Thumbing Conventionals

[Maine Guide]

I picked up a Penn 975 with a Lamiglass 10 ft. 3-8 oz. I do love it already.

While I have used conventionals quite a bit in freshwater - there is quite a bit of difference when you take into account the distance you are trying to achieve and the weight you are throwing.

I did backlash quite a bit as I experimented with the internal brakes, as well as various thumbing techniques. Saturday was mainly a testing process.

It seems to me that you really need to apply the most thumbwork at the beginning of the cast - and then can back off a bit as the lure gets out there. Is that correct?

For you guys that use the Newells (no brakes at all?) how/when do you do your most thumbing?

Finally, are there times when you don't bother at all with the conventional - and stay only with the spinning reels? Perhaps in the surf with the wind coming right at you?

Thanks to all for your thoughts.

[eelman]

Originally Posted by Maine Guide

I picked up a Penn 975 with a Lamiglass 10 ft. 3-8 oz. I do love it already.

While I have used conventionals quite a bit in freshwater - there is quite a bit of difference when you take into account the distance you are trying to achieve and the weight you are throwing.

I did backlash quite a bit as I experimented with the internal brakes, as well as various thumbing techniques. Saturday was mainly a testing process.

It seems to me that you really need to apply the most thumbwork at the beginning of the cast - and then can back off a bit as the lure gets out there. Is that correct?

For you guys that use the Newells (no brakes at all?) how/when do you do your most thumbing?

Finally, are there times when you don't bother at all with the conventional - and stay only with the spinning reels? Perhaps in the surf with the wind coming right at you?

Thanks to all for your thoughts.

It takes a while to get used to so have patience! The thumb is your best tool, better than the brakes etc.. after awhile it becomes second nature, you are correct in that the start of the cast is very important and the end of the cast, these are thye two times when the most pressure is needed, if you feel a backlash starting. pull the rod back and keep you thumb on the spool. During the whole cast, never take your thumb off the spool in fact, just vary the pressure. The brakes are ok but after awhile you wont even use them, I have removed all mine, however in the begining use the brakes its better than backlashing.

IMO, Once you get proficient with casting gear you will love it and be able to fish any plug or lure that the spin crowd does but, it takes time. When I started I always had a spin rod with me as a backup.

One other tip, make sure the spool is wet before you cast! it cuts down on the friction and really helps the cast go smooth. I always wet my thumb before my first cast of the night, so never lay into a dry spool.

Practice , practice, practice..is my best advice once you get the hang of it you will love it.

As far as wind, It doesnt matter I fish conventional all the time regardless of conditions, once you are used to it its just a natural way to fish, I acually have trouble with spining gear now and feel very funny casting a spin rod.

So, practice and dont get lazy with that thumb! its your best friend ! The feel will come in time

[Sweetwater]

I use Abu Garcia 7000 C3 and 7000 CL reels on 10' Lamiglass rods. I've removed all the brakes. My technique is.

Make sure the reel is slightly wet (I use a bit of fresh water) but your thumb is dry for the first cast.

Lock down on the spool tightly when loading up on the rod, then release the spool completely on the cast.

Then I thumb the spool lightly and only as I feel even the slightest amount of "fluff" coming off of the spool. This is what some call having an "educated thumb" and it just takes practice.

As soon as the weight or lure hits the water, I lock the spool down with my thumb immediately...since the line is no longer running but the spool is still spinning.

Other hints: Use mono as you get used to it. I've found braided to be much more susceptable to overspool..and much harder to detangle. Find a weight that loads the rod nicely whether it's 4, 5, 6, or 7 oz. Some weights are harder to handle than other depending on rod loading. Practice with the wind at your back where overspool is less likely. Practice using less tension and fewer brakes to increase your distance as you get more used to your equipment.

[eelman]

Originally Posted by Sweetwater

I use Abu Garcia 7000 C3 and 7000 CL reels on 10' Lamiglass rods. My technique is. I've removed all the breaks.

Make sure the reel is slightly wet (I use a bit of fresh water) but your thumb is dry for the first cast

.

I think this cant be overstated, the spool should be wet before you cast, and sweetwater is right, toss the brakes out. I dont use 7000s anymore unless I need that heavy gear, I use the shimano calcuttas, they will outcast a 7000 anmd have plenty of power for big fishn along with an awesome drag. In a heavy current I may switch back top a 7000 or when tossin huge plugs.

The thumb thing cant really be taught, you just have to develop a feel to "educate your thumb"

[Sweetwater]

#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&, do you use conventional even for tossing eels?

I fish eels mostly at night and do not like using a conventional at night because I have more difficulty managing overspooling and checking the spool for small loops and such between casts.

[eelman]

Originally Posted by Sweetwater

#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&, do you use conventional even for tossing eels?

I fish eels mostly at night and do not like using a conventional at night because I have more difficulty managing overspooling and checking the spool for small loops and such between casts.

I certainly do, its all I use, I feel conventional and eels were made for each other !

The reason I started using conventional was to toss eels. You have to get used to fishing at night with it no doubt about it, but its really a great way to toss eels

[Nebe]

smoooooth cast.... not a jerky cast is the key.

[t.orlando]

Thumb the edge of the spool, not the line itself..........dont worry you will get used to it.

[gadabout]

I'm used to casting squidders. When I fish my Penn 965, it seems I hardly have to thumb at all, just stop the spool at the end of the cast as soon as it hits the water. I have the blocks set to the middle position. With a reel like the squidder, you have to apply light but steady thumb pressure to the spool flange throughout the whole cast.

[snake slinger]

thum it at the start and stop the spool the instant your eel gets wet.