Baitcaster Birdsnests

[fishin magician16]

I got my first baitcaster for christmas last year and it hasn't worked out well for me. I know how to use them and thumb them properly but whenever I cast a lure out the line tangles before the lure even hits the water. I've played around with the drag and nothing seems to work. I've had 3 different spools of line on it too (braid and fluorocarbon). It's costed me a lot of money already and i don't know what to do. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[fishin magician16]

By the way it's a Lews mach speed spool mcs

 

[ThereAreFishInThere]

It has nothing to do with your drag. If it was over spinning at the end of your cast after the lure has hit the water I would tell you to tighten your spool tension knob (located under the star drag). The tension knob should be adjusted so your bait falls slowly to the ground without causing a birdsnest when pressing the spool release.

Since you said the spool is overturning right away on the cast, I would suggest you tighten down your brakes (located opposite side of reel handle). Tighten them down fully to start, try casting, your lure wont travel very far but this should alleviate your birds nest problem. Slowly loosen your brakes a little at a time as you get used to casting and controlling your line.

Also don't cast it like a spinning rod, don't use as much "whip". Try throwing side arm to start.

I'm no expert as I just recently started using a baitcaster as well. Just type in youtube or google "how to cast a baitcaster". There are literally thousands of videos which will explain in great detail much better than I ever can.

 

[TheTallFisherman]

ThereAreFishInThere is correct, most reels come with 2 "braking" systems.

The first one is a more "no touch" break with fingers. (Listed as Parts 91-93 in this diagram)

https://www.lews.com/images/manuals/casting/Mach1.pdf

Second brake is a "lure based" knob that puts tension on your spool (Part No 57)

Because will the knob as if it is too loose, it will fall off your reel!!!

Ideally, you want the "fingers" brake to be about half (as its not very accessible, its based off of your skill and what your primary uses for the reel are, I think the manual has a recommended setting of half- Should be 2 points up and 2 points down, some reels have more points but try and keep the points spaced evenly)

When using baitcasters its also important or a good idea to "oversize" your braid. I generally run a 50lb braid which has the equivalent of 12lb in mono.

The reason for the heavier braid is;

1) stiffer line is less likely to respool and cause birdsnests
2) When you do have a birdnest its much easier to see the "knot" and to untie
3) Extra power for controlling big fish! (from weeds or any kinds of structure)

 

[bigugly]

I tried a bait caster for years, every year I'd pull it out and give it my best shot but eventually I decided it wasn't worth the frustration. Fishing has been fun, stress free, tangle free de stressing affair ever since.. Hope you get a hang of it, both my sons picked up on it real quick but not this guy. I found the learning curve with a pin was way easier and some say it's harder. Baitcasters do make great ice fishing reels....lol

 

[TheTallFisherman]

@bigugly, Everything comes down to practice and patience! If your willing to learn, and learn properly, its easy! When you have established bad habbits, it only frustrates you and makes you give up! ...like me and fly fishing! But I am still trying to learn.

 

[Trev]

Like was said, your spool is over-running. I think it's a set of magnets that need to be adjusted to prevent that. Once a baitcaster is set up properly, they are much easier to learn and fish with. Good luck.

 

[IR4Jflyfishing]

So everyone has brought up some good points here, but jeust for clarification sake.

The spool tension knob will be on the handle side of the reel. By your explanation of the spool overrunning before the bait touches the water this will be the knob you need to adjust. righty tighty lefty loosey. How I set up my reels is by holding the rod at a 45ish degree angle with the bait and the tip of my rod, I crank that tension knob as tight as it will go and release the bail (push the button)... Youll want to slowly loosen the knob until you bait starts falling at a steady pace, this is a good starting point and as you get more expierenced you will be able to loosen this off even more.

The braking system, which is on the side plate with no handle is to be adjusted for baits that are slowing down (casting into wind, the end of long casts etc). Magnetic systems tend to be less adjustable then a centrifugal system, somewhere in the middle of the dial range should be fine.


Hope this helps

 

[Lucid]

use 40-60# braid to learn its way easier to pick the backlashes than with fluoro

 

[fishin magician16]

Thank you so much everyone! My baitcaster is working great now! I was just at my cottage and caught some nice smallies with it! Thanks!

 

[TheTallFisherman]

Glad we can help!