Hey all.  I am  a newbie to baitcasting.  I went out and bought a nice Abu and some line (Berkly Fireline 10lb).  So, being totally new to baitcasting, I got home and, I thought I put the line on the reel the correct way, but it appears now that I may not have.  Everytime I practice casting out in the yard, I get a birdnest every time.  I tried adjusting stuff on the reel, but again, I'm new to baitcasting, so I'm not sure what I'm doing.  So, I looked at the line, and it looks like it may be on kind of loose.  Is there some kind of trick to putting line on a baitcasting reel? Should it be on REALLY tight to the spool? Is this why I am getting birdnests?  I hear that using a baitcasting reel takes practice, but I guess I really dont know where to start, seeing I only got as far as putting line on and that doesn't appear to have gone too well.  Thanks
Natashia NAFC Life Member....... Fishing Queen

http://www.takemefishing.org/fishing/overview

http://ezinearticles.com/?Baitcasti...;id=118376

http://ezinearticles.com/?Baitcasting-Reels---Definitely-Worth-Learning,-Pt.-2&id=118377

http://ezinearticles.com/?Baitcasting-Reels---Definitely-Worth-Learning,-Part-3&id=118379

   Natashia,

   Those last three links are Ezines about learning Baitcasting. I am a beginner with them myself. I loaded mine with 20 LB mono, the large diamater cheap stuff and put a 1/2 oz bell sinker on it. I then tightened the nob by the crank so that the sinker would not move when the button was depressed. Then I loosened the nob till the sinker fell to the ground but the spool would stop spinning when it hit. I then practiced sidearm 10 foot casts. Keep your thumb on the spool. Your thumb is your primary brake. Just practice casting short distances and slowly. YOU WILL GET BIRDSNESTS. Just keep practicing. It took me a week of practice till I could fish with a baitcaster. The reason for the heavy line is to make it easier to undo the birdsnest. Make sure you remove all the nest and wind the line back on tight using your fingers to keep it taunt.

   Good Luck!

 

Jim USArmy 1986-Present Life Member NAFC Member Western Fishers "There is no use in your walking five miles to fish when you can depend on being just as unsuccessful near home" -- Mark Twain

Hello again, Natashia.

 

Fish-a-holic's given you some good advice.  There is one point I disagree with, however, on the links he sighted.  In the second link, the author states that you should dial the magnetics to "10" before adjusting the centrifugal brake.  This is a mistake.  The magnetics should be set at "0" to adjust the other control (the one by the reel handle).  Then when that one's adjusted for the weight of the lure, set the magnetics to about "7" or 2/3rds of the way.

 

I know one of my mistakes when I was learning to baitcast was snapping the rod at the end of the cast, like you should do with spincasting & spinning equipment.  Well, you should NOT do this with baitcasters.  The forward casting stroke of a cast with these reels should be smooth, & you should stop the rod smoothly... gently.  When I started out, I was snapping that bad boy like it was my Zebco, & I had backlashes that boggle the mind because of it.  So, "easy does it" with that forward stroke.  And, like Fish-a-holic wisely suggests, use heavier line to practice with, and practice-practice-practice.  Go to an unused baseball/football field (after asking permission, of course), an empty beach, or even your own back yard, adjust the reel, put on the 1/2 oz. weight Fish-a-holic suggests, & go to it.

 

One thing I agree with the author of the links on is turning the rod & reel so the reel handle points up.  There are two reasons for this:  (1) with the rod tilted in such a way, the guides (& the line) will be on the side of the rod blank, & the line won't slap against the rod blank & cause friction between the rod & the line; and (2) if you cast with the reel straight up, you'll be tempted to push through the cast with the thumb, & you don't want this.  By turning the rod & reel to the side, you'll be pushing through the cast with the palm of your hand, & the thumb can do its real job then, which is control the rotations of the spool.

 

There are several threads in the Forums, here, that give advice on baitcasting, & I encourage you to check those out as well.  Lots of good advice in those.  Any more troubles, let us know.

If I'm not fishing, I'm thinking about it. Keep the line fresh, the hooks sharp, and have fun fishing. God bless you. -Sonny, Life Member since 2002

The advice above is good. I would add a couple of tips.

1. Forget about distance at first. Pratice for accuracy and get the steps down first, distance will come later.

2. As already stated the biggest problem I had was letting the rod do the work. Don't try to sling hard. Also note the weight rating for the rod. Some big rods just will not throw small weight lures.  The weight suggeted above is a good start if you are using the average fast action 6"6' rod. Check for what you rod is setup for (usually printed on the rod) and pratice with the higher end in wieghts and work back down to lower weights.

3. Roll out as much line as you think you will be casing plus a bit and put tape on what is remaining on the reel while particing. Less to untangle when you do backlash.

4. A good one for working with getting the feel of the reel is to adjust the reel so the weight just falls a bit and stop it with you thumb right before it hits the floor.  Reel up a repeat. Nice thing about this is you can do it in front of the TV/Computer etc... Helps train you thumb a bit.

I started last year with it and have it down pretty good now, but don't get discouraged even the pro's backlash from time to time.

SGT Christopher Johnson US Army Presidential Salute Battery NAFC Life Member

   Chris does that mean I have to give up the old Zebco rod that I have mine attached to?

