Baitcasting frustration... 2024
Eric J reply :
I picked up the Lews Carbon Fire ll after reading great reviews and being a big fan of the Carbon Fire spinning combos. I have been working on getting this baitcasting thing down for several hours and am outrageously frustrated (yes, my first baitcaster). Looks like I have the drop rate correct as the weight lowers slow and when it hits the ground the spool stops. I have the magnet dial set near max.
But every time I cast (practicing in my backyard) I birdnest like a frickin eagle is maing its home in my reel. If I don't keep my eye directly on the reel and slam my thumb down as soon as the backlash starts I've got a bowl of curly ramen noodles to deal with. What the hell am I doing wrong????
Eric J
PersicoTrotaVA reply :
Set the brake to the middle setting, not max. tighten the spool knob and slowly back off it until the bait starts to fall slowly. If you aren't getting enough distance(have to cast hard), loosen it a little more. If you are getting overspin(backlash) tighten it just a little bit. Little small adjustments are better than trying to change too much, too fast. It takes some practice. You also need to readjust it for every bait. Make sure your bait weight is correct for the rod as well. Too light and you will have problems trying to cast it.
BigAngus752 reply :
I just went through this last year. It can be a difficult learning curve but stick with it. Now casting a baitcaster is almost second nature to me. I don't even have to think about it anymore. I just fish.
The pros will chime in here shortly but here's some suggestions from a fellow new guy:
1. What line are you using? Get some 12-15lb mono or Yo-Zuri hybrid. Maybe even use some line conditioner.
On 6/19/2018 at 7:51 PM, Eric J said:If I don't keep my eye directly on the reel and slam my thumb down as soon as the backlash starts
2. Too late. Don't watch the reel. Watch your lure. Train your brain to thumb just as the lure is landing. Not before (huge splash) and not after (huge backlash). But obviously thumbing early is preferable to backlash and somedays the huge splash will catch you some fish.
On 6/19/2018 at 8:02 PM, PersicoTrotaVA said:You also need to readjust it for every bait. Make sure your bait weight is correct for the rod as well.
3. He is right. Don't practice with something that's 1/4 ounce. Misery will follow. I readjusted and learned faster by using a 3/4 to one ounce weight making easy casts and gradually increasing in distance and lowering the weight. Also, practicing pitching and flipping REALLY helped my thumb control. Honestly I think that was the game changer for me. The wife and I spent HOURS in the yard pitching and flipping until I could routinely hit a 4in square piece of cardboard from any reasonable distance or direction. Then suddenly I could hurl a lure 35+ yards with no backlash. Maybe that was a fluke but I'm convinced the flipping trained my thumb.
Keep it up! You'll be glad you did! I was a 100% spinning reel user. Now I'm 80/20 baitcaster/spinning in just one year. Totally worth the trouble.
burrows reply :
I know what you’re thinking! That their is something wrong with your reel NO that’s not it! Your reel is perfectly fine it’s gonna take a while to get the hang of it. What your experiencing is normal.
MrFrost reply :
I set mine incorrectly on purpose when I was just learning. I set it a little on the "tight" side so that when I pushed the button, the lure wouldn't even drop unless I kind of gave the rod a little nudge. Sure, I sacrificed casting distance, but casting ten yards less was well worth the lack of birds nesting and frustration that comes along with it. Then, once I felt I had a good grasp on muscle memory, and repetition, I eased up on the knob and set the reel correctly and now my casts are consistent, smooth, and actually decent distance wise. I still get the occasion backlash, but it's a reminder to slow down and be fluid and consistent.
Junger reply :
All good tips, use some cheap thick mono until you get the hang of it, so that if you do get a bad birds nest, it's cheap to respool.
I probably went through 2-3 respools when I first started throwing a BC last year, and haven't backlashed at all since.
BassNJake reply :
I agree not to start too light.
It is much easier to control something heavier 5/8 - 3/4 than it is with 1/8 or 3/16.
I'd also start with shorter casts as the ones that you try to really launch will be the ones that blow up the worst.
It's really just about practice and more practice.
