Ave Loc: Okaloosa County FL

Spot on

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Cam I have my spinning rods just for that purpose. Alot of places I once fished had docks. I never got good enough with a bc to skip a senko under a dock 🤣. I think biggest problem with casting lighter weights is line weight. Even with a spinning reel cast a lite lure is difficult if rod n line weights aren't right. Heavy rod n a reel with 20lb test won't work so well. They both have their place if set up right 👍🎣

DonM Loc: Douglasville, GA

YouTube is your friend when it comes to learning the bait caster. Take some time in your backyard and practice. Place different weights on your line when casting so you can adjust your control. I found using Braid as my main line and a fluorocarbon leader has reduced my backlashing issues.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

I agree totally. For me, it's Spiderman or nothing. "Your nothing if your not cool"

Attached file:
(Download)

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

A big Thanks to all you "baitcaster purists" and promoters.

The entertainment I get from reading the never ending "train your thumb" and "buy the tiniest crochet hook you can find" tips, is just a hilarious way to start my day.
The pics of a nasty bird's nest on a (probably) expensive reel are as fulfilling to me, as any 'pat on the back', or "way to go" uttered by a fellow fisherman..... BECAUSE I HAVE NOT HAD TO TAKE THE TIME TO UNTANGLE OR CUT THAT MESS OFF OF ANY IF MY EQUIPMENT for about 61 years, now !
At age 8, I was given a Zebco 202 for my birthday by my Uncle Weldon, who had seen me struggling with the level-wind and bird's nests of that old black nylon line we used back then. With a Zebco 202, you push the button and hold until the perfect release angle to your target.... easy-peasy, no wasted time, no frustration..... just casting away....FISHING.... NOT FUMBLING WITH CRAP !!

By age 12 I had a fly rod for trout and occasionally panfish, a spinning rod for bass and crappie, and a couple of Zebcos (got a #33 for my tenth birthday.... same Uncle !) that I pretty much relegated for catfish.

With the exception of the period of time (about 6 months, maybe) about 15 years ago, when I got coerced by a friend, whose salmon/steelhead skills I admired, into buying a rather expensive level-wind
(NOTE: I absolutely hate the term "baitcaster".....hell, I've thrown far more "bait" with my spinning and spincast gear than most folks do in a whole lifetime)
setup (Abu Garcia) and proceeded to try to adjust all the knobs, "dangle/drop the lure for a setting", "train my thumb" etc., etc., etc........ well... that's time wasted on a totally unnecessary 'skill'.....if "IT" ain't broken, why try to fix it ?
Mono, braid, flouro....matters not....they all bird's nest.
And I have zero problem putting my lure or bait where I want, pulling in big fish on drag, trolling, still-fishing, what have you, with a spinning reel, thank you very much.

And for you out there who claim "superior casting accuracy" with a "baitcaster" over a spinning reel, I invite you to Southern Oregon to engage in a gentleman's contest for both accuracy and/or distance. Regardless of the outcome, dinner at a fine restaurant is on me..... same offer that I made (and pissed off with !.. hehehe) Catfish Hunter 2+years ago. He weaseled on the offer...it still stands for any of you out there.

But please.... continue to purchase and extoll the virtues of your chosen fishing weapon..... the world needs more laughter !

Tennessee Boy in AL Loc: Central Alabama

Hey guys! Thanks for all the advice. Some things I knew about some I had never thought of. I’ll let you know how I do next time I’m on the water. Merry Christmas everyone.

SALMON ADDICT Loc: Snohomish county Washington

No,the Cools guys use the Spiderman rod set up with the Zebco 202 reel.

woodguru Loc: El Dorado Ca

My wife got in the way of where I was casting and we watched an $800 Shimano Stella (Japan version) reel and a nice pole go to the bottom of a lake that was 180ft deep right there...

I was going to say nothing... but when she asked "well?", I asked back "well what?"

She said she was waiting for why that was her fault

I thought about it long and hard and started laughing, she asked what was so funny, and I said that I wasn't going to say a thing, but since she asked I'd go ahead and tell her.

We both laughed the whole way back, partially because I had mounted an electric trolling motor to the center of a guide pontoon boat, and we spun our way back in little circles, but that is another story.

Steelhead Mickey Loc: NJ

Andy B Loc: East Springfield PA

Maybe check out some of Roland Martins bait casting vids. I switched to a bait caster and use them like a winch to try to pull bass out of heavy pads . Match the right rod for what types of baits you throw that adds a lot of success to the bait casters effectiveness. For me I only use braid floor and mono just don't seem to behave as well. And getting a bird nest every now and then means your doing a lot of casting which might translate to more fish in the boat. I do my practice on the water can't seem to catch em in the grass. Anyway good luck it comes quite easy if you only take a bait caster with you and can't switch it out all day long. I'm not a pro but love using mine and "Rippn'Lips". Just sayn'🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🇺🇲🇺🇲

Rhenryiii Loc: Alabaster Alabama

This tape method helped me a lot. I could never cast a baitcaster. This helped me gain confidence. When I bird nested, easy to pick out of 20-30 yards versus a spool of 160 yards plus.
Also, I use cheap mono as backing then appropriate braid then a leader of fluorocarbon.

I am no expert but can say this got me over the hump. Overhand casting is still a challenge for me working on it.
The newer reels are much better for beginners than my old Ambassador 5000c.
I now own 9 baitcaster setups along with a few spinning reels. Never would have thought the need for different reel/rod setups until I got into fishing again.

Good luck!
https://youtu.be/ljSNl0jSNhg