Good tips above :-) Yes it takes a long time to get really dialed with a baitcaster, but it will be worth your time. I learned how to cast a conventional reel with a Penn Squidder 501 when I was about 10 years old. I thought I would never get the hang of it. Just gotta start out with the weights and the mechanical brake and everything and wean yourself off from there. On my curados I turn off all of the spool weights and back the mechanical brake out until it's totally freespool. If you want a real challenge, get a Corsair. I don't know why but those reels backlash easier than any other reel I have fished. Get a Corsair dialed in and you will probably never backlash again :-) Good luck and stick with it.