Amount of line between lure and rod tip when casting

[michael1]

I have been observing pros on TV and other local anglers and I have noticed a good deal of difference between how much line guys allow to be between the tip of the rod and the lure. Some 2-3 inches some almost a foot. I understand it kind of matters what lure (and it's weight) that you are throwing but I was curious how close you reel up your lure compared to your rod tip before casting?

[MN Fisher]

7 minutes ago, michael1 said:

Some 2-3 inches some almost a foot.

That's a good distance.

 

Seriously, I'm not that...OCD about how close the lure is to the rod-tip before I cast. Sometimes it's almost touching the tip, other times it's a foot or more away. Don't worry it too much.

[JediAmoeba]

Sometimes when I am using a short leader I will leave more line at the end so it doesn't pass through the line guide.  

 

Otherwise I would say usually it's 6-10" depending on the rig.  Sometimes it's less if I am not paying attention.  Also, If I am trying to be really accurate I will leave 2-4" at the end.

 

Overall I don't think there is a right answer - do what feels comfortable for you.

[wisconsin heat]

Further is better IMO. I've never understood why some will have the lure just inches from the tip - or reeled right up to the tip . If I'm casting for distance, there's probably somewhere between 1.5/2.5 feet between the lure in the rod tip. I'll shorten that to less than a foot if I'm trying to make accurate roll casts. If you ever watch a video of KVD slinging crankbaits he's got like 3 feet of line out when he casts.

[A-Jay]

For me it depends on the gear I'm using, the type of cast & presentation I'm making and the distance desired.

Then there's the fact that we all do it a little differently.

Time on the water with your gear is really the best way to find out what works best for you.

A-Jay

[Bird]

I really don't pay much mind to distance from rod tip to lure, just something reasonable. 

 

BUT something I've learned as someone who uses leaders......keep your knot outside the reel " my case it's Alberto " and the knot clears the guides much more smoothly. 

[Choporoz]

51 minutes ago, wisconsin heat said:

Further is better IMO. I've never understood why some will have the lure just inches from the tip - or reeled right up to the tip . If I'm casting for distance, ....

I might be that guy.  Some reasons - 

-I mostly fish from a kayak and there's a LOT of backswing risk in casting with the lure a long ways from the tip; just touching the water on the backswing will, at best, decrease your distance and accuracy, and at worst begin the very quick process of birdnesting the crap out of a reel

-Even if I don't hit the water, there's seven other rods and a flag behind me that would create whole different kinds of crises if hit

-I also fish from small boats with my wife.  We've both learned after many years fishing together to control the amount of line between the rod tip and the lure....for obvious reasons.  People on ends of a 14 foot boat are no where near 14 feet apart

-There's times when distance is desired, but its rarely more important than accuracy...to me

[scaleface]

I dont know how much line I let out . I guess I'll have to go down to the basement pick up a rod and see .

 

 

I'm back . 10 inches

[MN Fisher]

12 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I might be that guy.  Some reasons - 

-I mostly fish from a kayak and there's a LOT of backswing risk in casting with the lure a long ways from the tip; just touching the water on the backswing will, at best, decrease your distance and accuracy, and at worst begin the very quick process of birdnesting the crap out of a reel

-Even if I don't hit the water, there's seven other rods and a flag behind me that would create whole different kinds of crises if hit

-I also fish from small boats with my wife.  We've both learned after many years fishing together to control the amount of line between the rod tip and the lure....for obvious reasons.  People on ends of a 14 foot boat are no where near 14 feet apart

-There's times when distance is desired, but its rarely more important than accuracy...to me

Canoe vs Kayak

No one else with me

 

Otherwise, the reasons are the same.

 

In addition, different lures load the rod differently. The distance between lure and rod-tip varies based on that.

[Mobasser]

I think lots of us probably don't think about it too much. We cast too much. Probably 8" to 10" works best for me

[wisconsin heat]

37 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I might be that guy.  Some reasons - 

-I mostly fish from a kayak and there's a LOT of backswing risk in casting with the lure a long ways from the tip; just touching the water on the backswing will, at best, decrease your distance and accuracy, and at worst begin the very quick process of birdnesting the crap out of a reel

-Even if I don't hit the water, there's seven other rods and a flag behind me that would create whole different kinds of crises if hit

-I also fish from small boats with my wife.  We've both learned after many years fishing together to control the amount of line between the rod tip and the lure....for obvious reasons.  People on ends of a 14 foot boat are no where near 14 feet apart

-There's times when distance is desired, but its rarely more important than accuracy...to me

These are some great points and I'll echo that in these situations, I do the same. If I'm in my kayak, or a crowded boat, I'll shorten that distance wayyyy down.

 

In my initial post I was more referring to a perfect situation where you are on the front deck of a boat or on shore where your casting range of motion isn't limited by these factors.

 

[Dirtyeggroll]

It depends on so many factors, rod power/action, line type/diameter/weight, lure weight, length of/type of desired cast and most variable individual casting mechanics. Its something one just learns to get a feel for and is not the same for everyone.

 

You could calculate the physics of the ideal amount per gear and desired cast, but it would still be an imperfect calculation because of the difference in casting mechanics per person.

[Dens228]

I don't give it much thought but it probably varies between 6 inches to a foot.  Sometimes when I'm pitching to a close target it's probably a few feet of line. 

 

[the reel ess]

Whatever gets you the cast you desire. You don't need 3' of line hanging off the rod to sidearm a bait under a dock or hit a specific target. But it helps is you're after a long cast for search baits or covering water. Also, consider those around you. I fished with a guide a while back and he kept sitting in the driver's seat going through tackle. I kept checking before I cast the walking bait I was using and he said "Let it fly, you won't hit me." I said "You want to bet on that? I'll just make sure I don't." My dad once hit my mom in the head with a Norman's DD22 crankbait and never lived it down. She probably reminds him of that in heaven.

 

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

Sometimes when I'm pitching to a close target it's probably a few feet of line. 

Pitching for me involves more than just a 'few feet' of line. Usually a rod-length.

[billmac]

I usually just go by feel, but it's often more than a foot of line.

[NHBull]

It depends, but always more with lighter baits

[Dens228]

4 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Pitching for me involves more than just a 'few feet' of line. Usually a rod-length.

Well I'm sitting in a kayak and it's not my best technique........

[Hammer 4]

2 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

Well I'm sitting in a kayak and it's not my best technique........

Try it while sitting almost at water level in a Float Tube..Takes a Bunch of practice..and then some..

[MN Fisher]

5 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

Well I'm sitting in a kayak and it's not my best technique........

I guess I have it a little easier. I am in a canoe, but the seating mod I made puts the base level with the gunwale, so I'm above that a bit. Plus with the outriggers, I can stand to do casting if I need to.

 

[813basstard]

Need to get one way out there, more line.

Need to get one on a specific spot, less.

[Todd2]

I don't think I've ever paid much attention except on carolina/split shot rig where your weight has to be closer to the tip or pitching where it's farther away.

[OnthePotomac]

1 hour ago, 813basstard said:

Need to get one way out there, more line.

Need to get one on a specific spot, less.

Exactly what a guide with 30 years on the Potomac told me 19 years ago when I got into bass fishing.

[Bankbeater]

Probably 2 or 3 inches. I've never really noticed before.

[Catt]

Depends on where I'm fishing

 

If I'm in the boat 1 mile offshore casting to deep water structure it doesn't matter.

 

If I'm standing under trees on the bank it matters alot.

 

Yesterday morning I was standing on a bank that was 2-3' wide with trees & brush literally at my back. Anything over a couple inches wasn't smart, neither is a rod over 6'!