How to Fish With a Baitcaster
- 1). Decide where you want to fish and which species you want to target. This will determine the rod and reel combination and lures you'll need.
- 2). Tie your lure to the fishing line, then depress the thumb lever on the reel to allow the line to come off. Allow the lure to fall to the bottom of the boat, then engage the reel. Set the drag on the reel tight enough to reel in the lure but loose enough to give line should you hook a large fish.
- 3). Set the magnetic resistance on your baitcasting reel. The higher the resistance, the less likely it is that a backlash will happen, but it also limits casting distance. To begin with, set the magnetic resistance at the halfway point and adjust it up or down based on your experience.
- 4). Prepare to cast. Place your dominant hand around the reel so your thumb is in position to engage the thumb lever. Place your other hand on the end of the fishing rod. Allow the lure to hang about 2 feet from the end of the rod tip.
- 5). Cast the lure, making sure to keep some pressure on the spool. This will help you avoid backlashes. Once the lure hits the water, engage the baitcasting reel and begin reeling the lure back to the boat or shoreline.
- 6). Vary your retrieve by reeling fast some of the time and slow some of the time. This will entice any fish looking at the lure to bite it.
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