What is the knob on the side of a baitcaster for?
The knob on the side of a baitcaster is the spool tensioner adjustment. It is the most important step in setting up a baitcasting reel. As outlined above, the spool tensioner is your best defense against backlash during a cast.
What is a spool tension knob on a baitcasting reel?
In addition to the baitcasting reel’s braking system, you can also adjust your spool speed with the spool tension knob. While braking systems are great for larger restrictions on how much line comes off, the spool tension knob allows for even finer tuning.
How do baitcasters work?
As an aid to avoid overrun or backlash, baitcasters have a set of adjustable brakes that allow you to regulate the amount of pressure on the spool so that your spool does not spin faster than the line is traveling from the reel.
What are baitcaster handles on the right side of the reel?
The knob on the handle side of the baitcaster is the spool tension knob. They sit in various positions but always on the handle side of the reel. Why are Baitcaster Handles on the Right Side? A surprisingly common question. It should be noted that baicasters come with handles on both sides.
What is the knob on the side of a baitcaster?
The knob on the side of a baitcaster is the spool tensioner adjustment. It is the most important step in setting up a baitcasting reel.As outlined...
Why are baitcaster handles on the right side?
Newsflash! That was true until relatively recently, but newer models now have handles available on both sides of the baitcasting reel.The original...
What does the tension knob do on a baitcaster?
The tension knob is protection against backlash. The knob located just behind the handle should be adjusted on most reels before casting with diffe...
What are the adjustments on a baitcast reel?
There are three adjustments you can make with a baitcasting reel. They are the line tension, the brakes, and the drag.To set the line tension, foll...
Why do bass fishermen use baitcasters?
The simple reason that bass fisherman use baitcasters is for control. A baitcaster provides the control bass fishermen require for accurate casts i...
What is the button on a baitcaster called?
The button is called a spool release button, and it’s used to release the spool at the precise time during a cast. After a little practice, you’ll...
Why are baitcasters so popular?
by Bill Laney. Baitcasting reels are very popular among many anglers, due to the fact they have greater casting accuracy and distance compared to other types of fishing reels, most notably spinning reels. In addition to better casting performance, baitcasters also tend to be more lightweight than spinning reel sizes that are comparable in term ...
What brakes do baitcasters use?
There are two types of baitcaster brakes: centrifugal and magnetic. Many baitcaster models nowadays have both of these braking systems, and both the centrifugal and magnetic brakes are essential ...
What is a line guide on a baitcaster?
The line guide serves to ensure that the line is spooled on to the baitcaster spool evenly, by moving back and forth from one end of the spool to the other as you turn the handle. Remember to thread the line through the line guide before you thread it through the guides of your baitcasting rod.
How many brakes does a baitcaster have?
Many baitcasters have 6 centrifugal brakes, and setting them to maximum would mean sliding all 6 to their active position. If your baitcaster has magnetic brakes, these can usually be adjusted externally with a dial on the side of the frame (on the side of the reel which is opposite to the handle – see photo above).
Why are slow reels better than big game reels?
Slow reels have more torque, which can be helpful when you’re fighting big, strong fish. Because of this, big game reels (which are basically super sized baitcasters), have two gears: a high gear for retrieving the lure, and a low gear for fighting the fish. See also: baitcasting reel gear ratio explained.
How does a baitcasting reel work?
In the case of low profile baitcasters, the foot is recessed, and as a result the reel body nestles right on top of the rod, without sticking out. This helps to make it extremely ergonomic, and easy to handle for long periods of casting.
What is the key feature of baitcasting reels?
An essential feature that you need to master on baitcasting reels is controlling spool rotation during a cast . When you cast with a baitcasting reel, the weight of your lure causes the spool to rotate, which essentially ‘unwinds’ the line during the cast.
What Are The Parts Of A Baitcaster Reel Explained?
On the user side of a baitcasting reel, there are ten main components that allow anglers to adjust line tension, drag, and set individual reel settings.
How Does A Baitcaster Reel Work?
Baitcasting reels differ from spinning reels, and spincasting reels, in the way their spools are oriented.
How Do You Set Up A Baitcasting Reel?
Setting up a baitcasting reel is a bait-specific procedure. On most reels, you’ll need to set the spool tensioner to match the weight of the bait you’re using before the initial cast.
Frequently Asked Questions
The knob on the side of a baitcaster is the spool tensioner adjustment. It is the most important step in setting up a baitcasting reel.
What are baitcasting reel knobs made of?
The knobs come in a significant variety of shapes and styles, often made from plastic, EVA, and cork. There’s little more to be said about the handle. However, in my opinion, it’s one of the most critical parts of the overall reel feel. For me and many other anglers, choosing a baitcasting reel is all about feel.
