Short casts

[randdmart]

Hello,

 

I bought 4 push button rod/reel combos for my family that range in length between 5 feet and 6.5 feet.  The reels are Zebco.   We are getting very little distance on our casts even after switching the line from 10lb test clear monofilament line to 8lb test green monofilament line.  Doing some research one suggestion was to use 8lb braid line.

 

What's the difference between braid and monofilament line?  We're only fishing the local lakes right now which contain various species of fish.  We're doing both bait and lure fishing.  Another suggestion was a spray on line conditioner, not sure what that is.  Also, we don't really know how to cast despite watching numerous YouTube videos on the subject.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank You,

Rich

[garroyo130]

You do not want to use braid on spincast combos as the rods are typically not rated for braid. Ive done it before and it will wear grooves into the guides which are typically lower grade aluminum oxide. 

 

From the video that you had posted, your technique didn't appear to be the issue. You had mentioned no matter how heavy the lure is, you can't get more distance right? 

[randdmart]

5 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

You do not want to use braid on spincast combos as the rods are typically not rated for braid. Ive done it before and it will wear grooves into the guides which are typically lower grade aluminum oxide. 

 

From the video that you had posted, your technique didn't appear to be the issue. You had mentioned no matter how heavy the lure is, you can't get more distance right? 

Yes, that is correct

[garroyo130]

How far are you casting? Have you actually measured it out? 

[randdmart]

1 minute ago, garroyo130 said:

How far are you casting? Have you actually measured it out? 

No, what's the best way to measure it?  I'm going to try and go back out this coming Sunday.

[garroyo130]

2 minutes ago, randdmart said:

No, what's the best way to measure it?  I'm going to try and go back out this coming Sunday.

Cast a weight out in the back/front yard and get a measure of that

[BrianMDTX]

How much line do you have on the reel? If it’s not much, that can be an issue. 

[huZZah]

If the closed-face spinning cover isn’t on straight your line will have some drag coming out, shortening your cast.
 

My older son has a bad habit of throwing more up than out. Spins a crap ton of line out to throw the lure 15ft.  Younger son gets hurried and throws right down at the water. 
 

Length of rods matters some as well; longer rods should let you cast further easier. 

Of course casting into wind. 

Braid is not the answer on a closed face spinner. As stated above it will shred your guides, and coming out of the cover tends to fray it/tear it up eventually. 
 

It could also just be related to the reel itself. I started on a zebco 33. I don’t remember how far I could cast, but it’s nothing compared to what my open spinning reels will do now.  I do know that.  But it was mostly metal. Now they seem mostly plastic. 

 

[kayaking_kev]

I have one zebco 202 reel where you have to reel the lure almost all the way up to the tip of the rod for it to cast properly, but then it does great.

 

I think someone else just recently mentioned something about trying to press the button a second time after you cast.

[randdmart]

16 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

Cast a weight out in the back/front yard and get a measure of that

Casting

 

ROD:  Black 6ft
REEL:  Black W/black button

Casting W/ 2 #5 split shots
1:  25ft
2:  23ft
3:  25ft
Avg:  24ft
Reel is possibly overfilled. Reeling is not smooth 

 

ROD:  Black 6ft
REEL:  black/silver W/ black button

Casting W/ 2 #5 split shots
1:  36ft
2:  36ft
3:  44ft
Avg:  38ft

 

ROD:  White 5ft 6in
REEL:  black/white W/ black button

Casting W/ 2 #5 split shots
1:  43ft
2:  28ft
3:  43ft
Avg:  38ft

 

ROD:  Purple 6.5ft
REEL:  Silver/Purple W/ gray button 

Casting W/ 2 #5 split shots
1:  44ft
2:  44ft
3:  34ft
Avg:  40 ft