Baitcaster

[max_fischer101]

Hello. I'm very new to fishing so please excuse me if this is a dumb question. I bought a Shakespeare Alpha 310B baitcaster recently. It was on sale at Walmart and I thought "what the hell I'll try it". It only cost $20.

I have been told baitcasters take a little getting used to, but I can't seem to get this one to cast very well. I realize that it's very cheap for a baitcaster. My question is this: After I release the spool, shouldn't the lure just drop easily? How heavy does it need to be?

I'm thinking that a higher quality baitcaster would do this a lot better. OR maybe I just don't know what I'm doing?

thanks in advance

Max

[DTro]

There's absolutely nothing worse than a cheap baitcaster. They give the good ones a bad name Having said that, the correct "normal" way for it to work is that you adjust the spool tension screw (the knurled knob on the reel side) so that when in free spool, your lure should drop slowly.

If you brought that one back and purchased one for around 50-60 dollars you would see a world of difference. The jump from there to the "high buck" reels isn't as dramatic (in my opinion). But trust me, a huge difference from the 19.99 special to a mid-price reel.

Just my .02

[delmuts]

ooook ! take a deep breath and relax. first you need to get to know the reel. there should be a nob under the handle( on the side of the reel) . this is your tension nob. this is different from the the drag tension.you adjust this nob so your lure/weight slowly travels to the ground. ( this is a good place to start with the tension) for the drag ( amount of pressure it takes to pull line off the reel) should be some sort of a star mounted below the handle . this you adjust to how and what you are fishing for.( big fish , more drag etc.) since it is a cheap reel, i doubt if it will have a magnetic adjustment to it, but it may . this would be either a dial or you may have to take the end plate off the reel to adjust the magnets. check your diagram for the reel. ok! you are ready to cast. put a weight/sinker on your line . hold the rod straight out or at a 45 degree angle. adjust your tension so the lure/weight slowly takes line off the reel, but doesn't cause a over run when it hits the ground.this will be a starting pt. casting ; you have to remember , you have to stop the spool from spinning with your thumb BEFORE the lure/sinker touches the water/ground. this WILL take some getting used to. you can try casting over hand at first, or side armed . be very patient!! the better quality reels will be easier to cast and will handle smaller lures easier. but you have a reel, so it is a starting place. go out in a yard ( where you can't break anything) and practice. hope this helps.

[max_fischer101]

Thanks, that was helpful. I found the tension control knob. Before I was only using the anti-backlash control. I'll practice and see how it goes.

thanks again

max

[delmuts]

the backlash control is the mag sys i was talking about. don't exspect much casting distance at first. as you learn to cast and educate your thumb , then you can start to lesson the tension and will gain more distance and control.i have used one for years , but still practice out in the yard. ( and the neghbors still give me dump!! )once you master them they are a great tool for fishing. spinning reels have their place too, but knowing how to use both will have benefits.