How many of you guys use baitcast reels? My main target is bass so I think I should try a baitcast. Right now I have a spinning reel. I know baitcasters take a lot of practice, I tried casting one before and never could get the hang of it. What would you guys recomend. I think I might just buy a cheap one and pratice with it then buy a better one.
[signature]
I dreaded baitcasters until I bought on this year. Now I love them! They're great for heavier duty fishing like in weeds and for larger fish like Pike and Muskie. I reeled in a nice catfish last summer with one as well. I wouldn't go cheap. Get a good setup to start out with. The cheap one will only frustrate you really quick and you'll never want to continue with a baitcaster.
[signature]
[size 2][font "comic sans ms"]I too picked up my first baitcast rod and reel earlier this year. Still learning the little quirks but I have found they're not made for light tackle or at least I haven't had much luck at the smaller stuff. I ended up tossing out the typical advice of tightening up on the spool (slow the spool rotation). I found it a whole lot easier (for me) to just let the spool freewheel. My method takes a lot of thumb practice. But that's what worked for me, may not work for others. I would agree with DDR and not to go "cheap".
Take care,
David
[/font][/size]
[signature]
what brands would you guys recomend?
[signature]
Heh. That's been my experience too. I've had more problems starting slow. Much better results letting it spool nearly freely. I do set the magnet about half way most of the time though.
[signature]
Baitcasters take lots of practice. You can get a practice weight to work it in with and make adjustments so that it doesn't backlash.
There are several brands out there to buy to practice with. High end and low end.
Don't buy something too cheap to use efficiently later on. You can try some of the Newer Zebcos for around 30 bucks. Later you can jump into the Shimano family starting from around 60 bucks.[cool]
[signature]
What worked for me is tie on the bait you are going to use then adjust the spool so the bait falls but the spool stops when the bait hits the ground. it's a good place to start.
Bait Casters are great for heavy lures or sinkers.
But expect a few "Professional Overlaps" in the beginning.
Or as some call them backlashes. LOL
Use a medium to heavy pole too by the way 7 footer.
http://www.oohdale.com
[signature]
[cool][green][size 3]The problem I have seen with a number of bait casters is that they cast too hard trying to reach beyond their limits. Just like in fly flicking the harder you cast the more problems that you will encounter. Good golfers have had similar experiences until they wised up.[/size][/green]
[signature]