How To Improve Flash Minnow Casting From Shore

[fleshandblood]

Hey guys I'm new to this forum and this is my first post I was hoping you guys could help me out here.  I know this is not technically bass fishing but here we go..  I've been getting into surf fishing in Southern California, mainly targeting Halibut, primarily through flash minnows in the surf.  I'm at the point where I know I'm not casting as far as I need to increase my fish count.  My rod right now is a Seeker React 3/8 - 1 oz, the rod has tons of backbone but no reel flex to the get that distance I need.  My Dad gave me an American Rodsmith David Fritts crankbait rod to test out, I found the tip to be way too soft.  What rod weight options are ideal to launch 5/8 - 3/4 LC's out.  I am thinking about purchasing an ABU Volatile in 7'2" and have been looking at the Shimano Crucial 3/8 - 1 oz in 7'11" What are your thoughts on what I am looking for?  

[baluga]

First of, Welcome to Bass Resource board.

 

Now, the question is,  how far are you casting Lucky Craft FM 110 with your current rod?

If you are reaching 80ft from the sand line, it is already ideal cast for targeting halibut,  Halibuts bites usually happens between 60 ft - 5 ft from the sand line.

You can't go wrong with the Shimano Crucial.  Longer rod means farther cast, but if you are mainly targeting halibut from the surf rods between 6'6" - 7'6" is already long enough but others would prefer 8footer to cast further.     

 

You should be looking for a rod with lure weight of 1/4 - 3/4 oz . Action between MH and H, rod length between 6.6" - 7'6'.  Rod weight between 3.2 - 4 0z and ideally to have it  balance  since you'll be casting and retrieving the whole time.

 

BTW, when targeting halibut from the surf, it's more on finding the structure and less on casting distance. Try to learn how to read the surf/water to find the structure.

 

Tight lines.

[new2BC4bass]

I'd be careful throwing 3/4 oz. lures on a rod rated 1/4-3/4 oz. unless it is from a company that typically underrates its rods such as Abu or St. Croix.  Typically a rod performs best with weights in the middle of its rating.

 

I have thrown a 3/4 oz. spinnerbait on my Zillion Flip and Pitch rod (a 7'6" Heavy rated for 3/8 to 1-1/2 oz.) and 50th Zillion spooled with 12# Sufix Elite far enough that I'm not sure my mediocre hook set could have hooked a fish.

 

EDIT:  Meant to welcome you as well, so

[Fishes in trees]

If you want togo distance casting, go all in.   Get a rod somewhat on the order of a Cabelas Predator spinning rod - 11' long, mostly medium action with some backbone.  Pair it up with a heavy duty spinning reel, like a Diawa 2600, that reel will hold 300+ yards of 20 lb braid or Fireline, something like that.  With this rig and a bait weighing around an ounce, casts approaching 100 yards are doable.

 

You can find something similar in a bait casting mode if you want.  The good thing about distance casting issues is that for the most part they can be solved by throwing money at them.  I bought the above rig to throw slab spoons in the tail race directly beneath Truman Lake.  I can throw ounce and a half slab spoons 100 yards + and replicate the cast over and over until I get tired or I lose all my slab spoons on the bottom rocks.  It took me a half an hour or so of practice to get that distance, it isn't that hard.