If you’re trying to level up your fishing experience from an absolute beginner, you must have considered getting a baitcasting reel. A baitcasting reel is an almost a must-have thing for precise casting, better accuracy, especially for bass fishing. Oftentimes, the reason the absolute beginners find the baitcasters more complex is the mechanism. The baitcasters come with a complex and different mechanism to the basic spinning reels that puts you in a maze.
Nonetheless, getting started with the reel is a must-do if you’re planning for fishing with better accuracy and control. Before you start messing with your first baitcasting reel, you must get to know and understand the different parts of it. Stick to the article as I get you through the different parts of a baitcasting reel to help you get started.
Parts of a baitcasting reel
Baitcasters come with a different design complexity compared to the spinning reels to give you more control. You must understand the different parts of the caster to use it effectively. Here is the introduction to the different parts of a baitcasting reel that you will use every time you cast the line:
Foot
The foot or the seat is the obvious part of the baitcasting reel you encounter the first time. It’s the rectangular-shaped part where you connect the reel to the fishing rod itself. You’ll connect the frame and the seat firmly so that the reel stays fixed to the top of the rod.
Handles
The handles are the extended parts of the reel with which you control the line, drag it in, or let it out. It connects directly to the spool, to the line, through the guides to the fish itself. You’ll get a good grip for your thumb and forefinger on the handles to control the line and the spool.
Brakes
Baitcasters struggle controlling the backlash where the line tends to tangle, which the brakes eliminate. There are two types of brakes in baitcasters, centrifugal and magnetic brakes, and they work differently. The magnetic brakes are prier than the centrifugal brakes and also simpler for the user to operate.
Spool
The spool is the center part of the reel where the line goes in like a spiral. It connects to the drag handles to enable you to spin the spool and drag the line, including the fish. The braking knob also works by associating with the spool; when you cast the bait, the line goes off the spool.
Tensioner
The spool tensioner makes sure the spool is tightly attached to the body of the reel. The line spines and moves freely because of the spool tensioner, and you’ll find it usually on the bottom of the reel body. You may mix up the tensioner with the cast control knob for the first time, but it’s not.
Control knob
The control knob is like the tensioner and essential to help you maintain a smooth casting experience. It prevents any backlash by controlling the speed of the spool to organize the line you’re pulling. You’ll use it for some specific lures and baits; you can also adjust or replace the knob with different designs of different sizes.
Drag
The drag controller knob is often found next to the tensioner control knob and has star-shaped designs. It’s a very important part and plays a big role when you have to fight with the fish while dragging it in. The more you let the drag controller loose, the easier the fish can pull the line.
Line guide
The line guide is a very useful part of the baitcasting reel, which keeps you safe from tangling up the line while pulling. It helps the line to loosen and tighten freely into the spool and keeps it free from friction and line breakage.
How To Set Up A Baitcasting Reel
Knowing the parts of the baitcaster is a good thing, but you must know how you use it for the cast. Here is how you set your baitcasting reel before you cast your first bait without any backlash:
- First, you have to adjust your braking system; whether it’s a centrifugal or a magnetic brake system, turn it for about ¼ of the whole dial.
- Now, work on the spool tension control knob, tighten it all the way up and see if the line comes out on its own if you release it.
- Hold the rod up, and start loosening the tensioner until the line comes out on its own when you release it, and your reel is ready to hit the water and start fishing.
- When you start getting expertise on it, you want to do with ½ of the tensioner and the brake system. It will have a little backlash, but you can control it with your thumb.
Frequently asked questions
Here are the most frequently asked questions about baitcasting reels that you might find interesting to know about:
Do I really need a baitcaster?
If you’re fishing for some time now, and have a good understanding of fishing, you want to get a baitcaster. It will help you cast more accurately and work with heavy lines for bass fishing.
Is it hard to use a baitcaster?
If you’re a complete beginner at fishing, you may find it a little harder to use a baitcaster because of the complexity. However, it will get easier as you practice regularly.
How far should you be able to cast a baitcaster?
With proper expertise, you can use a baitcaster to cast over 50, 60, or even 75 yards. Experts suggest and use baitcasters themselves because it provides both accuracy and longer cast.
Final thought
Fishing with baitcasting reel can be a big advantage, especially if you’re out for bass fishing. It gives you more control over the cast and a lot more accuracy than other reels. You can control the tension, the spool speed, drag it with your hand, control the backlash more effectively.
Although the backlash, or the “Bird’s nest” happens to be a nightmare for a fisherman, you can get over that with more control over the mechanisms. Knowing all the parts of a baitcasting reel can help you understand the science behind backlashing and avoid it effectively.
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