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Bait Caster
Chief Shaway
Member, Moderator Posts: 6,268 ******
We were out walleye fishing the other night. Saw a school of minnows so I grabbed my new to me bait caster. After 8 or so casts, I decided that the mag was set to high. I was wrong. Got it unbirdnested tonight. Just can't understand how it can get to where it is and what you need to do to get the line right. Just seems there should be no possible way for it to tangle the way it does.
Comments
What type of reel is it?
I had a lot of birdsnests when I started with mine. Fortunately, I have a friend where I used to work who told me the secret to these.
1. Use a heavy enough lure for the reel. Too often guys will try to cast hard with a 1/2-1/4 oz. lure and that's too light....usually. The smaller Garcia's can do it but you have to throttle back on the cast.
2. Set the cast drag (remember there is cast and reel drag...two different things.) with each lure change. To do that you put the rod horizontally and tighten up the cast drag. loosen it in small increments until with a slight shake of the rod, the lure drops about 12"-18".
3. Remember when you cast that the pull rotates the spool. If you lose pull the spool will continue to rotate a bit with the momentum. So, when you cast far with a lure watch it lose momentum and just barely ride the spool with your thumb.
You can get birdsnests from under or over tightening the cast drag. That's why step 2 is probably about the best way to set it. But, that's pretty much what fishmasty already said.
hope that helps, -good luck
Chief Shaway,
I had a lot of birdsnests when I started with mine. Fortunately, I have a friend where I used to work who told me the secret to these.
1. Use a heavy enough lure for the reel. Too often guys will try to cast hard with a 1/2-1/4 oz. lure and that's too light....usually. The smaller Garcia's can do it but you have to throttle back on the cast.
2. Set the cast drag (remember there is cast and reel drag...two different things.) with each lure change. To do that you put the rod horizontally and tighten up the cast drag. loosen it in small increments until with a slight shake of the rod, the lure drops about 12"-18".
3. Remember when you cast that the pull rotates the spool. If you lose pull the spool will continue to rotate a bit with the momentum. So, when you cast far with a lure watch it lose momentum and just barely ride the spool with your thumb.
You can get birdsnests from under or over tightening the cast drag. That's why step 2 is probably about the best way to set it. But, that's pretty much what fishmasty already said.
hope that helps, -good luck
Thanks for the advice.
I had it set correctly but being a guy thought I could get it to cast a little further if I messed with it. [:D]
I know better now.
Get out in the yard and tie a weight on and you will learn. You cant beat a baitcaster for power, accuracy, and in any sitiuation...flippin', pitchin' it doesnt matter.