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Maybe I am the only one who didn't realize it, but those levelwind trolling/casting reels with a linecounter built into them can be cast. I recently purchased two Daiwa line counting reels, (one for trolling and the larger one I hoped could be used for sturgeon). I took them both to the city park and the smaller one with 14 pound mono line on it and 4 ounces of lead, and the larger reel with 50 pound Berkley Big Game mono on it and 8 ounces of lead cast easily (200 feet and 150 feet respectively). I also really like the feel of those reels.
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[cool]I suppose casting practice in the park wouldn't cause nearly the humorous sight as practicing with your cast net on the front lawn.
Daiwa has always made decent reels, but has never gotten the notoriety of the more highly advertised makes.
The Okuma reels are getting a lot of favorable publicity and their prices are definitely better than the "big boys". I am trying to find a couple of lightweight lefthanded baitcasters...besides Shimano. Haven't been able to find any by Okuma.
By the way, anybody can cast a heavy sinker (anything over an ounce). How good are you at casting 1/8 oz jigs with your baitcasters?
I'll tell you something else that will test your ability to fine tune your reel and make a controlled cast. That is throwing crankbaits into the wind. You have to really punch the cast, to get the lure moving, but then quickly apply some thumb...or you will get a monstrous backlash (birdnest). Modern spool tension systems make it possible for baitcaster newcomers to pick up the technique more quickly, but they are not foolproof. Anybody who tells you they never get "professional overruns" will lie about other things too.
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Kent et al.,
Since you and TD brought it up. While BLM and I were on the Gorge and fishing in the middle of the day was slow (to say the least), he decided to show me how to throw iron for Pacific coast Tuna. He grabbed his Diawa 47H, put on a 1 1/2 oz. jig and pitched it. I bet him an unnamed adult beverage he couldn't throw it more than 50 feet. I paid what I owed him, that thing went 40 yards. So, he decides he's going to throw one of my Okuma LCs with the same jig. Me (not being a smart man) give him the same bet. He whipped it around 40 yards (paid in full now). This was with a trolling rod. So, after a refreshing beverage we decide it's lesson time. He showed me how to throw big trolling reels, loaded with 6oz of lead. So....we spent the next 2 hours heaving big chucks of lead across Linwood Bay. It does take some practice, and I didn't birdnest one bad enough to have to cut it, but....until last weekend, I would have bet the farm noone could throw trolling reels. And, he says he's nothing compared to his brother. So, we spent 2 hours having a casting lesson, it paid off in a couple of ways. I can now throw a bait caster, and as an added bonus, next time I will win my beverages back. How quickly the master becomes the student. I've been praticing, and am not half bad. San Deigo, here I come! Kent, have Rich give you a lesson, he has this whole swinging the lead thing ritual that he does, really works well. I haven't quite got it yet, but, it only takes time and money. Since I have plenty of both (insert stupid face here) I should be able to get it in OH, 20 years or so. Can, you use baitcaters on the ice poles? Just kidding, I've got far too much money invested in the spinning gear to go to the dark side now. Did I mention, I now am the proud owner of a couple of Calcuttas. I'm worse than my wife with shoes. What a fickle little (insert term here) I've become. Because the one thing I need is more fishing stuff. Thank God duck season is here and I've got something to occupy my mind and credit card.
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[#000080][size 2]I used a baitcaster at Fishlake ice fishing last Feb. I was jigging for macks and only got rainbows. 12 lb line in 90 feet of water. I have a hand full of Curados, and I love throwing them. [/size][/#000080]
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I just bought two Curados with the handle on the left (wrong) side for jigging. I am right handed but , like the handle on the left. I like my power hand forward and my weak hand on the reel. (Although most would say this qualifies as either hand). I had them matched with 2 Kevlar rods with a bunch of flex built in. I have found this is not the best set-up for big Macks. I couldn't set the hook home (and believe me if I can't set it neither can you, my hook sets are legendary), I am now going to a much stiffer rod. I want to get two HH St. Crouix jigging sticks for them. Like I always say, alls it takes is time and money. I do have a couple of Berkly LSTs I can put them on, but, I want St. Crouix's darn it. Look for me on the BASS circut soon. I've learned to throw a baitcaster......how much more can be involved?
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I have been casting those trolling reels with no problems, what I wasn't sure about is if the extra drag on a linecounter reel would cause any problems, and it didn't.
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And everyone wonders why I love this state so much. It's guys like you that spend the time to teach this old New Englander so much. Heck, I'll even take the ribing about my lack of accent. I almost talks like yous guys now! Almost. Hustler gets the joke.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]You want a challenge? Clip a clothes pin on a 30# or 40# outfit and pitch it 80 ft with no backlash and not throwing the clothespin from the line. This ain't as easy as it seems. It will definitely teach you control and timing.[/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]Like TD said, anyone can pitch a chuck of weight but there's nothing like winging a #5 Ironman 150 yards with an 8 ft rod from the bow of a longrange boat. "Ironmen fish the bow"![/size][/font]
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It seems really crazy now, but I learned on a baitcasting reel when I was little, and baitcasting reels were all my Dad owned, so I didn't know any better. Later we used big "trolling reels" as we call them here in Utah, for catching the big stripers in the Sacramento River, and we cast them a long distance from the bank all the time. I didn't even own a spinning reel until I was 12. Even now at age 53 I will still use those big Penns for big fishing sometimes, but you shouldn't ever try to cast lead-core line, at least not very far. It ain't worth it!
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You Da Man BLM! ][ ]I want some lessons on casting my embassasdor without the birdsnest!!M.H
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