Master Caster: Part II by Mark Ward

Last month we looked at the casting accuracy of threadline reels. For finesse fishing or working lures vertically in deepwater the threadline is an awesome reel, but for accurately casting large hardbodies or for fishing with heavy braided line, small baitcasters are in a league of their own.

Baitcasters are popular with northern anglers due to the use of heavier line class on small rods. Casting the same lures on a threadline is a little more difficult because the thicker line causes a lot more friction when casting so distance and accuracy are compromised.

The drag systems can be put under a lot of stress when heavy line is being used on small baitcasting tackle and, while expensive top shelf threadlines have brilliant drag systems, quality baitcasters are a lot more affordable and most have great drags in them.

Having a balanced outfit is vital so talk to your tackle store sales rep about the fish you wish to target and line class that you will be using. There is also a huge difference between a $100 reel and a $300 reel so buy the best you can afford.

I also love the fact that I can work a baitcaster with my thumb over the spool so when a big bass heads back into the timber or a barra dives for his snag. The thumb can lock down on the spool and a lot more pressure can be applied to pull the fish out. You win some and you loose some but if the fish gets back into cover it is all over, so having that sort of control is great.