Eric J reply :
Had a buddy stop by on his way to work and checked things out. My biggest issue is not using my thumb properly and taking my eye off the lure as it hits water. Reel is fine. Pretty funny watching him adjust and literally flip that thing 5 times with serious distance to have him say, "Well, it ain't your equipment."
I cast a few times birds nest free until I hit a branch and FRAZZZZZLE... But I have a better understanding.
You all are an awesome source of knowledge and support!
Eric J
NYWayfarer reply :
On 6/19/2018 at 7:51 PM, Eric J said:If I don't keep my eye directly on the reel and slam my thumb down as soon as the backlash starts I've got a bowl of curly ramen noodles to deal with. What the hell am I doing wrong????
You are looking in the wrong place. Watch your lure not your spool. When the lure hits the water that's when you stop the spool with your thumb.
If a backlash is happening before the lure hits the water the spool tension and brakes are not set correctly for the weight of your lure.
Eric J reply :
On 6/19/2018 at 9:47 PM, NYWayfarer said:You are looking in the wrong place. Watch your lure not your spool. When the lure hits the water that's when you stop the spool with your thumb.
If a backlash is happening before the lure hits the water the spool tension and brakes are not set correctly for the weight of your lure.
My biggest miss was watching the reel and not placing the thumb. With all the videos I watched nobody actually mentioned using the thumb to stop the reel. Except one I found a few minutes ago. It may be somewhat intuitive but being a lifelong Spinner, and pretty accurate with them, baitcasters are somewhat counter intuitive for me.
NYWayfarer reply :
On 6/19/2018 at 9:55 PM, Eric J said:My biggest miss was watching the reel and not placing the thumb. With all the videos I watched nobody actually mentioned using the thumb to stop the reel. Except one I found a few minutes ago. It may be somewhat intuitive but being a lifelong Spinner, and pretty accurate with them, baitcasters are somewhat counter intuitive for me.
I get it. I had the same issues. Like @BigAngus752 said stick with it and soon enough it will be second nature to you.
I love it so much I would use a baitcaster all the time if I didn't do a lot of multi-species and finesse fishing where a spinning reel shines.
MickD reply :
One thing that will help at the beginning is to use a spoon or practice plug, then a fairly heavy crank, then go to other stuff like spinnerbaits that catch the wind. Even then, best not to try to cast the windcatcher lures like spinnerbaits up wind until you get very proficient.
Mentioned above and very important are these three tips: 1. use a rod that loads properly for your lure weight. If it doesn't generate a good generous bend while casting, the rod is too stiff or too fast for optimum casting. 2. Start with shorter distance/lower power/slower casts and work from there. Even with slower casts , your rod should load (bend) significantly in the cast, just not as much as with a full distance attempt. 3. Don't try to go too light in the beginning. Use your spinning equipment for now. I'd say 5/8 - 3/4 once is a good place to start.
Work on the fundamentals and be patient. Don't use flouro-too expensive and fragile, mono or hybrid as recommended above is the best place to start.
cgolf reply :
For some reason I have found that if I do a powerful snap cast (lots of power but don’t move the rod much) I find that I get more backlashes with lighter lures. If I cast allowing the rod to load and then with a longer move forward I rarely backlash unless I take too much brake off to max out distance. For some reason it seems like loading the rod gets everything in sync. If you ever cast a fly rod you will learn what being out of sync feels like and can do to your distance if you get too fast with your casting motion (super important there to load up the rod before switching directions).
Another cast that doesn’t give me any issue is the roll cast or loop cast. Essentially you do a clockwise circle and shoot out a low cast that for some reason produces very little splash, great cast around spooky fish.
OkobojiEagle reply :
You will often read (or be told) to fill your spool full to achieve maximum distance... bull-fertilizer, distance shouldn't be your objective when you're learning. A 3/4 full spool of line is much easier to control. A side-arm cast with a slightly upward motion is also easier to control.
oe
gilkeybr reply :
^^^Agree with this about not over-filling the spool. You'll have a much easier time casting with a spool that isn't full to the brim.
Also, as mentioned line could contribute. FC will probably be harder to work with than the alternatives...
