Lucky Me!

[Craig Plummer]

Look what came in the mail today.

This is my first baitcaster so it will take some practice getting used to it. Any suggestions to help make the learning curve go a little smoother would be appreciated.

[goblueM]

Don't get frustrated too quickly... I know I did - put it down for a few months instead of having patience

[frogtosser]

what did you get

[Craig Plummer]

All-Star ASR series rod 6'8'' Medium Action with a Shimano Citica

[Deitz Dittrich]

Nice!!!!

Start out by putting the clutch tighter(under the reel handle) and start out with all 6 of the cast control in the out position.. Then start casting a 1/2 oz sinker in the yard.. get confy and then start to loosen both slowly.

When you start, walk out a long cast.. a real long cast.. then put some eletric tape over the spool.. so that when you backlash, it only goes one cast deep.

[Craig Plummer]

 Originally Posted By: Deitz Dittrich

When you start, walk out a long cast.. a real long cast.. then put some eletric tape over the spool.. so that when you backlash, it only goes one cast deep.

Good idea

[Sandmannd]

Where do you put the tape Deitz? I know you said on the spool but where?

[luckycrank]

you are a smart man!!! awesome tip!

[Deitz Dittrich]

Sand-- and all.. just take about a 5 or 6" strip and put it right over the line on the spool, so that it lays with the spool and does not touch the reel in any way shape or form.. only the line... BUY CHEAP LINE!!!!!!

So when you backlash, it will only go as deep as where the tape starts. It cant go any deeper.. you save time picking out backlashes, and money on line. This is what I did when I taught myself how to skip with a baitcaster.. worked great!

WHATEVER you do.. do not learn how to cast a baitcaster with a spinnerbait... I sell reels for part of my life.. This is the biggest problem. A spinnerbait may be the hardest lure to cast in the world!.. HANDS DOWN!!! Not consistant at all, something they cast great, the next time a blade catches the wind starts to spin, next thing you know, you got not only a birds nest, but an EAGLES nest in your lap!

Pick a jig, or in my opinion, just a bell sinker! 1/2 oz.. 3/8 oz.. and just practice casting with that... start lowering the clutch, and take one clip down at a time on the cast control side and in no time you will be casting like a champ!

[Deitz Dittrich]

LOL @ lucky Crank-- can you come over some time and tell my wife that?.. I started fishing baitcasters at the age of about 10... I'm pet near positive I have had more backlashes that anybody on here, probably more than all combined... and to this day, still get a few good ones, when I start to go crazy with crankbaits.

One sounds smart when they have already made a ton of mistakes and learned from it, not sure that makes me smart. Come on, Im an elem Gym teacher... LOL

[luckycrank]

I also stared about the age of 10 , and have had my share of backlashes as well.

though I won't battle ya for that title, I have launched a few cranks to the other end of the lake,

(at least I think thats where they go ..I never see em' land!!!)lol

I remember a league event last summer, when my first cast after a 30 second shotgun blast off I cranked my way to a solid 4.5 largie

my partner (all jacked up after netting it) wound up and cracked his crank off about 4 feet from a competitor boat about 100 yards away on his first cast.. I about wet my-self laughing and I had to tell him to relax and that we had all night to get a bag of fish

Of course I had to razz him a little cause it was my crank

any way I would have never thought of it . great advice

[BassProAddict]

Deitz I'm not good with Baitcasters but I do adore how they look so "professional".Why does one need to use a baitcaster anyway? What, in your opinion is its advantage and capability that spinning gear won't be able to do?

(The answer here will lead to cabelas, rather quickly hahaha)

[Deitz Dittrich]

Bpa---

Both have their jobs! and both have their advantages

Baitcaster!

Manages heavier line better.

More accurate casts(with practice)

Dont have to deal with line twist

Better gear system, more power(less arm fatigue)

Longer casts(with practice)

Spinning

No back lashes.

No back lashes.

No back lashes.

Possible better drag system, can back reel in a tough situation.

Manages lighter lines better.

Beyond that, in most situations, I would rather have a baitcaster in my hands.. To me its all about casting accuracy, and managing the line. I feel a baitcaster does it better. I only use spinning for skipping docks(no backlashes, did I mention that) and for light line applications(jig worm, dropshot)

[BassProAddict]

But would you agree that cheap (sub $100) yet reliable and consistent baitcasters are non existent?

Say the Daiwa Megaforce...sub $100.Is this gonna last several seasons?

[Bassman55]

LOL I haven't quite mastered crankbaits in the wind yet either.

[tigerbalm2424]

 Originally Posted By: BassProAddict

Deitz I'm not good with Baitcasters but I do adore how they look so "professional".Why does one need to use a baitcaster anyway? What, in your opinion is its advantage and capability that spinning gear won't be able to do?

(The answer here will lead to cabelas, rather quickly hahaha)

One thing that I, and everyone else that I fish with noticed when I went from spinning to baitcasters was the amount of casts I was able to complete. I guess no one I fish with(or myself) uses any sort of quick flip spinning reel but i noticed I get many more casts in the same period of time with a baitcaster. No need to reach over and flip the bail, just press the button and cast.....

[BassProAddict]

Any of you have the Daiwa Megaforce?

[bassNspear]

Congrats on the Reel.

[Sandmannd]

I have a Daiwa, can't remember if it's a megaforce or not, got it last year for $50 when I got my first baitcaster rod and it has been a great reel to learn on for me.

[river rat316]

 Originally Posted By: BassProAddict

Any of you have the Daiwa Megaforce?

Get the exscelor sp?. Its the best reel uner $69 I have seen yet, it sorta replaced my 150h at that price point . It has a aluminum frame (Megaforce is graphite) and is just all around better, the only downside I could see to it is the spool is tiny like the Fuegos. But it should hold more than enough line for most applications