Casting rig

bhyde

bhyde

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So, I decided to give a casting rig another try. I have grown up on spinning reels for most of my life, so I am kinda set in my ways...for now.

The last birds nest I got off of a casting rig made me give it away to some random stranger...Of course, this was a cheaper pole setup...I am hoping that I can get used to it!

Help?
 
Well this is kinda like knife purchases, I need to know how much you want to spend and then water species of fish you're after, do you want to use it for lures or live bait. After a little more info maybe I could help you.
 
Oh...well..I have spent the money already..Not too much at first..If I like it, then I am willing to spend more for the right setup.

This is the reel I bought;

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fishing-Reels/Casting-Reels|/pc/104793480/c/104760180/sc/104259780/Shimano-Caius-Casting-Reel/1306845.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-fishing-reels-casting-reels%2Fshimano%2F_%2FN-1102352%2B1000004629%2FNe-1000004629%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104259780%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat104793480%253Bcat104760180%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat104793480%3Bcat104760180%3Bcat104259780

It might be a pos..but for trying out this type of reel, I should get a good feel for my likes and dislikes. I will get the rod when I go in to pick it up. (delivery to the Boise Cabelas)

Primarily, I am looking at freshwater- Trout, Bass etc-

With my spinning stuff, I already have in line spinning lures..Some topwater jigs..but that is about it.
Looking at the price of some of the lures, I might as well wrap a $10.00 around a hook and throw it out! Holy crap!!!
Not opposed to it...but that can add up real fast.


Thoughts?
 
What weights do you plan on throwing?
I recommend starting with 3/8 oz, it makes the timing easier to feel... that is if your rod is rated for it.
Casting reels are more of a 'timing thing' rather than spinning which can be more of a snap "power thing"
Heavier is easier to feel and time than lighter. As you get practice and experience you can go to lighter and lighter baits.

The best tip I've found for backlash removal.
Tighten the drag on your reel.
Crank the reel handle while applying pressure with your rod hand thumb.
Make 3-5 spool revolutions.
Strip out the line and see if the backlash comes out.
Repeat if necessary.

This will get out 75% of your backlashes.
For those really bad, clipped a branch at full speed, eagle nest backlashes...
Well, take a seat, look for the tiniest loop and loosen that. Never pull hard or yank on the line.

The reel looks good, enjoy it :)
 
Reels can vary in design and function, you just have to become an expert with the one you are using. There are also variations depending on what line you use. The braided or fused lines handle different than the mono's, they are slicker and come off the reel faster when you use your thumb to smooth out the cast. Just toss as far as you can control the lay of the line and get your feel for it. The skill is very much a thing you have to let yourself get a sense of, wind and other factors can set you back. You'll get it, just don't try hitting a home run on every cast, good base hit casts catch most of the fish.
 
That reel will catch fish man, you just need to work on your thumb control. 90% of backlashes/tangles happen when you do not apply control over the spool when casting to stop the over revolution. Takes a bit of practice to feather without retarding your casting distance.

Best thing you can do is go to a field with nobody around with a 1/2 ounce weight and couple beers and practice going heavy with the thumb to start and figure it out. Read your manual and get your casting brake to 50-60% at first then lower it. A few hours of casting practice before getting on the water with fish jumping and expectations will pay off.
 
I grew up on spinners and still use them for some stuff but I love bait casters for anything that gets bigger than small mouth bass/trout. I learned using a glove do I didn't jack my thumb up.
 
Brad "the butcher";10931985 said:
That reel will catch fish man, you just need to work on your thumb control. 90% of backlashes/tangles happen when you do not apply control over the spool when casting to stop the over revolution. Takes a bit of practice to feather without retarding your casting distance.

Best thing you can do is go to a field with nobody around with a 1/2 ounce weight and couple beers and practice going heavy with the thumb to start and figure it out. Read your manual and get your casting brake to 50-60% at first then lower it. A few hours of casting practice before getting on the water with fish jumping and expectations will pay off.
Click to expand...
Yup! You never really, totally, let go of the spool :)
 
Thanks for the replies guys! I picked up the reel and a pole yesterday. I need to put some line on it, but I will do this myself in the next day or two.
I will go to the park that is around the corner from me and practice. There are wide open spaces, and a pond with bass if I should get so ambitious.

So, I have the pole and the reel..but...big but..I have primarily spinners...anything I should be looking at for bait casting? anything you have decent luck with? I have a few frogs that I have used with the spin cast setup in the past (even caught a northern pike with them last year!)

Thanks guys!!!


B
 
Get some dardevle spoons in various weights and play with those. They are compact so the wind factor is lower compared to spinner baits or crank baits. Also some surface lures like Hula Poppers, Jitterbugs or diving Mud Bugs cast well and are fun to tease bass with as the evening sun sets. Summer nights and topwater lures are the best.
 
Lots of good advice in this thread. One thing I will add is to get a small crochet hook for your kit. They are great for picking out backlashes.

I was a dedicated baitcaster for a long time but I just got tired of being restricted on my lure selection. 1/4 ounce was about my lower limit and sometimes smaller spoons or spinners were the way to go. I could cast them, but not for any distance. I use them now mostly as trolling rods when on a boat. They are great for that. Once you determine your line-out distance put a piece of tape across the spool. After a retrieve you can then just let it free spool till it hits the tape and your line out distance will be exactly the same everytime. Very important for trolling.
 
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You made a good choice going with the Shimano. A texas rigged worm with a 1/4 ounce weight {google it } would be a good choice to practice with because as you are picking out the inevitable backlash , the lure should not snag up.

Cast overhand with an earlier release than you are accustomed too.Release the spool when the tip of the rod is at about the 12 oclock position. This will send the lure into a nice arc. If you release later , around 10 oclock like a spinning or spincast reel, the lure will end up short and the reel will backlash. It wont take long to get the hang of it.
 
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