My advice is get a decent baitcast reel with dual brakes and put on a 3/8oz bait or plug. Spool it with about 12lb MONO and Set both brakes to half way. Hold the rod out in front of you and press the button to release the lure and let it fall to the ground. Adjust the spool tension until it doesn't backlash when it hits the ground. Now with both brakes set to half and spool tension set throw a bomb overhand cast and watch the spool closely. If it begins to backlash immediately then adjust the inside the cover brake a little bit higher but if it starts to backlash while the lure is in the air deep into the cast adjust the outside brake until this just barely stops. Once you get both brakes set you should be able to cast it without backlashing all the time and if you change lures a tiny turn on the spool tension knob for adjustment should do. This is a good starting point for learning to use a baitcaster without getting totally frustrated and how I teach others to use them when in my boat.. Hope this helps.

Forgot to mention if you need a decent reel on a budget get a Daiwa Fuego. You can get them for 80 bucks on Amazon most of the time and they are easy to learn on and cast very smooth. Hell I think mine cast as smooth as my much more expensive reels...

That procedure is pretty close to how I set up a reel with brakes on it. With the Tatula SV I adjust the tension knob with a 3/8 weight that same way you do and when it hits the I want the spool to stop turning. Then turn the numbered dial on the left side of the reel (right hand reel) to full on setting of 20. As they get better and better at casting you can lower the settings. I have been throwing baitcasters for many years now starting with a Garcia 5000 and the Lews BB1 . Shimano has changed their brake systems several times over the years. Some use a magnet system to control over spin on the spool. Most of my reels are Diawas, then I have several Lews reels and a few Shimanos.

The Daiwa cr80 and the Shimano SLX are both very good low priced reels.

This may not make sense .... but I don't know of another way to word it .....

Spinning reels are thrown "out".

Casting reels are thrown more "up".

You have to release the spool a bit earlier in the cast than you do with a spinning reel to let the spool get a bit of momentum.

I really appreciate this thread. Won my first red 5000 almost 50 years ago and my dad taught me to cast left handed and control the spool with my thumb. Thought that is how it was still done. No idea you could cast and the spool would stop when the lure hit the water! I keep most of my reels very loose and if you push the button and let the weight fall to the ground you would have a big backlash upon impact. Been using the thumb for a long time, should I change my ways? As you loosen the brakes, do you need the thumb control? Curious of your answers.

If you are throwing a bait that you can "Chunk a country mile" then most of the time when it lands there is no need to touch the spool before touchdown.

When you are short casting then you will need to control the spool like you have been or by the spool tension / brake system.

NO !

Keep doing what you are doing. You have total control over your equipment. FWIW, I have done it that way for 30+ years.

If it ain't broke ... don't fix it.

I just bought my grandson what everyone stated was one of the top reels. DAIWA TATULA SV TW 103HS . One question, why it the right side control knob so hard to adjust and hard to adjust?

That is the 2020 model and some of them are very hard to adjust. It is hard to get your fingers on it but you might have to adjust it for him. Turn it slowly until you get it adjusted correctly. Sometimes you only need to adjust the knob on the left side of the reel.

Thanks I will try to get it dialed in before Christmas just need to keep trying. This reel is just so smooth

The pre-2020 version is easier to dial in because the right side knob is larger, but the overall size of the reel is larger. The right side dial on the 2020 version is hard to get thick fingers on and it is fairly tight on most reels. I have 8 of the 2020 versions and all but 2 of them have been difficult to turn.

What you are doing is the right way controlling your cast with your thumb. You don't need to switch reels or change anything you are doing. There are now some reels designed to help those that have issues getting backlashes often so these new designs can help them learn how to use a bait caster without getting too frustrated and quitting. You already know how to use a regular bait caster, so just keep at it.

Zebco33 For the win!!

All joking aside, the 33 has stood the test of time and is still a great reel for kids or just casual pond fishing. Not everyone goes about it like hardened bass fishermen, and it fills a definite need.

Johnson marketed a similar reel for years but I don't remember the model number.

I began with a 202, then got a 404 and then the 33 decades ago. I had an Eagle Claw all glass rod that I bought from Gibsons.

All of those things bring back memories. I don't remember the reels I started with, but I do remember an Eagle Claw yellow rod that I once had.