Baitcaster for plastic worms???? 2024
JimSparks reply :
Ok. How in THE heck do you baitcast with texas rigged plastic worms? Oh my word...I tried it. I've tried it before. I want to get away from my Zebco Spincasts. Every. Single. Cast. Backlash! Please oh please throw me some suggestions on how to do this. I don't want to admit defeat so quickly but I had about 5 casts/backlashes before my hook/worm flew off. That's a totally different issue. Don't tie on when you're in a hurry 
Leftymuk reply :
Setup.......all about setup.....I use a baitcaster for everything but finesse
CroakHunter reply :
Glenn made a video on YouTube about this recently. Watch it and try his tips. I use 30lb braid and a medium power 7' rod for throwing weightless senkos. But have stepped up to 50lb and a medium heavy if I am fishing in a lake where I can potentially hook a giant.
frosty reply :
What kind of rod are you casting on? I can cast weightless senkos on a medium heavy rod with no issues. It doesn't get half way across the lake, but it's a decent cast.
Jon G reply :
N Florida Mike reply :
Theres more to it than this ,but what helped me the most was positioning myself where I could cast with the wind over and over until I got it.
It must be set up right with the brake etc and the pins inside the reel.Watch Glenns video , he explains it .
fishnkamp reply :
Lets look at your setup first
What rod do you have, brand and model?
What reel are you using, brand and model
How heavy is the worm weight and what brand and type of worm.
Now here is why I asked. Cheap baitcasters are MUCH harder to adjust for a good cast. So the rel may be part of your problem, or it could be you might be trying to throw bait that is too light for the rod.
I usually suggest looking at your rod. It will say what weight bait it will handle. If you want to learn the easiest way to learning how to cast try using a bait that weighs near the middle of the rods range. If that rod says it will cast baits that weigh between 1/4 to 3/4 then I would practice with a bait like a 1/2 ounce jig and a typical plastic trailer, like a Strike King Rage craw, or a Bass Pro version-it will save you some money. I also like the Jaw Bone jigs Dicks Sporting Goods because they only cost $2.99.
I hate to ruin a high dollar jig just for practice purposes.
Once you learn to cast well then you can use a lighter bait.
I forgot to ask what line you are using? That can make a difference. One more thing is the knot that attached the line to the spool. If that is slipping on the arbor of the spool it too can be a problem.
Catt reply :
Setup your reel properly & educate your thumb 
Leftymuk reply :
SETUP.........did I hear SETUP
Yeajray231 reply :
Once the spool tension and brake system is set correctly, it all comes down to the rod. MH will do the job.
I use 40LB and lately have been using a floro leader . 8LB for weightless plastics.
WRB reply :
With spin cast or spinning reels you don't need to be concerned with backlashes, baitcasting reels you do. It's not the T-rig you are having a problem with, it's learning to cast with a bait casting rod and reel.
What brand of reel, rod and line, including # test do you have? What weight size are you trying to cast?
Tom
JimSparks reply :
So you're saying it might be my setup? ? let's see
7 ft Abu Garcia Vigilante MH
Abu Garcia Black Max
P-line Fluoroclear 10 lb test
1/4 oz lead bullet weight
2/0 eagle claw offset hook
Berkley powerbait 7in worm. In motor oil color.
frosty reply :
On 7/8/2017 at 12:47 PM, JimSparks said:So you're saying it might be my setup? ? let's see
7 ft Abu Garcia Vigilante MH
Abu Garcia Black Max
P-line Fluoroclear 10 lb test
1/4 oz lead bullet weight
2/0 eagle claw offset hook
Berkley powerbait 7in worm. In motor oil color.
You should be able to cast that fine. How about your technique? If I get in a hurry I tend to whip the lure and I'll get a backlash towards the middle of the cast. You could possibly be putting to much muscle into your cast.
Catt reply :
What I see many of my students do is they "whip" the rod or try to cast with arm strength.
Let the rod do the casting...it's better at it than you are!
Mike L reply :
I use baitcaters for everything, with 2 exceptions all spooled with Flouro.
Your equipment is fine, I agree with Catt and Frosty you need to adjust the reel for the weight of what you're throwing and concentrate on your casting.
Don't try any over the shoulder bomb casts until you're more comfortable and know how your setup works with what plastic you want to throw, in all the weight ranges you'll throw it in.
The rod does the work, let it.
