Baitcasting beginner - hopefully not the same ol' questions

My kids are getting into fishing, and I've been wanting to learn how to
use a baitcaster. I researched on the web, and have tried to educate
myself on using this reel more effectively. This is a fairly cheap
Shakespeare Agilty reel if that makes any difference.

I've become pretty proficient setting the spool tension knob, I also
figured out by reading that you should cast with the reel facing you.
I've been getting pretty good results casting when tying just a bobber
or a lead weight to the end of the line.

Here are my questions:
1) The magnetic "cast" control affects the spool's spin rate at the
beginning and middle of a cast, is that correct? Why is the spool
turning faster than the tackle as it is being reeled out? I guess I
don't understand the dynamics here. How will different settings heavy
vs. medium affect my cast?
2) What has the bigger influence on backlash? Spool tension or magnetic
cast control? I guess I don't understand how they interact.
3) Does everyone "thumb the spool" when they cast, or do they just let
it run until the tackle is about to hit the water?
4) What difference in technique allows an experienced user to use less
magentic cast control than a beginner? What is the beginner doing
differently that would be problematic?
5) I've had a lot of trouble casting very lightweight stuff. I read
that this is normal, but I'm still wondering why.

The biggest problems have been trying to cast a rig with - say a treble
hook and dough bait, with a bobber about 2ft up from that. I set the
spool tension knob correctly, but get the "mother of all birdsnests"
every time I cast. Makes no difference what the magnetic cast control
is set at. Grrrrr.

Now strangely enough, I experimented moving the bobber down closer to
the hook, and the backlash problem goes away.

Now obviously I must be committing a cardinal sin by trying to catfish
with a baitcast reel or something. The only thing I can figure is that
having two (nearly) equal weights at the end of a line separated by
some distance greater than X causes the whole system appearing much
lighter than the combined weight to the baitcast reel. But wait - if
that's the case, my spool tension knob is set too high and should
LESSEN backlash. Anyone have the same experience or can shed some light
on this? I'm really baffled...

One other question about technique: Does everyone get satisfactory
distance out of just "flicking the wrist" or do most people tend to
also use the elbow in conjunction with the wrist flick? Will using the
elbow exacerbate backlash?

Thanks for the help.

On 22 Jul 2006 20:39:47 -0700, wrote:

My kids are getting into fishing, and I've been wanting to learn how to
use a baitcaster. I researched on the web, and have tried to educate
myself on using this reel more effectively. This is a fairly cheap
Shakespeare Agilty reel if that makes any difference.

This was a post I made to ROFB on the subject back in 2003 that
does a good job with advice baitcasting tips:

--

A long time ago, when I was learning how to use the baitcasting
equipment, I remember struggling at times and thinking about all the
negatives of the baitcaster (5500C) in relation to my trusty ol'
Johnson Sabre spincaster! However, with time came the knowledge that
the baitcasting equipment gave me better total control of the cast and
the retrieve and more efficient performance on the water. And that
meant more fish...

I'd strongly advise buying a very good reliable baitcaster (I
still use ABU Garcia 5500Cs) and just take your time learning how
"you" can work it (whether that is with a left handed or right handed
retrieve). I wouldn't discount the efficiency of baitcasters either
bc many switch their baitcasting outfits between their hands. Some
guys are awkward and may lose some performance or time...but many are
as fluid as they come.

Learning to use your baitcasting equipment takes patience. It
may take 100 hours or so...maybe longer....but it will be worth it in
the long run. Interestingly enough, it seems that women have a
tendency to pick up on using baitcasters a lot faster than men do for
some reason.

Also...try this with your new baitcasting outfit:

1. With your right hand, cast toward the horizon...

2. Right before the lure hits the water..move your left hand
toward the reel and cup/palm the left side of the reel;

3. Your right thumb should be controlling the spool by gentle
touches.

4. Your left thumb and forefinger should be gently between the
line

5. And rather than switching the rod between hands
completely...learn to use both hands to control the rod and reel. For
most people, the butt of the rod (and reel) will likely be between 3-6
inches above your belly button!

--
Dwayne E. Cooper, Atty at Law
Indianapolis, IN
Email:
Web Page: http://www.cooperlegalservices.com
Personal Fishing Web Page: http://www.hoosierwebsites.com/OnTheWater
Dog Fishing: http://www.hoosierwebsites.com/onthe...fishing040.htm
1st Annual ROFB Classic Winner