Baitcaster n Plastics...

8407 Views 33 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Culprit, Jul 25, 2007

Danno

Discussion Starter · Jun 27, 2007

Currently I have some 14lb Fireline on the new baitcaster and can toss the heavier lures pretty good. However I have a hard time tossing plastics, I either toss them so hard they rip right off the hook or they only go like 2 feet.

Would a lighter/differnt line help out? Or should i just stick to the spinning reel for plastics?
Also, ill be respooling the spinning reel pretty soon and heard good things about the PLine, what kind of Pline do you all recomend?

1 - 20 of 34 Posts

toothdoc

· #2 · Jun 27, 2007

I can't help you with the Fireline question, having never used it. The smallest braided line that I have used on a baitcaster is 30# test, which is 8# diameter. I wouldn't go any smaller than that.

As far as PLine, I have used the PLine fluoroclear and have been very happy with it. It is a copolymer with a fluoro coating. I know that a few others on the site have used the PLine Fluorocarbon line and have liked it very much as well.

ClancyWiggum

· #3 · Jun 27, 2007

I don't know about everybody else, but I usually toss my plastics with a spinning reel. I don't have enough feel with the baitcaster yet to throw plastics on it. I usually stick to the spinnerbaits and such on the baitcaster.

As for P-Line, I have the 6-pound CXX X-TRA STRONG in moss green reeled up on one of my spinning reels and I love it. It's really strong and small enough that the fish don't see it. I've caught two 24" plus pike on it so it must be strong. You can always go a little heavier if you want. I love the P-Line.

Topwater

· #4 · Jun 27, 2007

i found the PLine Evolution 10lb on my baitcaster has significantly reduced backlashed and increased distance immediately. pretty much the same for the spinning reel.

casting plastics is tougher and requires definate 'feel' for it, more of a sweeping motion with no whipping action at all. you can learn to do it, but I just throw em with the spinning reel cause I would rather fish than pick out back lashes while learning to use the b/c.

Augy

· #5 · Jun 27, 2007

i have p-line on all my rigs now and love it. best line i've used so far. just like topwater said, my backlash ratio has gone down and i can cast a senko TWO country miles now. all of my rigs now have p-line flourocarbon or evolution.

dan, yes you'll be able to cast light lures farther with less force with lighter line. don't go below 8lb tho on baitcasting like doc said. i use 10lb on all my baitcasters. but that's just me, i always try to use the lightest line i can get away with.

i can cast a weightless plastic worm about 50 feet with the right dial settings. the trick is in the early release of the spool. :mrgreen:

Danno

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 27, 2007

Thanks for all the tips guys. I was at Bass Pro and there wall of line confused the carp out of me. Then I saw the PLine but, there was like 10 differnt kinds there alone.
I definatly think the sweeping motion is the trick with the plastics,(Thanks Topwater) but even doing it that way I was only able to get it out a few feet.
Honestly, If I didnt see augy whipping those senkos "2 Country Miles" I wouldnt think it could be done.. Thats what got me wondering.

Oh, well a trip up to bass pro it is.

Topwater

· #7 · Jun 27, 2007

hey, lee's has it for 9.50 (the evolution) save that much on gas alone!

you might want to be sure all the settings are correct on your b/c reel, when i've casted senkos i've had the tension (little knob behind the crank) set so the senko drops a bit faster than they suggest, and the magnetic brake set about midway. it's tough cause you are prone to backlashes, but if you sweep you can cast 50'+ rather easily, or if your good with the thumb action i've gone with a more forceful whip-it-good action and gone a bit further, BUT, backlashes doing this are always nipping at your heels!

but the PLine is a lot better at least for the b/c, and you can always tie on some lighter leader line if needed...i had a really, really bad experience with braided on the b/c and doubt i would give it another shot without a ton more experience and probably a much better reel. i ended up having to cut out the birdsnest it was so mangled :x

ClancyWiggum

· #8 · Jun 27, 2007

HEY ALL!!! If you buy two spools of P-Line before June 30th (Saturday) you can use this $6 rebate. :!: :!: :!:

http://image.basspro.com/images/images2/free-offers/plinerebate.pdf

Augy

· #9 · Jun 27, 2007

dan, you may have your settings too tight. try loosening up the tension knob and brake a hair then casting with less force. also, try almost an underhand cast. it forces you to "sway" your casting stroke verses and hard whipping action. from there you can get a feel for the line peeling off the spool.

i can't quite explain it other than your trying to match the speed of the lure with the speed of the spool. even a slight difference in these two speeds will result in backlashes or off target casts.

.Steve

· #10 · Jun 28, 2007

Quick baitcaster question for you experts.

