[BravesFan]

I got my first baitcaster last weekend. I'm right handed and cast my spinning reel with my right arm, so I got a baitcaster with the handle on the left side (so I don't have to learn to cast with my left arm or switch hands after casting with my right arm). In case you're wondering, it's a pretty cheap Daiwa Tournament 100L from Bass Pro. It was $50.

After the obligatory first casts straight into the ground/water and a few annoying, but not horrible, backlashes, I think I'm really starting to like baitcasting. I can get about the same distance now with my baitcaster as I can with my spinning reel when tossing heavy stuff, like 1/2 oz rattle traps or spinnerbaits.

However, I'm still having some problems with casting accurracy. Whenever I cast side arm (using my right arm), I tend to release too late and overshoot my target way to the left. Whenever I cast overhanded, again I tend to release too late and miss my target in front (come up short). Other than learning to find an earlier release point, are there any other tips you guys can offer for increasing one's accurracy when baitcasting?

So far I've only had aboout 2 hours of practice total with my baitcaster and am very happy with it. I only hope I can actually catch some fish with it before the winter months come and finess finishing forces me to put away the baitcaster.

If it's any help, I've got the spool tension set so that my lure drops slowly to the ground and stops spinning once the lure hits the ground. And although I started with the magnetic brakes on max setting, at 10/10, I've turned it down to about 7/10 now. I get about 1-2 backlashes per hour, which I don't think is too bad for a beginner baitcaster.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Fan

 

[Culprit]

dont overpower ur cast ,u`ll get the accuracy thing with time
u`ll see that u`ll be able to cast farther and more accurately with the baitcaster even when using 1/8 oz lures.

good luck Fan.

 

[toothdoc]

Baitcasters work best with an overhand cast and not a sidearm one. Also, hold the reel with the spool up and down when you release it. Basically you want to twist your wrist when you bring it forward from the 2 o'clock position to the 10 o'clock position where you should release it.

Here is a short article with some tips. I found some other tutorials awhile back, but I can't find them now. When I do I will post them.

http://bassresource.com/fish/reels.html

 

[toothdoc]

Fan, I forgot to congratulate you on reaching your Fishing Finatic status.

 

[BravesFan]

Thanks guys. I'll check out that article, toothdoc. And I didn't even realize that I had become a fishing Fan-atic :wink: Thanks for reminding me.

 

[FishinMatt]

Fan, it takes time man. If you have a good grasp down after 2 hours you did much better then myself the first time out. Just keep practicing and don't forget about the spinning gear. Going light still has its advantages, especially in heavy pressured waters.

 

[toothdoc]

Here's another good article on setting and using your baitcaster.

http://www.fishingnoosa.com.au/baittech.htm

 

[BravesFan]

Here's another good article on setting and using your baitcaster.

http://www.fishingnoosa.com.au/baittech.htm

Thanks, doc. That was very helpful. I've been doing the twisting of the arm technique as I cast, which is helping somewhat to correct my problem of overcasting to the left of the target. However, I find that I need to release earlier than the 10 o'clock position or else I cast straight into the ground. Anyway, I'm sure I'll get better with practice. Catching fish... now that's a different story

 

[MrB]

I can go 2hrs without a backlash and then get 3 in a row. Its definitely tricky. Practice! Practice! Practice! Just when I feel that I got it down I start getting cocky and here comes the birdnest. I cant wait to be able to cast 1/8 oz lures that seems impossible for me right now.

Here's anutha site that might help

http://pages.infinit.net/fishing/bait101.htm

 

[BravesFan]

Good stuff, MrB. Thanks

 

[Augy]

try overhead casts over your left shoulder. this has helped me more than anything.

sidearm, try almost an underhand approach.

just keep using it and you'll be placing that lure with pin point accuracy.

 

[krnfishboy7786]

One thing that I've been recently introduced to is
"reel magic" or Kevin Vandam's Line conditioner

You can find this stuff online or at the store, basically you spray it into ur spool or onto your rods guides, and once it gets onto your line it gets rid of line twist and increases your casting distance (which will probably be related to accuracy, maybe? lol) I know guys who spray it on before every larger-fishin trip, a bottle costs about 8 bucks so it's a little epensive, but they swear by it. Hope this helps.

 

[toothdoc]

I found that KVD Line Conditioner at Dick's last week. I have only tried on my spinning gear so far, but I have heard good things about it.

 

[Rollcast]

Agree on all the tips here.

Turning the reel handle pointing up does help eliminate birdnests by slowing down the spool by gravity friction. As minimal is it is, it works.

Major causes: Excessive wind, over powering the bait/line/rod capability, tension setting off, spool control, lure stopped spool moving..

I mostly cast my baitcaster underhand, it helps drop the bait in with less splash. And when needed, you're always ready to drop the bait under a limb or rock hole.
(i.e., You pull up to a great spot, but a branch or rock overhang is in the way. When needed, its a bad time to practice..)

You can cast into the wind, but the drive needs to be more lateral with less loft.

Also, try keeping the rod tip at ~ 10/11 am until just before the lure hits the water. Stop the spool before the lure makes contact and lower the rod tip.

Doing that takes the slack out of the line, and helps to eliminate a birdsnest. Its timing.

There are many pro/con..
My 2 cents...
I'm more accurate with the BC vs the spinning reel..
More so on line control.