We were casting off one of the docks and I said to his son "here, try this" and handed him my baitcaster (Daiwa SV103xs on a x4 black eisiel). His dad looked at my like I was crazy and I said "it'll be fine, trust me".
I turned the brakes to about 8 and let him make about a dozen casts for him to get the mechanics down, then I started backing the brakes off one click at a time.
He was casting that thing like a pro!
All the men(mostly burly bikers) came over and were sharing their horror stories of trying baitcasters when they were young. I did the same thing as I did with the kid and the rod got passed around to everyone for a go, and by the end of it all of them were casting it with the brake on 3 & spool tension loose, and not one single backlash!
What's even more impressive(that I didn't bother sharing with them as it would've went over their heads) is that it was loaded with fluorocarbon and a soft plastic that was a little over over 1/4oz!
Only 'issue' was that reeling with their right hand felt foreign to most of them, but I informed them they make left handed ones as well.
I know SV spools are old hat around here(and some guys don't even like them), but for those guys and their kids yesterday, it made casting baitcasters not only possible, but fun and easy.
Just wanted to give a tip of the hat to Daiwa for making a baitcaster that truly is easy to use & beginner friendly, while also still having great performance.