Koz reply :
As mentioned above, one way to stop one type of backlash is to use your thumb to slow and stop the spool before it hits the water. But there's another type of backlash to take into consideration that happens before the lure hitting the water causes an overrun.
We know that when the spool is unwinding faster than the lure is moving and the line slacks is when the line starts to birds nest. This can hap[pen when you try to cast too hard and you get too handsy or wristy. With a spinning reel, often it's that snap combined with the powerful arm movement that gets you more distance. That motion is pretty much a no-no with a baitcaster.
For me, when I want to cast far with a baitcaster I decrease the brakes a bit and make sure I use a long, smooth casting motion rather than trying to muscle it. At this point, 100% of my overruns and birds nests come from getting too handsy and trying to muscle the lure out there.
One more thing - don't be afraid to adjust the brakes slightly along with the tension for different lure types.
You'd be surprised how far (with the proper weighted lure) you can cast a baitcaster by adjusting the brakes and being smooth and easy.
scaleface reply :
Its timing . Nice and easy and release earlier . Aim at the sun .
Fishingmickey reply :
Another thing to add is avoid casting light weight lures (balsa crank baits) or bulky (high wind resistance) lures like a spinner/buzz baits into the wind.
FM
12poundbass reply :
On 6/19/2018 at 9:46 PM, Eric J said:cast a few times birds nest free until I hit a branch and FRAZZZZZLE... But I have a better understanding.
Wait until you're using a Senko or any stick bait and you cast and watch your worm go flying and hear your hook land 20 feet in front of you, meanwhile your spool is spinning at 5000 rpms and you don't know it until your worm exits the stratosphere and you finally look down. Don't worry it happens to us all. ????
LCG reply :
I am still learning but what I have learned is that you need to focus on accuracy, not distance.
A nice cast with a good smooth follow through, no whip casting. I started with pitching, then sidearm, then overhead. Slow and smooth to start. Magnetic brakes half way, spool tension a bit tight at first then backing off as you learn.
Give it time and you will get it. Dare I say I am starting to prefer it to spinning reels. Baitcasters are meant for accuracy and total control, keep that in mind. Good luck to you.
Eric J reply :
And..... my reel is defective. I only get 7 adjustment points on the brake. I mentioned it to a buddy who uses Lew's but not the Carbon Fire so neither if us was sure if it should have a wider range.
He went to dicks to pick up a new combo and checked out the reel I bought... should have 27 points of adjustment.
This after returning the speed stick this morning that I bought Saturday for damage and defects.
After tomorrow mornings fishing session it's off to Dicks to exchange the reel... {{{sigh}}}
Eric J
tcbass reply :
Youtube.....
Youtube videos showed me how to use a baitcaster when I first started out.
Bassun reply :
I'm not a baitcaster master, but when I was learning (I come from years and years of spinning gear) a few things made a huge difference, and if I'm teaching someone I have them do the following.
--Practice heavy. Learn with 3/4 or 1 ounce. Yard work is key. If you can get elevated a little, it will be easier.
--Adjust the drop as you did, but don't be locked in to it being perfect. You will quickly feel like you need to loosen it. That's a good sign. Start your first pitches too tight.
--Pitch, pitch, pitch, and pitch some more. Pitching will get you more and more comfortable with the reel and spool and start locking down the muscle memory. Once you get comfortable start loosing the spool more and more...you will quickly feel the difference and how you have to respond with your thumb. This will not be 1:1 with casting, but you will see just how much further you can pitch and the impact of the brakes overall.
--If you get a little back lash, pull it out (or cast it with a soft sidearm lob out if its just loose) then practice pitching again. Don't just keep pitching through it.
Once you are comfortable with it, then you can begin working on casting.
Oh, and from experience --- a good reel DOES make a difference. lol
SloppyJ reply :
I don't know if it's proper form or not but I've been fishing a baitcaster since I was a little bit. I learned way back in the day. When I cast I always pick the the rod tip up from the initial launch angle and raise it and the reel up to pick up extra slack in the line. I was never taught to do this technique that's just something that I do. It probably transferred over from pitching jigs but it seems to help. Like previously stated, watch your lure and stop the spool with your thumb the second before it hits the water.
