Are you new to a baitcaster and keen to know how it works? If your answer to this is yes, then you are in the right place! In this article, you’ll be guided through everything starting from how to properly set up the baitcaster, to how to adjust it, and tips on how to cast with this fishing tool.
It is paramount you are briefed on how to select the appropriate baitcasting line, including how to set up other significant components of this tool because it is crucial to learning how to utilize this tool.
How to Use a Baitcaster Reel Properly?
Choosing The Right Baitcasting Line:
Selecting the appropriate line is quite crucial if your aim is to have a good time utilizing your baitcaster. Adopting the wrong line will ultimately result in lots of frustration which could jeopardize your fishing trip.
There are certain things you have to learn before knowing the appropriate line for you. If you are yet to obtain a line for your baitcaster, then you have to ensure you get the best by making enquires and carrying out in-depth research on that which is best for you.
Learn more on the reasons why baitcaster is better than spinning.
Get To Know Your Baitcasting Reel:
There are several types of baitcasting reels, all with diverse types of features, designs and specific usage. For instance, reels for saltwater are specifically used for saltwater fishing while there are specific reels for freshwater fishing. Baitcasting reels come in different prices. You can easily find baitcasting reels under $100 if that is what you are after. The bottom line is; go for the reel you can handle and afford.
All contemporary baitcasters have three ways of modifying how fast the line is going to eject from the spool, that is to say, the drag, the spool tension, and the brake. Knowing the function of the break is very significant because it is there to prevent backlashes!
The drag:
The drag determines the amount of force that is required to eject the line off the spool. Whenever a fish is hooked, the drag will ensure that the hooked fish will need to pull the line away from the spool which will eventually make the fish tired. The drag also helps to stop the line from snapping when the fish attempts to make a quick getaway. The dag is inactive if the spool release is laxened.
The brake:
This component of a baitcaster is situated on the left side of your reel. It is always located on the opposite sides around where the handle of your reel is located. The function of the brake is to reduce the speed of your spool when releasing lines during a casting operation.
Your break is there to help you minimize the tendency of backlashes. There exist two types of brakes, the magnetic brake, and the centrifugal brake. If you aren’t sure of the brake your reel is having then check if it has a knob located on the opposite side of where your handle is; if it does, then it’s probably a magnetic brake. If you observe a little detachable side panel rather than a knob, then you have a reel with a centrifugal brake.
The centrifugal brake makes use of centrifugal force to reduce the speed of the spinning spool utilizing little pinstripe affixed to the side of your spool; while a magnetic brake adopts magnet to reduce the speed of the spool. The adjustment knob of this type of brake often comes with a number, showing how much the brake will lessen the speed of the spool.
To increase casting distance and mitigate the tendency of backlashes, you’ll be briefed on how to modify the braking systems.
The spool tension:
This component is often located beside the handle of the reel. It is a little knob that can be rotated clockwise (to make it tight) and anti-clockwise (to loosen it). The function of this component is to make use of the break through the entire cast. But, however, the most significant function of the spool tension is to halt the spool from rotating immediately your bait strikes the water. If your tension spool is too lax, this will prevent the spool from halting the releasing line after your bait strikes the water, which will eventually lead to a backlash or a “birds nest”.
Knowing how well to adjust the spool tension is a significant skill to obtain when learning how to use a baitcaster.
The Shimano curado baitcasting reel is an ideal example of a baitcaster. This baitcasting reel which can be utilized for both saltwater and freshwater fishing comes with the latest Shimano technology and is capable of giving anglers the best fishing experience.
Adjust Your Baitcaster Before Casting?
Adjusting the drag:
This is very simple. All you have to do is to tighten it by turning it clockwise in order for you to drag the line off the spool without it being over loosed for the right hookset. You are often required to remodify the drag when a fight is on immediately you have an insight into the size of power of the fish.
Adjusting the spool tension:
- Apply your preferred choice of bait. If you are a novice angler, I suggest that you make use of a heavier bait.
- Tighten the spool tension knob by turning it clockwise.
- Grip your rod so that it is parallel to the ground.
- Utilizing the thumb bar, unlock the spool release. At his juncture, ensure that you don’t drop your bait since the spool tension knob is rotated to max friction.
- Gradually rotate the spool tension knob clockwise until the bait gradually falls to the ground. Ensure that the spool doesn’t spin by tightening the tension of the spool a little.
Congrats! Your spool tension is well set. Always remember to adjust the spool tensions immediately you change bait with diverse weight. Procedure 1-5 is a strategy you’ll adopt a lot like a novice angler, particularly if you like to change baits.
Adjusting the brake:
If you are making use of the centrifugal brakes:
- Open the pins by extracting the side plate located on the left side of your reel.
- Relocate four amongst the six pins in the outside positions. Ensure that while moving the pins, they are moved in a symmetrical manner so as to ensure that the weight is evenly balanced.
- Return the side plate
If you are utilizing the magnetic brake, the process is quite simple compared to the centrifugal brake. Just set the knob moderately (always 5)
To check if the break suits you well, you’ll have to make a cast.
Put your thumb on the spool and open the spool release utilizing the thumb bar. Perform a cast and be prepared to hit your thumb on the spool immediately you feel that the spool is spinning rapidly. If you are in the dark on how to make a good cast with a baitcaster, you can gain insight by watching videos.
Having been briefed on some of the basics of how to use a baitcaster, below are few tips:
- Ensure you make several casts immediately you start getting accustomed to the behavior of the reel.
- Casting is mainly about the memory of the muscle, therefore a huge amount of cast will reduce the probability of experiencing backlashes.
Using a baitcaster to fish can be quite complicated, but immediately you get used to the basics and how to set up the various components of this gear, you are one step away from learning how to use this tool.