Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: salish on June 03, 2019, 08:35:34 AM

Title: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: salish on June 03, 2019, 08:35:34 AM: Hello,

I recently pulled out two old bait casting reels I haven't used in over 20 years. I used these reels for winter steelheading and couldn't seem to become proficient with them and eventually moved to a spinning reel. I thought I'd give these reels another try with bass gear. Still having issues with birds nests in casts no matter how much I play with the controls on the reels.

My question is this, do modern bait casting reels still have issues with backlash or had someone invented a "backlash free" reel? My two reels are the Quantum 1310 & 1410 reels which were decent reels in 1995.

Thanks
Cliff
Title: Re: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: Stein on June 03, 2019, 08:39:04 AM: You can make almost any reel backlash free, but it won't cast very far. You can adjust tension on the reel which prevents it from spinning freely, thus it won't overspin. For most reels, you adjust them to match whatever weight you are casting and then learn how to cast and use your thumb to control the spool. It just takes practice.
Title: Re: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: Old Man Yager on June 03, 2019, 08:54:59 AM: I make plenty of birds nest on my newer reel. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: Dhoey07 on June 03, 2019, 09:11:48 AM: I use those reels exclusively for salmon/steelhead. I've even purchased a few off eBay for backups. They're solid reels that don't quit.

Do you know how to adjust the spool tension?
Title: Re: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: kisfish on June 03, 2019, 10:49:04 AM: For me it took practice, practice , practice. I would get birds nest allot when I started with casters. I think everyone does. A very common mistake is people try to whip it out there a country mile. A nice even steady cast will work the best and then start playing with the drag. I was on the water or boat at least 70 times a year back in the day and just threw my caster on a regular basis. That's almost all I cast with anymore and all my favorite reels are from the 90's. I love my browning citori bait casters.
Title: Re: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: salish on June 03, 2019, 11:22:01 AM: Thanks guys, that pretty much answers my question, and I appreciate all of your advice. And I do know how to adjust the spool tension and brakes. It just boils down to having patience on my part. I'll keep in trying my reels and see if I can overcome my backlash problems. Thank you.
Title: Re: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: Bullkllr on June 03, 2019, 11:33:07 AM: Make sure you practice with a reasonable weight. Most backlashes come from trying to throw too light a weight too far a distance before the thumb is fully coordinated.

Start practicing with 1/2 -3/4 ounce practice weight and go from there. A shorter rod- like a bass rod- is easier to practice with than standard salmon/steelhead lengths also ime.
Title: Re: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: Skyvalhunter on June 03, 2019, 11:50:38 AM: What happened to the good old Mitchell 300 days? :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: 6haase6 on June 03, 2019, 11:56:17 AM: The way my buddy started me was adjust your reel so that when you push the button and just hold your rod at a 45 your lure will fall at moderate pace. Also on your cast follow your lure with the rod tip. Then you can start fine tuning your reel.
Title: Re: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: salish on June 03, 2019, 06:43:25 PM: Bullkllr & 6haase6, great advice, thanks. I did find an old casting practice plug and added some weight to it. I'll be working with it.
Title: Re: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: Dhoey07 on June 03, 2019, 07:36:45 PM: If you give up on them, let me know.

They’re good reels. Think about casting as a “toss” and not a “whip”.
Title: Re: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: salish on June 03, 2019, 08:11:17 PM: Will do, thanks.
Title: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: KopperBuck on June 03, 2019, 11:39:31 PM: Has a lot to do with the rod. Stiffer sticks require more throw (depending) which almost guarantees a fuzz up. Also, lighter action rods people throw too hard (let the rod do the work) and creates the same issue.

There is no fix - it’s all about practice and touch. Lots of factors as mentioned. The reel is only part of the larger equation - weight of lure, weight/type of line, how far you need to cast, how you cast, wind, etc.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: KopperBuck on June 03, 2019, 11:58:49 PM: Quote from: Dhoey07 on June 03, 2019, 07:36:45 PM
If you give up on them, let me know.

They’re good reels. Think about casting as a “toss” and not a “whip”.
Reminds me of the first time I combat fished while in college. I wanted to side arm and whip it - i could and can drop it in a drinking glass. But being that close it wasn’t going to happen. To this day I still can’t lob shizz.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: branches on June 04, 2019, 08:00:43 PM: lure weight and line diameter will determine how well you can cast. Practice, Practice, and Practice will get you confident and get your results with the bait caster. Go in the back yard and try to cast into a 5 gallon bucket at different distances. :tup:
Title: Re: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: salish on June 05, 2019, 09:44:08 AM: Thanks Branches.
Title: Re: Bait Casting Reels, Old vs. New
Post by: CAMPMEAT on June 05, 2019, 10:57:55 AM: I always used a Mitchell 300 for all of my fishing.