Fishing Rods

Hello people, be patient with me I'am a newbie to the Kistler forum. I'am fairly new to fishing. I know nothing about the equipment. I went to the local bait and tackle shop and picked up an Okuma Epixor EB 30 with a St. Croix Tidemaster Inshore 6' med heavy , fast action graphite rod. I dont know if this equipment is any good but I have been using it for about two years without a single complaint.

I now want to try a baitcasting setup. My problem is I dont know if I need a right handed or left handed model. On the above setup I retrieve using my right hand. Does this mean I need a right hand model.

I would rather look like a bonehead to strangers than the guys at the local bait and tackle shop.

Also what is your opinion on the Daiwa Fuego baitcaster?
Remember baitcasting will be a new technique for me so I am not looking to spend over $300.00 bucks for a reel.

I do the same as SDesign there. Reel with my non-casting hand. And the Fuego is probably my msot used reel now, I absolutely love it. Do not get it anywhere near saltwater though.

What they both said including "Welcome" to Kistler's family.

I am left-handed so I cast and work the bait with my left hand while I reel with my right hand. Just makes sence to me to use my dominate arm/hand for casting and let the non-dominant one do the easier job of reeling.

My best friend bought a Fuego after I recommended it. It was his first high-end baitcaster and he matched it to his first Helium, a 7' Medium Casting(the most verstile Helium IMO) rod. He loves both the reel and the rod. He throws an unweighted, 5" Senko a "country mile" with that rig.

Dan

Thanks for all your help people. Since I cast with my Left I will be picking myself up a brand new right hand Fuego this weekend.

Now I need some help on an all around Kistler Helium to partner up with it.
Suggestions anyone?

Thanks for your help,
Rob

I'll second the 6'9" APC. Although I'm addicted to the 7' H now!

Received my new Daiwa Fuego today and its a beauty. Now I just need to figure out how to line the spool. Baitcasters are new to me , actually this is the first one I have seen in person. I should be able to figure it out . I ordered the reel through Cabelas on Sunday 5/08/05 standard shipping and it arrived today at 1:08pm ,not bad. Great job Cabelas!!!!

rmurf wrote:Received my new Daiwa Fuego today and its a beauty. Now I just need to figure out how to line the spool. Baitcasters are new to me , actually this is the first one I have seen in person. I should be able to figure it out . I ordered the reel through Cabelas on Sunday 5/08/05 standard shipping and it arrived today at 1:08pm ,not bad. Great job Cabelas!!!!

I started attaching the line to the reel's spool with a small piece of tape(electrical, etc.) after feeding the line through the reel's moving guide. After putting the piece of tape over the line's end, have someone hold the line spool upright(put a pencil through the line's spool center hole) while you hold the line just in ftront of the guide with your forefinger and thumb for pressure.

Reel several loops onto the reel's spool with just enough pressure to keep from pulling the line from under the tape. Now after you've done this, put more pressure on the line with your fingers and reel the line on tightly. The line wraps/loops will prevent the line from coming free. A l/m Bass is not going to 'spool' your reel enough to get back down to the arbor and tape. Others will say to stop putting the line when the line has gotten to 1/8" from the spool's edge but a guide(who recommended the tape) says to reel it on right up to the edge. After a few casts/retrieves, the line will be below the spool's edge just the right amount. It works.

Also, for reels with enough line capacity, I put a cheap mono on the first half of the spool and then I tape my f/c line onto the mono and finish filling the spool. F/c line costs more than mono but is so much better IMO.

For an all-round rod, my choice(I have four) is the 7' Medium Casting Helium. I use it for everything but heavy jigs, swimbaits, and C-rigging.

Dan

Dan are you threading the line through the guide then taping it to the spool?
So by doing it this way I do not have to remove the spool through the side plate access?

I know I must sound very foolish, but I have only been fishing the Yankee way,
after all I'am a New Englander.

Ok I figured it out , I have line on, now where can I find info on how to cast without getting this backlash. Remember this is my first time with a baitcaster!

Ok, set your braking system to the highest setting(not the drag).

I recomend getting some cheapo line for practice casting, in a 1/4 pound spool.


Now, tie some sort of weight to the end of your line. Press your thumb against the spool, and hit the release button. As you make your cast, keep your thumb just barely pressed on the spool, so your line doesn't kick up on you(backlash). Watch your weight. Right before your weight hits the ground, press your thumb up to the spool, stopping it. This will take some practice time, but it's worth it.


Once you get better, loosen your braking system some until you can cast on the lightest setting.


This should cover you decently well.