While your braking settings might be messed up on that reel, that isn't the reason you're backlashing. You just need more practice. Some people make a long cast, strip out 20' or so of line, and then put a tape backing down on their spool to help with damage control on backlashes. I've never done this but i've been thinking about doing it since I'm trying to teach myself how to skip with a baitcaster. Picking out birdsnests keeps you honest though.
Koz reply :
On 6/20/2018 at 2:00 AM, Eric J said:After tomorrow mornings fishing session it's off to Dicks to exchange the reel... {{{sigh}}}
Eric J
My first baitcaster was a Lew's American Hero. Not only was it inexpensive, but it was a great one to learn on. I recently upgraded to a Lew's Mach II SLP. It took a little bit of work for me to get it dialed in where I like it and moving from a 6'6" to a 7' rod was an adjustment as well. But now I really, really like it.
Eric J reply :
On 6/20/2018 at 4:17 AM, Koz said:
My first baitcaster was a Lew's American Hero. Not only was it inexpensive, but it was a great one to learn on. I recently upgraded to a Lew's Mach II SLP. It took a little bit of work for me to get it dialed in where I like it and moving from a 6'6" to a 7' rod was an adjustment as well. But now I really, really like it.
I've heard nothing but great things about the reel and I have the spinner version which I love, both carbon Fire rod and reel.
greentrout reply :
Eric J reply :
On 6/20/2018 at 4:59 AM, greentrout said:
Thanks...
thinkingredneck reply :
Some days your timing will get off and you will backlash a little, after years. Also, you will always backlash if you hit something with your bait or your bait flies off. Gonna happen. Hang in there. Great advice above.
OkobojiEagle reply :
On 6/20/2018 at 7:27 PM, thinkingredneck said:Some days your timing will get off and you will backlash a little, after years. Also, you will always backlash if you hit something with your bait or your bait flies off. Gonna happen. Hang in there. Great advice above.
... or you unknowingly hook something behind you with your bait!????
bassin is addicting reply :
good advice from others...
this helped me a lot..
take enough line out that you think will be your max cast distance......then place a small piece of tape on the spool....this will keep any backlash from going any further in the spool
Eric J reply :
After a morning of fishing I got to Dick's and got my reel replaced.... Get home, respool and sure enough SAME ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE! Called Lew's and they're sending out a new side panel. Looks like a bad batch.
Since it's nothing I need to worry about as far as learning to use a baitcaster I started pitching in the back yard...
Dialed in nicely and started pitching short distances at a target. After a while I increased the distance and started varying near/far different points to hit. Even had a few premature stops.
Out of a whole mess of casting over a combined hour plus I had one nest that was a problem early on and a couple that just needed me to back out a couple turns.
All I can say is I LOVE THIS THING!!!!
I will give it more practice before getting it wet, casting with different weights etc... and getting the overhead cast down better but man I am enjoying it.
Baitcasting Frustration?? More like Baitcasting ELATION!!
Steve1357 reply :
my experience...
The brakes seem to affect the beginning of the cast and the spool tension cap affects the end of the cast.
When I first started, using a pistol grip rod, I would backhand it until I built some confidence.
Also someone once said, NEVER take your thumb off the spool......
Do you have most of your thumb pressure on the button while you're adding a little thumb pressure to the spool? I use an old Abu 5000 round reel, it give you a cross bar to push as hard as you want to with your thumb while giving the spool only a light touch. I can roll my thumb forward a hair onto the spool changing the pressure without moving my thumb. Hell, maybe that doesnt make any since....
Like has been mentioned, start with like 14lb BigGame and some 3/8 or 1/2 spinnerbaits downwind! If it hasn't been mentioned, roll off how far you think you'll cast it practicing and put some tape around the spool. That way you don't blowup the whole load when it does go nuts, just lose line down to the tape.
Eric J reply :
I actually got out last night and took both my Spinner and the baitcaster set ups. Not going to lie, I was pretty apprehensive. I tied on a topwater hollow body frog and started pitching short till I felt confident enough to cast farther. I built up the distance and worked short for accuracy.
