Denny G. Loc: Located in Central Michigan

I just came across this video and found it to be quite interesting. This was not how I learned to use a bait caster and I wish it were. I learned the hard way with numerous, maybe too numerous, backlashes. Luckily frustration didn't get the better of me. I did survive. Here is the video.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/284993482660035942/

Don Fischer

That was interesting! When I learned to cast a level wind I had a direct drive Zebco. Still got it to! Boy was that a chore! First there was no thumb button of any kind. The reel handle turned one way when casting and the other when reeling in. Directions I got was to turn the reel in it's side, cast and feather the spool with my hand. Didn't think I'd ever get it. Still to this day I lay the reel over on its side and use my thumb to control backlash. DUH! I do adjust the spool as shown, well almost. When I drop a weight to the floor the spool comes close to stopping and I stop it with my thumb! I guess old habits die hard.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Very interesting Denny, thanks for sharing!

Shutupandfish Loc: Transplanted roots back to Wyoming

Thanks we grew up with amb 5000s, always taught not to trust the spool brake, back it all the way out and use your thumb. Occasional “Professional” overruns just part of using a baitcast. Might even have to check out the Shimano slx now.

Andy cacciatori Loc: Modesto cal.

Don
I still turn my wrist when I bait cast !! 🤪
Or a slight turn with my wrist. And if I get a bird nest I will wind the line 6 or 7 times around then push the free spoil button and pull the line out and a lot of the times you can get the birds nest untangled.!!
Good luck fishing
Andy Cacciatori Bassman

Andy cacciatori Loc: Modesto cal.

I still have my 5000
Use it for a trolling set up with lead line.
Works great 👍
Good fishing 🎣 and safe times on the water
Andy Cacciatori Bassman

jwald51 Loc: Texas Gulf Coast. near Freeport

That's a good video on how to set up your reel. But if your sight casting you still need your thumb. I think a combo of both will work great.

harleypiker Loc: WA

Yeh, it sure is hard to remember to put your thumb on the spool when the lure hits the water!
I've tried the video procedure a couple of times but it restricts casting distance too much.
It would be a very useful method when fishing in the dark when you cannot see your lure hit the water.

MuskyHunter Loc: Torrington, CT

There is nothing new about this system. It is what I see everyone teaching. If you want to do it this way, that's OK, but I would still recommend learning to use the thumb and eventually back off all the way on the brakes and set the spool tension for no side to side play. There are a few benefits to this:

1. Ultimate control of where the lure falls.

2. Casting with less effort (in the video it was easy to see that the author is exerting a lot more force than I typically do). In fact you can hear the spool tension slowing the line on every one of his casts.

3. You do not have to readjust the spool after each lure change. In my case that would be a lot of fiddling because I use a considerable range of lure sizes. The system proposed in the video is not a set it and forget it system.

4. Stopping the line before the lure hits the water is important for some types of lures. For example, if you have your spinnerbaits folding over or tangling on the line you can stop that by stopping the lure with your thumb the instant the lure hits the water. In other cases you may not want a weighted lure to sink. This requires a stop and a fast start to the retrieve.

In the end you need to do what makes your fishing time more enjoyable. Mastering my equipment is part of that for me!