How to use a baitcasting reel....

[ridiver]

I purchased a Peenn 320 GTi baitcasting reel. So far all I can do is create birdnests on the reel and cast about 15 feet. <br /><br />Tips, suggestions, comments, etc are much apprectiated. <br /><br />

 

[ridiver]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

Correction <br /><br />"Penn" not "Peenn"

 

[DTB]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

I had the same problen it all has to do with how tight your settings are and the weight of the lure you are casting play around with it and be sure to stop the line before your lure hits the water.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

I love those Penn 320's and have had two for trolling reels for many years. I've never been able to cast them either without a lot of weight and a lucky touch on the spool. I think "baitcasting" is a little stretch from Penn.

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

To set the correct drag for casting,1st after you have the rig ready to go,retrieve it up to the rod tip ,release the drag as if you are ready to cast. Then let the rig drop to the floor "AT A SLOW PACE" adjust the star drag so that it don't go too fast.<br />You are now ready to make a cast, but keep your thumb on the spool rather lightly, and when you feel the line has gone out far enough, put enough pressure on the spool to stop it.<br /> It takes a litle practice, but you will get the knack of it. When you purchased the PENN, thewr should have been an instruction w/it. <br />Go to their web site.

 

[Boatist]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

Ridiver<br />Penn 320GTI or GT2 great reels. Work very well for casting medium to large wieghts. No good if casting a 3/8 oz bass jig.<br /><br />To start with set the star drag for your line weight and type of fish your are catching. This drag is to prevent the line from breaking and wear down the fish and has nothing to do with casting. I set mine in yard before go on boat. Set it on the rod you will be useing to load the rod to the point you want drag to slip. If useing for big heavy fish like shark then before set hook thum the spool and get a good hook set.<br /><br />Now to cast just takes a little practice. To start with if you want you can tighten down the spool a little with the knob on same side as star drag. This puts a little pressure on spool to help slow it down but will also cost you distance. Another thing you can do if want is put clicker on, this is noisy and also cost you distance.<br /><br />What you want to do is start with a heavy weight. Reel up to where you want put thum on the spool release the drag with lever make your cast and of course release thum so line can go out but once line going out put lite pressure on spool with thum. When weight is about to hit the water use more pressure to stop the line before or as weight hits water then can go back to light pressure as weight sinks. To start with do not go for world records cast. Cast weight a little farther than you actually want it to go and use thum pressure to stop it where you want it to hit. As you get better turn off the clicker and loosen spool pressure for longer cast.<br /><br />By the way it is not a birdsnest but it is professional overspin.<br /><br />Have fun Just takes a little practice.

 

[PhyrexianReaper]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

Take it easy, cast smooth and easy. reel the lure all the way to the top and be sure that you stop it before it hits the water. Don't "Throw" or "Sling" the lure C A S T it. Either that or keep a sharp pair of needle nose pliars in the boat. that is what I did. with time it will come... <br /><br />"At least that is the way that I see it."<br /> - A Grumpy Wise Old Man

 

[neumanns]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

Boatist...Professional overspin huh, I like that

 

[muskyone]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

i recomend a braided line as thay are easer to get that pro overspin out dosen't that reel also have brakes under the side cover

 

[martyscher]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

May be a stupid question, but what (if any) is the advantage of using a baitcasting reel, with the good chance of backlash, verses just using a spinning reel?<br /><br />Even as a so-so fisherman, I can cast pretty accurate with a spinning reel.<br /><br />Marty

 

[Boatist]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

Martyscher<br />No stupid Questions but each reel has it advantages. Big bait caster have much better drags. Try catching a Albacore Tuna on a spinning reel and you will only catch one if lucky cause the reel will be burned up. Try cranking up a 3 lb weignt from 400 feet down with a 50 lb lincod or 100lb halibut.<br /><br />When trolling bottom for salmon in river eaiser and quicker to adjust deepth to stay just off the bottom.<br /><br />When Black Bass fishing and throwing a crank bait or spinner bait can stop bait exactly where you want it with your thum. Will loose a whole lot less tackel and catch more fish. When fishing a rocked shore line need to be within 6 inches of shore to catch bass. 6 inches off either way a bad deal. Of-course many of these type bait caster do have adjustable brakes, the 320GTi does not. As one get better usually do not want any type of brake.<br /><br />Common practice with bass fisherman out here is to cast a jig into a coffee can 30 feet out. In a contest like a sportmans expo you will have zero chance of winning with a spinning real.

