Posts: 11
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2010
Reputation:
0
Hey Everyone,
I'm looking to upgrade from my cheap spinning ugly stick combo for bass fishing. I've been looking at casting reels. I know they are often used for heavier line, bait, and fish but I see most of the pros using them and I think I like em. Can anyone make a suggestion? Or testimony from anyone who has experience with baitcasters?
[signature]
Posts: 163
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2009
Reputation:
0
i was in the exact same situation a few years ago. i went to walmart and bought a pinnacle inertia finesse bait caster, bout 45 bucks, and practiced practiced practiced, and dug half a million birds nest tangles out of it. keep trying and adjusting the breaks and tension till you get it down. one of the best tips i got was set the tension and breaks tighter when learning till you get used to it. and dont try to throw it too hard at first. pretty soon you will get it down and love it, but i wanted to throw mine in the pond for a while. now i have a few nicer bait casters and love them and never have a problem, my pinnacle reel is still one of my favorites though, great first baitcaster, i put 15 pound flourocarbon line on it and have caught alot of nice large small and stripped bass with it. get a bait caster, watch youtube videos on how to adjust the breaks and tension correctly and practice alot. pretty soon you will love them. good luck
[signature]
Posts: 15
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2010
Reputation:
0
I would recommend trying a baitcaster, I really like the Shimano Curado I bought. Much prefer fishing with one over a spinning outfit, although there are some differences in how you cast, what weight tackle you can successfully use, and in how you fight and play fish. It can be pretty frustrating getting used to casting a baitcaster without backlashes, takes a lot of practice, and even then you have to deal with a couple a day (at least I do). Spend as much as you can afford, I think the more expensive reels are worth the money up to around $150, after that there's not as much difference. I still use a spinning outfit for trout, and usually take one as a second or third rod when bass fishing, but I always use the baitcaster first and most.
[signature]
Posts: 163
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2009
Reputation:
0
oh and when you put line on it, make sure it goes onto the reel the same direction as it comes off the roll, if not it twists when you cast and theres no way you can not tangle it. very important to get it on the right way.
[signature]
Posts: 11
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2010
Reputation:
0
[quote SteelheadOne]I would recommend trying a baitcaster, I really like the Shimano Curado I bought. Much prefer fishing with one over a spinning outfit, although there are some differences in how you cast, what weight tackle you can successfully use, and in how you fight and play fish. It can be pretty frustrating getting used to casting a baitcaster without backlashes, takes a lot of practice, and even then you have to deal with a couple a day (at least I do). Spend as much as you can afford, I think the more expensive reels are worth the money up to around $150, after that there's not as much difference. I still use a spinning outfit for trout, and usually take one as a second or third rod when bass fishing, but I always use the baitcaster first and most.[/quote]
Does this mean that I wouldn't be able to successfully use a very light weight bait? Usually I fish with a small weight and a synthetic worm for bass, would this not be ideal for a casting outfit? Every once in a while i'll throw on a light top water lure as well as a range of spinners and crankbaits? I'd hate to get a pole that would eliminate some of my tackle or make me bring both poles. Sounds like a hassle.
I would love to get a Shimano, I'm a big fan of their products.
[signature]
Posts: 489
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2008
Reputation:
0
A baitcaster can handle light weight, it just takes the practice to be able to do it. For me, the most helpful thing has been to always keep a fluid motion and tension in my cast. If there is any breaks in tension between the initial fling and release, a birds nest often results. It's the sudden starts or stops of unregulated speed that cause the spool to release more line than is going out of the reel itself. I guess I could say that I cast with more of a swoop than a flick if that makes any sense.
[signature]
Posts: 15
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2010
Reputation:
0
Tav-
I've not had great luck with lightweight setups on a baitcaster. I seem to get more backlashes, and when I tighten up the freespool I can't throw a weight smaller than 1/4 oz past the end of the boat. I haven't tried working with the weight system in the Curado to try throwing lighter weight, I'm sure there's a method I just don't have the patience for it. In general, tho, you can throw a good sized plastic bait (5+ inch or bigger) without any weight. I tend to run pretty heavy line, at least 10 lb, so that probably makes a difference, too.
You borrow a reel and see how it works on the lighter setups, or maybe someone else here has better advice.
