07-21-2011, 06:47 PM
Hi Outfishin,
Good luck on your trip! The baitcaster can be a beast to master. When I started I had two main problems. 1. setting the spool tension. 2. Trying to cast. When I would cast, my line wouldn't release fast enough therefore my lure would slam into the water 3 ft in front of me.
The Fix. Loosen the spool tension knob to the point that when holding the trigger down, the weight of your lure will be enough for the spool to unwind. (if the tension knob is at it's lightest setting and the spool, when open, won't unwind just by the weight of the lure itself. Then you need to use a heavier lure or switch to a spinning reel.
Casting: I found that you have to let your thumb off the spool earlier than you would for a spinning reel. When I cast I will dethumb the line at about the 1 o'clock position instead of the 11 o'clock position for a spinning reel.
I had to teach myself this so I don't know if this is the correct technique or not. lol But it works for me.
Sorry, I've never fished Montana though I think you will be just fine with your rod/reel/line selection. Just make sure you have your drag set correctly for 8-10lb test line.
Good luck
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Good luck on your trip! The baitcaster can be a beast to master. When I started I had two main problems. 1. setting the spool tension. 2. Trying to cast. When I would cast, my line wouldn't release fast enough therefore my lure would slam into the water 3 ft in front of me.
The Fix. Loosen the spool tension knob to the point that when holding the trigger down, the weight of your lure will be enough for the spool to unwind. (if the tension knob is at it's lightest setting and the spool, when open, won't unwind just by the weight of the lure itself. Then you need to use a heavier lure or switch to a spinning reel.
Casting: I found that you have to let your thumb off the spool earlier than you would for a spinning reel. When I cast I will dethumb the line at about the 1 o'clock position instead of the 11 o'clock position for a spinning reel.
I had to teach myself this so I don't know if this is the correct technique or not. lol But it works for me.
Sorry, I've never fished Montana though I think you will be just fine with your rod/reel/line selection. Just make sure you have your drag set correctly for 8-10lb test line.
Good luck
[signature]