Overhead Baitcasting

[FrogTosser88]

Guys,

I just got a baitcasting combo. Abu silvermax 2 and a 7' tourney special med/hvy .. Im doing ok with the sidearm cast. However, when I try overhead casting theres a problem. It either goes 50ft into the air.. or if I try to release later to compensate, its like a dart straight into the water.. Alot if the spots im casting from, there is no room to swing that 7 foot rod around.... So I need to get the overhead thing working..... pls help ;(

[TiNuts]

You either need to keep practicing for the desired release point, or it's possible the brakes/spool tension may be a little too tight not allowing your line to come off fast enough and is causing you're lure to swing when you cast.

When I don't have enough room to swing a rod, I do what I believe is called a roll cast. I basically hold the rod to the side, let the lure drop 1 1/2 to 2', swing the rod in a tight circle so the lure swings, and then let go at the proper release point. I usually can get a fairly accurate cast or acceptable distance. You may want to YouTube it.

[FrankW]

Some people cast overhand with an Arc cast that is part of a circle. That is, the rod tip travels in an arc. You should try casting with your rod tip in a straight, or slight curved, trajectory instead of a full arc. Then adjust the aim of your trajectory up or down to compensate for what your lure is doing.

Frank

[Raul]

If you have a right handle reel the knobs should be facing up, if you have a left handle reel the knobs should be facing down, lift the thumb as soon as you are able to see the rod with the corner of your eye as it moves forward.

 

Piece of cake ............... after you have backlashed several hundreds yards of line.

[Fish Murderer 71]

watch the snapping of the wrist to hard while throwing the lure.  just keep trying to get a good form with follow through, the distance will come later.

[Fishes in trees]

Thinking in terms of arcs is good advice.  Don't try to make a "line drive" type cast with a bait caster, until you get good.  Once you get good you will find that for the most part an underhand pitch is much better for most circumstances than an overhead line drive type cast.

 

If you are going for maximum distance, like you might with a crank bait, sometimes an overhead cast is the way to go.  I'm assuming you are using a straight handled rod, with a large enough handle for two handed casting.  You have to feel the "flex point", the instant when the rod is fully loaded.

 

You start your back cast, get the rod flexed, when it is fully loaded, it is a push/pull motion, where at the same moment you push with your top hand on the rod and pull with your lower hand.  Release your bait at the proper instant with your thumb and the bait will travel out in a moderate arc towards your target.  All of this assumes that your spool tension and brakes are adequately set.   If you do it wrong, you will get a backlash or some other calamity will happen.  Fix the backlash and try again.I'd recommend inexpensive line and casting weights toward the middle or upper end of what the rod is weighted for.

 

For a real good time, if you have any buds who are proficient in bait casting, invite them over, buy a 12 pack, listen to their helpful hints as you demonstrate your bait casting prowess.  Have fun.  It is just a tool and you can learn how to use any tool over time.

[bass1980]

How heave is the lure you are tossing? If it's too light and you are using a MH rod then I can see this happening. With you being new to baitcast if you are using 3/8 and up you shouldn't be having issues. If you are new and using 1/4 oz or less then you accuracy will suffer until you get it right and even then you rod is limiting you from accuracy on light lures.

[FrogTosser88]

It happens with all the lures.. I adjust every time i tie on a new bait... I have tried the wrist roll cast and I get no distance at all... I also tried pitching and i seriously cast about 5 feet.. lol

[FrogTosser88]

And as far as calamaties go... I have had many.. I didnt realize that setting the hook hard would send my jig flying out of the water....

[new2BC4bass]

It is a matter of practice.  No other way for you to learn where to release the spool.  A roll cast keeps a load on the rod tip which helps eliminate over-runs and backlashes.  Try to make a roll cast on overheads casts as well.  The arc needs to be much smaller.  I assume you have been using spinning reels.  The release point for a baitcast reel needs to be sooner than with a spinning reel, but not so soon the lure shoots straight up.  

 

Like I said.....practice is the only way to find the correct release point.

 

BTW, a roll cast will go about the same distance as an overhead cast once you get proficient with it.  I've never measured my casts so I can't say which method makes for a longer cast.

[Missourifishin]

Guys,

I just got a baitcasting combo. Abu silvermax 2 and a 7' tourney special med/hvy .. Im doing ok with the sidearm cast. However, when I try overhead casting theres a problem. It either goes 50ft into the air.. or if I try to release later to compensate, its like a dart straight into the water.. Alot if the spots im casting from, there is no room to swing that 7 foot rod around.... So I need to get the overhead thing working..... pls help ;(

I started off the same way (not too long ago) and I'm still more comfortable casting side armed. But I can cast overhand pretty well now too. I can't tell you what exactly I do different now. I just kept practicing and eventually got a feel for it.

[timsford]

I had the same problem for the longest time. i could roll cast or pitch with a baitcast reel but couldnt overhand cast without a backlash. It took me a couple years of frustration, a few bulk spools of cheap mono and then i bought some higher end reels and learned how to thumb and now i can cast cheap ones too. The only thing i can suggest is a lot of practice in the yard with cheap line. I used berkley big game on the bulk spool from walmart until i got the hang of it. It just takes practice and patience and now i can outcast my fishing partner who only uses spinning gear.

[FrogTosser88]

I will keep at it... thanks guys

[Fishes in trees]

I forgot to mention this earlier, but FOLLOW THROUGH IS IMPORTANT!!  Your cast isn't done once your thumb has released the spool.  Continue going forward with your rod and finish with your rod pointed at your target.  The natural rotation of your wrist should cover this, but you should finish with the reel sideways to the water.   I use a right hand crank reel and I'm left handed, so when my cast is complete the reel handles are facing down.

 

The way it was explained to me many years ago is that you are putting less strain on your bearings with the reel spool in a vertical rather than a horizontal orientation.  I don't know if that is true or not, but that is the way I've always done it.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Practice and loosen your tension knob. That is a common mistake that will wreck your accuracy.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Don't worry about the follow through stuff for now. That makes it more confusing.. In fly fishing, if you follow through when casting, you lose momentum FWIW.