Baitcater Casting Distance Improvement

[You_Only_Live_Once_Fishing]

I have a Cabela's Tournament ZX 7'0" M XF Drop Shot Spinning Rod, a Cabela's Tournament ZX 7'1"MH F Spinnerbait/Swim Jig Casting Rod, and a 7'3" MH Casting Rod (not allowed to mention brand here). I Have the spinning rod paired with a Cabela's Tournament ZX 2500 size spinning reel. I use 6 pound test braid in clear water or I switch it to 10 pound test monofilament in stained water. It casts any bait from 1/16 to 1/2 ounce really well. This is what I expect it to do. I have been an occasional angler my whole (15 year) life. I recently took a liking to fishing and invested into a Quantum Smoke PT 151 6.6:1 casting reel. I started by spooling it with 200 yards of 12 pound test Suffix Castable Invisaline Fluorocarbon. The reel is a 151 so it is built with a deep spool, which holds lots of line,. When I put the line on it ran out of line when the spool was halfway full. I believe someone scammed the tackle store for a little bit of free line, oh well. I was so excited that I decided to use it anyway and when I got to the lake with my new rod, reel, line, and lure, I backlashed really hard and lost all the line. I owned an Abu Garcia Pro Max reel but traded it in to get the Smoke. This was helpful, because i knew a little bit about baitcasters from the previous reel and some YouTube. So I ditched the stiff fluorocarbon and got some 150 yards of 30 pound test Suffix 832 Advanced Superline on sale at Cabela's. I knew to put 25 yards of 10 pound test monofilament on as backing. But I unknowingly forgot to spool the braid on tightly. I spooled everything else right though. So I get to the lake a few weeks later and I decide to try a frog on the 7'3" MH. I hooked into a six pounder and ended up losing him mid fight (I am new to frog fishing). next cast, my frog gets about ten yards away from me and I backlash hard, later on I realized I had a dig in, as a result from not spooling tightly. I cut the line out and use the 200 yards of 15 pound test P-Line Flouroclear copolymer which I've had few issues with except for abrasion resistance. Round three went much worse. I ended up losing my spool tension knob. I have been having troubled staying backlash free, with before and after the lost spool tension knob. How can I adjust my reel to better suite long casts desired by a bank and jon boat angler? Sorry for the long story, but I think that it is necessary in order to improve my situation. Thanks again!

[You_Only_Live_Once_Fishing]

How can I improve the casting distance of my baitcater?

Rod: 7'3" MH F or 7'1" MH F

Reel: Quantum Smoke PT 151 6.6:1

Line: 30 pound braid 150 yards or 10 pound monofilament or 200 yards 15 pound copolymer or I can get new line

lures: texas rigs, jigs, crankbaits, etc

I am really having trouble with my casting distance.

I know the proper techniques, but I can't get the bait out there.

[j bab]

Is your spool completely full? 150yds of 30lb braid might not fill a spool up, and an under-filled spool can decrease casting distance. I'm not sure that this is your problem, but it might help.

That and you could turn your brake or spool tension down

[You_Only_Live_Once_Fishing]

im not sure, i got a dig in and I'm going to replace the line soon

 

[A-Jay]

51 minutes ago, You_Only_Live_Once_Fishing said:

How can I improve the casting distance of my baitcater?

I am really having trouble with my casting distance.

I know the proper techniques, but I can't get the bait out there.

Your tackle is not the problem.

You may "know the proper technique" but for whatever reason you're not able to do it.

If you were, you'd be getting better distance.

Keep practicing.

Oh and try wearing one of those new Storm Swimsuits you bought.

A-Jay

[Smallieseeker]

Just make sure your spool tension and brakes are set up for the lure you are using and the conditions. There are a ton of videos out showing how to set up a baitcaster. Also sounds like your trying to hard to launch it. Just worry about accuracy and technique first and the distant will come. Maybe try practicing with some mono or copolymer, if you do try those I recommend some line and lure conditioner. That stuff really works to help control memory.

[Onvacation]

Smallieseeker gave some great advice and I would agree 100% with the trying too hard assessment.  Relax and let the rod and reel work with you.  When you try to launch it, many times you will 1. Create a tremendous backlash, and 2. Disappoint yourself with the distance.  This time of the year when the sun starts beating down, I find myself spending the last half hour of the day working on my accuracy and setting the bait down softly and precisely. This forces me to slow it down and go back to basics.  The wrist starts doing its thing like it's supposed to, the rod becomes an integral part of the cast, and my confidence in my ability soars.  I have two of the same MH rod you have and it will do the job for you.  Just get your line issues worked out.  I use much heavier braid myself for frogs.  

[You_Only_Live_Once_Fishing]

Thanks, looking back I probably try to cast too hard.

I will consider this and your other tips. 

It means a lot

Thanks again!

[Heron]

Just get a good running start, and then Happy Gilmore that sucker.

[papajoe222]

The first thing to look at is the recommended lure weight range of the rod.  Both rods you mention are MH Fast action and aren't ideal choices for lighter fare. The second thing to look at is; what are you comparing your casting distance to, or who (whom?).  Although casting distances with baitcasters can approach those of spinning rods in the hands of an experienced caster, accuracy is one of the main reasons many of us use them.  Third, practice.......practice.........practice. You'll likely be practicing undoing backlashes, but that is also a lesson in what not to do, so try to learn from that also.

[kickerfish1]

Try using a heavier and a more aerodynamic lure. Something like a lipless crank, a frog, or a topwater spook. They will all cast a mile with about any rod or reel.

Other things that crossed my mind about lack of distance:

1. Your ability

2. Casting into the wind

3. Reel may need to be cleaned and re lubricated especially the bearings

4. Too light of lure or not very aerodynamic

5. Braid may be digging in on the spool

[scaleface]

You might be releasing to late.You need to release a baitcasting reel earlier than other reel . Try casting it straight up i the air .

[crypt]

mono will cast farther than braid or flour,braid will dig,try some softer flouro. also try letting the lure out just a couple more inches before you cast.and try snapping the rod than just powering through the cast.

[lakeannaangler]

Just relax and go through the motions. Think about what you need to do before casting and then take your time and do it. Don't try throwing halfway across the lake. Use a good casting lure like a spook or jerkbait and let it fly. Don't try to hard, just do what you are capable of and go from there.

[S. Sass]

I might have missed it if it's already been mentioned but on average a medium action rod seems to be more forgiving and seems to cast average weight baits (1/4, 3/8, 1/2 etc) quite far. 

I have seen this mentioned on several YouTube channels and experienced the same results. 

[aquaholik]

Cast for three months with 10 to 12 lb mono until you know your reel's characteristic, i.e, the balance between spool tension and brakes be it magnetic or centrifugal pins. Don't use braid until you tame your reel.

[dsqui]

open up the side plate and make sure you have all the tension adjustments adjusted... i have a few quantoms and there is the tention knob by the handles,  a dial for the magnetic brake and if you open them up there is another adjustment on the spol itself that you need to play with to get them dialed in.   start every thing out tight and slowly loosen them up every couple casts till you get the real dialed in and find her sweet spot.  the tention knob by the real handle is the first you want to loosen up to get it where you want and then slowly loosen the magnetic brake for your distance,  then dial down the centrifical brake for the initial burst of speed.  it may take awhile to get it where it needs to be but once you do boy look out ahore line youll be launchin the lures a mile

[You_Only_Live_Once_Fishing]

thanks!

 

[cottny27]

If you are just starting out then opt for some soft "XL" mono over fluoro and buy some KVD L&L.  Keep your brakes and spool tension set high then back it off as you get comfortable casting.