Where is the free spool button on a baitcaster?
To engage the free spool on a low profile baitcaster you depress the thumb bar that’s positioned just behind the spool.
What are the brakes on a baitcasting reel?
Brakes. Baitcasting reels have brake systems to assist in the reduction of backlash. Brake systems are either magnetic or centrifugal. The brakes are adjustable, allowing you to tune your reel to conditions, rig, and desired casting distance.
What is the difference between a baitcaster and a spin spool?
The benefit of this configuration is strength and rigidity. However, the most critical difference between a baitcaster and a spin spool is that a baitcaster spool rotates.
What does it mean to have more brakes on a reel?
By and large, more brake means less chance of backlash. However, more brake will also mean reduced casting distance – and significantly in many cases. Magnetic brakes are adjusted using a conveniently located dial on the side of the reel.
Why is it important to know your fishing reels?
Knowing your fishing reels inside and out makes you a better, more independent angler. Knowing what to set or adjust, when and why, ultimately equates to more fish. Efficient anglers catch more fish. Being able to set up and adjust your reel to suit targets and conditions makes you more efficient.
How to adjust magnetic brakes?
Magnetic brakes are adjusted using a conveniently located dial on the side of the reel. Centrifugal brakes often require you to flip off the side plate of the reel manually adjusting each brake prong. Whether you go centrifugal or magnets, or a combination of both is up to you.
Baitcaster reel parts explained
Let’s get right into it and explore the different parts of the baitcaster reel! As you can see from the image below, the baitcaster is made up of several key components. Each of these components performs a task that allows the baitcaster to cast your line quickly!
What should you look for in a baitcaster?
Now that we have covered the parts of a baitcaster, you might be wondering what you should consider when making your purchase.
Low profile vs. round baitcaster
Before we dive in, let’s clear up the differences between low profile and round baitcasters to help you decide which is the right one for you.
Final thoughts
And there you have it, the parts of a baitcaster reel and what they do!
Foot (& Seat)
The first component of the baitcasting reel that you need to know about is the foot.
Drag Control
Yet another very important component on any baitcasting reel is the drag control, which can be a round knob, but may also be in the shape of a triangle, starfish, or any other such shape.
Brakes
One very unique component that you will find on a baitcasting reel is the brake, or the brakes.
Thumb Bar
The thumb bar is yet another crucial component of the baitcasting reel, one that is closely related to the spool.
Handle
The next baitcasting reel component that plays a very important role is the handle itself, which is of course the part of the reel that you turn in order to retrieve that lure, and hopefully a fish on it too.
Spool
Another very important component of the baitcasting reel is the spool, which is what actually holds the fishing line.
Cast Control Knob AKA The Clutch
Closely related to the brakes of a baitcasting reel is the cast control knob or cast control system.
What Makes Baitcasters Different?
Baitcasters are the top choice of reel for stream, pond, and lake fishing, especially if you like to catch bass. The connection to the line and the increased casting accuracy is what makes this reel the prized choice for anglers.
The Drag
You can find the drag near the handle of the reel. It is used to regulate and set the tension of your line. The more you tighten the drag, the harder your prey will have to fight to unhook itself from your line.
The Brakes
The brakes in a baitcasting reel are designed to help you regulate the spool’s rotation when you cast. If you add more brakes to your reel, there will be more resistance on the spool, stopping it from reaching further distances.
The Spool Tension
The spool knobs also help you restrict your line, however, their ability is more precise and can help you fine-tune your casts. The brakes are a direct and dramatic control over your line, but the spool tension enables you to prepare for the change in bait weight and the ever-changing weather.
Baitcaster Brake Vs. Spool Tension
Although these types of restrictions are very similar, you shouldn’t be asking which tool is better. You will need both your baitcaster brake and your spool tension to fully control your bait caster.
How Do You Adjust The Tension On A Baitcaster?
The tension knob is a small dial on the side plate next to your handle and your drag. Adjusting this tension to suit your fishing environment will help you create a smooth and controlled cast.
What Does The Tension Knob Do On A Baitcaster?
The tension knob is another name for the spool tension. As we have discussed earlier, a spool tension is a small dial on the side of your rod’s plate. It is the pre-castings settings created by you to perform a smooth casting line.
What is the brake system on a baitcasting reel?
The braking system on a baitcasting reel is designed to regulate the spool’s rotation during your cast, similar to how the brakes in your car work against your tires. “If you add more brakes to your reel when you cast, it’s going to provide a little bit more resistance on that spool,” Conlon says.
Why use a spool tension knob?
