Originally Posted by
tackle_buster
Also next to your star-drag there is another knob that controls the free spool tension. Use this first to set up your lure weight. Tie a lure on, press the bar down and holding the rod up at 45 deg, take your thumb off the spool and let the lure free fall to the ground. You need the tension up enough so the lure drops slowly to the ground and when it touches the ground the spool should not over run. Obviously Barra and Jack lures are heavier than Bream and Bass lures, so you will need to adjust accordingly. Once you have that sorted then start with your mag brake on max and start casting. As you get used to thumbing the spool when you cast, start reducing the mag brake resistance, the lower you go the longer you will cast, but also the more backlashes you will get. Once mastered, these will almost be zero. Just make sure that you keep the braid tight on the spool. At the end of a days casting the braid can loosen on your spool and cause the braid to bite in on itself. I normaly throw a deeper diving lure on at the end of a session and under forward motion in the boat, let most of the line out and then wind it back on while moving forward, packing it back on tight. Just some of my thoughts, hope they help. There are also plenty of you tube clips on casting techniques and casting setup.
.