Through the 2 hours of fishing I nested once somewhat bad, but was able to clean it up without line loss and couple other instances where I was able to just pull out a foot of line and straighten it out.
I was astonished by the distance I was getting with so much less effort than on my spinner!
Jaderose reply :
Too late now but this, my friends, is why I took the advice of NOT buying a baitcaster during fishing season. Who wants to learn this while they are actively trying to fish? I couldn't imagine too many thing more frustrating. Buy baitcasters at the END of the season and you have all winter to get good at it. By the time spring rolled around, I was an old pro. Just my .02.
Eric J reply :
On 6/21/2018 at 10:40 PM, Jaderose said:Too late now but this, my friends, is why I took the advice of NOT buying a baitcaster during fishing season. Who wants to learn this while they are actively trying to fish? I couldn't imagine too many thing more frustrating. Buy baitcasters at the END of the season and you have all winter to get good at it. By the time spring rolled around, I was an old pro. Just my .02.
Great advice... But fools rush in... Yup... But out of 2 hours fishing last night I spent ten minutes, maybe, dealing with nests. Sure, I have plenty to practice on and get the habits ingrained. But I needed that second rig and buying a 4th spin rig was not a good use of my money right now.
I am impulsive by nature and at 58 that hasn't changed much... Maybe after the season I'll grab a second rig to practice on... 
Eric J
Jaderose reply :
On 6/21/2018 at 10:49 PM, Eric J said:Great advice... But fools rush in... Yup... But out of 2 hours fishing last night I spent ten minutes, maybe, dealing with nests. Sure, I have plenty to practice on and get the habits ingrained. But I needed that second rig and buying a 4th spin rig was not a good use of my money right now.
I am impulsive by nature and at 58 that hasn't changed much... Maybe after the season I'll grab a second rig to practice on...
Eric J
Totally understand, Brother. My take wasn't criticism. It's one of the few times in my life I DID take advice. I wanted one real bad and would have had the same problems. I was NOT GOOD with it when I started and would have wound up throwing it in the lake.
Eric J reply :
On 6/21/2018 at 10:52 PM, Jaderose said:Totally understand, Brother. My take wasn't criticism. It's one of the few times in my life I DID take advice. I wanted one real bad and would have had the same problems. I was NOT GOOD with it when I started and would have wound up throwing it in the lake.
lol... I know the feeling. I took it as constructive advice. and appreciate it. The one REALLY frustrating thing last night were the carp and or bluegill nipping at the trailer bands on my frog, pulling it under making me thing I was getting hit...
Maddening!
Eric J
Jaderose reply :
Frogging is one of the only things about this sport I can honestly say I'm pretty good at. Frogging can be VEERRY frustrating when you are starting on it. It's all about timing and feel. I do what I call combat frogging. I throw into heavy slop and wood, and duck weed and twitch it out. There is nothing finesse about. No walking or anything like that. When a blow up happens or you hear what sounds like a toilet flushing, your first instinct is to set the hook. You will miss that fish 99% of the time if you do. You must wait until you can feel the fish. Could be up to 2 seconds which is an eternity in that situation. Also, a lot of times the fish is trying to stun the frog and won't actually take it. I've had fish knock my frog 5 or 6 feet in the air. They will also miss it a lot of the time. If you set the hook in that case you are liable to get a frog stuck back in your forehead or groin. Bad deal. It's a technique that requires a LOT or practice, IMHO, to get good at but hot d**n is it worth it. It is to me, anyways
Eric J reply :
On 6/21/2018 at 11:06 PM, Jaderose said:Frogging is one of the only things about this sport I can honestly say I'm pretty good at. Frogging can be VEERRY frustrating when you are starting on it. It's all about timing and feel. I do what I call combat frogging. I throw into heavy slop and wood, and duck weed and twitch it out. There is nothing finesse about. No walking or anything like that. When a blow up happens or you hear what sounds like a toilet flushing, your first instinct is to set the hook. You will miss that fish 99% of the time if you do. You must wait until you can feel the fish. Could be up to 2 seconds which is an eternity in that situation. Also, a lot of times the fish is trying to stun the frog and won't actually take it. I've had fish knock my frog 5 or 6 feet in the air. They will also miss it a lot of the time. If you set the hook in that case you are liable to get a frog stuck back in your forehead or groin. Bad deal. It's a technique that requires a LOT or practice, IMHO, to get good at but hot d**n is it worth it. It is to me, anyways
Agreed. I do well with poppers but frogs are new to me and I'm excited for the learning experience. Topwater hits are amazing!