For this reason, anglers use this mechanism to adjust for different lures that feature varying weights, helping to give them the perfect ratio for casting.
What does Conlon say about bass?
Conlon says that the more you tighten the drag, the harder it becomes for the bass to peel off more line. “If you’re flipping and pitching in heavy cover, you probably want that drag turned all of the way down so you can really get those fish out of heavy cover,” Conlon says.
Why do baitcasters have backlashes?
You’re likely to experience backlashes, which can frustrate your baitcasting experience. Backlashes happen when the spool spins faster than the line comes through the guide.
Where is the tension knob on a cast iron?
Tension Knob. The tension knob is located on the side plate and looks like a small dial. It serves as a precast adjustment that helps make the casting smooth. It also provides tension to the spool to make it spin or prevent it from spinning.
How to tighten drag on reel?
Between the reel handle and the reel body is a big star-shaped dial. If you wish to tighten the drag, move this star forward or toward you to make it loose. The drag should be tight enough to prevent it from slipping on the hookset.
What brakes do reels use?
The next thing is to adjust the brakes. Most high-end reels come with centrifugal brakes, which are easier to adjust than their magnetic counterparts. On the other hand, magnetic brakes are less expensive and ideal for beginners.
How to tie a lure for a new lure?
Start with adjusting the tension knob, something you should do each time you tie new lures. Hold it at a 10 o’clock or 2 o’clock angle and reel the lure for between 8 and 12 inches of line. Tighten the knob until you feel some light pressure. Let the lure go down slowly to the ground as you push the thumb bar.
Do you need to use brakes on casting?
The higher the setting, the more braking will be enabled in your casting. However, only set the brakes at the level that feels comfortable for you. If you have some experience at thumbing, you can use this technique to slow down the spool. This way, you’ll need to use the brakes less often.
Can you use a lure without hooks?
As you practice, consider using an actual lure without the hooks. Alternatively, you can tie on a nut if you have any lying idle in the garage. You can also buy casting plugs so that you can practice with a specific weight identical to that of the lures you want to use.
What do brakes do on baitcasters?
In this post, I’m going to be talking about what those brakes actually do on a baitcaster. The brakes on a baitcaster are used to slow down the spool. When you cast a baitcaster, the spool will start spinning and you can set how much friction you want the brakes to apply. Having no brakes will let the spool spin faster while having them fully on ...
How to stop fishing line from tangle?
The biggest thing you’ll want to do is keep your thumb near the spool and apply a bit of friction to your fishing line. If you feel your line about to tangle you’ll want to add some pressure to slow things down. If you learn to do this then you’ll have no issues with turning your brakes off.
Why does my spool spin so fast?
Since you’ll have no brakes on and your tension will be light, your spool is going to spin super fast. Sometimes it can start spinning faster than your line is being thrown out and that’s when the backlash happens. If you watch your line you’ll start to see your line getting loose.
What happens when you take the side plate off of a reel?
If you take your side plate off you’ll be able to see the white flaps and those are the brakes. When you turn them off there will be nothing rubbing against the spool. This type of reel could have a dial on the side plate but you might also have to take the plate off and manually flip the brakes on.
Should you have your brakes on when casting?
Having your brakes on will help but it’s still possible to get tangles in your spool. When you’re first learning how to cast you should have your brakes fully on. Once you gain some confidence you can slowly turn them off and that’ll allow you to cast a longer distance.
Baitcaster Reel Parts Explained.
- Let’s get right into it and explore the different parts of the baitcaster reel! As you can see from the image below, the baitcaster is made up of several key components. Each of these components performs a task that allows the baitcaster to cast your line quickly! Now that we can see the parts of the baitcaster and where they are, let’s move on to ...
What Should You Look For in A Baitcaster?
- Now that we have covered the parts of a baitcaster, you might be wondering what you should consider when making your purchase. You should look for some features when making your purchase, and you should also consider the type of fishing you will be doing. For example, you want a low-profile and lightweight baitcaster with a fairly high-speed gear ratio if you like to do lu…
Low Profile vs. Round Baitcaster
- Before we dive in, let’s clear up the differences between low profile and round baitcasters to help you decide which is the right one for you. Low profile baitcasters – have a small spool that nestles on top of the handle of the rod. These models tend to be far lighter than other baitcasters too. They are ideal for extended periods of casting, making them popular for bass fishing. These reel…
Final Thoughts
- And there you have it, the parts of a baitcaster reel and what they do! They can seem a little tricky at first, but once you understand how the parts work, it will become easier, and you will choose the best reel for you! Be sure to consider the factors we mentioned above and use them to help you find the right baitcasting reel for you.