Im new "totally" to baitcasting but ive been eying a friend of mines shiny new 5500C3 for awhile. My father had one he always used when i was a kid. Well this friend just handed it to me and said consider it a gift. Im like a kid at christmas.

Anyways ive never used a baitcaster before so is this gonna be more difficult to learn than a thumbcaster?I like it because in no time i can take the case off and pull the spool out to start cutting the lashes out.Im actually doin well for a beginner with everything set tight at first. I read alot on here about baitcasting 101 etc..

Would it be easier to get a cheap thumbcaster to go through the learning curve or continue with what i have and after becoming good at that,maybe the other reels will be mastered?The over head cast is the worse for me. I wont even attempt it anymore after the nest i had tonight. lol..Anyways i had to share my excitement with you guys and ask some questions. Got a new Shimano rod also"med-fast action" 10-20lbs for 69.99 6'6''

Glad to hear ur exitement.  This summer has been my first with a baitcaster as well... I'm getting a lot better but the only advice I can give you is keep on truckin, the headaches will pay off when you cast under a dock with a  1 inch over hang!... or so i hear

You've got some friend there .  There are tons of posts here on using a baitcaster that you might want to look up.  Start out working a sidearm cast at first.  Practice practice practice 8-)

You've got some friend there. If it was me I would practice with the Abu, not a different reel. You may as well practice with what you are going to use in the long run.

Falcon

The 5500 is a good learning reel. There's fewer casting aids on it so you'll have to learn the art of thumb spool control.

Once you get that reel down the others will be easy.

you have a great friend, he gave you a good quality reel there, i have three of em...keep at it, soon you will be casting a mile and hitting your target right on the nose!

Cliff

Start practicing with a 3/8 practice plug or heavier. Don't try for distance at first, just work on getting the plug out without a backlash. Tighten the knob on the side down so that when you hold the rod level the plug slowly drops down.

I can throw it good side armed but I have the same problem with over head cast. It's a lot harder.

thanks guys. Yea the overhead is gonna be tough for me i can tell. I put a jitterbug on last night and did well once i set the brake right. Flippin and pichin are still iffy as of now.My presentation is sloppy but ill get the hang of it. What size line do you guys recommend?Carbon line?

i use trilene XT in 10 or 12LB on all my reels

What size line do you guys recommend?Carbon line?

I have a Record No. 50 (very similar reel) that I use 17# test P-line CXX on. It's on a fairly sensitive MH rod.

For black bass I use it for big jigs, T-rigs, and C-rigs in heavy cover (usually lures over 3/4 oz, but minimum of 1/2 oz).

However, this reel is also used for big topwaters (Super Spook Excaliber) and striper hybrids.

I'm still fairly new at the baitcasting thing, so I don't trust myself with "pricey" lines yet. I might move to flouro after I get better.