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After some advice.
Im looking at getting a baitcaster for flicking lures but I have never used one before ! Around the $100-$200 mark.
And are they difficult to use.
Firstly think what exactly you plan to use this for...eg species, location and lure selection. For the most part you would be well advised to save a little longer and get yourself a reel around the $250.00 mark. This would include models from Daiwa (HRF, HSTA advantage, Tierra, Coastal) or Shimano (Curado). If you stick with Daiwa or Shimano you are almost guaranteed the reel will be easier to cast and last for longer.
The better models have beter features and are easier to cast. In my opinion the magnetic cast control of the Daiwa is easier to use and perfect than shimano's centrifugal cast control.
Just fyi...
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Have you ever cast a baitcaster before? If not borrow one off a mate for a week and practice in the yard or alternatively learn using mono so it doesn't hurt so much when you get a big birds nest. Like the guys have already said the more money you spend the easier they are to cast.
I have just bought a Daiwa D redback baitcaster (similar to a tierra but looks much cooler in black & red) for $230. I found it simple to cast from the start. I have had abu's before and ended giving up with them. I was concerned about casting with the Daiwa, but it is fantastic.
Practice, practice and more practice. The thing you need to educate the most is your thumb.......it is far better than any magnetic or centrifugal systems. Start off with small distances at first, if you try for the big cast you will spend more time untangling birds nests than casting. and dont be afraid to 'clamp down' when casting...better to come up short than spend the next 15 minutes picking out a tangle. The baitcasters I learnt on were ABU 1500C and 2500C....no cast brakes. and now I use Shimano Calcuttas and Daiwa Millionaires, and I dial the control to zero. I dont expect you to do this...but if you work towards it you will be rewarded.
And despite what anyone says......throwing lightweight lures on baitcasters is like peeing into the wind....it will result in unpleasant circumstances.....get a small threadline reel for that work.
Once you have mastered using a baitcaster, you will be pleasantly surprised at what you can catch with them...just remember...horses for courses.
I have only be using baitcasters for about 2 years. Persistance is the rule and be prepared to replace a few reels full of line if you are like me and end up with some hopeless birdnests. Probably best to start with mono as it is a lot cheaper. Don't try cheap braid as I didn't become close to competent until I found a good braid that suited my style. I use Fins now.
I practiced with a No 2 bean sinker in the back yard and only casting about 5 metres at start just trying to educate the thumb. Tie the sinker on well or your neighbours will complain about lead whistling through their windows.
The most important technique is to correctly adjust your weight control for whatever you are casting. Make sure you lure/sinker slowly falls to the ground when the reel is set for casting. I still forget to do this when changing lures and get myself into all sorts of problems.
When I learned to use one I came across some great little tips. These are the ones that I believe helped me.
Use a better quality braid for ease of casting.
Start off with little casts, don't aim for the bank on the other side just yet.
Reel the line out about five metres and put some tape on the spool to stop anymore line coming off....that way if you get a terminal birds nest you'll only lose five metres..as you get more confident, add another five metres to your cast and so on until your comfotable with big casts.
Sometimes if you hold the spool on the side it can help,( as in rotate your wrist so your palm faces the ground and your thumb is parralell to the ground ) I still do this.
2 many lures once gave a great tip about not putting too much line on your reel which I tried and really think makes a difference.
Educate your thumb and feather the spool at the end of the cast.
Don't rely on the magnetic brakes and other bits and pieces too much, they are very important...but trust your thumb.
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