Oh MY GOSH!

[jooleyen]

You know that feeling when you get something that you really want as a kid or an adult. Well... I just got a baitcasting setup! It's a Pflueger Purist combo. It may not be the best, but for a first baitcasting setup it is perfect!!!
I got some powerpro braid line with it also.


Should i practice with some cheap monofilament, or the braided line?

Can someone help me with setting up the spool and using the baitcasting reel? a few pointers?


thanks.
Julien

[dampeoples]

I would practice with whatever line you plan on fishing with.

The Purist is a nice reel, very, very free. I recommend setting the brakes fully on this model. and working your way back from there.

[Christopherkeene9]

Practice like he said, just got mine a few weeks ago and fished this morning for about 30 minutes w/o a backlash.

One recommendation though is that you will have to release the spool earlier on your cast compared to a spinning reel or else your bait will go straight to the ground in front of you.

[texasbasser]

practice, practice, practice. keep at it and soon youll forget wat its like to have a birdsnest!

[jooleyen]

Setting the brakes fully on this model? What exactly do you mean by that?
I really don't understand the tension part between the drag and spool. Ya know that little knob?

Thanks for your help. w

[Christopherkeene9]

To set the brakes it will be a little, not really a knob on the side that has numbers on it, set it to ten or whatever your highest number is. I think your talking about the tension knob, its the knob where you will take your bait and if you let the spool go, once the bait hits the floor the spool will not keep on going if its set right.

Hope this helps!

[zooker]

with braid go and average cast distance add 10 feet then put a piece of tape in the spool this only lets the back lash get so big..

i would NOT try to learn a bait caster with braid... mono first then go to braid..





zooker

[jooleyen]

Thanks Zooker.

I agree with you.

[skeeter944]

congatulations! when you start casting,i would recommend trilene big game for line,and use at least a 1/2 ounce plug to learn with. someone should come up with a link on how to cast a baitcaster,but it isnt too hard. all i can say is stick with baitcasting,even when you backlash all the time. see yah!

[Vabass22]

Practicing is the key, you have a nice setup, but I would start out with cheap mono, casting in the backyard. When you go to the lake, start with something heavy, like a spinnerbait, jig, or big rat-l-trap. Try the tape thing that zook suggested, it helps alot!

[PowerBass]

Originally Posted by jooleyen

You know that feeling when you get something that you really want as a kid or an adult. Well... I just got a baitcasting setup! It's a Pflueger Purist combo. It may not be the best, but for a first baitcasting setup it is perfect!!!
I got some powerpro braid line with it also.


Should i practice with some cheap monofilament, or the braided line?

Can someone help me with setting up the spool and using the baitcasting reel? a few pointers?


thanks.
Julien

Jool,
Braid IMHO, is a specialty line, and should not be used as a general line. Braid is great for flipping and jig fishing. Your best bet for an all around good lb test line for baitcasters is 12 lb mono. You can fihs anytihg with 12, may not be best for some, but still do able. If you insist on the braid, spool up 1/4 spool of cheap monofilament, then tie to the braid, reduces amount of expensive braid you need to put on the reel. Use a blood know to do this, and if you look on the new to fishign board, you will see a site of animated fishing knots. I use this alot. When practicing, you will see a spool tension knob on the right side of your baitcaster, just below your star drag. clockwise tightens the spool up, counter clockwise loosens it. Have that just tight enough to where the lure falls slowly to the ground, and does not backlash. Also a it is falling, put your thumb on the line, and learn how it feels as the spool revolves. This will help in the education process. As a startign casting plug, i like a 3/8 oz 1$ walmart spinnerbait. Go out in the yard, and try sidearm casting first, youwill get a better idea of the wieght off the lure as it goes throught the air. Use your thumb to feather the line out, and when it gets to where you want it stop the line. With practice, you can feather it a nice quiet slpash free entry on the water.

Nick

[jooleyen]

Ty for help. I don'get the tape thing.

[PowerBass]

The tape helps keep a backlash from ruingin an entire spool, it will only backlash to that ceratin point. Cast it out as far as you can, peel off some line. then put electrical tape across the spool. One of the best ideas ever.

[PowerBass]

Originally Posted by Vabass22

Practicing is the key, you have a nice setup, but I would start out with cheap mono, casting in the backyard.

Cheap mono IMHO, is the worst to start on. It has the most memory, and backlashes quicker than anything I have ever seen. Get your self either Trilene XL(Xtra Limp) or Spiderwire EZ mono. Both lines are limp, great casting, and affordable. Another line I like alot is Trilene Big Game. Still looking for some more Ande. I tried it once and like it.

[Bender]

That tape is a great idea, I just picked up a flippin' stick and need to practice so I am going to try that.

[Vabass22]

Powerbass, your right, but in the beginning, I had to respool so many times, that I went to cheap mono. I would actually reccomend 14lb gamma copolymer, or big game mono.

[lizardsrule]

Rebasser usually posts this, I'll just save him the time

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

Best thing I ever read and used for being new to baitcasting. zooker's tip is very good about the tape, however I would disagree and I believe braid is a lot more user friendly on learning the baitcaster. This is just "MY" opinion however.

Lizards

[Rebbasser]

Thanks, Lizards!

Jooleyen, congrats on the combo!

That link Lizards posted will get you set up correctly. Then all it takes is practice. You WILL get backlashes-it is the nature of the beast and we all get them, so don't get discouraged. One suggestion is to pull off about 4-5 cast lengths of line and then put a piece of tape across the spool and then wind the line back on. If you get a bad birdsnest that requires surgery it won't go any deeper than the tape.

[Vabass22]

This also saves you from having to respool every 2-3 cast like I used to!!!

[skeeter944]

when i started out with my baitcasster,i could'nt even get 30 casts in a row without backlashing once,and i did'nt go fishing with my baitcaster until i could get 40 cast in a row without a backlash. but,after evryday practice,i was able to make 200 casts straight,and then i started learning different cast like pitches,flips,roll casts,and sidearm casts. i think the cast i use the most is the 2 handed forhand roll cast and the backhand roll cast. they are very easy to use and provide a very silent entry when mastered. try doing a search on google for " casting a baitcast reel" or " how to cast a baitcast reel" that and the article that liz posted should help you learn how to use baitcast reels.

[Vabass22]

I mainly use 2 cast, no matter what type of fishing, what type of reel. Those are the backhand, and the sidearm. I might learn to flip/pitch later, but right now am content with my skills. A good, stiff rod, and a thin diameter line, will help make casting easier. I usually use line w/ an 8lb diameter.