Trouble Casting Far With New Baitcaster

[xDirty]

Ok so i bought a 7ft berkley lighting shock rod and a abu garcia black max. I cast about 25 yards which i thought was on the short side. One of the reviewers of the reel i bought stated he got 45 yards distance when he set the tension knob really low and set the magnet breaks to max. So i tried that and while i could cast fine with no issues i only got an extra yard or two.

I tried reel magic to help but i feel like it didnt do much.

The only thing i haven't done is messed with the bearings, i just dont know what im doing when it comes to that.

Is 25 yards acceptable distance?

Is there anything else i haven't tried?

[kickerfish1]

As with most things, there are more than a few variables that come into play to affect casting distance. First there is some aspect of user ability and experience. Next consider wind conditions. You also have to to look at the weight of the bait and how aerodynamic it is. Plus you have the big three which are rod, reel, and line. Lastly consdier the bearings and brake settings. All of these factor into what type of distsnce can be attained by the user.

I don't have either rod or reel you are using to measure distance so I can't speak to what I maybe able to get. Also consider that most fib when gauging distance. Unless you have a football field with yard markers or the ability to measure distsnce in yards you probably aren't getting a realistic measure of distance.

 

This video really helps explain how to get more distance:

 

 

[via]

Your casting distance is fine in my opinion, but it all depends on what lure you're throwing and also the type of cover that is available at your lakes.  If you want further distance, try lighter line.  I would recommend for you to try and learn to clean your bearings (which isn't a hard thing, but i cant seem to explain it) or buy new ones to see if your performance increases.  There's other factors that affects your casting ability, but the list is too long.  

[xDirty]

Im using 12 lb yo zuri, i was using a senko worm with a tiny weight.

[new2BC4bass]

Is it your first baitcast combo?  If so, 25 yards is excellent for a beginner.  Did you measure the 25 yards, or guess?  My personal opinion is that distance is often a figment of the caster's gray matter. 

 

Many reels are over greased from the factory.  It may simply need a good cleaning and the right amount of lubrication.  No more than a small drop of oil on the bearings.  Also you don't mention rod power, line weight or lure and its weight.  All combine to determine casting distance. (Okay you posted some of the info while I was typing.)

 

I am guessing that most of my casts are between 30-35 yards.  I did make a decent cast on the grass and paced it off.  I've cast side-by-side with a guy who has a wicked casting stroke, and I can get about the same distance although I can't throw as hard as he does.  This is with the typical bass lure.  I can get a lot further with the right combination of rod and lure.

 

EDIT:  Weight and line are good for a Medium or MH rod.

[xDirty]

My rod is medium heavy, line is yo zuri 12lb and i used a senko with a tiny weight texas rig. Also i kinda paced to determine the distance

[hatrix]

It's very doubtful that person casts 45 yards with a black max. That is not to say it isn't possible but it would be under specific conditions I am sure.

[xDirty]

Im overall very happy with the black max reel, i feel comfortable with it and it casts and feels fine but watching some youtube videos it seems people cast at least 10 yards more than me and i was concerned if i made the right choice to use the black max as my beginner reel or if i should have paid more for something like lews.

[xDirty]

It's very doubtful that person casts 45 yards with a black max. That is not to say it isn't possible but it would be under specific conditions I am sure.

When i put a 1 oz sinker on my setup i could easily throw it 30 yards but the lures i use are between 3/8 oz and maybe half oz at most and not as aerodynamic.

[dave]

Most have NO idea how far they are casting in real numbers.  Go to your local football field and stand at the goal line.   Start casting and measuring. (and getting a dose of reality)

 

You can also step it off as was mentioned and be close to correct.

[Jrob78]

Your ability to get a good hook set with a light t-rig at much more than 25 yds with 12 lb line is iffy at best.  Don't worry so much about how far you're casting and concentrate on where you're casting.

[rippin-lips]

With more practice/experience you will gain distance. 25 yards is fine. As already mentioned total distance doesn't mean much. I can spool my Alphas Sv on a cast using a 1/2 trap. It's not necessary at all. Putting in the right location is more important. Accuracy > distance

[doyle8218]

I don't know of many(if any) times I would even want cast 45 yards.

[new2BC4bass]

When i put a 1 oz sinker on my setup i could easily throw it 30 yards but the lures i use are between 3/8 oz and maybe half oz at most and not as aerodynamic.

