How Much Does The Rod Play In Casting Distance?

[tcbass]

I am under the impression that rod action has more to do with casting distance then the reel. I'm specifically talking about baitcasting setups.

I was fishing with a friend and he was casting twice to three times as far as me. Probably close to 40 yards or more. I was really impressed. I couldn't get close to his distance. I'm using a Revo Rocket and Cabelas Tournament ZX frog rod which is a heavy and 7'3". I think his set up was a medium. He had a Abu Revo SX and Abu Veritas. Not sure what length. All of our stuff was stock.

I tried my same lure today with a different set up, a cheap Gander Vortex medium rod with Abu Revo SX. It went considerably farther, but not as far as he was casting. I don't know the weights of the rods or lures. He was using a KVD frog and I was using a KVD Sexy Dawg and Ragetail Toad.

Was it his rod that allowed him to cast so far?

I have 2 of my magnetic brakes on inside the spool I think. Could turning them off get me more distance?

[Zimobass]

Difficult to answer the question, as there are so many variables to take into consideration. The rod would make a difference, not only in the action, but also the length.

 

However, what reel was he using ? What size line did he have on ? Is his reel upgraded or recently serviced ?

 

All these would have a big influence on the distance he was outcasting you by.

[SirSnookalot]

40 yds by itself is a pretty hefty cast, so 40 more than you I'm not so sure about.  Impossible question to answer without being there, too many variables.  The reel may have better bearings, more line on the spool and thinner line diameter, his reel may be adjusted better.  Rod length can play big part, but one brand at 7' can cast as far as another brand at 8'.  Fast taper will cast a lighter bait farther, but I personally think a fast or moderate fast will cast a heavier bait farther.  The profile of the lure may have a bearing as well, some lures cut thru the air better, the weight of the lure may load his rod up better.

He just may be more skilled.

[War Eagle 44]

40 yds by itself is a pretty hefty cast, so 40 more than you I'm not so sure about.  Impossible question to answer without being there, too many variables.  The reel may have better bearings, more line on the spool and thinner line diameter, his reel may be adjusted better.  Rod length can play big part, but one brand at 7' can cast as far as another brand at 8'.  Fast taper will cast a lighter bait farther, but I personally think a fast or moderate fast will cast a heavier bait farther.  The profile of the lure may have a bearing as well, some lures cut thru the air better, the weight of the lure may load his rod up better.

He just may be more skilled.

 

 

These are  the first two things that came to my mind when I was reading the post. His judgment of "40 yards farther" may not be totally accurate but I still get his point, the difference between the two were of enough difference to at least feel like 40 yards at the time. Like you said though there are just too many variables to get a good grasp of the situation without being there.   

[Deleted account]

Rod, line and lure need to be compatible, reel needs to be working properly. The lighter or less aerodynamic the lure, the more important it all becomes. 

[Catt]

Rod & technique, reel holds the line!

Google baitcasting world records, those guys use super tuned Abu Garcia 6500.

[K_Mac]

You do not mention the line you are both using. Line can make a big difference. One of the big reasons many of us use combos dedicated to specific baits is that it enables you to have the right balance of equipment for optimum performance. Sometimes that takes a little trial and error, which is part of the fun of fishing IMO!

[einscodek]

The parameters of the rod imo are most important

first the length gives you distance in general

secondly given a specific lure weight, a properly chosen action and power for that weight will absolutely launch it for greater control and distance

part of the reason I carry several rods on outings..

[tcbass]

You do not mention the line you are both using. Line can make a big difference. One of the big reasons many of us use combos dedicated to specific baits is that it enables you to have the right balance of equipment for optimum performance. Sometimes that takes a little trial and error, which is part of the fun of fishing IMO!

He only had an SX so it has an outside drag only. My Rockets have both. If I turned off all of the brakes inside the spool, would it help?

I have #40 braid. I think he had mono or fluro.

