Hey all, never have really used them much. One I have now, doesn’t cast very far. Not sure about and all that stuff, please help a rookie out. Does it look like I have the line on right?

 

 

 

   One would think that there would be a video on this site about such matters. I searched, but I couldn't come up with anything. Maybe try YouTube. They've got quite a few videos about beginning baitcasting.        jj

You do.  Learning to fish with a casting reel takes a little effort.   That's part of the fun of bass fishing. I taught myself by casting into a bucket when I was 12 years old.  

 

It will be easier if you start out with heavier lures and thicker mono.  Try 3/8 oz. lures until you get better.   The first thing you want to do is to set the spool tension.   Hold the rod up and adjust the tension so the spool just turns ever so slightly with only the weight of the lure. Don't try to make long casts at first.  Start out small and work up to distance.  You will get backlashes, we all do.  They are called "professional overruns". Today's reels have small lightweight spools and decent anti backlash devices.   Read the instructions to find out how your reel works.  

10 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

   One would think that there would be a video on this site about such matters. I searched, but I couldn't come up with anything. Maybe try YouTube. They've got quite a few videos about beginning baitcasting.        jj

 

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

 

 

   I think I see a pattern starting to develop .......     ???   ???       

   Thank you, @MN Fisher  

   Next week I'm going to learn to walk and chew gum at the same time!      ???       jj

If you really want a challenge, try a fly rod. It's a tool totally unsuited for the task at hand.  Just kidding.....  ? 

I have two of those reels. Your brake is set at about 75% so it’s going to limit your casting distance. It’s also going to help reduces backlashes if you aren’t used to thumbing the spool. Don’t rush it. It takes some time to learn. 

 

BTW, that Black Max is not an upper echelon baitcaster, but so far I’ve been pleased with it. With the spool tension set correctly and the brake at about 25%-30% I can cast a weightless Senko TR pretty far. Weighted TR’s are a breeze. I’ve caught some decent 3-4 lb’ers with those reels on either a Fenwick HMX M/F or a Daiwa Aird X MH/F rod. Only problems I’ve had are user error lol.