How do YOU cast a swimbait?

[burleytog]

Overhand?  Sidearm?

I've been using a rod that is more than a little underpowered for the size of baits I'm throwing (Fenwick Venture MH 7', max weight 1.25 oz).  Rod loads well (what rod wouldn't load with a 4 oz. bait?), but I just can't get enough distance.

Throwing a Castiac Platinum or Hud, the best I can get is about 25 yards.  If I throw a lighter Yum Sweetcheeks I can get about 30-35 yards.

On a related tangent, when you throw a swimbait, do you just let it splash down like a rock, or do you somehow control the entry of the bait to minimize surface disturbance?

[fourbizz]

I use a rod built to handle those 6 oz baits! It all depends. most of the time I just sidearm it, seems a little less tiring than overhead. But I will also overhead cast, pitch, and underhand.

95% of the time, just that that mutha crash down!

[Raul]

You can 't ask apples from an oak tree Burley, you don 't get distance because your rod lacks of power.

[wickyman]

I have seen these baits thrown out on basically every type of pole, and the result is the same.  Too bad you can't use some sort of CO2 cannon and just get it out there...  lol  Basically, if you are fishing around timber, or brush, you could only have to cast it out like 10 yards...  I have seen them caught within 5 yards of a cast before.  It all depends on your location.  Look for a group of smaller fish swimming frantically, and weedbeds, these places will hold the bass, without the scatter of weedless areas.  

[Mattlures]

With the proper gear you can throw a swimbait a mile. Serously I can probably throw a hudd sized bait 100 yards. If I am casting in open water I dont care about the big splash. I was watching Mike Long one day working a shoreline with trees and he was able to side arm his hudd right under the trees from about 40yards with no splash. It was very impresive. I tried but I could not do it. I have also seen othe big names like Butch Brown hucking the Hudd as far as he could and making big splashes with the bait. So dont wory about the splash unless you are specificaly targeting a small peice of cover and you cant cast past it. Also the right rod and reel will make all the diferenc in the world. You will be much more comfortable and you will hook a lot more of those missed bites.

[Supermat]

I agree with the previous advice completely. I don't concern myself with the splash down at all, when I've fished clear water I've seen the splash get the fish's attention and the lifelike action draw them in for a strike. As for casting, I tend to go with the sidearm approach. It puts a lot less "bad" torque on the blank and allows for smoother casts. Also, if you can cast sidearm and keep the bait just a few feet above the water then your splash down will be much smaller. Clearly, if you stick with it you're going to need a different rod but just keep at it for now and let the fish and your rod tell you when its time to upgrade.

[burleytog]

Oh, an Okuma 7'6 Med Hvy has been on my list for a while, just a matter of ordering it from TW.

Casting with the Fenwick is an adventure, that much is certain.  Luckily I've only backlashed one time.

First time out with a Castaic, I tried using one of my catfish rigs (7' Quantum Bill Dance spinning combo).  Casting wasn't bad, but after 30 minutes I was worn out.

[Raul]

Burley, think seriously about getting a swimbait rod, not only they have the power but also they have the handle, it 's the combination of power and long handle ( so you can cast with both arms ) what allows you to gain distance and not getting worn out after half an hour of throwing those big suckers, besides, since they handle weights between 1 - 5, 6 ounces you don 't have to limit yourself to sub 2 ounce baits.

[burleytog]

That's the thing, I haven't been limiting myself.

Try throwing a Hud on a rod rated for 1.25 oz.  

It ain't pretty. ;D

[Supermat]

That's the thing, I haven't been limiting myself.

Try throwing a Hud on a rod rated for 1.25 oz.  

It ain't pretty. ;D

Been there! I spent my first season throwing swimbaits with a 7' Medium heavy cranking rod. Caught some big fish on it... lost some BIGGER fish on it! Ugh, I don't miss those days!