Hey guys,

I just joined two weeks ago and had asked for tips on how to pra ctice with my new baitcaster reals I bought. I HAVE NEVER USED ON UNTIL LAST WEEKEND. Last weekend I spent 1 1/2 hours getting birds nest out. After YA'LL told me how to set the brake and the tension, use the correct practice weight: I just practiced for an hour, resilts, 1 SMALL BIRDS NEST; GOT OUT WITH THE THUMB TRICK I SAW ON HERE. FIRST FEW CAST WERE 5 YARDS, BY THE END OF THE HOUR.....WAIT FOR IT............25 YARDS CONSTANTLY EVERY CAST AND.......NO FLIPPIN BIRDS NEST. THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH........IT IS FUN CASTING THAT THING NOW

JIM  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

You're hooked now.. congrats!

Way to go! Wait til you do your first roll cast, you'll feel like a pro.

whats the thumb trick?

Congratulations! I picked up a baitcaster two years ago and was in the same boat as you. Bird nests left and right haha!

Welcome to the addiction!

Congrats have fun!

whats the thumb trick?

Way to go! Wait til you do your first roll cast, you'll feel like a pro.

Roll cast are much easier and forgiving to do than trying to cast a lure overhand on a baitcaster if you ask me.90% of my cast are roll cast.You can get incredibility accurate this way as well.

Turning the reel sideways on a cast(handle upward) I find to have yet  backlash this way on a baitcaster.

Way to go! Wait til you do your first roll cast, you'll feel like a pro.

Roll cast are much easier and forgiving to do than trying to cast a lure overhand on a baitcaster if you ask me.90% of my cast are roll cast.You can get incredibility accurate this way as well.

Turning the reel sideways on a cast(handle upward) I find to have yet backlash this way on a baitcaster.

X2 on the roll cast. i can not overhand cast well at all, if any of you have videos on overhand casts that would be helpful 

I've been using baitcasters for over 20 years, and I get my fair share of backlashes. I can't believe I've never seen that thumb trick before.

I've been using baitcasters for over 20 years, and I've never seen that thumb trick before.

It works! Don't know how it works but it does.My only concern is does it do any damage to your gears doing that?

"Thumb Trick"

Too cool! Great tip!

Congrats!  Baitcasting tackle is a lot of fun once you get used to it.

The thumb trick works pretty well on some lines, tough lines like copoly especially, but it hardly works on braid and I've broken fluorocarbon line on the spool with it before. I would recommend doing it as little as possible with fluoro, or not at all.

Congrats! Baitcasting tackle is a lot of fun once you get used to it.

The thumb trick works pretty well on some lines, tough lines like copoly especially, but it hardly works on braid and I've broken fluorocarbon line on the spool with it before. I would recommend doing it as little as possible with fluoro, or not at all.

I find this to be accurate... Lighter fluoro in general is real pain to pick out regardless and kinks are the kiss of death.

Roll casting, handle up are all good points. If you need to overhand cast for whatever reason, make sure the handle goes to you shoulder and its a smooth, fluid motion.

If you want to use the thumb trick as DVT pointed out, your drag must be tightened down.

I never seem to make headway with the thumb trick, but I know lots of guys swear by it. go figure. I usually carry a dental pick and it clears up a nest right away. If the line gets folded completely in two then it's just a matter of time when that will snap.

     On the overhand cast I cast as if I am holding a magazine under my casting arm and don't want to drop it. It works.

Oh, thats what you mean by thumb trick, i thought you were just talking about keeping tension haha. Ya, I've done that with baitcasters since i owned one. Never had a name for.

Congrats! Baitcasting tackle is a lot of fun once you get used to it.

The thumb trick works pretty well on some lines, tough lines like copoly especially, but it hardly works on braid and I've broken fluorocarbon line on the spool with it before. I would recommend doing it as little as possible with fluoro, or not at all.

X2.

The Thumb Trick doesn't work at all with braid.

Right on  I've been fishing my whole life (I'm 46) and still can't cast a bait caster to save my life ! So your 1 up on me

Peace,

Fish

I have never had a birds nest that I could not fix with that trick.

Congrats !!! I learned how to use a baitcaster last year, and once you master them, you don't want to put it down. The members on this site are very knowledgeable. they help a lot

"Thumb Trick"

Too cool! Great tip!

X2!!

Wow! 8-) I'd never heard of that before and I've been throwin' baitcasters for 45 years!

Thanks for posting that, I'm sure it will come in handy!

Tom

I guess us old dogs can learn new tricks...by the way...if your shoulder is sore...you're doing it wrong. Like I read from bassthumb...bend your elbow, not your shoulder and be smooth. Power, distance and accuracy come with practice.

Congrats. I learned how to cast a baitcaster last spring, and absolutely love them now. It took alot of practice but I'm accurate as all get out with them now. Again congratulations and keep practicing.

Right on I've been fishing my whole life (I'm 46) and still can't cast a bait caster to save my life ! So your 1 up on me

Peace,

Fish

Never would have guessed that Chris.  That's awesome that you slay the monsters on spinning gear.

Congrats! Baitcasting tackle is a lot of fun once you get used to it.

The thumb trick works pretty well on some lines, tough lines like copoly especially, but it hardly works on braid and I've broken fluorocarbon line on the spool with it before. I would recommend doing it as little as possible with fluoro, or not at all.

I find this to be accurate... Lighter fluoro in general is real pain to pick out regardless and kinks are the kiss of death.

Roll casting, handle up are all good points. If you need to overhand cast for whatever reason, make sure the handle goes to you shoulder and its a smooth, fluid motion.

If you want to use the thumb trick as DVT pointed out, your drag must be tightened down.

Well d**n that sucks!  I'll always be using flouro on my baitcasting reels.