Anybody got any tips on learning how to use a baitcasting reel? Or
to make it easier to learn? THANKS.

Set all you wheights out or all the magnets on. Set the mechanical break so that the lure barely falls when you release the thumbar for the cast, and throw with the wind.

Not much else to tell you. Practice a lot. Get used to picking webs for awhile.

After you get a little used to it, start backing off a few of the wheights. Eventually you should be able to get by with only using the wheights when casting into the wind.
NoTrollMotor

What do the weights and magnets do? Why do you set the magnets on
for what? As you can tell i have never used a bait castingreel.
Thanks for the info NOTROLLMOTOR.

what type of reel is it??

it's a shimano curado super-free 200bsf.

You picked a good reel. You have weights rather than magnets.

The wheights are located on the side opposite the crank. Lift the tab on the side cover and turn counter-clockwise. Under this you'll find some plastic round things on pins. To activate the wheights move them away from the center until the little collar snaps past the ridge in the recess that holds the wheight. This allows them to be forced by centrifical force against a ring on the inside of the sidecover. My 200 super-free came with two wheight activated. The directions that should have come with your reel explain better.

The mechanical break is the small knurled knob on the crank side.

The weights act like a talented thumb putting a little resistance on the spin of the reel which varies with the speed that the spool is spinning. As the lure travels it slows down. The reel doesn't slow down as fast, causing the backlashes you've probably been getting. Properly adjusted weights will help. Casting into the wind causes the lure to slow faster, requiring more resistance on the spool spin.

Put your thumb on the spool to keep it from spinning, press on the bar with the same thumb. Cast and let your thumb off the same time as you would realease the line from your finger with a spinning reel.
Be sure to stop the spool with your thumb a fraction of a second before the lure lands or EXACTLY when it hits the water. or you will get mondo backlash. Sorry if this last paragraph was already obvious, but the first time I used a baitcaster, I didn't know this, and I learned the hard way.

It is not as hard as it first seems. My 12-year-old uses one.

Oh, use a heavier lure while learning. Nothing less than 1/4 oz. I'd suggest 5/8 oz or heavier while learning.

GOOD LUCK

NoTrollMotor

Shimano distributes a great video called Baitcasting 101, I know it is a little bit juvenille, but I have heard nothing but positive things about it, it is done by a gentlemen by the name of Mike Bonadonna, he is a very good friend of mine, and I will tell you without a doubt, he is one of, if not the best caster, (is that a word) in the US, give them a call, I heard they send them out at no charge, BTW, you bought a great reel, that you should be able to fish for the rest of your life!!!!
The Rook

Its all in the rist,and in thumb control.When the bait or lure you are casting hits the water and you dont stop the reel from spinning with your thumb thats when you get backlash.Also when you first start casting keep your hand somewhat high in the air;it helps untill you get used to it.And like notrollmotor said practice alot,not just at the lake either practice in your yard.

When I was first learning I brought my setup to a pier. The longer "dropping distance" made it easier to control the backlash - longer time to react? I don't know - it worked for me.

Once I had that down I got a practice plug and a box and "target practiced" in the back yard. Not only did that help me learn to cast the reel but it also improved my aim.

I also spent a lot of time at a local pond (a few blocks from my house) casting a 1/4 oz. crankbait from the shore. One of those casts produced a 24 inch (~7.5 lbs.) largemouth - I was stoked! 2nd fish on a baitcaster.

It's a little tough at first but WELL WORTH THE EFFORT!

Thanks you guys for being so helpfull. I have no experience
w/baitcasters so even the obvious I needed to hear. I have a way better understanding now Except for the weights, when to adjust
them under what situations?

I was in the same boat earlier this year and the suggestions I received on this board were very helpful. When I first started I was very discouraged, but it didn't take long to get the hang of things. You'll be casting consistently before you know it! I can now cast with my curado with as just one break engaged. You'll get there too.

One great tip I had was to use Rat-L-Traps - 1/2 ounce when you first start out. They're easy to cast and hey - they'll even catch fish.

Once you get used to the reel, I would suggest that you move some of the weights back in. It was an incredible help while learning, but now having all of the weights out severly reduces the distance of my casts. I tend to move some in or out depending on the weight of the lure. Just go out there and practice practice practice!!!! You may feel foolish in the front yard chucking away, but it will improve your casting ability.

Just my .02

Tight Lines,

Clay