I'm relatively new to fishing, I just started last summer. I've only fished on zebco 33s or the Shakespeare pole at walley world.

this year, I have a 33 on the shakespeare pole, and a baitcaster.

The baitcaster, i'm completely new to. I've read tutorials on how to cast them.. but I don't know anyone who uses anything other than closed faced reels... so i'm having trouble casting without backlash. if i do manage to not get a backlash, it goes about 4 feet! What am I doing wrong?

I've just been practicing with it, and using the 33 until i'm confident enough to not waste time on the water taking care of backlashes every other cast... but today my 33 did something funky. it felt like it got snagged in my reel, now the drag is messed up so its making the clicky noise all the time. regardless of where i set the dial, the drag does not change.

i'm hoping for a simple fix.. and that my blonde is coming through more in my adult life than in previous years. help? i can't go buy another reel! i've only used the 33 for about 2 weeks

Not sure what baitcaster you are using, but you should have instructions as to how to set the spool tension, or read the articles on this site. Basically you tie the lure on you will be using (start with something about 1/2 oz) hold the rod about 10 o'clock. Release the spool, lure should drop to the ground w/o any over-run. I bet you are used to "snapping" your cast like you can with a spincaster, right? That's a no no with a baitcaster. Be smooth, don't try to cast a mile at first. Let the rod do the work. Go to You Tube, should be able to find video's there that might help you visualize better. Practice, practice, practice.

Should be able to bring back the 33, wally is usually pretty good about that.

Do a Google search for,

Basic Baitcast Reel Setup 101,

it will show you how to get that rod/reel setup properly.

I'm relatively new to fishing, I just started last summer. I've only fished on zebco 33s or the Shakespeare pole at walley world.

this year, I have a 33 on the shakespeare pole, and a baitcaster.

The baitcaster, i'm completely new to. I've read tutorials on how to cast them.. but I don't know anyone who uses anything other than closed faced reels... so i'm having trouble casting without backlash. if i do manage to not get a backlash, it goes about 4 feet! What am I doing wrong?

I've just been practicing with it, and using the 33 until i'm confident enough to not waste time on the water taking care of backlashes every other cast... but today my 33 did something funky. it felt like it got snagged in my reel, now the drag is messed up so its making the clicky noise all the time. regardless of where i set the dial, the drag does not change.

i'm hoping for a simple fix.. and that my blonde is coming through more in my adult life than in previous years. help? i can't go buy another reel! i've only used the 33 for about 2 weeks

I am fairly proficient with baitcasters...when I was home this summer I was using my brother's Shakephere Axiom reel. Regardless of settings, I could not cast that thing 30 yards without it backlashing about half the time. I know you may not want to hear this, but I would try a better quality reel and see if you have better luck. You can buy a used Quantum Accurist on EBAY for the same price as that new Shakesphere and I promise you will have better luck casting it.

Regarding the Zebco 33, it sounds like a loop of line may have wrapped around the bail. Just unscrew the cone-shaped nose cap and check that the line is not wrappped around that or the nut holding it on.

Not sure what baitcaster you are using, but you should have instructions as to how to set the spool tension, or read the articles on this site. Basically you tie the lure on you will be using (start with something about 1/2 oz) hold the rod about 10 o'clock. Release the spool, lure should drop to the ground w/o any over-run. I bet you are used to "snapping" your cast like you can with a spincaster, right? That's a no no with a baitcaster. Be smooth, don't try to cast a mile at first. Let the rod do the work. Go to You Tube, should be able to find video's there that might help you visualize better. Practice, practice, practice.

Should be able to bring back the 33, wally is usually pretty good about that.

It really depends on the braking system of the reel. I have a "bullwhip" style of casting, and I find that I have no problem at all with centrifugal braking. Magnetic braking requires me to use a more fluid cast, though.

Not sure what baitcaster you are using, but you should have instructions as to how to set the spool tension, or read the articles on this site. Basically you tie the lure on you will be using (start with something about 1/2 oz) hold the rod about 10 o'clock. Release the spool, lure should drop to the ground w/o any over-run. I bet you are used to "snapping" your cast like you can with a spincaster, right? That's a no no with a baitcaster. Be smooth, don't try to cast a mile at first. Let the rod do the work. Go to You Tube, should be able to find video's there that might help you visualize better. Practice, practice, practice.

Should be able to bring back the 33, wally is usually pretty good about that.

i set mine to where i have to give the rod a little bump before the lure falls to the ground, works well for me and i am new to baitcasters. my biggest mistake is changing lures and forgetting to reset the spool tension. only had a couple backlashes i actually had to cut out so far...

