First Time Baitcaster Instructions

Ideally the best way to learn is to find someone who can use a baitcaster well and get them to show you how its done.

Failing that try this. Make sure that all brakes are ‘on’ (the usual factory setting) then with a lure clipped onto your trace, hold your rod outwards at about 30 degrees up from horizontal with the reel facing up. Be sure to use a reasonably heavy lure at least half the maximum weight that your rod is supposed to handle, it’ll make your initial casts easier. Now wind in line until the lure is 4 to 6 inches from the rod tip. Next turn the cast control cap clockwise until the spool is locked. Now depress the thumb bar (or button). The spool is now in "free spool" mode but the lure won’t move because you've tightened the cast control knob.

Now, using your spare thumb and forefinger, turn the cast control cap "anti-clockwise" very slowly until the lure starts to drop from it's own weight. It should drop slowly to the ground and stop without you touching the spool. Its now set and should not require resetting unless you switch to a much heavier or lighter lure or you find yourself fishing into a headwind

Now try an overhead cast. Start with the lure hanging about 18 inches from the rod tip and the reel in free spool and trapped by your thumb. Being right handed you would naturally hold the rod with your right hand and wind with your left hand, left handers doing the opposite. Under those circumstances the reel handles should be pointing downwards not sideways, bringing your wrist around into a natural relaxed position helping you to guide the lure in the right direction. With both hands on the rod, try a simple overhead lob. Bring the rod back over your shoulder about 45 degrees to the horizontal, then as the line straightens (you’ll feel it pull on the rod tip) bring it smartly but smoothly forward, releasing your thumb from the spool when the rod reaches the forward position about 40-50 degrees from horizontal. Don’t force the cast, make it unhurried and just concentrate on releasing the line cleanly, even if the lure only goes a few yards. Distance comes with practice. Remember to keep your thumb hovering just over the spool, just close enough to feel the line spinning off the spool and then watch the lure in flight. Stop the spool when the lure hits the water hopefully on target. Piece of cake!