There is no limit to the types of fishing you can enjoy with your casting reels, Top Water, Jigging, Plastic Worms, Spinner Baits, Crankbaits, Bass Fishinf, Carp Fishing, Catfish, Crappie and all other types. If you want to become a serious angler you will want to learn the proper use of your Casting Reels.

     One of the first things to learn is how to adjust the brake to help prevent as many of those backlashes as possible and this is more easily mastered if you start with a little heavier bait like a 3/8 or 1/2 ounce. Start with a tight drag and practice holding the rod straight out, release the brake tension just enough to let the bait fall to the ground and have the reel stop turning as soon as the bait touches the ground. This will usually be your best adjustment as you begin to learn to use your casting reel.

     Now go to the back yard and practice a lot of casts and as you begin to get the feel for it you can start to loosen the drag just a little remembering to keep your thumb positioned to the spool. As you loosen the brake your casting distance will increase while you are getting more comfortable with less brake tension and you will be able to cast much farther.

     At the start do not Overspool (putting the maximum line on the spool), this will allow for less line coming off the reel as you cast and will help you learn how to stop backlashing. You will also want to match your rod to the weight of bait you use. Shorter for lighther and longer for heavier with something around 7 foot as a starter for 1/2 ounce baits.
 
     The most important thing to master is the use of your thumb as you apply and release pressure on the reel to brake the turning reel, it will take practice but is the real secret and you do need to get it down right. Do this by holding your thumb against the reel as you release the reel for casting and back off on the pressure but keep the thumb lightly touching the line as you cast and then apply more pressure as the bait nears the target or end of the cast. The goal is enough practice to be able to slow the reel to a complete stop just as the bait hits the water.

     To get a good feel will take lots of practice and you must remember that no one starts off as an immediate pro so don't try maximun long casts in the beginning. Work on consistent accuracy and backlash prevention at the start and when you can cast over and over with the bait landing close to your target without a backlash you can start easing off on the brake.