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.
Suggestions on Making the Cast
Although much practice is required before the caster can take his place in a tournament, “getting the hang” of handling the short rod and free-running reel comes quickly. As soon as the simple principles are understood, length and accuracy will come only through practice. Bait casting is easier than fly casting and the angler need concern himself only with the length and accuracy of his cast, since delicacy does not enter into this phase of fishing. The coarser sweet-water fish, like black bass and pickerel, are not frightened when the bait hits the water with a splash—indeed, the splash of the bait attracts them.
Two methods of casts are used by bait casters, the overhead and the underhand or side cast. The overhead cast is used largely by the practical angler, as well as by those who take part in tournament contests, because the bait is projected a longer distance and may be more accurately placed. If the novice will thumb the line, as shown in [Fig. 1], with thumb bearing directly on the cross rod of the reel with the ball of the thumb resting lightly on the line, one or two trials will show the correct manner of spooling. The line is retrieved as shown in [Fig. 2], care being taken to form correct habits from the start. To make the cast, reel in the bait until it is some 6 in. from the tip, release the click or drag, and press the ball of the thumb firmly upon the spooled line. Carry the rod over the shoulder until it is horizontal or nearly so, as in [Fig. 3], and then bring it smartly forward, checking it quickly when it reaches an angle of some 45°, as shown in [Fig. 4]. This projects the bait forward in a straight line. When the rod is brought forward the tension of the thumb on the spool is released so that the spool will revolve freely, but enough pressure must be communicated by the thumb to prevent the reel from spinning faster than the line is unreeled from the spool, otherwise backlash will occur. The use of the whole arm and the weight of the body, combined with the elasticity of the pliant rod, enables the caster to cover a surprisingly long distance after a little practice. A distance of 150 ft. is not difficult to attain, but for fishing, a well-placed cast of 60 or 75 ft. is long enough to reach promising stretches of water.
