Baitcasting Reels

[Rod Bender II]

Just bought a new Okuma 400 Baitcasting Reel for jigging and LL this summer. This is my first ever baitcasting reel and I have a question. Yesterday I had a small 1/2 oz jig that i was practicing casting in my pool. My first cast was fine but then my second cast free spooled and my line on my reel just clustered and made a huge mess. So i cut it all off to re-do it today, i am using 15lb mono. Is there a special way or trick to casting these type of reels. The last thing I want to do is go out there and have my reel clog up again. Thx.

[rmamechanic]

For me the trick is hand and eye co-ordination, the instant the lure hits the water I stop the spool with my thumb. Most units have some type of drag, either friction or magnetic that can be adjusted . The drag will definitely help with backlash but can also affect your casting range. So for that reason I keep the drag set very low and use the thumb. Your choice of line also affects the casting distance. Braid will outcast mono, but cutting braid off is much more expensive. Just follow the old rule practice,practice,practice. Of course it doesn't hurt if you practice while fishing. I will be interested to see what replies you get, hopefully I can learn something also.

[Gotta Gaff 'Em]

before you cast set the reel. Using wahtever lure you plan on using hold the rod at a right angle to the ground around waist height, reel the lure up to about 6in under the rod tip, then open the spool and let the lure free drop no thumb on the spool. The lure should fall slowly enough so that when it hits the ground the spool should stop without backlashing. at that point the reel is set for that lure or rather that lure weight. As you become progressively better with the reel you can have one setting for all lures. the thing that may have been your major problme is you tried to either a throw it too hard or you hand a wind gust come into you. Its just practice practice practice. It took me a few days to get used to my caster and i sitll get backlashes every now and then if i get in a hurry and try to speed cast.

[dwkoller]

Good advice on setting the friction brake. Even the experts get a backlash now and then. I had my wife pick up the smallest crochet (?) hook she could find. I use this to pick through the bird's nest when I get one. I set the friction higher then needed. I don't mind losing some distance to reduce the backlash. When starting out -- use a 15 - 17lb mono, its easier to clear than lighter mono or braid.

Take a spinning outfit as back-up. Start off jigging and live lining -- you shouldn't have to cast that far to get the jig to the fish. Let the rod tip throw the jig, muscling up and trying to throw the line with everything you've got will end in a mess. Make sure you have either tape or a backing under the braid. Braid is so slick -- I've had the entire spool spin on the reel.

These are some details when casting;
Let the rod tip throw the jig
Avoid casting into the wind
Use an underhand cast in a stiff wind.
Until you develop the touch with your thumb, adjust the friction for different lures
Use tape or mono as a backing for braid
Casting very light lures (<1/8 oz) can be problematic; use your spinning outfit
Pick at a bird's nest -- do not pull the line tight, only makes the problem worse.
Have a back-up spinning unit
With a baitcaster, I'd spend more time or pitchin and flippin -- than casting for distance

[Rod Bender II]

I know this may sound stupid but these are new to me. I got the Okuma Induron Baitcaster, if you google it where is the friction tightener? Is that the adjustable knob that is right by the drag wheel?

Yea i know jigging won't be much of casting and neither will live lining.....i still got to familarize myself with this style. It will just take a little time and I will remember to bring extra rods and line with me until I get it down packed.

[rhahn427]

I was fishing with a guide in Texas and he taught me a little trick that worked for me and I was amazed.

Most people cast with the spool of the baitcast reel horizontal and they get backlashs .......... he said to turn the reel so the spool is verticly with the handle side on top and cast ........... worked for me ....... never had a backlash .......... of course you thumb the reel when the lure hit the water .......

[Dan.]

http://www.bajafishgear.com/xcart/images/T/Okuma%20Induron.jpg

the larger of the two knobs on the handle side is the "Spool Tension Knob."

Sometimes the spool also needs "thumbed" to slow the bait during the cast. The key is to practice.

Many times a backlash does not require cutting line, just pull the line back out. When it will not come out anymore look at the spool and find the line that has looped around the line you are trying to pull out. Try to grab that with your fingernails and pull it off the spool. Sometimes you can pull it to loosen it up just a little bit and you will be able to pull the line through the line guide.

[Rod Bender II]

Will try all the tricks listed. Thanks guys! Tight Lines

[blizzard]

I was fishing with a guide in Texas and he taught me a little trick that worked for me and I was amazed.

Most people cast with the spool of the baitcast reel horizontal and they get backlashs .......... he said to turn the reel so the spool is verticly with the handle side on top and cast ........... worked for me ....... never had a backlash .......... of course you thumb the reel when the lure hit the water .......

This is because it allows the centrifugal weights (which slows down the spool) to distribute evenly on the outside of the little drum they rub against.