baitcasting reels

Question
I got a eagle claw baitcaster combo with a vb3000 baitcaster reel for christmas. I have never used this type of reel, and I don't understand how it is supposed to work. I have always used a open faced reel. Can you help me understand it, or give me some ideas on where to look? for info?

Answer
While I am not familiar with that particular baitcasting rod and reel I do know that Eagle Claw gear has a long history of making good quality fishing gear.  

Since you have been using open faced outfit you will find the casting gear just a little more difficult to use but with practice you will get so you like it.  I have been asked why have both kinds of rods and reels and my answer is why have both wrenches and pliers, they have different uses.  Basically the spinning outfit is designed for lighter work while the casting gear handles heavier types of lures etc.

Your open faced reel is below the rod while the casting reel is on top of the rod. With the spinning reel the spool does not turn and with a casting reel the spool turns.  The spinning reel has the line peel off a fixed spool while the casting reel has the line pull the spool around to give line on a cast.  For fresh water spinning about 10-12pound test monofilament or equivilent braided line is about as heavy as you can cast.  A casting reel can cast monofilament up to 20 pound test or equivalent.  A spinning outfit can handle up to about 1/2oz lures but down to much smaller.  A casting outfit can handle Lures from about 1/2 oz. to well over one ounce.

You know that casting with a spinning outfit uses the index finger of the casting hand to hold the line until it is pulled out by the force of the cast.  With a casting reel the thumb of the casting hand is used to hold the line and spool still until the force of the cast pulls the line out from under the thumb.  At first you will probably find that you either put too much pressure on the thumb causing the cast to be much too short or not enough pressure allowing the spool to spin too freely and cause a backlash.  Try to get the feel of how much pressure it takes to let the line pull off the spool smoothly.  A little practice will get you casting.  The best way to cast is to leave about 4-6 inches of line from the tip of the rod.  Start the backcast from about the 9-10 o:clock   position bringing the rod tip straight up over your shoulder and just missing your ear. Make this a sharp snap up until the rod is just past vertical.  All this time holding the spool firmly with the thumb to prevent the line from going out over your back.  When the rod is just past vertical stop its movement sharply.  This will allow the rod to bend or flex further back.  Immediately when you stop the rod at the near vertical position snap your wrist forward driving the rod back past your ear and just as it passes your ear begin easing pressure on your thumb.  Stop the forward motion when the rod reaches 11 O:clock and release pressure on the thumb letting the spool spin out the line.  Move your thumb to the edge of the spool (not on the line) and keep light pressure on that metal edge of the spool to prevent the spool from overrunning.  The timing is the thing that makes such casting possible.  As I said before it takes some practice but once you master the timing you will be casting without thinking about it leaving your mind free to think about accuracy.  Just before your lure gets to the place you have targeted gently increase pressure on the spool rim and allow the lure to drop easily into the water.  It takes quite a while to tell you how to do this but in actuality it takes less than one second to do it.  It is important to not try to "throw" your lure.  The rod is designed to provide the force to cast the lure and the reel is designed to allow the line to run out smoothly once you get the feel of it.  Oh~ I forgot to tell you how to adjust the tension on the reel.  Some reels have an adjustment on the left side of the reel in line with the spool shaft while others have the adjustment on the right side.  A few have adjustments on both sides.  Reel in the lure to the tip of the rod and hold your thumb on the spool. Now press the release button which allows the spool to turn free.  Next release the thumb completely from the spool.  If the lure does not fall you are adjusted too tight.  Slowly ease the adjusting nut until the lure falls smoothly.  When the lure hits the floor or water the spool should stop turning.  If it does not stop pull out the loops and start over.  If the lure does not drop all the way to the floor/water you need to ease up on the nut.  It should drop smoothly and when it hits the floor/water the spool should come to a smooth stop.

I use both spinning and casting outfits.  Basically I use the casting outfit with 14 or 17 pound test mono. or equivalent and 8lb test on the spinning outfits mostly for worm or other plastic baits and the casting for heavier spinnerbaits or crankbaits.

I hope this has been of some help.  I could show you how to do the casting in minutes but trying to explain without visuals is difficult.  If you still have questions  give me a follow up question and I will try to clear up any questions.  

Thank you for calling on me to answer your question.
I am
Jack L. Gaither   (JackfromSeminole)
Lake Seminole, Georgia