The Outfit and Its Selection
A good firearm is necessary to the good marksman and a well-made, nicely balanced rod, to which is clamped a smooth-running reel, is the essential equipment of an able angler. Bait casting is, of course, more a matter of skill than of outfit, but that is no reason why the angler should be handicapped by poor tackle, although large expenditure is not necessary in obtaining a satisfactory outfit. The casting rod may be from 5 to 6 ft. long. Where the caster regards length of cast as the important factor, the 5-ft. length will probably give the best satisfaction. However, the superiority of one over the other in this regard is rather to be found in the elasticity and quality of the rod than its length. The skill of the caster is, moreover, the ruling factor. The 5¹⁄₂-ft. rod is better than the 5-ft. length for fishing purposes, and the 6-ft. rod is more resilient than the 5¹⁄₂-ft. tip. If the greatest range is not of more importance than the landing of the fish, the longer rod will prove the most pleasant to handle.
The split-bamboo rod has many friends, and a well-made rod of this material is a thoroughly satisfactory casting tool. A fine-quality casting rod of split bamboo costs from $10 to $25. A fairly good rod may be bought for $2 or a trifle less, and a smooth-running reel for another $2, while a line for it will bring the total up to about $5. An outfit of this kind purchased with discrimination, while not embodying everything that a critical angler would desire, will cast a long and accurate line and stand up under the strain of handling our heaviest game fish. The one-piece rod is classed by many anglers as the ideal casting rod. The two-piece rod is handier to pack and is more generally used.
The chief fault in bait-casting rods is the stiff action of the tip section. For tournament casting, a fairly stiff rod is desirable. The same requirement holds good for muskellunge and other heavy fishing. A flexible rod affords more pleasure in playing black bass and other active “gamey” fish. However, the best way to test out a rod is by casting with it.
A Serviceable Reel Costing $4, a High-Grade Reel Costing $13.50, and a Fine Tournament Casting Reel Costing $26, are Shown from Left to Right. The Center One Has a Level-Winding Device and a Thumb-Click Drag on the Rims of the Plates. The Tournament Casting Reel Has a Cork Arbor and Jeweled Bearings
The steel casting rod is well liked by some casters, but only a high-quality steel rod is worthy of consideration. It is generally not classed as the equal of a well-made solid-wood or split-bamboo rod, for casting. The better-grade steel rod is springy and flexible, and for this reason is a good rod for casting for black bass. Still, most anglers have a steel rod in their outfits, but it is not as generally used at tournaments as the time-tried wooden rod.
The guide is an important detail of a casting rod. Inexpensive rods are usually provided with large metal guides, while the better rods are fitted with agate guides, or with agate tip and hand guides. A guide, ¹⁄₂ in. in diameter, at the butt of the rod is large enough and will handle the line smoothly.
The single grip is sometimes preferred by casters, but the additional grip placed above the reel is desirable if much fishing is done. Solid-cork hand grasps are most satisfactory, being less slippery when wet and less tiring to the hand than handles made of other materials. If the lower grip is properly shaped with a forward edge, the forefinger will find a firm grip upon it, and the finger hook will not be needed. However, some anglers prefer to use the hook, and if the rod is not so fitted, a detachable hook may be fastened to it. A reel band that locks securely is desirable, and all the better grades of casting rods are so fitted.
The quadruple reel is the logical choice of the bait caster, the spool turning four times to one turn of the handle. As the work demanded of a bait-casting reel is different and more exacting than that of the click reel used in fly casting, its design is radically different. The best type of click reel is of large spool diameter and narrow between plates, while the typical casting reel is its direct opposite—being long-barreled, with plates of comparatively small diameter. For tournament casting the finest outfit will naturally be selected, but for practical work it is unnecessary to pay $25 for a finely wrought reel. Three typical reels are shown in the [illustration]. The one at the left holds 80 yd. of line, can be easily taken apart for cleaning, and costs $4. In the center is a level-winding reel with thumb click and adjustable drag placed on the rims of the plates. It holds 60 yd. of line, and costs $13.50. At the right is a very high-grade reel for tournament casting. It has a cork arbor, jeweled bearings holds 60 yd. of line, and costs $26.
Any of the better grades of braided silk are suitable for the bait-casting line. The average price for a dependable line is about $1 for 50 yd. A small size line is best, and sizes G and E are preferred. A brown and green, or other dark-colored, line is preferable for fishing. The black and white, all white and other light-colored, lines are satisfactory for tournament use. After a day’s fishing the line should be unreeled and looped around the back of a chair in loose coils to dry, or loosely wound upon a drying reel.
For practice and tournament casting one of the standard ¹⁄₄ and ¹⁄₂-oz. loaded wooden or metal plugs may be used. The popularity of bait casting from the reel has brought forth a large variety of artificial baits. These wooden and enameled lures are used by anglers because they bring the catches.
The wooden minnows, and other forms of artificial bait, may be roughly classed in three divisions: the surface lures for use on top of the water; the diving and under-water baits; and the weedless varieties, which are usually of the surface type. No bait caster’s outfit is complete unless it includes one bait of each class, and to meet fully the different and varying conditions of weather, season, and water, it is a good plan to select one of each type in light and medium-dark colors. A variety of typical baits are shown in the [page plate] at A, B, C, etc. Many of the baits are provided with one or more eyes for attaching the line, thus enabling the caster to spin his bait at different depths. All of the wooden-body baits will float, and only dive under the surface when reeled in; the quicker they are retrieved the deeper they spin. While many of these baits have been designed especially to entice the black bass, practically all of them are good for pickerel and general fresh-water casting, particularly the minnow baits.
The other items which complete the bait caster’s outfit are the landing net and tackle box. The net should be well made, with a steel hoop 13 in. or larger in diameter, and should have a handle about 3 ft. long. The folding type of net is the most convenient, and is provided with a separate handle. The tackle box may be of sheet metal or leather, with partitions for holding reels, baits, and the angling “what not.” A convenient and serviceable landing net costs $1 or more, and a tackle box will cost about as much.