Why do Urban Land Based Anglers use Bait-Casters
 

I'm a landbased fisho and I've found myself wanting a baitcaster - but it has nothing to do with suitability - they just look cool and they are heaps of fun to play with.

They're completely useless in amounst the terrain I fish - over hanging branches and other bankside structure that limit my back cast, make them a dumb choice for the distances I want to achieve.

The instant you introduce casting from the deck of a boat to tight structure - a baitcaster makes complete sense - but for you blokes who use them land based - be honest - do you just use them because they look cool and are fun to use:confused:

Yeah, I played with them Breaming for years because they were different......and because i invested a few hundred dollars in one as a kid knowing it was the wrong setup but stuck with it. Shits of things.

When I got the smallest Shimano Calcutta many years ago............................................... ..............pause.................. I've got to go find that photo - that photo is way back in the archives so it may take a while

One of these? Calcutta 50

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Im still a huge fan of the BC gear, just got a Tatula CT and now bought a shallow BF spool and can cast 2 gr effortlessly with 8lb line.

I did buy a proper BF rod which is 7 feet long, however its more in the flick than the long swooping lob cast... Which I still do with the room around me.

I just find BC gear more of a purist fishing than using a spinning reel and rod, as its more skill and what I started lure fishing on... God I still have my original reel an old Bantam Crestfire 200B - that used to cast the original plastic 48mm scorpions across the canals and that was well before any real 'quality' spin gear was widely available back in 1999 circa.

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To boot I still have some original Shimano Black Label 'Rex Hunt' edition rods, one being a 1-3kg and the other a 2-5kg rod.

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One day I will get around to re-wrapping them with some Fuji semi-micro guides and relive the 14 year old's canal bashing dream with it all again.

Aah fugg it - it cant find it - but it was an old shot of me with a calcutta hanging off the back of my bike inside a pvc pipe that was duct taped to the bike frame.

But during the week I entertained the idea of using a bait caster land based - all I ran into was limitations - casting distance sucked - and I couldnt even cast from spots with limited back swing

I've watched my spin reels do what bait casters can only dream of in enclosed spaces - and those enclosed spaces just happen to be where the fish live.

I whole heartedly understand the urge to use a bait caster - they're freakin sweet and can do amazing things with heavier lures where back casts arent restricted

But they suck balls in alot of lanbased scenarios

Yeah thats the honest answer I wish more people would give - I'd take it a step further and say -Every cast I can make with a baitcaster can be made with a spin reel - but the reverse is far from true.

Nah it was one of the silver 100's -

What weight did the old 50's claim to be able to cast effectively?

About 3/5ths of FA. But reality struck when the Japs filled the spool bearings with grease...

I still manage pretty well with a standard spool and Platypus Classic nylon casting Atomic shads - I think they're about 3.2 gr?

Ok - sounds good - now how many grams do you reckon you'd need to "bow and arrow" your way out of this:D

I know there are guys doing sling shot casts and some other weird techniques.

Just depends on skills :D

...and the weight of the lure;)

BC is strictly for poofs!

Id rather take lessons in painting pvc pipe, pilfering fence pailings and making decorative wall art than lessons on casting upsidedown.

Love the egg beater.

I think finger painting inside a cave might be more your speed;)

Its all art right?

Geez, Rex Hunt, a blast from the past..... yibiddy bloody yibbida! :rolleyes:
At least he made us look more intelligent on Wildfish!

The other benefit on a BC is that when your trophy fish is about to brick you and the panic scale hits 11+ you can clamp the thumb down and pray!