[Catch and Grease]

The rod has more to do with casting distance than the reel IMHO

[new2BC4bass]

The rod has more to do with casting distance than the reel IMHO

 

X2....and I love my reels.    Doesn't matter what reel you have on the rod if the rod won't load properly with the weight being used.  Sure some reels are better than others at distance, but first you need the right rod.  As already stated, line also plays a part.  I prefer mono, but your 40# braid will do just fine with the right combination.  I've used 40# braid to cast a 3/4 oz. spoon a long, long way on an older STX Gen 1 and a cheaper rod....a Daiwa Jupiter.  12# mono will beat 17# mono on the same rod using the same lure.

 

Technique is important, but not everyone is equal with how hard of a cast they can make.  A friend of mine has a very strong cast.  I doubt I could equal his distance using the same rod/reel/line/lure/reel settings.  I often equal his casting distance by using less spool tension......although he may not be throwing as hard as he could.    Kind of hard to factor braking in as he uses centrifugal brakes while I normally am using magnetic.

 

Turning off all the inside brakes probably will give you fits unless you are very good with your thumb.  Earlier this year the previously mentioned STX was giving me fits with an unweighted 10" worm on a 3/0 hook.  This is the reel I always used for this combo (usually with a 5/0 hook), but it had gone to DVT for a thorough cleaning during the winter.  Apparently I have to re-familiarize myself with it.  I had a Patriarch XT with me which is a dual brake reel.  With a bit of practice I was down to one internal brake and 3 external, and getting good distance with almost never an overrun.  I should mention that it was on a different brand and different power rod than what the STX was on which no doubt also played a part.

[K_Mac]

He only had an SX so it has an outside drag only. My Rockets have both. If I turned off all of the brakes inside the spool, would it help?

I have #40 braid. I think he had mono or fluro.

I think 40 lb braid should work well with that rod and reel. I don't use braid enough to really compare it to mono or fluorocarbon. My guess is a quality mono or fluorocarbon will out-cast the braid; just a guess though. On my dual brake reels I usually set one or two centrifugal breaks and add mag only if needed. I would also agree that a rod that loads properly is probably the most important part of the equation. Hang in there. Some of us have been doing this for a very long time, and still don't always get the set-up right every time. Good luck.

[OnthePotomac]

Just look at the difference in your rods.  You were using a heavy frog rod and he was using a medium, normally used for crankbaits.  His rod is a lot more whippy than yours.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The rod is the primary factor in casting distance (or accuracy for that matter). A well tuned and adjusted quality reel helps maximize the rod's potential. A longer rod will cast further, a slower action may cast further unless it has reached the point of being over loaded, and power must match the weight of the bait being thrown. Casting distance is way over rated compared to accuracy when it comes to putting fish in the boat. 

[.RM.]

The rod is the primary factor in casting distance (or accuracy for that matter). A well tuned and adjusted quality reel helps maximize the rod's potential. A longer rod will cast further, a slower action may cast further unless it has reached the point of being over loaded, and power must match the weight of the bait being thrown. Casting distance is way over rated compared to accuracy when it comes to putting fish in the boat. 

X2....

[WRB]

Most bass rods are not designed for maximum casting distance, unless the rod is specific design for crank bait called a cranking rod. The MH is medium heavy power, fast is the action, a classic bass rod.

The action is how the rod bends, fast means it bends mostly at the upper 1/3 or tip down when using lures weights designated on the rod; 1/4 to 3/4 oz for example. Think of a inverted J the straight leg being where the reel is mounted. Fast action rods do not launch lures very good because only a 1/3rd of the rods bends.

The cranking rod or moderate action bass rod bends about 1/2 way down from the tip and may bend as much as 3/4 or all the way down to the first guide depending on lure weight used and the rod power. The moderate rod launched lures further with the same effort compared to a fast action rod because more of the rod bends to accelerate the lure speed and reel spool speed, equaling a longer casting distance. Longer rods create faster rod tip speeds.

The aerodynamics or wind resistance will slow the lure down, if the lure slows down too fast you end up with a backlash.

Casting distance 101.