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