Archive for Help and FAQs
Baitcasting Reel retrieve ratios
Posted by: | CommentsEver heard anglers discussing the retrieve ratios for baitcasting reels? It’s like listening to physicists explaining the measurement of solution compositions. You will probably hear snatches of “geared lines with 2:1,” or “super high speed gear ratio of 7.1:1,” or hyper speed retrieve ratio of 7.3:1.” And you are left wondering why these matter at all. After all, reels are reels are reels; and the main purpose of these is to catch the fish. Well, the former is not quite true. There are just some reels that are better than the others. The latter, however, is the most basic truth that every angler – professional or otherwise – always hopes for. This is essentially why it is important to know the retrieve ratios, particularly for baitcasting fishing reels.
To understand all this hoopla about numbers, we need to define what retrieve or gear ratios are. Simply put: the two components of the ratio stand for the amount of spool line versus the times when the reel handle is turned. So when you hear someone says that their fishing reel is on a 2:1 ratio, it means that every time the angler turns the handle (an action that is also referred to as making a handle revolution or simply revolution,) the spool wraps around the line twice. So if you are reeling in a lure or a catch, you are exerting one part muscle power to propel the line to reel in twice as fast.
As a rule, the higher the revolutions per turn, the better the reel is. An angler could be casting a line out a lure in the water several times in a span of a few minutes. A higher ratio means that he or she does not exert a lot of effort bringing in the line for the next cast. And the faster you reel in the line, the faster you can throw the next cast. At the same time, you can reel in a fish faster when your fishing implement has a higher retrieve ratio too. A few quick turns means that the game has no opportunity to give the line any slack, and can be out of the water and into your net in no time.
The retrieve ratios for baitcasting reels these days are at 5:1 and above. Which really makes these reels a step up above other reels like the: centrepin, fixed spool, spin cast and the underspin. Some anglers simply subscribe to the ones that have high speed or hyper speed, which can help improve their fishing skills a lot. However, there are some things you should also consider also, like:
1. The fact that baitcasting reels are complicated pieces of fishing implements. True, these are the most accurate ones you will find in the market, but it takes a lot of practice before you can get one to work properly for you. You need to practice with these reels often. Only then will you see the benefits of its relatively high retrieve ratios.
2. The spool line is important too. A full spool line is preferable. Too much line will always end up in back lash or a slackening of the line; and too little a line will reduce the retrieve ratio considerably.
3. Lastly, you should always remember that there are always exceptions to the rule. If you are after very large game, you are better off with a baitcasting reel with a low gear ratio. This will give you more control over the game.
Baitcasting Reels and their benefits
Posted by: | CommentsAdmittedly, a lot of people are hesitant when it comes to buying or using baitcasting reels (also called overhead reels.) Some are citing the expensive price tags attached to this fishing implement. Others are saying that these feel “heavy” and problematic to use. And then there are others still who are saying that these reels are by far, more difficult to use or master or get comfortable with… especially if you compare these to the other fishing reels currently available in the market. There are grains of truth to these claims, but there are also certain facts that you ought to know also.
One: true enough, there are some branded baitcasting reels that can burn huge holes in your pocket. The most expensive pieces can easily go for $500 or more, and that still does not include upgrades or other attachments. However, there are also several good brands that are now offering professional reels that cost between $40 and $50 only. If you choose the right reel for your fishing style and experience, these inexpensive models may be good enough to make upgrades or attachments almost unnecessary.
Two: These reels will always “feel” heavier, simply because these are most suited for heavier lines and bait. Although this seems like the most common complaint of first time users, many people eventually learn how to use that weighty feel to their advantage.
Three: baiting reels are not really for novices. If you want to learn how to fish, then you are better off with easier-to-handle reels that you can use as your training tool. But, if you want to learn how to fish like a pro, then eventually you will have to gravitate towards learning how to use baitcasting reels.
Of course, you can learn how to fish professionally without ever using this kind of reel, but you might want to consider the fact that: many professional anglers and deep sea fishers use such implements because these provide more control when it comes to handling larger game. Very often, you will see this kind of reel when anglers go out to catch tuna, sailfish and marlin in choppy waters. Naturally enough, when you are after such game, you would need a larger and more robust overhead reel that can handle the heavy line, the bulky bait, and the subsequent drag that both line and bait provide when these are trolling in the water.
Good control also means that you can exhaust the game on your line easily. Large game can put up a very good fight, and the last thing you need is for the fish to make a break for it. Good control on the line also makes the fish easier to haul out of the water. This is essential if you want to avoid injury to yourself, your crew (if you have one) or the game.
Lastly, if you are after smaller game, overhead reels also provide lesser line twists. This means that you do not expend too much energy when you cast out a line, and you sacrifice very little effort when you retrieve the line back. This feature is also quite convenient if you are on a roll and catching one fish after the other.
Common problems with baitcasting reels
Posted by: | CommentsIt is quite common to hear veteran and professional anglers talking about baitcasting fishing reels like these are simple tools that yield fascinating results. It is therefore also common to find beginners trying these reels out for the first time with much anticipation – and inevitably end up scratching their heads in confusion. Worse still, some beginners give up on baitcasting reels altogether, making do with less complicated fishing tools. If you happen to be in the same boat as neophyte anglers and first time fishing enthusiasts, here are some facts you might want to consider before you raise your arms in surrender.
The most basic thing you have to remember is this: these tools are indeed more complicated than the other fishing reels out there. Inexperienced hands may find spinning or fixed spool reels easier to handle; the same goes for centrepin reels, spin casts and underspin reels. Baitcasting (also known as overhead, conventional and multiplier) reels and the combo models are best suited to fishing enthusiasts who have previously handled – and handled well, other types of fishing reels first. So you might want to acquaint yourself with the other fishing reels before you try your hand with overheads.
Secondly, even seasoned anglers still find these reels a bit difficult to handle during the first few times. Therefore, it is essential that you should practice with your piece as often as possible, especially when it comes to forward casting. Finesse – or at least, a certain amount of controlled wrist and thumb movement is necessary when it comes to throwing the lure into a particular spot and halting it to prevent overrunning the spool. For this, you may want to practice with your baitcasting reel, a bucket, and a 1 ounce sinker.
To avoid any accidents, remove the hooks from your fishing line and attach the sinker. A small bucket placed about 5 or 6 feet away from you would be your target. You can always adjust the distance of the target according to your casting skills by moving either forward or backward.
You need to troubleshoot the speed of the reel’s brake so that the sinker falls very slowly. This is to avoid incidences of back lashes or spool overruns. In order to do that, you need to place your thumb on the line spool just when you are about to release the brake. Cast once and remove your thumb to see how fast or slow the sinker goes. Adjust the reel’s brake accordingly. The rule of thumb in this regards is: the slower, the better.
Now try casting towards your target. Swing back while keeping a steady thumb on the spool line. As soon as you move the fishing reel into the forward casting movement, release your hold on the spool line. Watch where the sinker is going, and put your thumb back on the spool line just before it hits the target or the ground.
Repeat this casting movement, until you know precisely when to release your hold on the line and when to hold back. You know that you are doing things right when you do not experience back lashes, entanglements and spool overruns anymore; and yes, when you finally put the sinker in the bucket as well.
Help and FAQs
Posted by: | CommentsWelcome to our baitcasting reel help and FAQ section. Here you will find answers to some common questions and problems that people come across when using baitcasting reels.
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