Better Bait Casting Reel?

davids8477

While fishing the other day I met a fellow who was casting very long distances fairly effortlessly using his bait cased setup.

Now I can do a pretty good job, but not like him.

On talking to him he showed me his reel and is was a salt water reel (not a large on - probably 4 inch diameter or so), not one of the low profile reels like I have, and he told me that the larger diameter of the spool allowed him to cast further and with very few birds nests - and he had compared this to a low profile reel that he also has.

My question is, is this something that others agree with and if so can you provide me with a good/better/best recommendation for such a reel.

Thanks

David

LargeMouthBassAngler

spinning reels outcast any baitcaster reels

0119

Bigger spool=more weight. After the cast is started it will use that weight to a point an it'll help cast farther. But that idea goes away if you use lighter lures and more speed and umph is needed to propel it. Its simply all in the thumb no matter what baitcaster you use. The more educated your thumb becomes the less spool tension you need to place on the reel, the further it'll cast. Theres much more advantages to a casting reel than distance LargeMouthBassAngler.

davids8477

I understand your points, but this guy was casting a surface frog, probably no more than 3/8oz.

Anyone have other input?

capt louie

Throwing a 3/8 compact frog isn't hard. Anything lighter and it gets tough managing distance and birdnests.
Line weight and rod are BIG factors. If distance is a priority think about this. You get a bite at the end of a long cast on mono and getting a good hookset is almost impossible. Line stretch and rod bend make it tough to get the hook through the frog and into a fish's jaw.

Braid is a remedy but has it's drawbacks also. I only throw frogs on braid and using 30# (most use 50# or better) I can toss it pretty darn far on a low profile reel. I use an old Browning citori on a 7'6 heavy rod.

Those long casts are great for covering water but accuracy is often more important. Kind of a catch 22 deal.
As said the thumb has a lot to do with it.

JesseJames

LargeMouthBassAngler wrote: »

spinning reels outcast any baitcaster reels

Care to guess if the current longest cast on record was made with a spinning reel or baitcaster? I'll give you a hint...it's not a spinning reel. Due to the nature of the design a baitcaster will always outdistance a similar spinning reel...in the hands of a skilled user. Always.


- James

davids8477

Well I went out to practice my casting my bait caster yesterday with a 3/8 frog. Must say that with practice I was getting some very satisfactory casts. Found that you have to concentrate more than with a spinning reel, less forgiving.

And as a bonus I caught a reasonable bass!

I'll keep practicing.

One additional question. Most of my lures are in the range of 1/4 to 5/8 oz. my rod is rated at 3/8 to 1 oz. so I'm using it towards the lower end of its range. Would I be better of getting a rod with a lighter lure range?

capt louie

You need backbone to set the hook with a frog. It sounds like you have the right set up.
A faster tip helps with the lighter baits but that's another story in it's own.

I use baitcasting for 3/8 and up and spinning for any thing lighter. For instance , I like throwing a f-13 rapala that weighs
1/4 oz. and weightless trick worms. Spinning with 20# braid gives me distance and power.

In yesterdays tournament the big bass was 8lb 11 oz and was caught on a Rapala on spinning gear.

BTW , nice fish !

davids8477

Thanks Capt. Louie, great input. Care to expand on your comment ion faster tips?

Really trying to learn the finer points of our sport.

capt louie

Found this with a Google search to explain.

The action refers to how much a rod bends when you're casting or have a fish at the end of the line. An extra fast action rod bends just at the tip. A fast action bends in the last quarter of the rod. A moderate-fast action rod bends over the last third. A moderate action rod bends over the last half. A slow action rod bends all the way into the handle. Fast action rods put more force into your throw and give you longer casts. Softer action rods are more forgiving and have less tendency to throw live bait from your hook.

From this http://fishing.about.com/od/rodsandreels/a/fishing_rod.htm

Explains it better than I could :cool:

davids8477

Thanks Capt. Louie

Perfect I get it thanks.

davids8477

Thanks again Capt Louie.

I've just "invested" in a new baitcaster and reel - Loomis GL2 MHF and Abu Revo Stx. Cannt wait to try them out!

capt louie

davids8477 wrote: »

Thanks again Capt Louie.

I've just "invested" in a new baitcaster and reel - Loomis GL2 MHF and Abu Revo Stx. Cannt wait to try them out!

Sweet rig !! Investment is right.

davids8477

I hope I can do it justice!!!

roachbuster

The walmart blue pfluegers are to me the best cheaper bait casters

davids8477

Well I christened the new rad and reel today on the bank of a canal in the Everglades.

Landed 16 small to medium bass and my first Tilapia - guessing just north of 4 pounds. Well pleased!

joemade

The handle should be on the left lol
Lets see you baitcaster guys skip your baits 10 to 15 feet under docks

joemade

Like the one gentleman said tip speed has nothing to do with backbone

davids8477

I must say this rod reel combination is a dream once I got it adjusted.

Casts wonderfully and the sensitivity of the rod is great, I can feel every little bump on the bottom of the lake and all the nibbles on the lure.

Well pleased.

capt louie

Way to break it in Dave.

TreyC_AU

can skip a jig all the way to the back of a dock no problem. Just takes practice