When you load up the rod and make a cast, let's say the plug leaves the rod tip at a 100 miles an hour. The spool is traveling at the same speed, around 100 mph. Once the plug gets out a certain distance, it looses velocity and tends to slow down, say to 75 mph. However, the spool has no idea of what is happening out in front of it, it's stupid and is still traveling at 100 mph. When the bait finally hits the water it stops, but again the spool doesn't know what is happening out there and is still going berserk at 100 mph. This is where your educated thumb comes in to play and that of a little hand-to-eye coordination. When you make a cast your thumb will ride over top of the spool ever so slightly, just barely brushing it, keeping the speed of the spool from over revolving and at the same speed as that of the lure. And, just prior to the bait hitting the water your thumb clamps down on the spool putting on the brakes, thus eliminating what some refer to as a professional over-run at the end of the cast.

As you become more accustomed to and in tune with your baitcaster, you can start backing off on the magnetic control and the fine-cast control knob. These adjustments will enable you to cast farther. If you purchase a reel without magnetics, the only adjustment you will have to make is with the fine cast control knob. The internal centrifical brake weights will do the rest.

Practice with the outfit in your backyard or at a park until you feel comfortable with it before taking it out onto the water. Once you master the modern day baitcasting reels, you'll find it very difficult to put the outfit down.

One thing to keep in mind John, even seasoned veterans will still get the occasional birds nest when trying to make an extra long cast into the wind. When it happens to me and someone sees me, I tell them that my front flasher is not working and I'm just checking to see how deep the water is while picking out the mess. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

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