Hello I'm seeking some advice/helpful tips on my rods and reels. I currently have 2 main use poles one is the lews mach 1 that I use mostly for dropshot and honestly have had absolutely no problems with. I do wish it was possibly a little bit more sensitive feel for dropshot. The second is a Shimano SLX XT 151 on a Dobbins rod. FYI I have never used a baitcaster before this one and I'm almost wishing I got a DC I cannot figure this thing out. I fish alone and I just don't really know if I'm missing out on anything I should know about rods and reels. Any help would be mush appreciated 👍 

I'm assuming the Mach One setup is a spinning reel and rod, and it sounds like you have a good feel for that.

 

In regards to the casting setup.... Don't put too much emphasis on that the DC version would be all that much better. I bought a couple versions (SLX DC and Curado DC) when they first came out because I thought they would help my wife learn to cast a baitcasters better. They really did not. She actually did better with my smaller Daiwas like the SV 70 because they tend to have more easily controlled braking. The thing I found about the DC reels I had is they worked well if doing full harder casts for distance, but struggled if your casting motions were lighter or jerky, like most newbies tend to be.

 

In regards to your setup. I have no idea what your baitcasting experience is so I am going to start as assuming it is very little, so please don't let it bother you if I simplify things too much.

 

My suggestions are this... First, I believe the SLX XT has the external dial on the centrifugal brakes,... so open the side cover and set the brakes so all the internal weights are turned on and then set the dial on the outside so it is turned up near max. 

 

Then look at the Dobyns rod you have and see what the suggested lure weight range is and pick a lure or casting plug that is approximately in the middle of the range. So if the Rod's lure weight range is 1/4oz to 3/4oz, pick a lure that is approximately 1/2oz. Choose something like a jig or just a barrel weight that is dense and does not catch a lot of air. This will cast more consistently.

 

Set the spool tension on the handle side of the reel so that when you have the rod at a slight upwards angle and press the clutch button and lift your thumb, the lure slowly falls to the ground without the spool over running line off. This setup is much tighter than I, or most experienced baitcaster users have theirs set, but it seriously helps reduce over runs while you get the hang of things.

 

Now go out and practice your casting while focusing on making smooth casts,... even if they are pretty short at first.

 

Spinning reels tend to teach bad habits of using your wrists to snap the cast out there farther. With your baitcaster, you want to focus on smoothness and eliminate snapping of the wrist. Practice smooth overhead or side arm casts that are hard enough to load up the rod to let it help you cast it out there, but without snapping the wrist and slingshotting the lure out there. That snapping the rod and causing a slingshot effect is what causes a lot of backlashes. Start with making slow lazy lob casts like you are pitching a softball or shooting a free throw

 

As you start to feel more comfortable, start putting a little more into the casts while still focusing on staying smooth!

 

Then when you feel more comfortable,  you can start to turn down the brakes little by little and you can also then start to reduce tension on the spool control knob to loosen everything up. Getting used to baitcasters takes practice. There's no way around that or magic reel that will make you better. That SLX XT gets good feedback from people. I don't have one, but I have quite a few SLX MGL that have basically the same braking systems. 

 

Practice, practice, practice. Focus on making smooth casting motions and keeping a light touch  on the spool with your thumb during the cast and it WILL come to you.

3 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

I'm assuming the Mach One setup is a spinning reel and rod, and it sounds like you have a good feel for that.

 

In regards to the casting setup.... Don't put too much emphasis on that the DC version would be all that much better. I bought a couple versions (SLX DC and Curado DC) when they first came out because I thought they would help my wife learn to cast a baitcasters better. They really did not. She actually did better with my smaller Daiwas like the SV 70 because they tend to have more easily controlled braking. The thing I found about the DC reels I had is they worked well if doing full harder casts for distance, but struggled if your casting motions were lighter or jerky, like most newbies tend to be.

 

In regards to your setup. I have no idea what your baitcasting experience is so I am going to start as assuming it is very little, so please don't let it bother you if I simplify things too much.

 

My suggestions are this... First, I believe the SLX XT has the external dial on the centrifugal brakes,... so open the side cover and set the brakes so all the internal weights are turned on and then set the dial on the outside so it is turned up near max. 

