 Largemouth Bass
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If you want to get serious about bass fishing, it's important that you learn to use all the tools. The one I'm going to discuss now is the baitcasting reel. The benefits of this were discussed in part 1...
Don't Overspool While you are learning the baitcasting reel, do not overspool. Adding too much line, at least until you get used to throwing it, will cause backlash. By adding less line to the reel, less line comes off with every rotation and it's easier to avoid backlashing, especially with mono which has a memory and will loosely coil up around the spool once tension is relieved. Make Sure To Get The Right Combo The lighter the lure you are casting, the shorter the rod you need for the baitcasting reel. Using too long of a rod with a light weight will result in backlash. Casting a 1/8th or 1/4 ounce plastic plug will result in little if any load up on the rod tip from midway up with a 7 foot rod and the bird's nests are inevitable. Also, the 7 foot rod is not meant for casting. It is meant for lobbing 2 handed as in the Carolina rig or for underhanded pitching as in 1/2 ounce and up jigs. Get a 6 foot medium heavy or a 6 foot 6 inch medium heavy rod and then try 2 handed casting. You will have much more control over the spool as you feather it with your thumb. Thumbs Up - Or Down The whole trick to using the baitcasting reel is the use of the thumb. Applying and releasing pressure to the spool with your thumb is the key to this system, and you must master it. Here it is in a nutshell: put the thumb on the line to hold it in place while you click the line release button. Cast the lure by releasing the thumb pressure, but keep the thumb barely touching the line. As the lure reaches its destination, apply more pressure with the thumb as a brake and to keep the line from spooling off into a bird's nest. Easier said than done. It takes a lot of practice to get the right touch.
Again, when you cast keep your thumb on lightly on the spool. A brief touch of more pressure at the beginning of the cast and less as it goes out. Keep practicing until you can cast over and over without a bird's nest and then start easing off the tension knob and the brake. Don't try to be a hero. Throwing too hard will snag you up. Throw a moderate distance until you get used to it. As you get better at this, you will see your distance improve. Now, there is much more to be said about all of this. I have compiled a list of tips for you in part 3. ---- By Bobby Ivie Bobby Ivie is an avid fishman and owner of Fishing-Hunting-Camping.com and Fishing-Articles.net He makes his living online by building Virtual Real Estate This article may be reprinted as long as this source box is added and the source box hyperlinks are kept intact. ----
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