Posts Tagged ‘Spool’

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3 ways to stop getting birds nests using a baitcasting reel

March 4th, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Low Profile Baitcasting Reels

birds nests on your baitcasting reel is no fun

When using a baitcasting reel, the main issue that newcomers have is casting – if you dont do it right, you might get some backlash which in turn will lead to birds nests in your line.

birds nests over-run

There is a lot to learn about casting and bird nests happen due to a problem in your cast. Usually, it is where there is too much  line coming off the spool. Quite simply, you want the spool to stop with the lure and you will learn this with experience.

There are a number of things you can do to prevent birds nests from happening;

1. Use your thumb to control the spool Learning how to control the spool is a big part of casting. You can practice casting in a field or other large area and dont need to be where there is water. You should start by making sure that the tension is set so that when the lure hits the ground, the spool turns no more than a quarter turn. Keep on casting to learn how to control your spool – use your thumb to stop it feeding the line by pressing down on rim once the lure has stopped.

2. Buy a reel to fit your hands, good thumb control is highly important so you should take some time to buy a good quality baitcasting reel. A higher price doesnt always mean better and ergonomics will play an important part in your decision. You can always look at upgrading once you have mastered this.

3. Make sure the rod tip follows the lure

After casting, you should keep the rod tip pointing in the trajectory that the lure is following; if you drop the tip before or when the lure hits the water then you might find that extra line is being spooled off, even though the lure has stopped. This can also cause bird nests. This can also happen if you move your wrist too much after you have cast.

Using a baitcasting reel is a fun and rewarding experience With a some practice, you can easily avoid the problem of birds nests when you cast. You shouldn’t let this put you off and these 3 tips should serve as a good starting point.

Say goodbye to Birds nests on your Shimano low profile baitcasting reel.

 


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Choosing the Right Fishing Reel

November 14th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Shimano Reels

How do you Choose the right Fishing Reel

The choices don’t ever seem to end when it comes to buying fishing reels. Walk into any retail store that caters to fishermen and prepare to be weighed down with nearly endless fishing reel displays. How does a novice choose what will suit their fishing needs between a variety of manufacturers, spinning reels, bait-casting reels, and numerous variations on reel designs?

The first consideration you will want to make is whether to go for a spinning reel or a bait casting reel.  They have different features and depending on your needs one may be better suited to you.  Bait casting reels are the ones that are generally selected for those who are bass anglers. This is because of the power they have and the option to hold a heavier line.  If you’re interested in using a lighter line, you should take a look at bait casting reels first. The best way to determine which one is best for you is to practice – as silly as this might sound you can do this in your own backyard.  This allows you to ensure that once you get out on the water fishing you won’t spend time fighting with knots that turn into bird’s nests and spool over-runs. Neither of them is conducive to good fishing.

If you plan to fish with lighter lines, smaller lures, and smaller baits, then a spinning reel is the best choice for you. These reels easily handle smaller diameter lines like 2–10 lb. test. They are very well liked among trout fisherman and walleye anglers for this reason. Bass anglers are beginning to make use of spinning equipment more frequently; particularly with the increased attractiveness of finesse methods such as drop shotting.

Saltwater fishermen demand lines that will enable them to catch larger fish. Line diameter is almost always larger for this type of fish. Bait casting reels are the most commonly used for saltwater and are often called by the name “conventional reel”.  Advancements over the years have resulted in reels that are suitable for bottom fishing or trolling.  This negates any need to cast the bait or lures to distances.  The bait casting reel offers superior cranking power and enables you to secure that larger fish.

Many fishing reel manufacturers will produce a specific reel model in numerous sizes to hold diverse rods and lines. Spinning reels are typically sized numerically, beginning with 1000 and going up to 6000. The size of the fishing reel increases accordingly, with 1000 being the smallest and 6000 being the biggest. A smaller fishing reel will have a smaller spool, so it makes sense that you would have to use smaller line diameter. Many reels will have line rating suggestions on the label, and will tell you how much line the spool will hold.