Top lure rating for the 7' MH Shock is 1-1/4 oz. and 1 oz. for the regular Lightning.   I wouldn't be trying for maximum distance with that weight it your rod is the Lighting.  Might be ok if the Shock.  Just be careful not to overload the rod or you can snap the tip.

 

Jrob has the right idea.  Distance is nice to have. Putting the lure in the right spot is better.  I admit that when I am practicing I am often going for distance.  It is...after all...practice, not fishing.   Sometimes I have leaves, plastic water bottles, foam cups, etc. floating by that I try to hit.  Beware of always trying for long casts as your short cast accuracy will suffer.  At least mine does.  I find it very hard to hit a target at 10-15 yards.  Heck....it is awful hard for me to limit a cast to that distance.  Give me a target at 30-40 yards and I am much more likely to lay a lure next to it.  I feel it is because almost all my practice is spent on long distance casting with very little spent at short ranges.

 

Distance will come as you get better.  Sounds to me like you are doing very well for the amount of time you have been using a b/c reel.  If you want to see how much distance you can get at this time, try a 3/4 oz. spoon.  I used a 3/4 oz. saltwater spoon a couple years ago on my 7' MHF Daiwa Jupiter with a Gen 1 STX and 40# braid.  That combo will flat out bomb that thing.  Don't spend hours doing it as it will cause some serious line twist. 

[Sam]

Dumb question - but here it is:  Have you matched the rod's line test and bait weight with that of the reel?

 

The baitcaster should work fine with 12 pound test. But what are the rod's line test parameters?

 

And your bait's total weight? It seems throwing a light weighted Senko would be within the rod's parameters.

 

This is what I will suggest you try:

1.  Confirm the line test and bait weight is within your rod's specs.

2.  Stay with the 12 pound test and current bait weight.

3.  Turn off all of the magnetic brakes.

4.  Loosen the drag so that you can pull the line off the baitcaster with a little power.

5.  Loosen the spool's tension knob so that it moves a little more freely.

6.  Make sure the screw drive has a little oil (NOT GREASE) on it. If not, put a dab of OIL on the screw drive (the screw where the pawl moves with your line).

7.  Have  your thumb ready to stop the bait as soon as it hits the ground or water.

8.  Go outside in a field and cast that setup over your head as hard as you can.

9.  Then start tightening everything you loosened to get the rod, reel, line and bait balanced.

 

One last thing: Do you know how to set your baitcaster for each bait setup using the "11 o'clock" method?

 

if not, ask us and we will tell  you. You use the "11 o'clock" method every time you change baits with a baitcaster.

 

Let us know how you do.

[Jeff H]

Your ability to get a good hook set with a light t-rig at much more than 25 yds with 12 lb line is iffy at best.  Don't worry so much about how far you're casting and concentrate on where you're casting.

Seems like nobody ever considers this.  But, this is exactly why I always fish as close as I can get away with.  I learned a long time ago that my odds of losing a fish increased the farther away I hooked them.    My average cast would be closer to 50 ft and 25 yds (75 ft) is a long toss to me in most situations.  

[Shanes7614]

Being a distance king is equal to girls being a size queen. Lol. Learn to control your placement before you worry about distance. Learn to cast at all angles. Backhand forehand underhand overhead and all angles in between. When you can accurately cast all these different ways then turn around and check your distance. It will have increased significantly.

[deep]

Your ability to get a good hook set with a light t-rig at much more than 25 yds with 12 lb line is iffy at best.  Don't worry so much about how far you're casting and concentrate on where you're casting.

 

I understand and sort-of-agree with your point, but I can plenty of fish 80 to 100 feet out on bottombumping baits (jigs and plastics) with 12# Tatsu which is a pretty stretchy line if you ask me. Especially plastics, which fish hold onto longer. IMO, it comes down to slack management and bite detection.

[Jrob78]

I understand and sort-of-agree with your point, but I can plenty of fish 80 to 100 feet out on bottombumping baits (jigs and plastics) with 12# Tatsu which is a pretty stretchy line if you ask me. Especially plastics, which fish hold onto longer. IMO, it comes down to slack management and bite detection.

I do as well but we aren't learning baitcasters, the op is.   I've also lost plenty of fish at the end of a long cast.  Distance and the difficulties with fishing at distance should be the last thing you focus on.

[deep]

Agreed.

[xDirty]

Thank u guys so much, im gonna try some of this stuff out and ill try to report back