I've been reading that you should should use at least a 10-12 lb line. I was looking at braided lines the other day, and some of the 12 lb line was the same diameter as a mono 2 lb line.

So do you use a 12# test with the diameter of a 2# test? Or are you supposed to get a big 30# test that is like a 12# mono?

toothdoc

· #11 · Jun 28, 2007

No, don't use 12# test braid on a baitcaster. That will equal big big problems. I would recommend using using 8lb diameter and bigger, so 30# braid at a minimum.

Big Al

· #12 · Jun 28, 2007

Steve you and I will have a fishing tutorial on Sat.

.Steve

· #13 · Jun 28, 2007

toothdoc said:
No, don't use 12# test braid on a baitcaster. That will equal big big problems. I would recommend using using 8lb diameter and bigger, so 30# braid at a minimum.

That's what I was thinking. At the Dicks near Woodfield, the person working the day I went in asking questions didn't know too much about baitcasters. So she wasn't too much help.

Big Al, I'm a great student. At least I've caught some, so at least my feet are wet.

Augy

· #14 · Jun 28, 2007

steve, you couldn't of matched up more perfectly with Big Al. be sure to pick his brain. it's a great opportunity!

Big Al

· #15 · Jun 28, 2007

Augy, who you crappin' :?:

Augy

· #16 · Jun 28, 2007

lol. like i said, a perfect match! :mrgreen:

grandprix2plus2

· #17 · Jul 6, 2007

Hey guys i just joined today. I always check the site out and its just great that everyone is so informative and helping. I wanted to comment on this subject bc i used to use a spincasting setup and when i purchased my first baitcaster i fell in love thats all i fish with now. I actually bought a new bps extreme series combo for about $100.00 i have 6lb fireline crystal line on it and im casting lures as small as a 1/16th of an ounce. With zero backlashes so far knock on wood. I think the biggest thing is now they have the magnetic drag on alot of the newer reels which helps tremendously. I have found that if you set your magnetic on the side opposite of the crank to the highest setting 1-being no drag and 10-being the most applied. I set it at 10 and set the drag on the side by the crank so when i press the button its set just to the point where it wont move. This may seem weird but this way you turn the magnetic down to say an 8 or a 7 and just practice because once you get the hang of it you'll be able to whip it as hard as you want and have no backlash. try it out and see what you think. I hope this wasnt to confusing.

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.Steve

· #18 · Jul 6, 2007

grandprix2plus2 said:
I have found that if you set your magnetic on the side opposite of the crank to the highest setting 1-being no drag and 10-being the most applied. I set it at 10 and set the drag on the side by the crank so when i press the button its set just to the point where it wont move. This may seem weird but this way you turn the magnetic down to say an 8 or a 7 and just practice because once you get the hang of it you'll be able to whip it as hard as you want and have no backlash. try it out and see what you think. I hope this wasnt to confusing.

Welcome to the site!

I thought that was the way you are supposed to set up a bait caster? Every time you change lures, you are supposed to re-calibrate it.

grandprix2plus2

· #19 · Jul 6, 2007

Well i guess it depends on the lure, b/c some times the lure can weigh the same but depending on the surface area they dont cast the same. But i would have to say that most of the time if they are close in weight you could probably get away with just changing the magnetic drag on it and youd be fine i always set it a little high that way i can always tune it in exact and have no backlashes.

Now if you have something like an abu garcia where there is only a drag on the side with the crank i bleieve more thank likely your stuck using heavier baits because its not as high tech so to say.

Now i just want to say that im by far no expert but i have come along way and tried many diff comos of types of lines and reels and i have come along way and can throw just about any type of bait with a baitcaster within reason ofcourse.

Augy

· #20 · Jul 6, 2007

it's really not that hard. easiest way to setup a baitcast rig is to set the brake dial at 5 or middle and just leave it there. a good all around setting good for most lures we throw.

what you need to pay attention to is the spool tension knob. the smaller knob. this is the knob you need to tweak around to set it correct.

simple and effective test to see if it's setup right

1. hold rod at 90 degree angle (perpendicular to the ground).

2. press spool release. watch the speed of the lure as it drops. it should fall at a nice and easy pace.

3. if it free falls, your in trouble. it's too loose. you'll backlash when the lure hits the ground. tighten down the tension knob. if it's too tight, the lure won't even budge. just hanging there hopeless. again, it should fall nice and steady.

4. ultimately, you want the lure to fall as fast as possible without backlashing when the lure hits the ground.

once you try it a couple times it becomes second nature.

of cource if you snag a tree limb on the back swing, your pretty much screwed. :lol: make sure there is nothing to interfere with your cast. these snag backlashes are the absolute worst. the entire spool seams to explode! :x

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