bait cast reel, this is one reason why finesse bait cast reels will set you back some real cash. Where I think bait cast reels have the advantage is in weight, line handling, accuracy and control over delivering your bait, also pitching and flipping techniques. While I have friends who seem to be able to skip baits with good results with a bait cast reel, it is a technique that is much easier to perform with a spinning reel in my opinion. I don't think either type of reel will outcast the other by a two to one advantage if the playing field is equal. My advice would be to continue to practice with the baitcast reel, you will be happy you learned to master it. Both types of reels have a time and a place on most anglers boats, and each have their advantage.

[bamabassman]

welcome to the site pal. this is the best there is on the web.
other than what is already written for you to read........all i can add is PRACTICE,PRACTICE,PRACTICE. you'll get the hang of it.

[di$TOrTed]

Thank you for all the helpful replies!

Another question, how do i disassemble this thing to clean/lube it?

I looked up how to take apart a baitcaster but all i found were videos with people taking apart their shimanos. They undo one screw on the handle side and the side with the brakes just pops off. My caster has no such screw. It has a little push-button type thing on the bottom of the brake-side cover, but it seems to not do anything and I can't figure out how to pop the side off. Any suggestions?

[Tavery5]

Originally Posted by di$TOrTed

Thank you for all the helpful replies!

Another question, how do i disassemble this thing to clean/lube it?

I looked up how to take apart a baitcaster but all i found were videos with people taking apart their shimanos. They undo one screw on the handle side and the side with the brakes just pops off. My caster has no such screw. It has a little push-button type thing on the bottom of the brake-side cover, but it seems to not do anything and I can't figure out how to pop the side off. Any suggestions?

The instructions that came with you reel should have given you instructions on how to and where to oil and grease your reel. If you no longer have the instructions, I can at least help you remove the side plate. Press the button on the palm side sideplate, while it is depressed you should be able to rotate the side plate in either an upward or downward direction, just depends on the reel. The side plate will just lift off once you have it rotated. The spool will just lift out also. Let me know how this goes and we can help you with the rest of it after you make it this far.

[di$TOrTed]

Ack i feel so stupid now. I was pressing the button and trying to pop the side off, didn't even think about rotating it down!

Thanks a lot for the help everyone

[keithdog]

I really can't add anything to whats been said. Everyone pretty much covered all you need to know. But I'd like to welcome you to the site. I know you'll like it here. Everyone in here was in your shoes at one time. Like Bama said, it just takes pratice. If you can see your improvment then your well on your way. Just hang in there.

[walkeraviator]

So far, these gus have covered a lot of good information. I would add a little that you might not want to hear. While teh Mega Cast is good beginner baitcaster, it has its limitations. They are not really known for distance or ease of use. The braking system is not all that great and will lead to backlash issues. I suggest saving up and maybe moving up to a reel with a better braking system. You dont gotta go all out and buy a $300 reel, but maybe stepping up to a Pro Qualifier or even an Abu Garcia Pro Max might not be a bad idea.

[bamabassman]

listen buddy...if oyu are trying to clean oyur FIRST baitcaster.........i would advise oyu NOT to. we ahve a lot of folks here that can do it for you and save you some head sctratching,lol. way bac when i got my first one i tried it too. never again. i jsut oil it now, when it gets too bad....i send it to a repair shop.

[boloson]

welcome to a great site. i started using a baitcaster just this past nov when i joined this site. haven't tried it on the water yet but been casting in my backyard before the snow came. it's an experience and once u realize it's about leverage then force, you'll be able to really let that thing fly

[woody]

To start with, I would like to welcome you to this great site!

Another factor that will help you with your casting distance, which was touched on earlier by ProReel, would be your choice of line size. Until you learn the proper casting mechanics, I would recommend using a lighter and limper bassfishing line; anywhere between 8# to 12# test mono is what I would recommend for beginners. Once you improve on your distance and accuracy, you can then start to "fine tune" which line type and size will best work for you.


-Mark

[fish4942]

Welcome aboard. Congrats on jumping into baitcasting. Although I’m nowhere close to 21 years old anymore, I’m also not a multi-decade veteran of baitcasting. I started about 3-4 years ago. Sometimes I wish I had started earlier but then again it’s still exciting to me because I’m still fairly new at it compared to other anglers on here. Plus I’m still learning a lot from the folks on here. You’ll get plenty of advice and opinions to help you as gain more experience. They’ve already given you the best advice; practice, practice, practice, and then when you’re done, practice some more. I pretty much started just like you have; buying a baitcaster combo for around $50 and hitting the water. Oddly enough though, my first backlash didn’t come on the water. It came around 1:00am in my garage. I was so excited to go out on the water in the morning I spent some time in the garage looking at my new combo and picturing myself snagging largemouth’s in a few hours. Well, bass pro shops spooled it up for me and tied the end to a rubber band and hooked it on an eyelet. Me being the genius that I am decided to crank the handle a few good times and then depress the trigger button. And BAM! Instant afro. But you better believe I spent the next 45 minutes plucking out that line with a toothpick. No way was I cutting my fresh new Stren mono line before I even had a chance to hit the water.


