Bait Cast Reels

[Danase]

2 years ago I bought a bait cast reel. I just about busted my pole over my knee the first day with it on the water and ended up giving it to my in law last year. I'm so used the the spinner reels and push button I could not get used to the bait cast. But people that use the bait cast swear by them. Am I really missing out by not using one? If it'll be a lot better I'd probably get one and just start practicing before we go up again this year.

[sea nympho]

Yup...you are definitely missing out. Get one...swear at it...figure out how to undo rat's nest; then figure out how to use it...and love it.

And that push button...I think you are missing out in the spinning reel arena too.

[Danase]

Originally Posted by sea nympho

Yup...you are definitely missing out. Get one...swear at it...figure out how to undo rat's nest; then figure out how to use it...and love it.

And that push button...I think you are missing out in the spinning reel arena too.

I use both a push button and a spinner reel. I always have one of each. LOL

[ESOX]

If you cast to specific targets the accuracy of a baitcaster is hard to beat. If you cast very light baits, or primarily cast "way out there" then an open faced spinning reel is the ticket.

[Danase]

Originally Posted by ESOX

If you cast to specific targets the accuracy of a baitcaster is hard to beat. If you cast very light baits, or primarily cast "way out there" then an open faced spinning reel is the ticket.

I was wondering that too. We do a lot of pike fishing and a lot of trolling. But this year we are going to Fletcher's Pond and I'm guessing we'll be doing much more casting. How hard is it to learn how to use these things? LOL

[angler57]

Originally Posted by Danase

I was wondering that too. We do a lot of pike fishing and a lot of trolling. But this year we are going to Fletcher's Pond and I'm guessing we'll be doing much more casting. How hard is it to learn how to use these things? LOL

We use ultra-lite Open-bail reels and five foot rods. Six pound test line.
With a little practice a person may learn to pitch, lob, sidearm or actually cast with these little outfits. With practice you may become very accurate with your cast.
Have used this gear on the great lakes, farm ponds and small creeks.
Have caught steelhead, northerns and large catfish. All smaller varities.
Openbail gear is easy to use.
Easy to maintain.
Easy to transport. They take up little room.
And, weigh very little and do not wear you out.
You might wish to consider buying one of these and give it a try. Decent outfits may be found for less than $20.00. As they say, try it, you may like it.

[frenchriver1]

Doubt if a 5 foot ultralight is the thing for sizable pike, but to each his own.

Buy a quality reel and matching rod and practice, practice, practice. Do the practice before you get to the water, or you will be frustrated as you apparently were the first time out...

Research the multiple threads on this subject that have gone before... Here's one to start: http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/fo...t=casting+reel

http://fishing.about.com/od/rodsandr...astingreel.htm

[angler57]

frenchriver1; You are correct. First time I walked onto a seawall in Canada, these were the words I heard. Your not from here are Ya and that stuff won't work up here.
Do it all wrong. use ultra-lite. tie directly to lure. Use a small kayak on big water.
Have more luck than skill am sure.
Use little drag. Hold line to set hook.
Kayak has been pulled by alligator garr, carp, bass (small/large) and pike.
You said the magic word, practice. One more word is important, patience.
Well, another couple words help. HANG ON.

[Multispeciestamer]

I have one bass baitcaster setup it was the first one I ever bought a Pflueger Summit reel and gloomis mossyback jig/worm rod. I still am a spinning rod fan but baitcasters do have there place. For catfishing I love my other two twin baitcaster setups, 8 foot rods with abu garicas on them and power pro line.

[deepdiver]

I use the bait caster for just about anything even plastic worms. Although you can't get long cast with anything to light it is very accurate, and once you use it for a while you wont get as many birds nest.

[nofolkinway]

I made an idiot of myself with my first baitcaster, but in my backyard. I own three now and I'm decent. Most of my fishing buds do not use them. It really ain't that big a deal. I just wanted to learn and I did.

[EpoufetteAngler]

These videos will help you with the Baitcaster. It took me awhile and i'm still fairly new to them, but the instructional video on kayakfishingtales on how to cast with a baitcaster really helped, then the youtube video is a trick to help when those backlashes happen. After combining those videos i was able to actually head out on the water with a baitcaster and have some confidence in myself using one.

Umm ok apparently i cannot post urls yet so im going to cheat the system.

kayakfishingtales .com

youtube. com/ watch?v= TDI5kwR5zjc

just remove any and all spaces from the URLs i typed out and it will take you straight there, also add the www

Oh yeah, and the biggest rule of thumb for using one is to adjust the brake so that when you push the button the weight of your lure/presentation will free spool very VERY slowly and stop once it hits the water/ground. The biggest thing to get used to is using a smooth arc casting motion rather than a side arm or over arm wrist snap/jerk/etc. All it takes is some practice and the knowledge the videos i gave semi-links for will give you.

[EpoufetteAngler]

After sleeping a few hours i realized that there is also the perfect baitcaster out there to learn on as well, and i happen to have it on my steelhead pole.

Daiwa Megaforce 100TSHL

So far it's the only one with "anti-backlash technology" that I have come across. Not to say that you can't backlash this reel, it's just more difficult. Originally i think this reel was designed for bass fisherman with it's "twitchin switch" a button that you push to have the reel automatically reel in about a foot of line for you, but IMO it's also a good option for jigging without a float.

[angler57]

Last fall came accross an old Bronson Fleetwing #2475 reel. It was much like the first reel we ever used in 40's? Recently gave it another look. It still has braided line and operates proper if a bit stiffly.
Tested the line with quick snap test and a resistance pull test. The line is just fine. Will start looking for a metal rod to use this thing with. And, clean and lube it to work smoothly.
Have seen rods in local junk shops and at sales grounds during warm weather. Will have to teach myself to use it again. But, am looking forward to landing my first fish with it.
Birds nest here we come.

[EpoufetteAngler]

Watch the youtube video i gave directions to, birds nests wont be anything to be feared ever again , it works for all baitcaster types not just the teardrop shaped ones.