I have a baitcast reel that i have been trying to use, im kinda new to them. It always birdnests when i try to cast it, does anyone have any tips? it's kind of frustrating, so any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

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2011 Ford Ranger XL, 2.3L DOHC, 20% Tint, Black Billet Grille, 31x10.50r15 tires, stock suspension

I can moderately throw one, play with the tightness of the spool and just practice is the best thing I can tell ya. Oh and to set the spool, hold the rod up and release the spool, then adjust the tightness until the bait slowly falls to the ground

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'97 2.3 L 4 cyl. 309K miles, Reg cab. Alpine HU, Kenwood KAC 728s amp, Kicker L3 10 w/ 6x8's, 31-10.50 Mud Kings w/ '94 Jeep YJ Rims

i'd say to start with the drag setting, exactly like kurt said ^^^ and then just practice with short & slow casts. learn to be quick & accurate with your thumb... just practice like anything else!

never throw as hard as you can... gotta let the weight of the lure pull the line out.

point the end of the rod towards the lure after the release. you want the rate of the line out to match the speed of the spool.

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

Tighten the spool tensioner and adjust the brakes. Have your lure on and let it drop free spool. Tighten the tensioner until it slows to about half the speed. Put the brakes on all the way and go from there. I taught myself in about 3 hours

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X2

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I've been fishing with baitcasts for almost 5 years and I can flip, pitch, left hand cast and right hand cast. Takes some getting used to when you go from a reel with different gear ratios. My curado has a 7.1:1 and my citica has a 6.1:1

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2017 Lightning Blue Mustang GT PP 430/402
CJ Pony Parts Lowering Springs | Texas Speed Longtubes | PMAS CAI | Lund Tuned | Borla S-Type Catback
2013 F150 FX4 5.0 - Sold
1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 5spd - Sold
2001 Mustang Bullitt - Sold
2005 Level II - Sold
2001 Integra GSR - Sold
1999 XLT - May 2013 TOTM - Totaled

the main reason i went to baitcast is because of the gear ratio lol

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

Yea I used to just use spincast...then I grew up and used real reels. I love my curado

Sent from my iPhone 5 so I can tell you to search wherever I may be

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2017 Lightning Blue Mustang GT PP 430/402
CJ Pony Parts Lowering Springs | Texas Speed Longtubes | PMAS CAI | Lund Tuned | Borla S-Type Catback
2013 F150 FX4 5.0 - Sold
1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 5spd - Sold
2001 Mustang Bullitt - Sold
2005 Level II - Sold
2001 Integra GSR - Sold
1999 XLT - May 2013 TOTM - Totaled

lol!

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

Alright thanks for the tips guys, Ill go out and mess with it...hopefully i'll get the hang of it

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2011 Ford Ranger XL, 2.3L DOHC, 20% Tint, Black Billet Grille, 31x10.50r15 tires, stock suspension

Hardest part is getting the thumbing right. I don't have to put mine down until right before the lure hits the water. You have to be familiar with the reel.

Sent from my iPhone 5 so I can tell you to search wherever I may be

__________________
2017 Lightning Blue Mustang GT PP 430/402
CJ Pony Parts Lowering Springs | Texas Speed Longtubes | PMAS CAI | Lund Tuned | Borla S-Type Catback
2013 F150 FX4 5.0 - Sold
1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 5spd - Sold
2001 Mustang Bullitt - Sold
2005 Level II - Sold
2001 Integra GSR - Sold
1999 XLT - May 2013 TOTM - Totaled

You guy cover it all, but my one recomendation is while you are still learning is dont spool it up 100% full of line. Put about half of the possible line on it. That makes fixing birds nest easier and idk it was just easier for me to learn with.

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2001 Ford Ranger Edge, 4.0L V6, 4x4, automatic, Extended cab, 165,000 miles, 8.8 rear axle, Auburn L/S, 4.10 gears, body lift, 32x11.5r15 falken wild peak A/T, head light mod, black honeycomb grille. 06+ corners, fx4 seats, led back up light

MODS TO COME: pillar gauges, recover seats, stereo and that it for now ................

Waste less line if you really nest it up too

Sent from my iPhone 5 so I can tell you to search wherever I may be

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2017 Lightning Blue Mustang GT PP 430/402
CJ Pony Parts Lowering Springs | Texas Speed Longtubes | PMAS CAI | Lund Tuned | Borla S-Type Catback
2013 F150 FX4 5.0 - Sold
1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 5spd - Sold
2001 Mustang Bullitt - Sold
2005 Level II - Sold
2001 Integra GSR - Sold
1999 XLT - May 2013 TOTM - Totaled

haha - good idea about the half spool lol

one more thing, use the recommended weight lure for the rod that you've got. for me, too light/heavy lures give me a quick birdnest lol

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

Yes very true, i use to just practice with bell weights in my back yard

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2001 Ford Ranger Edge, 4.0L V6, 4x4, automatic, Extended cab, 165,000 miles, 8.8 rear axle, Auburn L/S, 4.10 gears, body lift, 32x11.5r15 falken wild peak A/T, head light mod, black honeycomb grille. 06+ corners, fx4 seats, led back up light

MODS TO COME: pillar gauges, recover seats, stereo and that it for now ................

I got my first baitcaster a couple years ago. Threw washers around the backyard to get the hang of it. Its still frustrating at times, I can cast all day with no issues then bam! Birdsnest from hell, wasted line and a bad mood. I stick to my spinning reels most of the time.

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The tensioner plays a big part in that too. I can cast 1/2oz lures all the way up my big ass 4oz home made mega-pike lure with my Pflueger.

It's too easy nowadays to use them, IMO. Get you one from the 1950's, before all the magnets and brakes and stuff. Once you master that, you can use any reel there is. lol.