Jaderose reply :
On 6/21/2018 at 11:09 PM, Eric J said:Agreed. I do well with poppers but frogs are new to me and I'm excited for the learning experience. Topwater hits are amazing!
Yep....for me, there are 2 techniques in bass fishing. Frogging and "everything else". My home lake gets a ton of duckweed and slime every year. A lot of the regulars give up and go elsewhere at that point. Not me, Baby! That's when it gets fun for me. I'll sit out there until my shoulder can't throw a frog anymore and then I'll walk a spook along the edges. At 50 years old, it's ALMOST better than sex for me. ????
Eric J reply :
On 6/21/2018 at 11:16 PM, Jaderose said:
Yep....for me, there are 2 techniques in bass fishing. Frogging and "everything else". My home lake gets a ton of duckweed and slime every year. A lot of the regulars give up and go elsewhere at that point. Not me, Baby! That's when it gets fun for me. I'll sit out there until my shoulder can't throw a frog anymore and then I'll walk a spook along the edges. At 50 years old, it's ALMOST better than sex for me. ????
Wait till you're 58... ????
Jaderose reply :
On 6/21/2018 at 11:20 PM, Eric J said:Wait till you're 58... ????
It WILL be better then! I've always likened frogging to golf. A sport I gave up because I was TERRIBLE at it. I would shank after shank after shank and then...occasionally...I would hit a good ball and you could tell immediately. The solid *click" of the driver hitting the ball. I just couldn't do it often enough to keep me interested. When you get the timing of frogging down and drag an 8lber out of the muck, it's the best. Then, of course, you will realize you need a froggin rod. Lol. I have my regular arsenal of gear and then I have my froggin rod. I carry it like Minnesota Fats with his best cue! It is far and away my best rod.
WRB reply :
If you are backlashing a new baitcasting reel that is adjusted correctly the problem isn't the reel.
My guess is you have a MH fast action rod and your casting motion is the same as you use with a spinning rod, fast snap cast. Baitcasting is all about your casting technique, let the rod load up to launch the lure. If the lure is too light or the rod is whipped too fast the rod can't load up, the reel spool excellerates faster then the lure is moving creating a backlash.
Use a lure weight in the middle of the rods recommended use weight; 1/4 to 1 oz = 5/8 oz practice casting plug.
Use your wrist and fore arm keeping your elbow near the your side, within a few hours you will be casting without backlashing. Slow down, take a deep breath and enjoy your new baitcasting outfit.
Tom
RB 77 reply :
There is some pretty solid advice in this thread already. Besides what others have said, most of all just be patient. It will take time and there is definitely a learning curve. I would error on the side of caution and use a little heavier weights than normal to learn with and keep the brakes and spool tension set a little on the "heavy" side. It looks like you have discovered the "thumb trick" of stopping the spool with your thumb just before touch down. While this seems so intuitive for us that have been doing for a few moons, it may not be for a beginner and its such a crucial part right along with "feathering" the spool during the cast. Good luck and stay with it!
Jharl reply :
Ditto on WRB's post. If you are having problems, your rod is too heavy and your lure is too light.
MightyLucks reply :
Admittedly I didn’t read this whole thread so I apologize if this has all been said but I just tought my wife to use a baitcaster and these tips helped her.
Obviously set it up for every lure you use.
Turn the brakes up.
Don’t to to cast it like you would a spinning rod. Start off with a smooth swooping motion. Don’t try to cast it a mile.
Feather the line with your thumb while it’s in the air.
Practice.
this video really helped her. He has a camera setup so you can see how he uses his thumb.
https://youtu.be/QnIxm9ujVXI
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