Bait-casting Fishing Reel
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Learn To Use A Bait-casting Reel And Increase Your Fishing Success.
The first thing you should learn before you can be successful at using a bait-casting reel is how to hold the reel properly. Many hold the rod so that the reel faces them, but that is not the correct way to have the reel.
You should begin your cast by pressing the free spool button, and then hold the spool in place with your thumb. Turn the rod sideways so the reel's handle faces upward. The reel should be kept this way throughout the cast to provide the most efficient use of the reel.
You should begin releasing the pressure on your thump about halfway through your forward casting motion to begin letting the line out. With a Bait-cast reel equipped with the anti-backlash system, you can release all of your thump pressure once you reach the end of you cast stroke.
On the older models and even the newer model that have not been adjusted correctly, you control the speed of the line coming off your reel with thump pressure. To prevent backlashes in the line, applying just enough pressure on the spool with your thumb so that the rotating speed of the spool never exceeds the speed of the line coming off it is key to preventing a backlash.
Learning how much thumb pressure is primarily a function of practice. You can greatly reduce backlashes if you have set the reel's braking system properly. Many bait casting reels have centrifugal braking systems.
The centrifugal braking system is activated by the spinning action of the reel's spool. As the spool spins faster, the more tension the brakes apply to it. It works like an automatic thumb.
Setting the centrifugal system brake correctly is an easy process.
1. With the weight or lure, you intend on using placed on the ground press the free spool button.
2. Now turn the brake knob clockwise until you can pick up your lure without line coming off the reel. Your lure should now be suspended from the tip of your rod.
3. By turning the brake knob slowly, counter-clockwise the lure should start to fall.
4. Fine-tune the knob so the lure falls slowly, without having to jiggle the rod.
5. Remember that you must repeat the process whenever you tie on a different lure or a different weight.
Although centrifugal brakes help, the ability to prevent backlashes is limited.
Many of the newest reels have magnetic spool braking systems this system reduces backlashes even better than the centrifugal system.
The magnetic spool braking systems found on the newer reels have internal magnets that exert precisely the right amount of tension on the spool during a cast. These Magnetic brakes are a more effective way of automatically increasing or decreasing drag at different spool speeds. Control the speed and the line has fewer tendencies to get out of control and backlash.
Like the centrifugal brake, magnetic brakes are adjustable. If you are just learning to cast, it is best to set the reel for a high degree of magnetic tension. As you refine your cast skills you can select a looser setting, this will enable you to cast further. If you find yourself using heavy lures or casting into the wind, you may want to increase the magnetic control. Fishing under these conditions, you have more potential for a backlash in your line.
The magnetic braking systems are more advanced and work great for many anglers. There are anglers who still prefer centrifugal brakes under certain situations. Some bait-casting reels feature both systems. With both you can operate the reel's magnetic or centrifugal brakes independently or in conjunction with each other. With the combination, brake systems now have the option of a tight automatic braking or you can control most of the tension yourself. They give you a setting for every condition and skill level.
It is time to get over your fears of using a bait-casting reel and get the reel that will improve your fishing success. When you have the right equipment, and but in a little practice, you too will be casting like a pro.