I'm relatively new to fishing, I just started last summer. I've only fished on zebco 33s or the Shakespeare pole at walley world.

this year, I have a 33 on the shakespeare pole, and a baitcaster.

The baitcaster, i'm completely new to. I've read tutorials on how to cast them.. but I don't know anyone who uses anything other than closed faced reels... so i'm having trouble casting without backlash. if i do manage to not get a backlash, it goes about 4 feet! What am I doing wrong?

I've just been practicing with it, and using the 33 until i'm confident enough to not waste time on the water taking care of backlashes every other cast... but today my 33 did something funky. it felt like it got snagged in my reel, now the drag is messed up so its making the clicky noise all the time. regardless of where i set the dial, the drag does not change.

i'm hoping for a simple fix.. and that my blonde is coming through more in my adult life than in previous years. help? i can't go buy another reel! i've only used the 33 for about 2 weeks

Return tha 33 where you bought it from and exhange it for another.

It really depends on the braking system of the reel. I have a "bullwhip" style of casting, and I find that I have no problem at all with centrifugal braking. Magnetic braking requires me to use a more fluid cast, though.

That style may work well for you, but someone who is just beginning might be better off with a smooth style.

Tips:

Load spool with a soft mono (Trilene XL...)avoid fluoro at first.

Use a weight/practice plug on the upper end of the rods rating (1/2 oz>)

Adjust spool tension on the tight side (so the lure barely falls when in free spool)

Practice smooth easy lob/side arm casts.

Concentrate on accuracy and not distance.

Practice thumbing the spool without casting.

Pull off 100 ft of line and put a piece of electrical tape on the spool to limit the depth of any over run/backlash.

Stick with it and make it something fun to learn. If you start getting frustrated, walk away for a bit and come back to it.

Tips:

Load spool with a soft mono (Trilene XL...)avoid fluoro at first.

Use a weight/practice plug on the upper end of the rods rating (1/2 oz>)

Adjust spool tension on the tight side (so the lure barely falls when in free spool)

Practice smooth easy lob/side arm casts.

Concentrate on accuracy and not distance.

Practice thumbing the spool without casting.

Pull off 100 ft of line and put a piece of electrical tape on the spool to limit the depth of any over run/backlash.

Stick with it and make it something fun to learn. If you start getting frustrated, walk away for a bit and come back to it.

All good advice/ good way to explain it also.

The Shakespeare was also a closed faced reel. The baitcaster I'm using is a Pinnacle Ultra Balance. My trouble is with the set-up.. someone gave it to me and told me how to cast it, but never mentioned setting it up! I googled it, and I'm actually missing the knob to set the tension on the rod. Looks like it just screwed on-- can I get a new knob? Hate to lose it too- only have 2 reels, both out of commission, and I'm addicted to fishing. I don't know when I'd be able to get another one. Like I said, that one was a freebie.. some lady got frustrated pulling out backlashes and gave it to me. Her hubby told me how to cast it, but she gave it to me with a ridiculous backlash, so he couldn't show me. He was using spinning gear. I really appreciate all the insight! I need all the help I can get!!

Pull off 100 ft of line and put a piece of electrical tape on the spool to limit the depth of any over run/backlash.

I never would have thought of that! Thanks!

The Shakespeare was also a closed faced reel. The baitcaster I'm using is a Pinnacle Ultra Balance. My trouble is with the set-up.. someone gave it to me and told me how to cast it, but never mentioned setting it up! I googled it, and I'm actually missing the knob to set the tension on the rod. Looks like it just screwed on-- can I get a new knob? Hate to lose it too- only have 2 reels, both out of commission, and I'm addicted to fishing. I don't know when I'd be able to get another one. Like I said, that one was a freebie.. some lady got frustrated pulling out backlashes and gave it to me. Her hubby told me how to cast it, but she gave it to me with a ridiculous backlash, so he couldn't show me. He was using spinning gear. I really appreciate all the insight! I need all the help I can get!!

Yeah that would make it tough to cast w/o a backlash There's a Pinnacle section on the forum, I believe monitored by a factory rep., bet he could help you.

Yeah that would make it tough to cast w/o a backlash There's a Pinnacle section on the forum, I believe monitored by a factory rep., bet he could help you.

Ask for a cast control cap complete with shims. Without the shims the cap will not apply any pressure and you'll have the same problem.