Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

[TPD211]

Bought a Shimano 200B baitcaster. A part was broken in it, had it fixed.<br />How do I use it? What is happening is that when I cast, the reel keeps spinning and messes up the fishing line. I have the magnetic thingy set at max. When I set the knob on the opposite side to stop the reel from spinning, I cant cast very far at all.<br />Is there a trick to using these or is this a sucky reel? Maybe the reel backlash is messed up. <br />I looked at Shimanos web site but there is no information for an older reel such as this one.<br />Thanks for the help....

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

I have the same reel. First, it does take a little practice. Second I have to adjust mine for lure and bait weight each time I change.<br /><br />There is a black knob on the right hand side. If you turn it too far forward it won't bird nest on ya, but if its too far back it will. You'll have to play with it a little in order to find your comfort setting.<br /><br />I've had mine for a year or so and I am now an expert on undoing bird nests. Don't get me wrong, I love the reel and will continue using it. I played with the inside weights a little but ended up putting back they way they were when I bought it and just use the black knob to adjust spin.<br /><br />Hope this helps.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

It sounds as though you have got a curado, this is a great little reel. First thing you do is tie on a 1/2 ounce weight. Now hold the rod out and turn the knob just enough till the line moves and the weight falls. Second, when you cast you need to keep your thumb on the spool of line to keep it from spooling all over the place and creating a big mess. Just start with light little cast of five to ten feet. Just lightly keep in contact with the thumb on the spool. AS you get more comfortable cast a little farther. Also the line makes some difference on these reels. I prefer a small diameter line on my curado's. I like the copolymer lines like McCoy mean green. The big heavey lines tend to not work well on these curado's. Soon you will get the hang of it. I would open the side and disengage half those magnets.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

As you cast, use your thumb against the line on the spool to help control the speed of the spool.. As the lure starts to slow down and land, very gently press your thumb against the line to slow and stop the spool... Your using your thumb as a brake... <br /><br /> The magnetic thingy only helps to a certain degree..<br /><br />Takes a good bit of practice to get the feel of it.. Even after you become very good, you'll still get the occasional small loops and backlash, or as I like to call it, "professional overcast"...

 

[TPD211]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

Wow, thanks for the responses....<br />I figured the thumb againt the spool had something to do with it. <br />I'll practice to get it right.<br /><br />What is the knob in front of the magnetic clutch knob for? <br /><br />Thanks

 

[LTC Birkett]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

There is NO magnetic clutch know on a Curado... Can you better explain what part on the baitcaster you are referring to.....<br /><br />Bill

 

[TPD211]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

Bill,<br /><br />I have an older Shimano 200B.<br />200B is all that is on the reel.<br /><br />On one side are 2 knobs, one clicks and rotates almost 360 degrees from "min" to "max" settings. This I was led to believe is the magnetic clutch?<br />Another knurrled knob recessed in the side is forward of this one. I dont know what it does.<br /><br />Opposite side are the handle, and the small knob Ladyfish referred to.<br /><br />I'll link to a picture of it when I can get to my digital.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

Originally posted by LTC Birkett:<br />There is NO magnetic clutch know on a Curado... Can you better explain what part on the baitcaster you are referring to.....<br /><br />Bill

There are six magnets in the curado that can be adjusted by sliding a plastic sleeve up or down on it. It is not a clutch per say but more of a magnetic braking system. It is not a knob but under the side cover. I think you may by refering to the drag wheel next to the crank handle? Is what you are refering to shaped like a star, if so that is the drag setting.

 

[TPD211]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

It looks like a Crestfire CR200B from the Shimano website.<br /><br /> Crestfire CR200B

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

Ahh Haaa it is not a curado. My bad I guess for assuming it was when you said 200b, Sorry. Yes that reel seems to have the magnetic clutch.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

Made the same mistake myself. Mine is a Shimano Curado 200B.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

You probably figured this out by now, but just in case...when you get a backlash be sure to pull all the slack line out of the reel. Put your thumb on the spool to keep it from free-spinning and strip line until you get to tightly-wound line. if it's really bad you might have to cut the lure and cruise down the lake trailing the line behind you but be careful not to leave any mono in the lake. It's very hazardous to wildlife and to boat motors.<br /><br />jtw

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

Nothing gets me excited like a blond with a baitcaster in her hand!

 

[raymondmoyer]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

I believe the second knob ( the knurled one ) you are refering to is the spool tension. It is used to adjust for different weights of lures.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

so, hows it going? i would (just me) adjust the 'clicker' to 0 or least drag on the line. then tie on a lure, hold rod up at shoulder level, with thumb on line, and make sure it hits the ground pretty hard & fast. this should make a birdnest, so now you gotta fixit, and get used to it i use my fingers to grab any loose loops sticking out and pull them fairly gently/moderately - you will know grasshopper<br /><br />its a love/hate thing - this birdnest. you pull a loop, it should make the spool rewind a little, then you switch to output side and pull line like its coming out to the rod tip. if it stops, then you give a gentle nudge. it it says 'whoa nellie' then you find a new loop to rewind a little piece with. then pull again on the output. its like pulling a worm outta a nice hole in the ground- it comes when you got all the kinks worked out <br /><br />ok i'm thinking this is just too complicated to put to words here... i'm editing again - its like playing an instrument, how can you explain it? i believe when you grab a loop, you pull it straight up, and it yanks the loop out from under other 'straight' loops. kinda like pulling the cover out from under the spouse ya know. anyway, when you pull the loop, it becomes 'lined up' in a way. then you pull the output and it might just all spool out without getting another loop under another loop - does that make sense? lol<br /><br />this should pull all of the birdnest out, if not, then pull on a diff loop. i haven't cut line for 10yrs(well ok, .0001% of the time). but beware, the harder you throw, the worse the backlash will be. and always, always notice if there is a loose loop hanging out. if you ignore and cast again, you will be cutting line out from 'hard' birdnest. do as others mention, put thumb on spool, pull line out until it feels 'tight' against spool again. then rewind. this will also make you vedi fast cranker... <br /><br />anyway, back to square 1. you let lure drop very fast- you got line back in nice spool. now you adjust clicker 1/2 way. if it does not make lure drop at rate that only gives a small amt of loop/birdnest, then you adjst other knob/ the one that has washer again spool axle/spindle. if 1/2 clicker = slow descent, then you are one with rice paddy. er, make that lily paddy.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

Take care to properly dispose of mono<br /><br />bird on a string

 

[miloman]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

Here has been my rule of thumb to avoid birds nests and achieve the maximum cast with a given reel. What ever lure you are using have the rod in a line above your hips release the line it should take 2 seconds for the lure to impact the water any more birds nest any less lousy cast. Adjust your rod accordingly. This system sounds stupid but was infact taught to me by believe it or no Bill Dance

 

[jtexas]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

Got $500? you could just go this route...<br /> Shimano Calcutta

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Ummm....How do I use this baitcaster?

I love my Shimano 201 (left-hand version); I can cast further with it than any other reel I own.<br />The secret is to do what's already been suggested: 1) adjust the tension so that the lure drops medium to fairly fast; and, 2) use limp mono. I use blue Stren, but have also used green Maxima. Once you practice, practice, you'll get few birdsnests, and it may well end up being your favorite reel.<br />Mine is on a graphite Lamiglass rod, and when drifting for steelhead, it's so sensitive, I can tell the color of the moss and the size of the rock it's growing on, just by feel...I can feel the fish opening it's mouth, 2 feet away...I can sense the number of sea lice on the fish's body...I can...well, you get the idea...