Mike
spencer12 reply :
I use a baitcaster for all texas rigged worms all the way down to a 1/8 oz weight. (Any lighter and I use a spinning reel) It took a long time to be able to throw a 1/8 oz texas rigged worm with confidence on a baitcaster. First get comfortable casting with the heaviest weight you can get away with. In my opinion a 3/16 is a good in between weight. I see too many people using a weight that is way to heavy.
After you've found the reel, have your weights, you need the CORRECT rod. This in my opinion is one of the most important factors. I use a MH/XF, but a good middle ground is a MH/F. If your rod is too stiff your not going to be able to cast correctly, same for to flimsy. Start short. Don't be discouraged if you can only cast 20 yards to begin with. Keep your baitcaster as tight as possible until you feel you have it mastered.
Once you become confident, loosen up the dials. Do not try to cast "hard" but let your rod and reel and the weight of the worm cast together. A properly set up reel does not have to be violently whipped forward to get distance. I had that problem when I first started.
bigfruits reply :
tighten down your reel until it cannot backlash. slowly loosen up to get distance.
evilcatfish reply :
On 7/8/2017 at 7:19 PM, Catt said:What I see many of my students do is they "whip" the rod or try to cast with arm strength.
Let the rod do the casting...it's better at it than you are!
Truth. Plus whipping the rod is harder on your body, I know from experience. Pulled muscles and shoulder pain are no fun
As others said, learn how to adjust your reel and use the right rod. Also, when starting out, throw baits on the heavier end of your rods rating, it's much easier in my opinion.
JimSparks reply :
That makes sense. I was for sure whipping it out there. I'll give that a shot. I feel comfortable casting all my other stuff with a baitcaster. Not an expert by any means, but not a backlash yet this season. It's just the plastics. I watched half of the video. I'll catch the other half today. Definitely will work on my setup and then technique. I want to get a new reel once I get it down. Something with at least 7:1 gear ratio. I am looking at the Abu Garcia Pro Max. I'm thinking decent bang for the buck? I can find them for about $50.
Mike L reply :
It's just a basic reel.
Nothing fancy about it inside or out.
It's a good reel to learn on them as you get better and your confidence level increases you can move up, which will help you even more to fine tune it
Mike
Catt reply :
If y'all really wanna learn how to cast here's ole school way that still works today.
Put a 1/4 oz bullet weight , 2/0 hook, & any cheap 6" worm.
Adjust your tension knob until your t-rigs hits the floor with zero loose line.
Roll up a newspaper till it's about 2 1/2" in diameter, place it under your arm pit. This will force you to keep your elbow tucked by your side & keep you from casting to hard.
I guarantee if you practice daily for at least an hour you will master casting!
fishnkamp reply :
It seems that rod is a Wal Mart only rod (house version) so I could not get any specs on it. I know you said it is a 7 foot MH but what weight lures does it rate for? Is it a 1/4 to 3/4 or what. Like I mentioned earlier try practice casting with a 1/2 ounce jig and a craw trailer. It might be you are trying to learn while casting too light a lure on it. Someone with experience may be able to make it work but the heavier bait id better for a novice caster. Do you live anywhere near MD I would be happy to meet up and help you learn. I am sure there are other members on here that would help if they are closer. It is amazing to see how easy it is to learn from someone that does it regularly.
Raul reply :
On 7/8/2017 at 12:47 PM, JimSparks said:So you're saying it might be my setup? ? let's see
7 ft Abu Garcia Vigilante MH
Abu Garcia Black Max
P-line Fluoroclear 10 lb test
1/4 oz lead bullet weight
2/0 eagle claw offset hook
Berkley powerbait 7in worm. In motor oil color.
Ok, so it's not your setup, it's you.
scaleface reply :
The release point is different with a baitcaster than a Zebco . Its earlier .
BrackishBassin reply :
On 7/8/2017 at 12:47 PM, JimSparks said:So you're saying it might be my setup? ? let's see
7 ft Abu Garcia Vigilante MH
Abu Garcia Black Max
P-line Fluoroclear 10 lb test
1/4 oz lead bullet weight
2/0 eagle claw offset hook
Berkley powerbait 7in worm. In motor oil color.