The next time you’re in BPS get you some practice plugs. I think they come in a pack of 3 or 4 ranging from 3/8 to ¾ or something like that. But I keep plenty so when I want to adjust some settings I can practice in the driveway or back yard before I hit the water, or maybe after putting on some new line you can get it tuned in a bit. But buy more than 1 pack because you’ll lose some in the trees and the neighbor’s gutters. BPS is a great place to learn and ask any questions you have about baitcasting. Well, at least my local BPS is. I’ve spent hours at a time in there just asking questions and they love it because they’re anglers and not just salesman trying to sell something. They’ve been where you and me are and love to educate about fishing. Plus they know it will help their sales as well because the more time you’re in there the more likely you are to purchase something or comeback when it is time to purchase something. And I don’t take their time spent talking to me for granted. I go back and spend my money there as much as I can whenever I need something. Plus you’ll notice the more time you spend in there and get to know the guys, the less BS advice they’ll give you and sell you. Those reels and rods they would have sold you the first time they saw you are not the same ones they recommend after they know you better. And speaking of recommendations, if you like this baitcasting thing and you want to step up the real a little bet, definitely consider the BPS Pro Qualifier.

Good Luck and Happy Fishing.

[DVT Mike]

Originally Posted by pro reel

I am going to stir the pot here a bit. Using the right size line and 3/8 oz or more in weight, I can cast further with a good spinning reel than most can with a TYPICAL casting reel using the same line and weight. I stress the word typical because distance casting competitions are still won with casting gear that has been highly tuned for that purpose. If you are casting to open water, using a long spinning rod that loads up good, you can rip a bait as hard as you can with no chance of a backlash and get much more distance than most could with a normal casting reel. IMO, there is one very good reason to use casting reels, that is accuracy. The best user there is would still have trouble putting a jig in a coffee cup at 20 yds with a spinning reel, but lots of guys can do that with casting gear. If you start using a casting reel with the intention of getting distance, you will be constantly frustrated. To learn to use a casting reel you should start with short casts and just learn the basics of controlling the spool. I could write 10 page article on how to do that but this site should already have some in the video section and the internet is flooded with good articles on it. You tube has lots of good videos also. Learn how to set the reel, then learn how to control it, then worry about getting the appropriate distance. Bank anglers that want long casts with casting gear should not be using low profile reels. If you are looking for long casts you should get the correct reel for the job which would be a large capacity round reel meant for distance casting, or use a good spinning reel like the majority of surf casting anglers use.

X2 For raw casting distance, spinning tackle is the way to go. Although you can have good success, IMO the folks who do all spinning or all baitcasting are missing out on some level

[di$TOrTed]

Does different test line affect casting ability on baitcasters as much as it does spinning reels? I remember when I went from 12lb to 8lb on my first spinning reel I was amazed at how much it helped.

[cassidyta]

I do not notice a difference on them like on a spinning reel. Last week I stripped 10lbs off of a Revo and replaced it with 25 and it casts just the same.

[bamabassman]

YES!! line does make a difference in cast ability on a bait caster to ME. smaller weight line, limpier it is (in most cases). average line weight (pound test) is around 12 pound test. i THINK ok? it all deals witht he dia of the line too now. some 12 pound test lines vary in dia. different makers ahve different dia's. one thing i would also suggest is to get you some KVD line conditioner. it helps A LOT.

[Rebbasser]

Ted, a little off topic, but since you are just getting started take a look here:

http://pages.infinit.net/fishing/bait101.htm

Best site I have seen for setting up a baitcaster so you don't backlash every cast.

[dave0943]

I agree with Pro reel as far a as a round reel for distance. I can toss longer with my C4's than with most of my other Lo Pro reels. I do have a Revo though that can keep up. It also has to do with how it's set up, line type and the rod itself. I can probably throw a BC reel around 10-20% longer than my spinning reels. To be honest though, I never ran that race before. Spinning reel distance has a lot to do with weight, line, rod length. Practise improves distance on both. I spend quite a bit of time tossing plugs into buckets at different distances. Learning control improves my casting all the way around. Finesse and distance.

[basshunter21]

All i gotta say man is to stick with it. I too bought my first baitcaster last summer got fed up and used my spinning gear, then towards the end of the summer i gave it some work and absolutely love it.