Ok, so I've been fishing for years but never attempted to use a baitcasting reel, always just spinning reels.

Every time I cast, the spool just shoots out, and it gets tangled and tons of loose string. I've  adjusted the Cast Control that tightens and loosens the ease of the release, but it either has trouble casting due to being tight, or it is too loose and tangles and what not.;

I dont' think a reel can be this hard to use, I'm probably just being dumb.

Please help?

Put your thumb on the spool after you release the catch. Start with a lot of pressure and you'll get 20foot cast but no backlash. Slowly let up the pressure till you get the hang of it. You'll get to the point of not having to "thumb it" till the very end to keep it from backlashing. Once you get that down you can adjust the cast control for the specific line/lure for max cast distance.

Brokejew,

Need more information on the reel and rod your using...

Also a little reading might help

Basic Baitcast Reel Setup 101

When I was starting out with a BC I had plenty of problems until someone told me to make smooth casts.  Be sure to use one fluid motion and let the reel do the work, if you snap cast or try to wing it you will backlash (until you REALLY get the hang of it).  Just cast the lure in one fluid smooth motion and you are set.

I'm going out today to practice with it. What types of situations / lures would you use a BC over a Spinning ? And what's the advantage to using a BC reel ?

Oh, and thank you guys for the advice.

The reel is  a Shimano Bantam Crestfire 200B

The rod is a Shimano Scimitar graphite rod.

Any suggestions what to use it for?

I use baitcasters for everything except really light lures.  The advantage of a baitcaster over spinning is the bc has NO line twist.  I can usually cast much more accurately with a baitcaster than a spinning reel since I can put my thumb on the spool during a cast and stop the lure mid-flight, this comes in handy when I want to hit a specific target because I cast past it and then stop at the target.  Baitcasters generally have more power than spinning reels too.