I have that same combo, and I had issues with it as well. I switched the mono I had on it to braid and that made it way easier to cast. The second rod/reel I bought was definitely a step up (med *** with a Tatula CT), and I found it to be much easier to cast with it. I only use the Black Max combo for really 'heavy' stuff now (minimum of 1/2 an ounce) and occasionally throwing a frog. Just not worth the headache. Plus, the CT is a joy to fish, and I seem to prefer the med rod to the med heavy for some reason. I know the standard rod for bass is a med heavy, but I haven't needed anything that stout for the waters I fish.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 7/8/2017 at 10:04 PM, JimSparks said:That makes sense. I was for sure whipping it out there. I'll give that a shot. I feel comfortable casting all my other stuff with a baitcaster. Not an expert by any means, but not a backlash yet this season. It's just the plastics. I watched half of the video. I'll catch the other half today. Definitely will work on my setup and then technique. I want to get a new reel once I get it down. Something with at least 7:1 gear ratio. I am looking at the Abu Garcia Pro Max. I'm thinking decent bang for the buck? I can find them for about $50.
This is probably your biggest problem. The spool really speeds up at the beginning of such a cast which is going to require good thumb work by you. Tightening down the spool tension a lot will help avoid backlashes...........but brings its own problems. For one you start throwing harder to get the distance you want. Throwing hard with a baitcast is not as easy as with other types of reels. That is how I taught myself to cast the first year I got into baitcast reels. That winter I sent a few to an Online friend who offered to clean them and upgrade a couple. His comment was that the spool tension was so tight on my Fuego that he couldn't cast a 1/4 oz. weight the way I had the reel set up.
At his suggestion, I lowered spool tension to where it was just enough to remove side-to-side play and filled spool to the bevel. Basically I almost had to relearn to cast................but it was worth the effort. Set up thusly it doesn't require a hard cast to get decent distance. Let the rod do its work. It seems from your previous comment that you do very well other than with the plastics. It may require a bit more practice to get the thumb working right on the plastics.
I have never used a Black Max LP, but have used other Abus and around 7-8 other brands of reels. What I know from experience is that not all work well set up the same way. A few require more spool tension than others. Some require more brakes. Some require more of both. Practice tells you the right combination.
I use a MHF to throw unweighted 10" ribbontails on a 3/0 or 5/0 hook. Texas rigging one only adds to the casting distance. Never have a problem with backlashes because of the added weight. Like I said, I've never used a Black Max, but maybe a little better reel would help a lot since you have no problem with other types of lures. Not too long ago I picked up a used Patriarch XT (the older blue model) at a ridiculously low price. I already had one that I use for the above lure/hook. One internal brake on and 3 on the dial. Casts like a champ. 
JimSparks reply :
Thanks everyone. I will give some of these suggestions a try. Although I like the zebcos...the newer z03 pros...i would like to get to a point of using a baitcaster. Any suggestions for a good tell that is a step up from the Abu Garcia is using? $100 ish would be the budget. I plan to practice with the black max them upgrade once I feel a little more comfortable with a baitcaster and plastics.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 7/10/2017 at 12:08 AM, JimSparks said:Thanks everyone. I will give some of these suggestions a try. Although I like the zebcos...the newer z03 pros...i would like to get to a point of using a baitcaster. Any suggestions for a good tell that is a step up from the Abu Garcia is using? $100 ish would be the budget. I plan to practice with the black max them upgrade once I feel a little more comfortable with a baitcaster and plastics.
$100 new it is tough to beat a Tatula/Tatula CT. $10 more can get a new Lew's Tournament MB. Another fine reel.
If you don't mind used, some good deals can be found. Currently some Tournament Pros in different ratios for sale on another forum for $100...a $200 reel new. Or a Lew's Speed Spool LFS SSG1H for $70 tyd. Must keep an eye open, tho. I got a tremendous deal on an older blue Patriarch XT for $65...a $250 reel new. I'd rate it an easy 8.5 maybe even 9.0
EDIT: I should mention the Pro Qualifier even though I've never used one. Lots of people recommend it as an excellent reel not only for beginners, but for people not willing to spend more than $100 on a reel. Can be had for around $60 when on sale.
fishnkamp reply :
I agree I love the Daiwa Tatula CT choice for you to step up to.
Having said that I also have several friends happily fishing a Black Max reel on other rods. So I am going to suggest you try an inexpensive option.
Go to your local Wal Mart. Look at a rod called a Berkley Lightning Shock rod. Find a 6'6" medium model. It should be priced at around $49. Take it to the register for a price check. Several members have purchased it on an unmarked clearance for as low as $15. Move your reel over to it.