 

Bait-casting reels for freshwater and light saltwater are typically numbered with a three-number sequence such as 100, 200, and so on. Higher numbers are frequently used, but the common naming rule is usually a three-digit number. Conventional reels appear to use a two-digit number like 30, 40 and 50 customarily. The same idea that increasing the number increases the size is still relevant. The fishing reel or reel box should be clearly marked with line rating and line diameter suggestions.

You might find the task of obtaining the right fishing reel a bit overwhelming at first, but remember it is like anything else you do – the right tool for the right job. After all, you wouldn’t use a 5-wood to do a pitching wedge’s job if you were golfing right?

There are a large number of fishing reels on the market, some of the most popular areDaiwa Fishing Reels and Shimano Spinning Reels.

Choosing the Right Fishing Reel comes with Experience


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Baitcasting Basics

November 10th, 2010 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Fishing Techniques

Learning Baitcasting Basics are Essential

Baitcasting Basics

Baitcasting Basics: Birds Nest

Fishermen who prefer to use lures larger than 1/4 ounce to 3/8 of an ounce often discover that bait casting reels are their best asset. On the other hand, those who tend to target trout, often use a very light line which bait cast reels do not handle well. One of the issues with bait casting reels is the backlash and the ability to create a birds nest out of your line. There are however some simple things that you can do to overcome this problem.

Bait casting reels use a revolving spool. When you cast a lure, the reel moves forward and the line feeds out until it hits the water. Typically lower weight and force are the final determinants in how fast your spool spins. What inevitably winds up happening, is the spool continues to spin after the weight  is in the water. The end result is that too much line is sent out to quickly. The bigger issue is this line does not have any tension from the  weight and it tends to bunch up around the spool which creates the bird nests. Here are some simple Baitcasting Basics to correct this issue:

Baitcasting Basics 1

Reel Quality – It is important to remember that quality does matter when you are purchasing a reel.  High quality reels typically sell in the $75 dollar and up range.  These reels can help you be more productive and enjoy bait casting.

Baitcasting Basics 2

Quality Line – The best line for bait-casting is 12 to 17 pound monofilament. This line is far more effective than its lighter counterparts. The heavier the line, the better the performance. Lighter lines are better suited to spinning reels.
Once you have prepared your reel you will need to test its effectiveness. First, tie your lure on, and raise the rod so that the tip is placed at where 10 o’clock would be.  Now, test your spool by releasing the line and dropping your lure. Once it hits the surface (acting as it would as it struck water), it should stop turning. If it does not, you need to make adjustments. This can be done by:
- Adjusting the spool brake – this is typically found on the right hand side of your reel. It’s generally a small knob on the side of the plate.  Turn it until the tension is tightened and try casting again. Repeat as needed until there is no motion after it strikes the surface.

Baitcasting Basics 3

Test Cast – When testing your cast, use an over-head technique. Do not put too much power behind it, and if you find that you are falling short of the ideal distance, loosen the brake knob slightly and try again.  Feathering your spool may also help resolve the issue.  You can stop the spool fully by using your thumb on the spool. Use properly weighted lures – use lures (or a combination of lures and sinkers) of at least ½ ounce in weight.  They will make practice much easier.

Baitcasting Basics 4

Reel Model variations – Verify if your reel has a secondary braking system.  Some systems use a magnetic cast control brake which utilizes a series of magnets to slow down the speed of the reel. Other systems are centrifugal brakes and they work with a series of pins that may need adjustments. They can be used to fine tune how the reel works.

Don’t give up – As with any other new endeavor, practice makes perfect. Stick with it and practice different presentations, different weights and practice different techniques. Learning the proper use of a bait-casting reel will be rewarding once you get the hang of it.

With Baitcasting Basics and proper practice, you’ll soon be handling a bait-caster like a pro.

When you are out saltwater fishing it is important to make sure you have the right supplies. Some of the most popular brands include Shimano Reels, Penn Saltwater Reels, and Daiwa Saltwater Reels.

I hope these Baitcasting Basics help to Improve your Fishing.


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