Fishing and Casting Reels Learning To Use

     Learning the proper way to use your casting reels will be a rewarding experience you can enjoy the rest of your life.

     Learning to master your Casting Reel may be a little daunting at first if like most of us you got your start in fishing with the easy to use Spincast Reels and they are a good way to get started but a Casting Reel offers you so many more options that lead to more enjoyable fishing trips. Most all professional fishers prefer Casting Reels, this tells you there must be a good reason.

     Right off you will discover a major advantage to be the longer casts you can make with a casting reel, after you master it of course. Another good feature is how well a casting reel allows you to handle a large fish with confidence because of it's added strength and drag. You will also want to mount your casting reel on a good rod to make all this happen but you will find the reel to be most important.

     Generally casting reels are described as round and flat or low profile, both are good and your choice becomes a personal preference. I believe the low profile gives me a better feel but has a little less capacity than the rounds. I find it is much easier for me to kind of cup one hand over the low profile reel and finger the line for a better feel of what is happening on bait end of my line.

     If there is a major problem in learning to use a casting reel it would have to be the possibility of a back lash, also called a Bird's Nest or Professional Overrun. This is kind of coupled with the much longer casts you can make with a casting reel. Once the line starts unrolling off the reel there is nothing interfering so it really unrolls at an extremely fast rate. When the bait hits that sudden stop and the reel keeps turning it builds that famous Bird's Nest.

     Reels come with an adjustable brake to help prevent backlash but as you gain experience your thumb becomes the most accurate and reliable part of this operation. Do a lot of backyard practice with a practice lure and take your old reel with you on your fishing trips until you have it fully mastered,  all experienced anglers recommend you always have a backup rig handy at all times.

     Generally it is not too good of an idea to use casting reels when casting into a strong wind, another good reason for that backup rig. Some may tell you to tighten the brakes on a windy day but I believe the best way to go on windy days ia a Spincast or Spinning Reel.