On 8/21/2025 at 9:59 AM, LokiDawg said:

Lew's combo

I just purchased that online as it was on sale. 

Let me know what you think about this combo please. What baits would you throw? I've never owned a Lew's product or a bait caster. Any tips would be appreciated

Hi Loki,

     Looks like a perfect first time bait caster combo.  With you just starting off I would spool it with Monofilament and don't over fill the spool! Fill it about 3/4 full, I'd use Berkley Big Game 12# or Berkley XL 14#.  Both are good lines to learn how to use a bait caster with and don't break the bank.  Realize that you want to learn how to cast short distances first. Don't try to empty the spool or cast a big spinner bait into the wind on your third or fourth cast.

      Something like a 1/2 oz rattle trap casts very well. Avoid light lures to start until your thumb gets some education. A 1/2 oz jig or a Texas rig 1/4 oz bullet weight with a plastic worm.

    Bait casters are different then spinning reels. You have to "load" the rod for it to cast properly. Loading involves your back cast as well as your forward cast. It's all one motion with a bait caster. The back cast "loads" the rod by bending it backwards it "springs" as you transition into your forward cast and launches the bait.  Check out some You Tube videos on learning how to use a bait caster. Glen probably has some videos here (Bass Resource) too.  

     You can not stop at the end of your back cast like you can with the spinning rod. The bait caster uses momentum and the line flows off of the reel once the spool starts moving.  Resting your thumb gently on the spool helps you control the cast. If the bait stops moving and the spool is still turning you've got a birds nest. The harder the swing the bigger the bird's nest.

     You might try this trick.  Run out about what you think is a good casting distance of line (30-40 yards). Put a piece of tape (electrical tape works well) on the line where it meets the spool.  That way when you backlash it doesn't go deep into the spool and you can get that birds nest out easier.

     Spool your rod up and got out to your backyard or a park where you can practice. Use a practice casting plug or make one.  You'll see a weight range on your rod. That is a general recommendation on the weight of your bait that is in the rod's range. That's why I say use a 1/2 oz or so of weight to learn with. You've got a decent set-up in that Lews combo. Good luck in learning how to use a bait caster. You'll find as you learn it you'll really learn how much more control you'll have over your casts.

Good luck,

Fishingmickey

36 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

That's just to give you an idea of how much line it holds....I've got reels that 'specify' 10#-12# and I put 16# or 17# on it...or even 50# braid.

Cani put 12# on my med light spinning setup? It calls for 8

20 minutes ago, LokiDawg said:

Cani put 12# on my med light spinning setup? It calls for 8

You can, but you'll end up limiting the casting distance a fair amount. I would keep with 8 pounds if it where me.

1 minute ago, Bazoo said:

You can, but you'll end up limiting the casting distance a fair amount. I would keep with 8 pounds if it where me.

Ok I didn't think it was a good idea. Just hoping lol

Thank you

37 minutes ago, LokiDawg said:

Cani put 12# on my med light spinning setup? It calls for 8

I'd never put anything thicker than .010" as mainline on a 3000 or smaller spinning reel - it gets too unwieldy. And that translates to 8# or less.

 

Now braid-to-leader is a different animal. On my MH/F spinning rig, I use 20# 832 with 12# InvizX for a leader. I use this rig for spinners/chatters and skipping jigs...I'm crap at skipping with casting gear.

 

Medium-Light - 8# or 10# braid to 6# or 8# FC is my normal setup.

It won't hurt anything to try it, then you'll see how it reacts. It kinda depends on how you use the spinning rod. If you're using it for very light stuff you'll see a decrease in casting distance and line manageability.

 

If you're using the combo in place of a baitcaster, throwing heavier stuff, 1/4oz or larger, then you probably could get by with it.

 

I've ran 10 pound mono occasionally, but I stick to 8 pound or braid on spinning normally now.

 

When I was a kid, I ran 14... but I would throw spinnerbaits and crankbaits, and rarely throw anything light.

6 hours ago, LokiDawg said:

The reel specifies 12# I think. Does that matter?

Not really, it’s just to give an idea how much line it holds. Some manufacturers 12lb is based on let’s say fat fluorocarbon diameters and others are based on mono diameters, so 12lb alone doesn’t mean much without a diameter, 12lb mono is roughly as thick as 20lb fluorocarbon.

 

I’m fairly confident 14 or 16 will be fine.