 

Jim USArmy 1986-Present Life Member NAFC Member Western Fishers "There is no use in your walking five miles to fish when you can depend on being just as unsuccessful near home" -- Mark Twain

you don't have to give up the rod, just add a balance kit to it......i'll put up some pics of a few kits i have later today

SGT Christopher Johnson US Army Presidential Salute Battery NAFC Life Member

Damn boys and girls this stuff should be in a book written by members !! Natashia, don't get discouragd ! Practice ......  Now my 1&1/2 cents worth . First, when you reel in your line, hold it between your fingers to tighten it as you bring it in. Is the fireline mono or braid ? Never did have much luck with braided line on baitcasters. Deal with mono for learning to cast . Practice with heavier lures at first, less rats nests. If there is a magnetic brake, as mentioned before, 1/2 to 2/3 to the positive side. Use your thumb a lot for everything as the guys said. To me the most important part is the initial adjustment. Try this and it should be done each time you tie on a different lure.  Tighten the spool tensioner, the knob by the reel handle, hold the reel level to the ground in front of you, keep your thumb on the spool and push the button, release your thumb, the lure should not fall, now, in small increments loosen the spool tensioner until the lure falls SLOWLY to the ground.(keep your thumb ready) you should be ready to start casting. When I first started learning I used heavier lures and kept a little more tension on the spool. Thats where the magnetic brake is great for final , minute adjustments.Let the rod do the work. Good luck and be patient.  Joseph

NAFC Life member since 1994, member NRA/ILA ,FMCA, NAFF,Veteran (73-89) extreme survivalist and Redneck. Toothpaste does not make the smell go away !!!

I assume the Abu is a Ambassator 6500 or 6501, great reel. It will give you years of dependable service, and is not over priced like the upper and top end Shimono reels. I have many good Shimano's but you get more value out of Pfluger Abu of Penn. So I say VERY good choice.

Most of the responces are correct. A couple other key point that need to be mentioned tho.

1 "Fire Line" is a braid and there for need a mono backing (braid has less friction than mono and wont grip the spool). This is easy start your spool with about 10-20 wraps of mono tie a uni knot then add your braid. This keep the line from slipping on the spool when you catch something big.

2 When you cast and use your thumb use only the tip of your thumb it you use the flat it will push any slack it to your spool, creating a backlash.

3 The easiest way to set the centrifical brake I found is to tighten it so you can barly cast it then loosen it slowly, untill it just starts to backlash when you cast. Then loosen it a little most and start to apply LIGHT pressure tith you thumb tip. You should have light pressure through most of the cast then a little more at the end.

4 Some times if you have too much slack in the spool try using the very corner of you thumb against the spool and off the line. When you cast with slack in your spool with you thumb on the spool the slack will stay behind your thumb and you push the slack back into the spool. This is why you have to stip off 20-30 feet of line when you only casted 40 feet.

Thanks for all the replies, it is very helpful.  I have tried mostly every suggestion on here, and, though frustrating, I think I am slowly starting to figure it out.  It will take me a while, but, the advice from everyone here takes a lot of time and thrown rods out of the equation.  Thanks again everyone!
Natashia NAFC Life Member....... Fishing Queen

I also would like to thank everyone. I bought a baitcaster and I'm having a awful time with birdnesting. I was trying to cast it like a spinning reel and that made a mess after mess. My reel has holes in the reel so tying braided line thru the holes mean I don't have to put backing on correct?

Hi Natasha, I was in your, very frustrating position, just weeks ago. My biggest piece of advise is practice more casting into water then in your yard. There is more forgiveness at end of your cast. Always use heavier baits and work your way down. And MY BIGGEST suggestion is go to You Tube.com and type in baitcasting and you eyes will be open to a new world. Good luck on your venture.

The holes in the reel spool are just to reduce weight. You don't have to use backing with braided line, it just save $$$ as braided line is more expensive.  Tie the line around the reel just as if it didn't have any holes in the reel spool.

I gotta try to the youtube tip. Never thought of that! I'll bet there is a lot of intersting casting tecniques on there. 

THE BEST BAITCASTER ADVICE!!! got your attention, good.

I put just started with them a few yrs ago and now thats all I really use, 90%. I went through the same head aches and then decided to do some research. This is the best tip I have ever found and EVERYONE should know this when trying to learn a baitcaster. Its simple and effective.

#1 TIP- Tape.  Thats it. its so simple but works so well. Either cast or hand pull out as much line as you will cast out. Then cut a peice of black electrical tape and place it over the spool. I use electrical tape because it can be moved if needed easily. What this achieves is blocking your birds nest from getting to deep. When it does tangle, and it will alot when your learning, its very easy to get out. It doesn't effect your casting and will protect you from going crazy while your getting the "Feel."

#2 Proper Adjustment- If you have a centrafuegal break system set all the pins outward. As you progress and get better move 2 in at a time and practice more. Eventually you will find the setting that works best for you.

 

#3 Set your break-  Its amazing to me how many people I fish with that dont know how to do this or dont do it. Hold your pole parallel to the deck and hit your release. When your lure hits the floor your line should not spin. if it does tighten the break by the handle. The other way it hold your tip up, have your break tight, and slowly back it off. Once your lure starts to drop stop. This should be done for each lure you use, it ony takes a second but will help prevent many many headaches.

 

Good luck, and nice pic. ; )

 

just keep practicing loosen spool tension till the bait just falls don't force the cast flick your wrist start off with the brake turned up if its a dial push out at least 4 stops if the brake is inside spend as much as you can afford on a reel

good luck

try side arm casting it help me alot .adjust the dope of the lure speed help to

old the troutchaser george

troutchaser2