 

[miss kellie]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

Great tips guys! One thing I don't like about the 320 gti is the levelwind. When casting the levelwind slows the line down. I perfer my conventional reels without a top as I can pick out my professonal knot ties easier. <br /><br />Another advantage with a convetional/baitcaster is the line is peeling straight off the spool as opposed to the spinner has to make a 90 degree turn. You can pull harder on the fish. Jason

 

[bobber head]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

My bait caster was bought with the sole intention of trolling: but surfacing stripers, 20' off, brought that to an end.<br /><br />Killed the motor, reeled in and tied on a spook, and through gritted teeth, said, "I can do this.".<br /><br />And I did. It sailed far and true.<br />I was astonished. So was my girlfriend.<br />But that was it. Nothing but backlash after that.<br /><br />Back at camp, I sat out in the cove and practiced for three spools worth, but got only a little better.<br /><br />Thinking it's a matter of practice, bobberhead<br /><br />Ironic, casting with a "bait caster" is the toughest, eh?

 

[bigbluebirdy]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

To avoid the birdsnest, turn the reel sideways (or perpendicular to the water) after you cast it.<br /><br />In other words, rotate your wrist a quarter turn after you throw it, while your lure is in the air. Thumb it when your lure hits the water.<br /><br />Works for me...<br /><br />bbb

 

[Dman]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

From my experience with backlash, pull all the tangles to the RIGHT on your spool. This will make it much easier to get back to the fishing action. They come out really easy that way, tried and proven by me.<br />D

 

[LadyFish]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

I'm really glad this thread came up. I have a new Shimano Curado 200 and have the same problem. I've been using it since Christmas and changed the weights in the reel, and tightened up the drag a little more for casting. I also discovered that my thumb was touching the line as I casted out and compounded the problem. I'm getting less birds nests and becoming an expert on detangling line.<br /><br />All good tips guys, thanks.

 

[Dman]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

Ladyfish, <br />If you have your finger on the spool and you are still getting backlashes, adjust the magnets a bit so the line does not release so freely. That will correct the problem for now. Then, with practice, you can slowly readjust the magnets to less and less. Eventually, you can just use your thumb to control the spool speed. All the magents on mine are very loose and I use my thumb to eliminate any backlash potential/problems <br />Adjust the magnets so your lure will drop VERY slowly from the rod and go from there. <br />With all this said, I still have occasional problems, then refer to my previous post!<br />Dman

 

[bobber head]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

Funny thing happend on the way to the prop shop this morning. I stopped in to take another peek at the Curado 201 - and wound up buying it.<br /><br />(Of course, had to get a few more Shad Raps while I was there and might as well toss in a tough Ugly stick too boot.)<br /><br />...well, what do you know, the prop shop is on the other side of the river. Pit stop.<br /><br />Made a slew of rather impressive pratice casts before I lost my focus and started thinking there might be some fish out there. <br />Instant backlash. <br /><br />No pocket knife (tried pulling to the right, no go) so that was that - but it was great while it lasted.<br /><br />Love the Curado.<br /><br />Two things learned:<br />1. you want to thumb the spool - not the line.<br />2. The right side "brake" is for controlling the start of the cast and then some, and the left side "button cap" is for the last part of the cast or the landing.<br /><br />Should have bought a 20,000 foot spool of line while I was there, bobber

 

[muskyone]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

i got a curado for xmas and i love it haven't had one backlash with it lady put all the plastic clips in the out pos then crank the thumb wheel tight push the button then lossing it till the lure starts to move on it's own this is the only reel i have mono on now my johnny morris on the other hand is a backlash macine

 

[LadyFish]

Re: How to use a baitcasting reel....

I have all those red plastic weights inside the reel pushed in, should they be out?