Calling all fisherman- help me baitcast

[BullyBee]

Hey guys. I’m in full fish mode!

So I’m starting to learn how to baitcast. I was a hunter first (turkey and pheasant) and I always used black powder and single shot for turkey because I liked the thrill of one shot only.

last year I took up fishing. Spinning reels are Easy. I can cast 30-35 yards and I even measured one at 40 yards at my local school yard when I was practicing casting.

Yesterday I baitcasted for the first time where that’s all I did all day. No back up spinning rods in case I got frustrated.

I noticed even with the breaks turned down a bit below half way I’m not casting nearly as far as with a spinning. Don’t get me wrong I’m no pro but I imagined I’d Atleast get as far as my wife who is casting with a spinning.

Is this something that will come in time? Should i just keep at it and know that one day it will pay off? Having all that accuracy and distance comes later?

I don’t have a boat so distance is a must for me.

Or is it all marketing and at the end of the day a spinning can cast just as far if not further than a baitcast when using 12lb line?


Btw I was using a Daiwa CR80 on an Uglystick and a Shimano SLX on a ST. Croix bass x rod. The Daiwa has 12lb Fluro and the shimano has 20 or 30lb braid (I forgot).

Edit: I must have had a half dozen backlashes until I remembered to cast with the rod and reel sideways instead of facing up

 

[mtfish]

Flurocarbon is not a good casting line. Braid should cast a mile. Not familiar with either of these reels. Ugly sticks are usually too stiff for good casting. There is a fine line between a backlash and casting long distance. I do not understand the statement of holding the reel sideways. Bait-caster should be able to cast with reel facing up. Are you casting lures? What weight and what kind? Spinning reel will always cast farther into the wind. If wind is to your back, they should cast similar distance. Tell me more about what type of fishing you are doing.

 

[BullyBee]

I know I don’t like the ugly sticks but until I find a better rod (lots of stuff is out of stock).

I am fishing for pike.

As for the casting technique I saw it from Daiwa’s competition team on YouTube. It works phenomenal for me. It makes it so much easier to guide with my thumb.

As for my lures I’m using blue fox #5 spinners and other lures or spoons no more than 5/8-3/4 of an ounce.

 

[mtfish]

Can't help you much with pike. I am down here in south Texas and have saltwater in my blood. I can see how a bait-caster would be better for reel longevity, but I also think a good quality spinner would work better from the bank for long distance casting. Tight lines!

 

[fish farmer]

From my experience and what I see the pro bass fishers are using, the bait caster is usually for heavier lures like jigs, big topwater, and spinner baits. I got a baitcaster many years ago for tossing big jigs and such and even then wasn't trying to cast a mile. Usually it seems a longer rod regardless of bait or spin generally equates to a farther cast with the right sized lure.

 

[BullyBee]

Can't help you much with pike. I am down here in south Texas and have saltwater in my blood. I can see how a bait-caster would be better for reel longevity, but I also think a good quality spinner would work better from the bank for long distance casting. Tight lines!

I think I’m gonna keep one of my baitcasters with 50lb braid (15lb mono equivalent) and get a spinning reel with 12lb braid.

Whatever fluro was on there I’m using as leader material.

 

[BullyBee]

From my experience and what I see the pro bass fishers are using, the bait caster is usually for heavier lures like jigs, big topwater, and spinner baits. I got a baitcaster many years ago for tossing big jigs and such and even then wasn't trying to cast a mile. Usually it seems a longer rod regardless of bait or spin generally equates to a farther cast with the right sized lure.

Good point. I use a 7’1 rod.

 

[fish farmer]

still having no response

I don't think there are a lot of serious fishermen on this forum. I fly fish, so my bait casting experience is limited and dated. I know anything PENN is usually good quality.

Ever been to https://www.myfishfinder.com/fishing_forum/index.php. They get a lot of traffic on the main forum.

 

[Waters]

I would like to help, but I tried a bait caster once a few years ago and found no benefit to using it over my Shimano spinning setups.