Casting Distance

[Roger S]

How far on average would you say you position your boat from the bank when fishing?  I like being out far enough to make a long cast in, but my friends say I am too far out.  They think I should be approx. 15 feet from the bank - I seem to prefer 25 - 30 feet.  We are mainly fishing t-rig plastics or flukes.  I think I like being out farther because casting and controlling the trolling motor is easier for me.

[Skwerl]

You'll spook the fish that close. I seem to have better accuracy when I have some distance to cast, like 50-60'. Fifteen feet is only double the length of your fishing pole.  Are they using cane poles?

[Ben]

Depends on water clarity, type cover, type bait I'm throwing and water depth.  About the only time I'm within 15' is flipping/pitching.   When working a spinner bait around cover, I tend to stay in fairly close 15 - 25' but other than that my cast can be anywhere between 25 and 200 ft.  When working shallow water, I sometimes sling a buzz bait so hard, the blades sound like a weed eater running at the beginning of the cast.  I tend to make extremely long cast fishing top water and crank baits.  Top water because the shallow fish tend to spook extremely easy and cranks because I usually want to cover as much water as I can.

[bipr8]

I agree with your friends.  I like being close up and flip.  The fish I usually catch are deep in the cover and an overhand cast won't suffice the way I want it to.  I flip and pitch usually about 15-20' away.  Of course it depends on water clarity.

[Flatfish]

Close enough to get the second limb on the nearest tree, well it seem's that way somestime. Seriously it depends on water clarity and the type of bait I'am using, if they are tight along the bank a lot of times I'll run parellel and just a few feet off the bank. That work's well if you are alone, but not good for a back boater.

[senile1]

It all depends on what technique you're trying to use.  If you're flippin' or pitchin' you're going to be fairly close to the bank.  If you're trying to fish your lure parallel to the bank you're going to be closer.  If the wind is blowing parallel to the bank and you want to fish your lure with the current you're going to be closer.  If you have calmer or clearer water and you don't want to spook fish, you'll place yourself much further from the bank.  

[Roger S]

Good stuff thanks.  It seems to depend on the structure and water clarity that one is fishing that determines distance.  I guess more experience on the water and operating the trolling motor will help me make those decisions.  

[deadeye32.]

me and one of my buddies fight about this all the time.  I personally like being closer to the bank, say 15-20 ft. unless im pitching or flipping, and then I'm closer.  Anyway, He always says I'll scare the fish, but to me someone launching a spinnerbait 20 ft. in the air and crashing it down in the water will spook them too.  I like a soft presnetation into the water with my lures and it is easier for us at a shorter distance.

[Cajun1977]

also  remember sometimes the fish are off the bank positioned at the nearest drop or   break in current or water temp  so i try to stay around 25ft  off bank  unless im pitching and flipping

[reellittlephish]

I see you are near Austin, TX.  What kind of water are you fishing?  Shallow or deep?  How clear?  Wind or calm?   Generally if you are new to plastic worms a somewhat shorter cast means you will miss less bites.  Other than that, you probably will grow in knowledge if you think more about the conditions on any given day, letting them dictate casting distance.