| I cut my teeth on a spincast reel. The spincast | | | | This is because of what makes the reel so great; |
| reel is closed face, resulting in trouble free casting. | | | | virtually nothing stopping the line from coming off |
| They are so trouble free, in fact, that I've often | | | | of the reel. The down side is, when it comes off, |
| wondered why anyone would use anything else. | | | | it comes off like nobody's business. |
| Then I got my first baitcasting reel. | | | | The secret, or rather one of the many secrets, is |
| I did not do this not knowing the consequences. I | | | | thumb control. You control the output of the line |
| knew they were difficult to master, but I had a | | | | with your thumb. Don't worry, if you are |
| hunch they were worth learning. After all, how | | | | determined to use this fine piece of equipment, |
| many pros do you see using closed face reels? | | | | you will eventually get a feel for it. That is, |
| The great thing about a baitcasting reel is the | | | | providing you don't throw it in the garbage first. |
| ability to cast a country mile. Additionally, when | | | | In fact, if you are used to using another reel, |
| you get that heavy weight fish on the line, this | | | | don't go fishing without it until you have the |
| reel gives you plenty of confidence to 'play' the | | | | baitcaster mastered. Take it even when you do |
| fish. No need to muscle it in, just set the drag so | | | | have it mastered because even the pros |
| that the fish can pull some line out when it runs, | | | | backlash, and if it happens when the shad are |
| and you will have the time of your life... | | | | jumping and the bass are swirling, well, again, your |
| I knew that the quality of the rod was an | | | | new baitcasting reel will probably end up in the |
| important factor in 'feeling' the fish and the terrain, | | | | garbage. Or the lake. Broken. Into pieces. Very |
| but I never imagined that a reel could be just as | | | | small pieces. And on fire. And still in a bird's nest. |
| sensitive and just as important in feeling what's | | | | An eternal bird's nest. Just remember, I warned |
| going on in the invisible underworld of the prey. | | | | you. Which brings up another thought, don't |
| Even more so, when you get the fish on, you can | | | | mortgage the house to buy your first baitcasting |
| feel its every play. I guess one reason why I | | | | reel. |
| notice this, and why I like the baitcasting reel so | | | | One more thing, you may not want to use a |
| much, is because I like to cup my hand over the | | | | baitcasting reel when casting into heavy wind. It |
| reel and even dangle my finger on the outgoing | | | | will backlash for even the most experienced |
| line a bit to feel what's going on. | | | | angler. There are brakes and other features to |
| There is more than one type of baitcasting reel; | | | | help alleviate this, but I would recommend a |
| round and flat. The one I am going to discuss is | | | | spinning reel in these conditions (or closed face). |
| flat. I'm sure you can apply any of these tips to | | | | Baitcasting reels are good for most, if not all, |
| the round one. I'm not prejudice against round, | | | | types of fishing. I use mine with crankbaits, |
| but like I said, I like to cup the reel so that I can | | | | spinners, plastics, top waters, or whatever. I use |
| feel every detail. | | | | it for bass and I love it for catfish because it is so |
| The problem with baitcasting reels is backlash, or, | | | | strong. |
| bird's nest. This is a nightmare when you are first | | | | I say, it is the ultimate reel and worth learning |
| learning to use a baitcasting reel. I repeat, it's a | | | | how to use. For more information and tips on |
| nightmare. It can easily resemble Phyllis Diller's | | | | how to use this wonderful reel, see Baitcasting |
| hair-do. | | | | Reels - Worth Learning, Pt. |