ever since i started bass fishing i have used spincasting reels. well, for christmas, i got a really nice 7' medium action pole MADE for baitcasters, and i have wanted to get one for a long time. so, i was wondering, does anyone have any tips for using these? (casting mainly, i have heard that they "bird's nest" really bad.)

Mods will likely move this, just a heads up.

Start off slow, in your back yard with a weight attached to the line. 3/8oz bell sinkers work well as do the casting plugs they sell in stores.

The hardest thing to do when first starting out is not trying to throw the bait as hard as you can. You need to develop a feel for how the line comes off the reel beneath your thumb.

Be patient and practice, practice, practice....preferably where there are few trees!!   ;D

Wayne

Well, first of all, a pole is for climbing, raising a flag or staking tomatoes. A ROD is used for fishing.

The "pole" is probably medium POWER/ fast ACTION.

Now, to answer your question. You may be able to find a good reel for under $100, especially if you keep an eye on the Flea Market here at BassResource.com. Spool it up with at least 12 lb test line (thicker diameters are easier to work with when you get a backlash). Then you are going to have to practrice- a lot!. ReelMech has a great tutorial on his website, take a look.

As noted practice is the best way to work on decreasing backlashes. I would also recommend a line treatment such as KVD Line and Lure treatment. It helps greatly in reducing backlashes and it makes it easier to get them out when you get one.

start with a really limp line like braid or cajun red cast or trilene xl.the limper the line the less you will backlash.

As noted practice is the best way to work on decreasing backlashes. I would also recommend a line treatment such as KVD Line and Lure treatment. It helps greatly in reducing backlashes and it makes it easier to get them out when you get one.

I second that! The KVD stuff is the ticket! I would also recommed practicing in an area away from trees. I was intimidated by the trees in my backyard when I first started using my baitcaster, but when i got on the water I had no trouble at all.

As RW said check the Flea Market on this site. There are some really nice Pflueger reels on there right now. I believe they are Presidents at a really good price.

be careful with the braid man- I have had the worst backlash in my life with braid- could just be me tho...

Another tip is to release the spool physically pull off enough line for a long cast- get some tape- tape the line to the spool, reel in the line- now practice "when" not "if" you get your backlash it will only be as deep as the taped off portion of the spool. I still do this my 1st very long cast of the day I will place a piece of tape on the spool then reel in- that way I don't ruin a bunch of line and more importantly put one of my favorite combos outta comission for a tourney- but yeah I don't do that quite as much anymore but a very good tip for someone just starting out- sure saved me a lot of time and patience.

Reel Mechanic has an excellant tutorial for setting up and using a bait caster on his webb site.

We have all had our share of backlashes, untangles, profanity and cutting off snarls and you will too. The majic word for bait casting is practice, practice and practice.