How To Cast A Bait caster

A form of casting in which the weight of the bait pulls the fishing line off of the spool subject to some control by thumb pressure Bait casting reel or revolving spool reel like the conventional reel is a multiplying reel that is to say that the line is stored on a bearing supported revolving spool that is geared so that a single revolution of the crank handle results in multiple revolutions of the spool. Early bait casting reels were often constructed with brass or iron gears with casings and spools made of brass German silver or hard rubber. Bait casting reel users soon discovered that the clicking noise of the pawls provided valuable warning that a fish had taken the live bait allowing the rod and reel to be left in a rod holder while awaiting a strike by a fish. To cast a bait casting rod and reel the reel is turned on its side the free spool feature engaged and the thumb placed on the spool to hold the lure in position. The cast is performed by snapping the rod backward to the 3 o'clock position then casting it forward in a smooth motion allowing the lure to pull the line from the reel. The thumb is used to contact the line, moderating the revolutions of the spool and braking the lure when it reaches the desired aiming point. Though modern centrifugal and magnetic braking systems help to control backlash using a bait casting reel still requires practice and a certain amount of finesse on the part of the fisherman for best results. Bait casters continue to get better and better. But the fact remains you can get a professional overrun backlash or birds nests on any cast if you don't have the brakes and spool tension adjusted exactly right for the conditions. The more advanced reels have tension control centrifugal brakes pinch brakes and magnetic brakes. And no matter what anyone says most good pros cast further because they don't use any of these precautionary adjustments. Instead they learn to control with their thumbs better than most with the brakes off and the tension knob loose.Most pros never let their thumb completely off the line as it spools on a cast. That's asking for trouble. It's also not something you will master in 12 casts. But by using the tape you can quickly pick out a short overrun and make another cast. It takes a lot of the frustration out of learning to cast a bait caster or mastering more difficult casts like shooting jigs under docks roll casts to precise targets.Make a short cast under control. Then try to do it again but 6 feet farther. At the end you should be slinging as hard as you can to get that additional 12 feet on your cast before it hits the tape.