Casting a Baitcaster Basics

Knowing how to successfully cast a baitcaster begins with understanding the specifics of your particular baitcasting reel. Therefore to begin, be sure to follow the manufacturers suggestions as to line and lure weight, along with recommendations for rod type. This will assure your equipment is set up to operate at peak performance, and will make learning how to cast a baitcaster much easier.

Casting a baitcasting reel well begins first with correctly spooling line onto the reel. Some will recommend spooling your baitcast reel with super heavy line to help make learning how to cast easier, though I suggest staying within the manufacturer's recommendation. Casting a heavier line is easier, but by using a line weight on the upper end of the baitcast reel suggested limit will force you to become accustom to your specific baitcaster sooner.

Once you have become familiar with your reels operating instructions it is time to begin spooling your baitcasting reel. Begin by pulling your line through the rod eyes, continuing down through the levalwind. Attach the line onto the spool or arbor by tying an arbor knot.

An arbor knot is accomplished by first passing the line around the spool, then tying a overhand knot around the line. Next, tie a second overhand knot on the free end of the fishing line. Lastly tighten the knots down around the spool and trim the excess.

Begin winding line onto the spool. Make sure to install the line in the same manner that it was on the plastic spool. In other words, assure that the lines trained curves are rolling around the baitcasting spool in the same direction as it comes off the manufacturer's spool. This will help lessen any chance of "birdnests", and make casting easier.

Wind onto the spool enough line to come within 1/4 inch of the spools edge. Although you can wind enough to come within an eighth of an inch from the spools edge it will be easier to learn with less line on the spool.

Attach a heavier lure or weight to the line. A heavier practice weight will help when it comes to practicing casting.

Now it's time to adjust the reel to maximize casting ease.

As you hold you rod in about the 1 o'clock position, release the spool to let the weight drop. Adjust the braking mechanism in such a manner that the spool stops spinning as the weight hits the ground. This setting will lessen the chance of backlash when first casting. Once you become proficient at casting your baitcast reel on this setting you can back off on the brake to increase casting distance.

With your baitcasting reel properly adjusted, it is time for your first cast. Depress the release button while your thumb is still on the spool and cast the weight using your whole arm as opposed to using your wrist to snap the lure forward. This reduces backlash as you first learn to cast. Make sure the handle of the reel points upward while casting to optimize the baitcasting reels performance.

While casting, and as the spool unwinds, thumb the reel and feather the line out until the lure lands. Once the lure lands put pressure on the reel to stop it from spinning.

Continue to practice at this setting until comfortable then loosen the braking system for longer casts, using more of your wrist to cast. Backlashes will occur but should become less and less as you learn how to properly feather out your line.