Design

• The baitcasting reel is designed differently than a spincast reel. With a baitcater, the line runs over the top of the pole rather than underneath the pole. The casting release is a thumb activated lever. Drag is typically set using a "star" wheel between the crank and the body of the reel. Most advanced models also include manual and magnetic braking systems.
  
  

Release

• Proper position of thumb when triggering release
  
  Even the simplest baitcasters use a thumb release. The angler presses the trigger, casts then releases when pointed at the target, allowing the reel to free-spool. The tip of the thumb should remain on the line lightly as the spool releases line, providing only the slightest friction one the line, until the bait has reached the water/target. Immediately press the spool firmly so as to stop the spool from spinning. This will prevent a "bird nest," or bunching and tangling of line on the spool.
  
  

Drag

• Note star-shaped drag
  
  The drag system is used to resist the fish as it runs and fights the line. The drag wears the fish down naturally without the angler having to "horse" and battle the fish. Once the fish is tired, the angler does the fighting on retrieve.
  
  To set the drag before fishing, pull the line from the wheel with the spool locked. If no line comes out--loosen the drag. If the line pulls freely--tighten the drag. Repeat back and forth until the line resists substantially without breaking. This "tightness" is what tires the fish as it runs.
  
  

Brakes

• Note mechanical brake knobs between star drags
  
  The brakes are designed to allow free-spooling without the line outrunning the the spool causing a birds nest. To set the manual brake load the reel with a full spool of line, thread the pole and tie on the lure you expect to use. Point the pole straight up, depress the thumb lever and release the spool. If the line drops, it needs to be tightened repeatedly until the line does not free-spool. Tip the pole slightly and repeat tightening and loosening until the bait only drops 9 to 12 inches, then stops itself. Beginners should start with the magnetic brake adjusted to the maximum setting. When the angler is more proficient with the gear, adjustments can be made to allow maximum performance.
  
  

Picking a Reel

• Proper brake setting with spool free
  
  What type of reel you get should be determined primarily on the type of fishing you want to do and price. Long-range saltwater fishing requires more line and a stronger reel due to the possibility of hooking into a much larger fish than, say, while bass fishing. When using crank baits, some experts recommend different reels than when casting soft plastics.
  
  In the Ontario Fishing Net online newsletter, Justin Hoffman suggests the baitcaster has proved a revolutionary development and points out, "Although the general baitcast reel will work for most situations and fishing conditions you encounter, there are some specialty reels that are worth investigating for the functions they provide."