That rod is a very good rod for treble hook baits. You can fish anything on it, but it works really well on treble hook baits like crankbaits, traps, and some topwaters.
Buzzbaits and chaterbaits would be good on it too.
Now I want you to go to an open field, your backyard, anywhere you have some room. I use my side yard. It has a tree that i can lean my rod against. I want you to loosen up the drag so the line easily pulls off the spool. Walk out a bunch of line, like way more than you could cast. Take a cloth and while putting pressure on the line stretch it out. I use a micro fiber towel and I also like to use some line conditioner. This cleans your line as well as takes out the memory. I fish with P Line FloroClear and it is a high memory line. I like the stuff, it just requires some maintenance. Once you have gone down the line several times, reset your drag to about half way and reel the line in as normal. It may be helpful to run the line through your fingers to keep it tight as you reel it in. Now go put on a 1/2 ounce jig and learn to cast it. If that works as I know it should, then you have a good working combo. You could add a better reel to the old rod, or just go look at a combo like a Lews Mach 1 or Mach 2. Those would be a better combo for fishing bottom bouncing lures like jigs and worms.
Catt reply :
Lew's® American Hero Combo, 6'10" MH rod & the reel 7.1:1 gear ratio @ Academy $79.95
Fishingjuggernaut reply :
On 7/8/2017 at 5:24 AM, JimSparks said:Ok. How in THE heck do you baitcast with texas rigged plastic worms? Oh my word...I tried it. I've tried it before. I want to get away from my Zebco Spincasts. Every. Single. Cast. Backlash! Please oh please throw me some suggestions on how to do this. I don't want to admit defeat so quickly but I had about 5 casts/backlashes before my hook/worm flew off. That's a totally different issue. Don't tie on when you're in a hurry
I've used a baitcaster for Texas rig as long as I can remember. Maybe up the bullet weight to help?
I love using the Lew's tournament speed spool for it also. Very smooth reel. Did a review for that reel you can check out if you like here https://fishingjuggernaut.com/lews-reel-review/
Buffdaddy54 reply :
Check out the KastKing line. Almost all can be had for less than your budget and all (I think) have a duel braking system. I love the KastKing ASSASIN and really love the duel brakes. I had trouble with soft plastics also, best thing I did was check out Glen's video on how to setup a baitcaster and then go practice. I'm a lot more confident now than I was but still need to practice. Good luck to you.
LxVE Bassin reply :
On 7/8/2017 at 12:47 PM, JimSparks said:So you're saying it might be my setup? ? let's see
7 ft Abu Garcia Vigilante MH
Abu Garcia Black Max
P-line Fluoroclear 10 lb test
1/4 oz lead bullet weight
2/0 eagle claw offset hook
Berkley powerbait 7in worm. In motor oil color.
Sounds like operator error. Nothin to be ashamed of. When I got my first baitcaster I let it sit for 2 months after getting fed up with not knowing how to work it. It takes practice.
WRB reply :
The OP's problem is his casting motion or mechanics, Catt offered excellent advice.
I have watched a lot of bass anglers casting baitcasters over the years and most have poor casting mechanics, it's in your wrist not your arm.the faster the rods action is the more critical your casting motion becomes, let the rod luanch the lure.
Tom
Finesse_crankin reply :
I think lews throw weightless stuff excellent with braid. Your bsit has to be faster than the line coming off the spool. Dont put as much line on the reel only like half. I find doin an underhand cast works the best. Not flipping style. Instead of sidearmin it or over the top do underhand like softball. If I need to be very accurate I do an underhand cast
sully420 reply :
On 7/8/2017 at 12:47 PM, JimSparks said:So you're saying it might be my setup? ? let's see
7 ft Abu Garcia Vigilante MH
Abu Garcia Black Max
P-line Fluoroclear 10 lb test
1/4 oz lead bullet weight
2/0 eagle claw offset hook
Berkley powerbait 7in worm. In motor oil color.
Do your self a favor and put some 50lb power pro on that black max and get comfortable with baitcasting. Your gear is good but floro takes some experience and losing line to backlash damage is expensive. You have to learn to walk before you can run.
Yeajray231 reply :
I agree. Spool with braid. At least 30lbs. You can still use floro as a leader. I actually recommend it because if you get hung on a log or in a tree you can break the leader without losing half your spool.
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