Sweetwater Fishing Forums
Special Interest => Rods n Reels => Topic started by: Craidon69 on March 30, 2013, 08:31:48 PM
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Hi Guys,
Just after abit of advice. I really like the cast accuracy you get when using a baitcaster vs a spinning reel, however I've never been able to master it. Either a lack of distance or a birds nest.
Are the modern day baitcasters that much easier to master with the age of technology? The couple of old reels I have are 1 x Shimano Bantam 10X SG and 1 x Shimano Bantam Crestfire CR-200. I didnt want to go out and buy another "state of the art" baitcaster only to have it sit in the tackle box as well if it was no easier to control the cast.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as well as any recommondations on a "reasonable" modern reel to buy if my current ones are simply better off left on the shelf.
Cheers in advance
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Not familiar with the SG, but the crestfire should be ok, its not their best reel by a long shot, but the one I bought my son was ok. It should be castable enough.
They are better for the extra loot, but honestly if you cant cast the crestfire, paying for a better reel wont help a great deal. Have another go with the cresfire and see of you can improve, it does take a little while to master the art of baitcasting. I usually tell newbs to have a look at this site, its pretty good basic info. Once you master the cresfire, yes its worth paying the money for the better reel.
http://pages.infinit.net/fishing/bait101.htm (http://pages.infinit.net/fishing/bait101.htm)
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Thanks Binder, will keep trying
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Using a baitcaster successfully requires a few things to come together. Firstly not all braid works well on them. You need a braid with a round profile like Berkely Whiplash. It comes in 300m spools but as you have 2 reels that shouldn't be a problem. Secondly remove the sideplate and check how the casting weights are set. You can slide them up or down demending on how much braking you want. Start with 2 opposing blocks ten work up from there. Also check that the casting bearings are not dry, there should be one on the sideplate and one on the spool shaft, you have to take the spool out to check that.
Once you have all that sorted select a lure or casting plug about 15grams, Baitcasters like these tend not to like too light a lure) then depress the clutch bar, adjust the cast control knob until the plug drops slowly and stops when it touches the ground. Make you casts smooth without trying for too much distance to begin with. ON over head casts hold the rod so that the reel is on an angle, this often helps with distance. Basically keep trying and go for accuracy over distance. As you cast just allow your thumb to sit lightly on the spool, then just before the plug touches down press down on the spool. All that and keep practicing.
John
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By the way, if you need to oil the casting bearings just a drop will be plenty. Too much oil will cause problems.
JD
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What i like to do is completely back the cast control off and use braided lines so that way if you forget to put your thumb on the spool the braid will grip doing its first lap then bounce back resulting in no birds nests
its works aprox %95 of the time though :o
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The above info is spot on. Just start with short distances at first, don't be too adventurous.
A breeze coming from where you are casting to can cause your lure to slow. Giving slack line and therefore an over run in a loose spool.
I only have old Baitcasters and they work well for me so persevere mate.
Gordon