Struggling to learn to run a casting rod

[edfitzvb]

It sounds to me (and I am not there) like your reel either needs tweaking or it needs cleaning and oiling. With lures that fall in the right range (3/8 oz. or so and up) I can throw a lure as far with a casting reel as I can with a spinning reel. (At least close enough that any difference is negligible.) I prefer to use a medium action rod when I can because it loads so much more easily. The action and length of the rod makes a big difference, too. For BIG distance, a longer rod. For accuracy, I like a 6 to 6-6 length. Maybe I didnn't need to add my experience with rods, but you said that you were having issues with the rod, too. Neither the rod nor the reel operate in a vacuum. Good luck

[fishwizzard]

I am going to remove the braid from my reel to use on my fluke rig and spool up maybe 100y of 8lb YZ and see how that casts.  At the same time I will break the reel down for a good clean and relube.  Assuming I get it back together, I will start over and see how it casts.

Otherwise, someone is going to get a good deal on a box-o-casting reel in the next few weeks.

[Fisher-O-men]

On 5/9/2016 at 7:01 AM, Bunnielab said:

Hi,

Maybe 90-95% of the time I fish with a spinning set up and am becoming proficient enough with it that I want to start working on my admittedly pitiful casting rig skills.  My only casting set up is a Lew's BB1 Inshore spooled with 20lb PP on a  6'6" M/FAub Vendetta rod.  I am having an issue finding a lure that casts well with it.  It is rated 1/4-5/8, but I am having trouble with everything in and around that range.  Yesterday I took it out and started with a 3/8 Chatterbait w/ trailer tied on.  This should weight around 5/8 to 3/4 and should be right at the upper limit.  However, while the tip does load, I can't get any distance or accuracy and really struggle to cast it one handed.  Any line release other then a mortar shot ends up with the lure slamming down 15-20' out from the bank unless I use a silly amount of force.   One the other end, a weightless 5" senko, which weighs around 3/8oz, seems like it will not load the tip at all and when I do get it cast out, I cannot feel the lure at all on the retrieve, so even doing a slow lift/drop retrieve is challenging.  Moving up to a 4.8" Fat Impact with 1/8oz on nail weights in it seems to be somewhat of a sweet spot, but I still cannot cast it as far as I can on my M spinning rod and with none of the accuracy. 

I clearly lack practice, but it feels like I am fighting the rod the entire time.  Can anyone comment on this specific rod and suggest a weight that might be good to start with?  I am worried that this rod just has a very stiff tip and maybe moving to a slightly softer rod will help me with casting. 

The baits you have chosen to start with are heavy enough but they are bulky and therefore have wind resistance.  Try something at least as heavy but smaller.  Wind can be a killer for even an experienced BC guy. Also, you are right about not wanting to throw a BC in the yard.  It is critical that you see or anticipate your bait hitting the water/surface.  That can be difficult in the yard.  Finally, what has already been said:  practice, but practice right.

[fishwizzard]

Yesterday I went back to the pier, this time with the reel spooled up with 8lb YZ Hybrid and some Kastmasters in 1/4 to 3/8oz.  Worked on sidearm roll casting, Was able to get decent consistency with both lures but poor distance even with the 3/8oz one.  I paced it out and with a one hand cast I was getting it ~30' and with two hands like ~40-50', but with much less accuracy.  I worked on it for about an hour with little improvement.  

 

  I also worked on some of the over the shoulder casts and was able to get a better feel for things.  I think I finally understand that the way I cast my lighter spinning rigs just isn't going to work with a casting rig.  So some small progress.   I also might have just bought a Fenwick Smallmouth Elite mh/f 6'9" rod off of some discount site.  It seemed to be well though of here and the price was good enough that if I don't like it for bass it can become my second kayak trolling rod. 

As a separate note, that 8lb YZ is some strong stuff.  As I was about to leave I was throwing the 3/8oz lure and it got snagged like 30' out from shore.  It was really stuck and I didn't feel like taking a swim, so I wrapped a stick around the line, fully expecting it to snap, but it held and I, pulling pretty darn hard, managed to drag in what looked like a 4' ficus tree with the root ball totally snarled in old crabbing line.  I did not at all expect the line to hold and have much more confidence in it now. 

[A-Jay]

Becoming a proficient caster is at least a two step process.

Reading & Posting & watching Video are all good things and a necessary part of the first step.

The second step is to get out on the water (or any appropriate space) and cast, and cast & cast some more.

There's no replacement for step two, no short cut and there is definitely no secret to it. 

The "I've got it" moment happens differently for everyone and can be described a hundred different ways.

You'll get it when you get it.  Just keep casting.

A-Jay

[fishwizzard]

Yea, my issue was that I didn't want to be practicing the wrong thing, which was an issue when I was into shooting, I never received proper instruction and had to unlearn a bunch of stuff once I got more serious and knowledgeable about it.  There is a lot of instructional stuff out there but very few videos that show the complete casting motion, most everything is a 3/4 body shot at best and never shows the rod tip. 

My plan is to just keep the casting rig in my car and devote a third of each trip to working with it as well as stopping at the local pier whenever I get a few moments to practice there.  At the very least I can give the old crabbing guys an amusing show. 

[Glenn]

Do me a favor.  Remove about 50' of line from your reel, then re-rig it and try again.

Just a hunch.  If it improves, I'll tell you why. 

 

[jbrew73]

is it possible that your braid is digging into itself?

[YoTone]

 i kinda twirl it around once to get momentum and do a sideways/underhand kind of cast and its been working for me. but then again this is my first season with one  too.

i also feather the spool with my thumb when casting. that has prevented a lot of blacklashes i think.

 

[fishwizzard]

17 hours ago, Glenn said:

Do me a favor.  Remove about 50' of line from your reel, then re-rig it and try again.

Just a hunch.  If it improves, I'll tell you why. 

 

I think I know what you are getting at, but I will give it a shot.   Here is what it looks like now:

I will pull 50' off this evening and try to give it a few casts.