thanks guys i went out today and i think it is safe to say that i am doing a lot better. not good, just better. maybe another day or two of pratice and i'll be ready to go to the lake. i don't use the over the head cast instead i just use the side arm it seems a lot easier.

just 2 more questions
-will i be able to cast these as far or farther then a spinning reel would?
- and how light is to light of a lure with these? i have been having good luck catching bass with a 3'' white or green grubs with no weight and i would think that is to light for me to be able to cast it. what do you guys think?

For me that is too light for a baitcaster. Some reels cast longer than others. Abu Garcia cast farther than the ones I use. I only have Quantums.I had 3 Diawas .Wore them all out.
Chuck

my quantum EX500 reels cast the furthest, my abu garcia C3 and C4's second and my daiwa procaster's last. asfar as how light of a lure can you cast , well if you are just starting out try to keep your lures at 1/4 oz or heavier eventually when you become experienced enough you can throw lighter stuff for example the lightest lure I can throw on a baitcaster is 7 inch wacky worm rig with a 2/0 circle hook no sinker the worm and hook together might weigh an 1/8 of an oz, distance lacks the furthest i can throw it is maybe 20 yards and flipping maybe 15 yards but when sight fishing with a wacky worm rig you really dont need to cast further than that. for my lighter baits I resort to a spinning outfit. good luck

If you can get good casting a grub with no weight thats good. I use grubs and worms with a light mr. twister weighted hook and I can cast a mile and a half with my prodigy. It depends on what you are casting whether you will get greater distance over a spinning rod. I would say I am probably casting about the same maybe a bit further most of the time. If I am casting into the wind a spinning rod will cast 10 times further without the mess.

Speaking for myself only, I can't cast near as far with my baitcasters until I get up to 5/8 and heavier lures. I use it mostly for 1 oz spoons and number 18 Rapalas. Also for smelt and some other baits with sinkers for bottom fishing.

thanks that is what i was thinking. went out fishing this morning and i caught 3 small bass on pumpkim colored craw's and missed a few more. sence fishing was slow i left a few minutes early and stop to get some extra line and a couple lures. i ended up spending $80 bought a $60 bass pro shop combo baitcaster the mcx 1000hb, a couple lazer eye xps lures, and rapala 12lb finesse line. so i should be set for awhile.

Watch those back lashes
Chuck

okay i have one last question.
what is the best way to get out a back lash? all i have been doing it tightening the dial on the right a little, hitting the button and then just backing up until they are all gone. is this the right way? or is there something easier

what i do is press my thumb firmly on the rats nest then crank the reel over 3 or 4 times then hit the spool release with my thumb still on the rats nest i let up on the pressure then pull the line untill the rats nest comes out. good luck

If it is really bad you will have to press the button and release the spool and pull and pick at the line untill you have a big wad of loose line out and work the knots out. This is not much fun and can take a while.