Although there is still awhile to go, is practicing in a parking lot a good idea? I'm trying to adjust my new citica e with a 3/8 ounce plug (thats the only weight I could find) I'm not used to a baitcaster so I thought any Practice would be good! I dont want to be wasting time learning while on the lake. I just am worried about my line hitting the black top and wearing out. If I have to change line then I guess that would be o.k. Just cant wait for ice to go away!

   

   I am planning on using jigs this year around 3/8ths to 1/2. With no expierience should I just keep beeting the pavement when possible?

   Sorry if this is the wrong place to post.

You'll get the hang of it in no time and baitcasters are great for controlling your baits.  It will be time well spent....

You'll probably become an expert in un-doing birdnests too.  I still get em once in a while.  When this happens, just pull the line tight to see what line is hanging on your main line.....and pull on that one until you can release the main line again....keep going til you're done and the spool is back to a happy place.

Good luck.

   Thanks, I cant believe I accually had a few spectators, but they were the few with nothing better to do! Oh, I think I will be a bird nest specialist! alot then turned the casting nob a pinch and was able to cast side arm and other ways with no overun without losing distance. but dont really know since I was going pretty short.

By all means practice as much as possible it really pays off listen to RW and read the thread from Dave it helped me alot when I started using a BC. Lots of luck

PS Big deal if you have to change the line in the spring I would just to be on the safe side.

By all means, practicing now is time well spent. You'll become more proficient, and it will help with the cabin fever.  

Falcon

I go out in the yard and practice on a fairly regular basis. So often in fact, that my neighbors have even stopped staring.  

The only casting plugs I could find were 3/8 oz, but I just add an 1/8 or 3/16 worm weight to the line before I tie on the plug. Works just fine for me.

Practice,practice practice....

No better place to practice. You won't be distracted by losing fishing time and when you get on the water your skills will be much better for it.

I've bait casted for many years but I still practice in the drive in that time frame where I can get out but the water is still hard!

don't worry about your line on the pavement... but check your knot every few casts or else you'll send the plug flying without the line attached!  When the ice melts, spend $7 and buy a new 300 yd spool of your favorite line and change it out.  Fresh line is always nice and you should get a couple spools worth out of a 330 yd filler spool.  

Pavement and line do not mix.  Don't ask how I know.   :-[