Find the Right Reel
Getting the best price is important, but don't go specifically for a bargain reel, or you'll soon discover that you get what you pay for. There are moderately priced baitcasting reels that will meet your needs. You can expect to pay at least $70, as of February 2010, for a decent baitcasting reel; anything less and your angling experience could suffer because of a poor-quality reel. There are flat and round baitcasting reels. Both are popular, so pick the one that you personally prefer.
Pick Your Line
With a baitcasting reel, you want a heavier line. Choose a 30 or 50 test monofilament line. It's easier to cast because of its weight, and you'll be able to pick out those annoying backlashes. As you gain proficiency, you can scale it down.
Train Your Thumb
A crucial part of learning to use a baitcasting reel is training your thumb. You control the output of your line with your thumb and it will take practice to learn how to ride the spool of line. With practice, you will get a feel for it. Also, you want a heavier lure attached when you first start training your thumb and practicing your cast. This will help your hand become more acclimated to the weight and feel of the line. As your skill level increases, you can switch to a medium-weight lure if you desire, but keep in mind that this reel does not work well with super-light lures.
Article Written By Christine Donatello
Christine Donatello started as a freelance writer in 1990. Her specialties are articles, academic papers and website content. She majored in history and is 30 credits from earning her degree. Many works have been used without her name due to her working for an academic company. But some of her poetry was published in the "Chrysalis," a publication that was released through her school.
