help with new baitcaster

[bubster77]

hey everyone. Last year was my first time i fished for cats. After my first big channel i was hooked. I fished with a spinning rod with 14 lb test. I used this same setup all last year and caught a ton of pretty good size channels. After feeling good about my channel skills i decided to buy a baitcaster and try for some flats this year. I went out today to throw some chicken livers and see if i could get some channels but due to the really windy conditions had some trouble with tangling up during the cast. Is it not smart to fish with a baitcaster during really windy conditions? Any tips with how i can use it during windy conditions would be great. I have a abu garcia ambassador with around 50 lb test on it.

thanks

[hanson]

Can't say that I've ever had a problem with my baitcasters in the wind. Hmmmm...

Is it the line itself thats tangling up? Or are you referring to backlash in the reel?

How much weight are you using?

The one important thing with baitcasters is to get the spool tension set right. That should eliminate almost all your problems. After that, its operator error.

Don't hesitate to ask more questions.

[10,000 Casts]

go to a heavier weight and turn up the magnetic resistance. That will slow down th rpms that build up in the spool and should help your problem.

[DTro]

yep as others have stated

more weight, more spool tension.

Rule of thumb is to hold your tip up with the weight dangling. Disengage the spool (push the button) and adjust the tension (knob usually on right side) so that the weight just barely falls. This is a good starting point and you can adjust as needed for the conditions.

[DTro]

also is that 50lb line something like PowerPro or Spiderline or is it Mono because that will also make it harder. Larger diameter line=more difficult casting.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Casting a Baitcaster in the wind is something you need to practice. The bait will catch the wind and slow down in the air, yet your spool will spin just as fast. The result, a backlash.

As others have stated, thinner line is easier to manage, more antibacklash control, IE, more magnets, or more Centrifugal(if its a shimano).. and more clutch... your casting distance will suffer some..

But with practice, this can be done, and can be done well...Just have to get out there and do it. Time spent pracitcing is the solution to this.

[bubster77]

thanks a lot for the feedback. it was not the line itself but just the backlash in the reel. I believe that yes it is powerpro line. I figured it would just take some practic to really get the feel of this baitcaster. Cant wait to master this thing and start catching some channels and flats.

thanks again

[hanson]

Backlashing in the reel, thats what my hunch was.

2 things...

-Tighten up that spool tension so your lure SLOWLY drops when you hit the free spool button. With 3 oz of weight or so, I can wing this as hard as I want without my thumb on the spool and it won't backlash. A tighter spool tension is sort of beginner mode.

-Once you figure that out, you can slowly back the tension off and train your thumb to control the spool. Like Deitz mentioned, towards the end of your cast, your spool is spinning faster than the line is going out, thats why it backlashes. You need to "thumb" the reel more towards the end of your cast and I usually stop the spinning spool with my thumb right before it hits the water, then let it fall again.

9 times out of 10, that backlash will happen when your lure hits the water. Give it some time, you'll learn whats happening with your reel and you'll put a stop to the "professional overruns".

[fiskyknut]

Yepper a stiff headwind does indeed effect casting. Practice and practice some more.....Soon your thumb will be 'educated' and you'll have it mastered!!!

fiskyknut

[barnyard]

You will find that you have better control if you keep your thumb on the very edge or rim of the spool.

While I wouldn't do it at your experience level, I removed all the magnets from my reels. They cast a mile.

Tom B

[katchaser]

Bub

This may come as no surprise but:

The more you practice casting the better you become.

It will take some time before you build up a callous on your thumb that powerpro won't cause a burn when thumbing