Baitcasters

Hey folks hows it going? First off happy belated thanksgiving and merry christmas to all. On to my question... I'm trying to get into baitcasting fishing rods and am new to it. The thing is I went and purchased a cheap one thinking it would be good to learn on before I went on to the quality ones. I had bought a cheap pinnacle one at Wal-Mart but have trouble with it birds nesting all the time. I've done all the research I could to learn how to go about using the settings and all that, and I do well mostly but it seems it is always inevitable that it birds nest on me. So... I'm thinking that if I just go ahead and make the jump to a more quality baitcasting reel than I won't have this issue as much, what do ya'll think? I mean it doesnt seem like rocket science at all to me, but I just feel that if I had a reel with more quality and features to it than the backlash wouldn't be so much and I'd be able to learn a lot better on it. Also I'm leaning towards a fast 7.1.1 Curado 200. Any input would be appreciated guys tight lines doooooooooodes.

Being new to baitcasters means lots of birdsnests.
I say practice practice practice with the cheapy because experienced guys can cast any baitcaster better than newbys. Start out using 1/2 oz or so. DO NOT try 3/8 or 1/4 oz until you are fairly confident with the 1/2 stuff. Dial up the tension a bit so it doesn't freespool so easy. Be willing to give up some distance for control.
Practice stopping the lure before it hits the ground.
Practice hitting targets in the front yard at different distances.
Practice pitching short distances.

That said having 2  reels is better than one.

I hope this helps.

OH, buy a spare spool of line.

Its all about learning to adjust the Braking Systems and the Spool Tension knobs to the weight of the lure or bait you are throwing . The cheaper you go the less options you will have , thus causing more trouble in the long run.  (we get what we pay for) Does that mean we need to buy a $500 casting reel ? nope you can get away just fine with a Reel such as a Lew's Speed Spool ($100)  one of the easiest to cast IMO  .

Get what your comfortable with brand wise and practice .  use your Available resources , you tube , etc for help like this video  :  

Good luck and have fun learning these reels

Good info above but I do believe the reel has a lot to do with it. I'm fairly confident in my casting but I had a quantum that I would bird nest down to the core. I only had that problem with that reel. You don't have to go all out for a quality reel. You could even go used with no issues at all. Then practice practice practice.

Also, do it with mono not with braid

dude, borrow one of mine, (rod and reel) i'll spool it up, tie a piece of bright string or ribbon above a half once weight and practice in a park or field. i'll be happy to help. let me know i'll meet you in menifee. and if you happen to fish with it before i get i get it back, well cool then!

bait casting is a practice thing, you really need to use proper line and proper size lure. with a good weight. Personally i case further with my spinning but more accurate with my biatcasters. So it just depends what you are looking for. Flipping and pitching is a great thing to practice espically for casting under bush and trees. just keep doing it over and over and over and over and over. and it will be comfortable for you and you will get it. if you want to use some power pro or something like that i say make sure you have a good leader of mono like 6-9 ft to help it flow through the guides

I say practice . you'll eventually get the hang of it. I had the same problem. Every now and then I still end up getting the birds nest but now as bad.

Good Luck

I honestly think its the baitcaster that I do have. I'm sure of it because i can go with about 10 cast before it backlashes on me and it seems to do it like that consistently. At first I didn't understand how to properly use one but I've had all of last summer to practice with it, did my research, and of course youtube it lol.

Great thread!! and like everyone says, practice practice practice, I too like you wanted to start throwing a baitcaster....and like you wanted to buy cheapy baitcaster for my starter but after talking to lots of peeps at tackle stores and people that have used them, i went and pulled the trigger on the shimano chronarch 201e7...200bucks....after 2 years of throwing it, i can say im okay, i know have 2 of them but keep going back to my reliable spinning LOL, good luck bro.

Tony G