How Do You Adjust A Baitcasting Reel For Beginners?

What is the dial on the side of a baitcaster?

The tension knob is the small dial on the side plate, usually on the same side as the handle and drag star. Getting this adjusted the right way is the first step to setting up a baitcasting reel for smooth casting.

How do you adjust the tension on a baitcaster?

Any time you tie a new lure on, you should adjust the tension. Hold your rod out at about 10 o’clock and loosen the tensioner until your lure drops slowly to the ground, then move back just a click. It should take just an easy, soft shake to get the lure to drop from the tip of your rod.

How do you balance a baitcaster?

If you have a spincast or baitcast set-up, try to balance it horizontally on your index finger. Place your finger along the underside of the rod, just in front of the reel. If the tip edges downward, the rod is too heavy for the reel. If the handle tips downward, choose a lighter reel to achieve optimum balance.

What do the magnets do on a baitcaster?

These are the magnetic brakes. The Magnetic brakes work on the principal that the closer the brakes are to the spool, the faster the spool will slow down within the cast and by default, the further the magnets are from the spool the freer the spool is to spin.

What are the buttons on a baitcaster?

The baitcasting reel has a button either on the top right-hand side of the reel or a “thumb” button behind and center of the spool that you push with your thumb to release the line. 1. Grasp the rod’s pistol grip or handle with one hand. Push the reel’s thumb button down and move your thumb on the spool.

What do all the knobs do on a baitcaster?

Like reel brakes, cast control knobs are also essential in helping maintain a smooth cast with no backlash. Used to adjust the line speed coming off the spool, cast control knob designs depend on the manufacturer but can vary from one single knob to several.

What should I set my drag at?

For best results, the drag setting should be able at the point where the line holds a third to half of its weight before moving (e.g., a 20-pound line should not move until the hook holds seven to ten pounds).

How much drag is enough?

Most anglers don’t ever need to go above 25 to 30 pounds of drag, says Rice. “The goal is to tire the fish out,” he adds. “When you get into the higher drags, I’ve seen grown men who didn’t have the right technique in a harness become exhausted quickly.”

How far should the weight be from the hook?

Depending on the depth, the distance from the hook to the weight needs to be adjusted. For shallower water, it is recommended to place your hook three to six inches above the weight. For deeper water, the hook can be adjusted to nine inches from the weight to no more than a foot and a half because of the leverage.

Why can’t I cast my baitcaster very far?

Spool Tensioner is too tight (cast control knob) Magnetic Break System set too high (dial on the “palm” side plate. Spool Break Collars set too heavy (internal brake system on the “palm-side” of the spool) Seize pinion/bearing (or bushings) (on both sides of the side plates.

What do brakes on a baitcaster do?

The braking system on a baitcasting reel is designed to regulate the spool’s rotation during your cast, similar to how the brakes in your car work against your tires.As anglers become more comfortable with their equipment, they can let up on the brakes and begin to experiment with longer casts.

Why do bass pros use Baitcasters?

For using “power techniques”, working with heavier lures like crankbaits and ½ oz. spinnerbaits, or fishing in heavy weeds where you need strong line, Nels recommends baitcasters because they have more torque and handle heavy line better.

What is digital braking on a baitcaster?

Digital Control or DC braking system automatically controls the brake force at every moment of the cast with an on-board micro-computer constantly measuring the spool’s rotation speed and applying the right amount of brake force to control spool rotation preventing backlash.

What does a flipping switch do on a baitcaster?

In a regular baitcast reel, the thumb bar stays depressed and you have to turn the handle to engage the reel. With a flipping switch engaged, the thumb bar pops back up when you release your thumb, making it easy to engage the reel without using both hands.