Hello, recently I went to the boat show down here in Georgia and I bought a baitcasting reel. I added line lubrication and I allowed it to dry before I started practice casting. I have to pull on the line a little bit to cast it, but even still it doesn't travel far. It is not a magnetic system so is that why it is not casting smoothly/freely? I really need some help.

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE MORE INFO .  SUCH AS MAKE AND MODEL , IS IT LOW PROFILE OR ROUND , WHAT POUND TEST AND WHAT LINE ???

Back off the tension control  adjustment located on the handle side of reel until your lure freely drops to the ground. If the spool over runs some, tighten it up a little. Do this several times until the spool and lure stop about the same time without over running. Now see how it casts.  If that didn't correct the problem, there should be 3 to 4 small finger tightening (extended)  screws on the same side as handle (right) that when you unscrew these, the right side of the reel will come off (don't worry, it's suppose to come off and it won't fall apart). With that off, remove the spool and put a drop of any good reel oil on the bearings (both sides) where the spool shaft goes and replace and re-assemble the reel. Don't over tighten the finger screws. Repeat the first adjustments and hopefully you ready to go.
Always drink upstream from the herd ----- Hayward Lakes Area, Wi ----- Life member since March 1990 ---- NAHC Life member since December 1996 ----- Endowment Member NRA

Any luck there VW?
Jeremy a.k.a. Cletus U.S. Navy-Go Navy, Beat Army!!! NAFC LM, NAHC LM, NRA LM

If memory serves, you are relatively new to fishing. Did this reel have line on it when you bought it? If so, get rid of it and re-spool with new line. If you have not done this before, get someone who has done it a number of times to show you how. The tension on the line as it is spooled is VERY important. I have purchased many reels over the last 45 years and have yet to buy one that was properly spooled(used reels excepted) and my experience is that the line is usually junk. Tom
Fishin' fool in NE Illinois

When you adjust the tension hold your rod at a 45 degree angle  with lure attached. Now press the release button . The lure should fall at a smooth even speed. If not loose or tighten the tension knob. You have too do this EVERY time you switch lure weights. It should cast far a hell. If you don't do this it will backlash like a S.O.B.
"it doesn't matter if the horse is blind....Just load the cart anyway!!!" John Madden NFL Hall Of Fame) Fred Jefferson,MD (NAFC LM) (NAHC TLM)