 

Then look at the Dobyns rod you have and see what the suggested lure weight range is and pick a lure or casting plug that is approximately in the middle of the range. So if the Rod's lure weight range is 1/4oz to 3/4oz, pick a lure that is approximately 1/2oz. Choose something like a jig or just a barrel weight that is dense and does not catch a lot of air. This will cast more consistently.

 

Set the spool tension on the handle side of the reel so that when you have the rod at a slight upwards angle and press the clutch button and lift your thumb, the lure slowly falls to the ground without the spool over running line off. This setup is much tighter than I, or most experienced baitcaster users have theirs set, but it seriously helps reduce over runs while you get the hang of things.

 

Now go out and practice your casting while focusing on making smooth casts,... even if they are pretty short at first.

 

Spinning reels tend to teach bad habits of using your wrists to snap the cast out there farther. With your baitcaster, you want to focus on smoothness and eliminate snapping of the wrist. Practice smooth overhead or side arm casts that are hard enough to load up the rod to let it help you cast it out there, but without snapping the wrist and slingshotting the lure out there. That snapping the rod and causing a slingshot effect is what causes a lot of backlashes. Start with making slow lazy lob casts like you are pitching a softball or shooting a free throw

 

As you start to feel more comfortable, start putting a little more into the casts while still focusing on staying smooth!

 

Then when you feel more comfortable,  you can start to turn down the brakes little by little and you can also then start to reduce tension on the spool control knob to loosen everything up. Getting used to baitcasters takes practice. There's no way around that or magic reel that will make you better. That SLX XT gets good feedback from people. I don't have one, but I have quite a few SLX MGL that have basically the same braking systems. 

 

Practice, practice, practice. Focus on making smooth casting motions and keeping a light touch  on the spool with your thumb during the cast and it WILL come to you.

This might possibly be the best response I have ever read. I appreciate your help with this. I'm going to put into practice everything you just said. I just realized I have the habit of flicking with my baitcaster. I'm also thinking my Dobyns might be too heavy for what I'm throwing. Very well done response. I appreciate it!

Lastly, post your location. I guarantee you there are a few members that are local to you. Most of us would gladly meet up with you to help out as well… I know I would/will if you are in the general N Alabama area. 

5 minutes ago, Smirak said:

Lastly, post your location. I guarantee you there are a few members that are local to you. Most of us would gladly meet up with you to help out as well… I know I would/will if you are in the general N Alabama area. 

Updated it. I have been reading this forum for probably 2 years but just never made an account. I haven't seen a lot of people on here from my area, but anything helps!

Welcome to the forum.  Unlike with spinning a baitcast reel requires smoothness with the casting stroke.  It is easier to learn with a sidearm roll (underhand?) cast.  This will keep the tip loaded throughout the cast...unlike an overhead cast.

 

California is a bit of a drive for you to drop by my place.    Otherwise I'd be very willing to help you and to let you try out various reels.

2 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Welcome to the forum.  Unlike with spinning a baitcast reel requires smoothness with the casting stroke.  It is easier to learn with a sidearm roll (underhand?) cast.  This will keep the tip loaded throughout the cast...unlike an overhead cast.

 

California is a bit of a drive for you to drop by my place.    Otherwise I'd be very willing to help you and to let you try out various reels.

I'm going to practice casting smoothly sidearm with my baitcaster. It's just the habit of using the spinning reel I need to be able to switch off when I pick up the baitcaster.

1 hour ago, MasonBK said:

I'm going to practice casting smoothly sidearm with my baitcaster. It's just the habit of using the spinning reel I need to be able to switch off when I pick up the baitcaster.

It will become second nature after a bit of practice.

I too have just  begun my baitcaster journey. A big tip for me was keeping my elbow (casting side) tucked into my side. I actually put a bag of plastic baits in my armpit and tried not to drop it during the cast. Keeping my elbow in by my side helped a lot. As mentioned earlier, smoothness is critical. I used spincasters and spinning reels for 60 years until this year. I finally decided to man up and I sure am glad I did.