baitcasting

[hippy640]

Hi folks,I could really use some help..
I have just started bass fishing and recently bought a 7ft. med-heavy baitcasting rod and a Shimano citica 200D.
After knowing only what I've read,I need as much help in the casting department as I can get.Even help with line selection and anything else that you can offer,even explainations to some common problems I may encounter. Thank you for the consideration.
Merry Christmas,
Carl

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Hi Hippy, welcome to the site. Baitcasting can be a little frustrating at first, but once you get the hang of it, you'll love it. Setting the spool control is critical. I don't know if your reel has the magnetic drag or not so setting it up will be difficult. Put on a lure you will most likely use and tighten the spool speed control knob down tight. Now hold the rod straight out and push the spool release button. Nothing should happen, no line should come out. Now back off the spool tension until the lure begins to free fall. Set the control just tight enough that the lure will pull the line to the ground or floor and stop when the lure hits the floor, the reel spool should turn no more than 1/2 turn when the lure stops. If your reel has the magnetic control on the left face plate, set it at the medium setting, on 5 if it goes from 1 to 10. This device just tweaks your tension a little and can be used when wind direction changes.
Don't try to force your casts. Let the weight of the lure pull the line out. Use a more or less lob cast at first to reduce backlashes. Use both hands and use your thunb lightly on the spool. As you get used to the reel and casting you can then back off some of the spool tension for farther casts and pitchin'. Everyone uses different line. I use 12# Stren or Red Cajun 12# for most of my fishing. We don't have huge fish here in Iowa so the 12# works great. Use an overhead cast to get started, side arm casts are great but takes some practice. Don't use any line under the diameter of 8# test, Small line can behind the spool and cause problems. Use at least 1/4 ounce lures to start with, they cast easier. Prcatice, practice practice!!! For the drag, I usually keep mine set really tight, again, no very large fish so need have to worry much about my line being broke, but I do have to pull fish out of some really dense cover, root wads and stuff. Take your time learning and don't get discouraged. You will master baitcasting in a short time and you'll love it for larger baits. In a short time, you'll be able to cast just where you want and even skip baits under docks etc. Good luck and ask more questions as they arise. That's what we're here for. Good luck, Johnnie. PS. If you oil your reel don't get any oil on the edges of the reel spool, this will slow the speed down, drag from the oil, and cause problems, better to not oil the reel for now.

[carl]

When I started with an open faced baitcaster I would cast and the plug would hit the ground in front of me & major backlashs too. I ordered 2 instructional vedeos by Mike Bonadona. I got them thru Mid-west Magazine. Johnnie would know it because he writes for them. They helped, but I still had to learn the nuances. First mistake for beginners is the release point. You should let it go above you're head or behind it. When you let it go, just lob it, as Johnnie suggests. As you practice you can start loading the rod and let it do most of the work, but that's after practicing. In my experience, never, never, force a cast, if you do you'll wind up with a bad cast and possably a back lash. Always use a smooth easy cast, and like any sport follow thru. When I make a long cast my rod tip is pointed at the water in front of me, even though the lure is long gone. When I srewup is when I sart forcing the cast. Another tip is when you're practicing or fishing walk off about fifty feet of line. Take some tape and tape the line on the spool, then reel in that fifty or so feet of line. Now when you get a backlash the line won't dig into the spool. good luck

[hippy640]

Hey guys I thank you for help.I started casting a week or so ago and for about 20 min. at a time in my yard and have noticed everything the both of you mentioned.Back lash seems to be getting less but cast quality still can use tons of help.
I guess my trouble will subside with nothing but practice and some frustration.what's more important in the beginning?,long casts or short accurate cast.Anyway thank you both.Carl

[carl]

Hi carl. I'd advise short casts, with long casts the rod plays a big part. Once you get the mechanics down, then the rod will do most of the work, esp. since your starting with a 7' rod. I'd also practice with a heavy plug, most are 3/8. That's what I use when I practice pitching. Hang in there, if dummies like me can do it, you're sure to fallow. Carl

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Carl's right, start short then progress to longer casts. Accuracy is far more important than distance about 80 percent of the time. Good luck.

[carl]

Hey Carl, was wondering how the practice was going. C