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I’ve never used a bait caster but I’m thinking about getting one for bass fishing. I feel like I will birds nest every cast, what are some tips? What is a good brand I will probably buy one from academy and what power rod should I get and what line? I will use soft plastics mainly Texas rig
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It takes some practice. Get a decent reel as it will be more forgiving than a cheap one. Start out with the brakes and tension fairly tight and make short casts. As you get the hang of it, you can start loosening brakes and tension and cast harder/farther. You will get some birds nests but don’t get discouraged
What’s a good brand that’s not too expensive
They can get pricey but Shimano SLX or Diawa Tatula are good reels that won’t break the bank. Shimano’s DC reels are very user friendly but more expensive.
Entry level baitcast reels are the Shimano SLX XT or Tatula CT. These are the low cost reels that perform well and have good braking. Look for a medium heavy fast action rod 7 feet in length. That is an all around rod for baitcasting. ST. Croix Bass X, Dobyns Fury, or Fenwick HMG are all good lower cost rods for baitcasting set ups. You can throw T rigs, spinnerbaits, and topwater with good results. Cranks and jerk are better on a moderate action. But a fast action will work.
The line choice is easy. If you fish in weeds use braid. I suggest 40 lb braid of quality. Look at Power Pro, Sufix, or J Braid at the top choices. If fishing rocky areas with few or no weeds use a 12-14 lb mono. Berkley Big Game is fine and low cost. You will use mono or fluoro leaders with braid.
The tips for using the reel. Practice in your yard or a field before you go fishing. Set the brakes high on the reel. Use a 1/2 ounce weight. Use a smooth casting motion. Do not snap the cast hard. After you cast a while with no or minor backlashes reduce the brakes a little and repeat until you have back lash problems. Raise the breaks slightly.
Then repeat the process with lighter weight working down to 1/4 ounce. Note the brake settings for each weight. That is what you use for the weight. Weight and lure types affect the break settings you will use. Wind has an effect too. Into the wind more braking. Casting with the wind less is needed. In time you can go lower after you casting improves, about 2-3 weeks. Then lower more as time goes on and you get better casting.