Bait Casting Reel Operation

A bait casting reel and rod is cast by moving the rod backward, then snapping it forward. The rod is held with the handles of the reel facing upward. During the forward cast, the weight of the lure pulls the line off the reel. The thumb is used to halt the lure at the desired location and to prevent spool overrun. Though modern centrifigal braking systems help to control backlash, using a bait casting reel still requires practice, and a certain amount of finesse on the part of the fisherman for best results.