Which Casts Further

[fl_bass]

Today I got a little extra time to fish at my favorite lake, still practicing with the BC. I decided to bring out my spinning reel too and I noticed that I was able to cast much further than before all my practice with the BC and I'm casting twice as far with the spinning set. Is that normal or am I just so concerned with backlash that I'm more tame with the BC?

[Darren.]

I can cast further on my spinning gear than bait casting, but if I was in freespool on my bc, I might could beat my spinning gear.

 

So yeah, if you have your BC dialed in to minimize backlashes, you'll not get the distance as on your spinning reel.

[lmbfisherman]

I can throw farther with my BC's than Spinning.  That is even though I learned last season how to throw a bc.  It could just be technique and how good my spinning reels are compared to my BCs though.  Normally I don't buy high end spinning reels buy cheapies from retail stores.  I usually buy mid tier BCs so that could be the biggest reasons why.  That could be part of the difference, also like Darren says once you get more comfortable throwing a BC (Free spool) I'm sure you will get equal or further.

[fl_bass]

I thought the breaks were part of the reason. Makes sense. I really prefer the BC since you can cast more often but I was floored with difference. I'll keep working on the BC.

[War Eagle 44]

I to achieve greater distance on my casting gear for most lures. There are some lures (read light) that the spinning reel is better for.

[thehooligan]

I get about the same distance with both.

[OkobojiEagle]

Your rods may have a bigger impact on casting distance than your reels.

 

oe

[The Rooster]

I get more on my casting reels but the baits are heavier so that's probably why. Spinning, I'm at about 40 to 80 feet as max distances, depending on what I throw, which is nothing over 1/4 oz. mostly. Casting, I'm at about 80 to 125 feet, depending on the lure weights. I know this because I marked off my back yard in 10 foot increments up to 120 feet and practice casted different baits. My best was 125 feet with a 1/4 oz rated spinnerbait on a 6' rod. My worst was 40 feet with a 7" zoom U-tale worm on a 3/0 hook and no weights. I hit 40 feet on casting and spinning gear, both. Might be time to do this again with my new rods, they're all longer now.

[new2BC4bass]

I thought the breaks were part of the reason. Makes sense. I really prefer the BC since you can cast more often but I was floored with difference. I'll keep working on the BC.

 

It isn't only the brakes that could be causing short casts.  An over tight spool tension will cut distance down significantly.  I know because I learned on magnet brake only reels.  I overcompensated on the spool tension to keep backlashes down.  Sent reels to be cleaned.  That is when I found out how bad I was hurting my casting distance.  I wound up adjusting all my reels as the guy had suggested.  Almost had to learn to cast all over again, but once I got use to the spool tension being set so light, I was getting much better distances.  Heck, I could roll cast as far as my previous side arm casts had been going.

[kickerfish1]

As others have noted it is a 4 part equation for casting distance with either spinning or baitcasting. Rod + Reel + Line + Lure. All 4 of these must be in sync to get maximum distance.

Having your reels professionally cleaned and oiled/lubed is a great start. Upgrading the spool bearings and supertuning only will help with distance. The only drawback is that a trained thumb is required to help add additional breaking to the point of making the upgrades worth it over a stock reel.

I would say about 90% of the time my casting reels are launching baits further than my spinning rigs. I have a few casting reels that have been upgraded to just about the max and the casting distance is just unreal.

[Teal]

As others have noted it is a 4 part equation for casting distance with either spinning or braid. Rod + Reel + Line + Lure. All 4 of these must be in sync to get maximum distance.

Having your reels professionally cleaned and oiled/lubed is a great start. Upgrading the spool bearings and supertuning only will help with distance. The only drawback is that a trained thumb is required to help add additional breaking to the point of making the upgrades worth it over a stock reel.

I would say about 90% of the time my casting reels are launching baits further than my spinning rigs. I have a few casting reels that have been upgraded to just about the max and the casting distance is just unreal.

That my friend is the best answer. All four parts have to be in sync and the condition and tuning of the reel helps an awful lot.

Of course you can cast further with your spinning rod. If you dont have your baitcast gear in sync and dialed in you are losing alot of potential.

[fl_bass]

I have loosened up the spool tension a little bit and started to back down the mag brakes a smidge too as I train the thumb. Spent 2 hours fishing and did not get one backlash so that's positive. Can't for the life of me flip/pitch worth beans though but that will be for another adventure.

[skeletor6]

, great post kickerfish Too often people overemphasize on the reel and feel thst its everything to casting. Your variables put reality into perspective.

Also, when kickerfish means a trained thumb take it seriously. You can get crazy amounts of how freely the spool will spin with a nice reel with super tuning and bearing upgrades. BUT this could lead to constant backlash and uncontrollable casting to an average user

[38 Super Fan]

I have loosened up the spool tension a little bit and started to back down the mag brakes a smidge too as I train the thumb. Spent 2 hours fishing and did not get one backlash so that's positive. Can't for the life of me flip/pitch worth beans though but that will be for another adventure.

Just in case you didn't know, you have to back off your spool tension to make a good pitch.

[SirSnookalot]

I cast my spinning gear in freshwater and in salt, 6'6 rods thru 8', from positions at water's level to elevated heights about 10', both braid and mono are used.  The exact measurement I don't know, just know it's far enough to put my lure where I want to.  From my own observation, not scientifically calculated, the rod, the profile and weight of the lure and the type of cast I make determines how far I can cast.  Not all rods are the same, I have 7 and 7'6 rods that cast further than my 8 footer, same ratings.  Casting is much like a golf swing, getting that perfect clubhead speed and hitting the sweet spot on the club, in fishing it's how the rod is loading up.  My best distances result from the type of cast I'm making, a snap cast with power may not go as far as a long flowing cast with a full back and forward movement, just like a golf swing.  Additionally a more flowing cast will have the line coming off the spool at a slower rate, which translates into less windknots, sometimes caused by the line hitting the first guide.