new to bait casters any tips?

[chemmy]

Dad has bought me a bait caster just recently and i would like some tips with the best way to learn to cast it, what sort of lures i would use? and what area to use it in?

Thanks Chemmy

[gunna]

Chemmy - if the mods don't mind this posting - it should be a good start

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

[JB]

Put a bucket in the backyard or a hat. Tie a small sinker to the end of your line and cast away. Start with small but weighty sinker first, then move down to less weight as u get confident. Not sure what baitcaster u have, but they should have a spool tension knob that will make it harder or easier for you to cast without birds nests.

Other good way is to grab a few larger jack lures or barra lures , head down to the local ck or river and fire away. I used to aim at the ducks out the back of my joint (hate those fu#!kin things).

Im no expert, but i have to say a good quality baitcaster in the right hands is a deadly weapon.

I use mine a lot for jiggin big shads in deep water for jewies and flathead. They can aslo be used to floatline for snapper. Practice up , then take it out to murhpies next trip and float lightly weighted baits with it ;)

Whatever u do, dont give up they are awesome to use.

Jas

[scuttlebutt]

check the level-wind mechanism - some have fully synchronised levelwinds (like abu's), some have levelwinds that disengage when you cast. Fully synchronised is the best (my opinion) as long as you don't wind the end of your line back onto the reel past the levelwind (if that makes sense). If you get the line on the spool out of sync with the levelwind it can cause problems by wearing out your levelwind, creating undue friction, poor casting, lost fish - list goes on.

Might seem like a small point but it's pretty important.

cheers,

steve

[szopen]

The area to use it at first would be backyard, park or another open space.
Spool it with some cheap mono line and practice.

It would help if you could say what baitcaster you actually have.

[chemmy]

i have a shakespeare catera 4 bearing on a shakespeare 6 foot medium wieght 8-15lb rod

thanks for the tips

[ancienttinnie]

Chemmy some of the best instructions for learning to find a baitcaster are in the ABU owners books that come with their reels. The main thiing is to educate your thumb. You must learn the art of stopping the spool on your reel as the lure hits the ground or the water. To do this press down firmly on spool with your thumb. Don't worry about distance or accuracy they will come with practice and confidence. Just give little flicks to start with and use a casting plug as they are more realistic than a sinker. To get good with a bait caster will take many hours of practice and to be outstanding will take years of practice. Stick with it they are great fun to use. 8-)

[jimmyjam]

practice is always good and have a play with your cast control... ive had heeps of trouble with mine but i upgraded to a much better braid..no troubles now! ;D

[dicko1980]

Practice and patience with undoing overun birdnest knots, I find it easier to pull them out from the back of the reel spool.

Cheers,
dicko1980 :D

[jackash]

Hit the pool and keep going... shouldnt take that long to get aright... then keep going and you should b ehitting a tennis ball at the other end of the pool pretty much... put in a few hard hours.
Cheers