How to cast a baitcasting reel

[oneshotkill]

I just got a Shimano Bantam 50 magnum baitcasting reel.  Do you have any tips on how to cast with out getting major spool ups but still getting decent distance?  I would like to use it to cast buzz bombs for salmon on the salt.

[JBar]

I could show you how not to cast it!  I really suck at baitcasters, never could get the hang of them.

[jackelope]

it's a pain in the ass to learn but once you figure it out....

there should be a small adjustment dial on the handle side of the reel. if you release(push the relaese button) the spool, i turn that adjuster to the point where the lure will freely pull line off the spool and drop but not out of control...once you get that you're ready to cast. you gotta figure out the right amount of pressure and timing to use with your thumb on the spool acting as a brake. you have to maintain the pressure to keep the spool from spinning freely yet allow the lure to fly, then when the lure hits the water, you gotta completely stop the spool from spinning right away.

[jackelope]

i suck at explaining things like this...hopefully that helps.

[rasbo]

on one side of the reel is a small knob not the drag.hook up what your gonna use for a lure and release the thumb bar or what ever you have,back the knob off till the lure hits the floor without back lash..hope this is making sense.when I cast my thumb is in the spool and I like to hold the reel sideways,just when your lure is about to hit the water,I put a little tension and slow it down so it dont make as much noise.and sets down easy..go outside and practice all ya can you can be deadly accurate with a baitcaster..I wish I had the right terminology for you..

[JBar]

The backlash usually stops my lure for me! Good Luck oneshot!!

[Crunchy]

The trick is thumb pressure, or at least that is how I learned.  That and a steady semi-consistent cast does the trick.  THe cast control knob is only about 30 percent of the equation.

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

they are quite easy, but I have been using them since I was 5, the magnetic drag on the side of the reel as already mentioned needs to be adjusted depending on what weight you are casting, that controls the spool speed.... you dont ever have to use yout thumb with a BC if all is set right, also most people try and cast way to hard when they go for distance.... a smooth fluid cast will always produce more distance then a hard jerky one.......... good luck!!

[tlbradford]

Set that spool tension knob tight to start with, just enough where your weight is barely dropping.  As you start practicing, gradually loosen that tension and begin to use your thumb more for control.  To start the cast, have your thumb holding that spool tight.  Let go with the thumb the rod tip is even with your body.

[rasbo]

they are quite easy, but I have been using them since I was 5, the magnetic drag on the side of the reel as already mentioned needs to be adjusted depending on what weight you are casting, that controls the spool speed.... you dont ever have to use yout thumb with a BC if all is set right, also most people try and cast way to hard when they go for distance.... a smooth fluid cast will always produce more distance then a hard jerky one.......... good luck!!

you must not bass fish heavy cover..you have to use your thumb to stop it were ya want it,

[jackelope]

you dont ever have to use yout thumb with a BC if all is set right

i've never been able to achieve that milestone.
 

[Bofire]

The book says, set your rod up, with weight you will use, adjust the friction so that when you push the release the weight will drop to the ground but when it hits the spool stops turning. that is a good start. But you gotta use your thumb too in real life.
practice it aint that hard.
Carl

[Buckmark]

Hold the rod and reel firmly with both hands, start back behind you and swing your rod forward with a smooth and fast swing, now let go with both hands.... You now dont have to worry about casting the baitcaster any more....
Seriously, practice and practice some more, all good advice from the other guys..
Set up buckets, flower pots and such to practice yoru casts, sometimes when you concentrate less on what your doing and more on were you want it to go that helps.

[rasbo]

Hold the rod and reel firmly with both hands, start back behind you and swing your rod forward with a smooth and fast swing, now let go with both hands.... You now dont have to worry about casting the baitcaster any more....
Seriously, practice and practice some more, all good advice from the other guys..
Set up buckets, flower pots and such to practice yoru casts, sometimes when you concentrate less on what your doing and more on were you want it to go that helps.

I did that with a big rod of my dads...gone forever right off a pier ..That was a long day waiting for him to come home .. I was 8 thought I might not see 9..he was cool.

[cohoho]

I don't know Hoyt, I can zing the heck out of all my Bait Casters and have to use my thumb....   Maybe it is a habit and form I couldn't even begin to pull my thumb away.....  Even with the 2 lb Sturgeon balls...  I learned on an old and I mean very old Shakespear level wind reel my dad gave me from his Dad.  It was probably a 50's model of some sorts.....  It is the Only reel type I use, but do own a spinning reels or two a couple fly reels....