How To Cast A Bait Caster
So, you have taken the first step and purchased a bait caster. The next step is the most important – learning how to cast your bait caster. Luckily, it isn’t very hard to learn how to cast a bait caster. All you need is a little patience and a dash of practice.
Baitcasting reels are not a new invention. They actually date as far back as the mid-17th century but it wasn’t until the 1870s when they became popular with anglers. Baitcasting reels like the Penn Fathom are best suited to fishing larger freshwater fish species such as northern pike, muskellunge, and largemouth bass. The larger-sized reels are commonly used for trolling larger saltwater fish such as tuna or marlin.
When you first try casting with a bait caster tackle, you will probably find it a little difficult to but, as with most activities, you can master the art of it with some thorough practice.
To get you started on your journey with your bait caster, I have included a helpful guide in this blog to show you how to cast with a bait caster. I know, first hand, how frustrating it is trying to cast these reels at first and how difficult it can be.
But, with the techniques and tips below that, I used to master casting with a bait caster, you will soon be casting with ease. I will also explain what locations are best for practising so you can head out to the water and try it for yourself.
Tips When Using A Bait Casting Reel
Most people, including myself, have had concerns about backlashes when using a bait caster. Well, I’m here to tell you not to worry about this. If you intend to fish for bass with heavier lures and lines, then knowing how to cast with a baitcasting reel will make your fishing experience easier and give you an advantage.
When it comes to the best baitcasting reels, they often possess higher gear ratios. These offer extra speed when picking up the line. Therefore, it becomes quicker to pick up the line with crankbaits, buzzbaits, and spinnerbaits.
Baitcasting reels are also one of the best types of reels when handling heavier lines and lures. I have always found that it is best to use a baitcasting fishing rod and reel when you’re fishing with a line that boasts a 10-pound test or even heavier.
Moreover, you should consider learning to use a baitcasting setup when fishing in waters that have dense or heavy covering. This will provide enough power to easily pull the fish out of any thick, compact vegetation lurking in the water.
Finding A Location
Before you start casting your bait caster, you need to explore some different areas to find a suitable location for baitcasting.
To practice your casting, you can start away from water. There’s no need to go searching for water to master casting. By practising your baitcasting techniques away from water, you have more time and scope to learn casting with your reel quicker.
When practising away from water, replace the bait or lure with a metal sinker or a rubber practice plug. Make sure this is situated in an open area that is far away from any overhead trees or shrubbery.
You should avoid spaces with heavy brushes, especially overhead. If any brush is around or above you, your bait can easily get caught in the branches. This will take time to retrieve if you can reach it in the first place.
If this does happen, your entire spool of the line could become tangled (what we call a bird’s nest) and, therefore, destroyed. This means you will have to spend more precious dollars on another spool of line and take up more time when you could be practising your casting.
You should always try to choose an isolated location. If there are many people around you, it can be dangerous when practising your casting. You will also be on edge as you will need to constantly check around you to make sure no one is standing too close. If they are, you could accidentally snag them with your lure leading to serious injury.
Casting with a bait caster should be enjoyable and relaxing. Being overly aware and worried about what is around you will take away much of the joy that baitcasting offers.
Casting A Bait Caster – How To Guide
Once you have your bait caster in hand, it’s time to get down to business. I know it will be a little challenging to master the casting of your baitcasting reel at first but keep at it. After a little time of practising with it, the technique will click and you will find it pretty straightforward.
Follow these steps to learn how to cast a bait caster for the first time:
- First, you need to inspect that the baitcasting reel is paired with the correct rod. I recommend using a 6-foot, 6-inch to a 6-foot, 1-inch medium-heavy rod.
- You should use a heavy line to learn the basics of baitcasting. In my experience, a 15 to 17-pound monofilament fishing line is usually the best and easiest way to cast at first. Also, this will help limit any backlashes.
- To set the correct star drag and spool tension, simply take a look at your owner’s manual for the reel you are using.
- Once your baitcaster has been set up properly, hold your rod out in front of you in a horizontal manner. Now, press down on the thumb bar to ensure the lure falls smoothly and slowly to the ground. This is one of the easiest and best ways to check your spool tension before you start casting.
- Next, place your rod back over your shoulder to prepare for casting.
- Slowly depress the rod’s thumb bar but maintain a constant pressure on the line spool using your thumb. It is worth noting that when you press the thumb bar, the line will release so only do this when you are ready.
- Find a target in the water and aim for this.
- As you begin to cast, apply an unyielding pressure on the spool using your thumb. This should prevent the spool from winding too much. It is critical you pay close attention to this part to limit and avoid any backlash.
- Slowly and carefully, release some pressure so you can feather your line out for the rest of the cast.
- Reel just once or twice. This will engage the anti-reverse meaning you are ready to start fishing!
And, that’s it! Keep practising this and you will soon be casting your bait caster with minimum effort and with total ease.
