hrm, ok. I have a knob there, I thought there was a 'second' tension control based on what I've been reading here.

I wouldn't mess with it but if you want to push the silver h20 symbol in and twist the left reel plate downwards pins up means a tighter spool pins down means a looser spool it's the magnetic breaking system but honestly with the h20 it's all about the tension knob on the right

I live in Mansfield and I can show you how to adjust it, cast it and show you how to pitch with it all at the same time if you want to hook up sometime. We could meet at the south boat ramp at Lake Arlington if you are interested.

I have been using baitcasters for 35+ years now.

I may do it ezbassin, it's a bit of a drive for me. but I do head that direction eveyr now and then.

Cunch it and get a Shimano "Curado!

I have taught countless folks how to throw their baitcasters through the years. All the tips about how to adjust your reel are good.

Here's a great tip:

Before you cast rotate your wrist to the left so the reel handles are pointing up. Now imagine you are trying to throw straight up into the sky. Rear back and throw it up into the sky.

Remember this Young Grasshopper, Handles up, throw up! It really works.

I been there buddy, you know works well for me, is braided line. It does not seem to want to "jump" up and bird nest like Mono does...I could not cast a bait caster at all with mono, put braid on it and I am almost decent now ha ha.

(^^^)@ ^^^^3333 /
( ) \ #3##3##3#3#33><
<*)>< ) // 3 3 3 3 \
(___)//)3333/

So much excellent advice, all of it correct!

I would only add this: 10lb mono is great for spinning gear but is too light to learn how to use a baitcaster. Learn to cast with 12-15lb mono, which is more forgiving, and practice until the "muscle memory" sets in. That's the point when your body remembers how to correctly perform the job, and you just "know" what to do instinctively.

Stay with mono as long as you like, and then give braid a try. You'll adjust to it quickly and your sensitivity and hook-setting will improve noticeably.

I used 12lb Trilene XL and Big Game for decades, and recently went to Power-Pro braid in 30lb and 50lb test. Spool it on correctly and it's a pleasure to cast. But you should use a flouro leader, and that means possibly learning some new knots.

One of the rricks i use on tournament days and also when teaching my son and now my grandson, make a normal cast and strip off about 10 more feet of line. Take a small piece of Johnsons waterproof medical tape and place it across the spool and rell it all back in. Now if you get in a mess it's not deep and you can pull it out easy. When you start hitting the tape place it a litttle deeper in the spool. Next make sure you have reel tension set right. Hold the rod horizontal with the water and let it free spool, the reel should stop as the bait hits the water. Do these each tine you change
Baits if they wiegh different. As you get more comfortable you can loosen it up.

Also, if you have a magnetic or centrifugal break, that controls the reel speed in the late portion of the cast. If you are backlashing late in the cast adjust it a little tighter.

you guys rock. havn't had a chance to throw it around lately, went out on short fishing trip friday morning and didn't want to waste any time 'learning' just wanted to fish. I don't think I have nay plans tomorrow so I might spend some time playin around.

+1 on both of these.

If I hated my baitcaster I would kill it.

I almost did the first time out on benbrook. It was windy as he'll and i got annoyed with getting blown off the bubbles so I out down my shiny new bc and grabbed the anchor. Chucked in the anchor and watched my new rod and reel fly by me and into the water. It'd snagged on the anchor rope. Luckily it stayed snagged and I pulled it back up with the rope.