[signature]
Posts: 462
Threads: 2
Joined: Sep 2009
Reputation:
0
Practice will help for sure. I started using baitcasters some a few years ago but still go with spinning on my light stuff. I have a hard time with light tackle and a baitcaster. Reading through the posts I thought of something. You really don't ever see any ultralight casting rods. Just spinning. Also you really never see anyone fishing 4 or 6 lb test line unless you are spinning. The bait you would throw with an ultralight spinning set up is probably best on that. You need enough force/weight to turn the spool and work the rod tip rather than fling line off of a stationary spool. Thought I would throw that out there.
You would really like a baitcasting set up with the right tackle for sure. It really is nice. Only bring one rod to go fishing with? I wish I could really think that way more for sure.
[signature]
Posts: 163
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2009
Reputation:
0
really depends on the rod you use also. heavy action and stiff rods are harder to throw lighter lures. i have a bait cast reel on a 6 foot zebco pole and can toss little crappie jigs with it, but on my longer medium heavy action rod no way i could. just ordered a revo sx and putting it on a 6 foot 6 medium action rod to be my all purpose pole. and keep the zebco for lil baits and the medium heavy for big cranks and swim baits and flipping big jigs into heavy cover. also have an ultra lite spinning reel and pole for trout like someone said above. alot of poles and reels are kinda specialized now days. but a good bait caster can do alot if you adjust it right
[signature]
Posts: 540
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2010
Reputation:
0
i would recommend going to a local pawnshop and buying a combo. they are very inexpensive. i started using baitcasters back in the early eighties. the reels then were preety tough to learn with. now 40 dollar reels are better than 100 doller reels then. the key is getting a big spool of cheap line i wouldn't recommend anything less than 10 lb mono. lighter line will cut into the spool and give you headaches. the best way to prepare to cast regardless of lure weight is to hold your rod with a lure tied on and reel the bait up to the eyelet. depress the spool button. you want a steady fall, meaning a fairly slow descent for the lure and this will be different for each lure weight. to change the decent. use the spool control usually a round knob. once you have this set, cast and make sure you feather the spool with your thumb and hold the spool with your thumb when the lure hits the water. i would practice with a 1/4 oz lure at first.i cut off 100's of yards of line learning. but as i said the reels now are so much better you should pick it up in no time. i am out of practice but i used to be able to throw baits in a coffee can from just about anywhere in my yard. i love the control you have with a bait caster. enjoy learning your new craft !
[signature]
Posts: 11
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2010
Reputation:
0
[quote hulapopper]i would recommend going to a local pawnshop and buying a combo. they are very inexpensive. i started using baitcasters back in the early eighties. the reels then were preety tough to learn with. now 40 dollar reels are better than 100 doller reels then. the key is getting a big spool of cheap line i wouldn't recommend anything less than 10 lb mono. lighter line will cut into the spool and give you headaches. the best way to prepare to cast regardless of lure weight is to hold your rod with a lure tied on and reel the bait up to the eyelet. depress the spool button. you want a steady fall, meaning a fairly slow descent for the lure and this will be different for each lure weight. to change the decent. use the spool control usually a round knob. once you have this set, cast and make sure you feather the spool with your thumb and hold the spool with your thumb when the lure hits the water. i would practice with a 1/4 oz lure at first.i cut off 100's of yards of line learning. but as i said the reels now are so much better you should pick it up in no time. i am out of practice but i used to be able to throw baits in a coffee can from just about anywhere in my yard. i love the control you have with a bait caster. enjoy learning your new craft ![/quote]
I think this is a good idea. I just went to Dicks and picked up a cheap quantum baitcaster reel and rod combo that feel really nice and smooth I think. I'm going to try it out so if I decide that I hate it I will only be out 35 bucks. I've been upsetting my wife by practicing in the livingroom and so far I like it, a lot. I watched some instructionals and some videos on how to untangle the backlash, it works pretty well.
Thanks for everyone's advise!
[signature]
Posts: 147
Threads: 0
Joined: Mar 2010
Reputation:
0
I'd stick with spinning for a while, just get a stiffer rod. They're just more versatile. I do have both and am still learning the baitcasting reels, the pro's use them but they usually have 15 different poles in their boat. We don't see all of them they just switch to one with the right size rod and line, etc... spinning is just more versatile.
Let us know what you decide.
[signature]
|
