cannot cast overhanded

[bassboy1]

I got a baitcaster for Christmas, and have pretty much mastered the backlashes and can cast underhanded pretty well. But, I am having a duck of a time casting overhanded. It always lands about 10 feet in front of me and I get a minor backlash. Where am I doing wrong?

[Alpster]

Try releasing your thumb earlier in the cast (about noon or 1 o'clock). It sounds like you are holding on a little too long. I always think of an overhead cast as a lob, rather than a line drive. I hope this helps.

Ronnie

[5bass]

Alpster has some good advice......just let it go a little sooner. Or maybe try to cast sidearm some now that you've mastered underhanded casting,then move to the overhand last.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Sounds like your releasing it too late.  Try making high lob cast so you can hone in your release point.  It will feel a little weird at first and it should probably "feel" like your releasing behind your head.  When actually your probably releasing at around 11:00 to 1:00.  To practice try to make high lob casts.  Once you get that down  then you can get into more driving distance casts.

For what it's worth:  The only reason I picked up a baitcaster for the first time was so I could learn to pitch.  Back then I felt like it was the only thing I couldn't do with spinning gear.  That's all I did with a baitcaster for the first year or two.  Then I added the side arm cast.  It wasn't until a good 4 or 5 years after I picked up a bait caster that I even started using overhand casts.  Don't know why I added that, but I felt like I should share it.

Good Luck and stick with it.  It's well worth it an the end.

[ww2farmer]

I gave up on baitcasters about 10 years ago.......then about 3-4 years ago I picked them up again. Took me some time to shake the rust off, and then learn to be better than I was before. Now, I have more casting rigs than spinning, and if condtions/and presentations allow, I will grab a casting rig first. As long as you don't buy those cheap Shakespere $25 casting reels from wal-mart , any of the offerings from Daiwa, Pflueger, Bass Pro shops, Shimano, Abu Garcia, Quantum in the $70-$100 range will be excellant reels that have good cast controls. IMHO once you get over $100 for reels, you are paying for more features, like more bearings, lighter weight,ability to toss tiny lures, cutting edge stuff (like the shimano DEC cast controls). Castability/Relability in the lower end reels will still be excellant as long as you buy a tried and tru make/model. The biggest thing isn't your gear.....it's probably you, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE, you'll get better in no time.

[bass109]

just keep at it ;D

[Redlinerobert]

Practice makes perfect.

[SBM-RL]

i had the same problem when learning but i started realesing earlier (too earlier) but I keepnt casting and soon enough i felt really comportable casting a baitcaster

[Guest avid]

The tendency to "snap" the cast is greater with an overhand cast.  Tighten that spool screw down a little.

[Guest DavidGreen]

bassboy1,

Sounds a little like a reel setup, and release timing thing.

Try a little reading...Basic Baitcast Reel Setup 101

then practice practice practice....

Tight Lines!!!

[justfishin]

Keep at it and your thumb will get "educated". I rarely throw over handed. I mostly throw with a roll cast side arm motion. I guess that will come later for you. It seems to work best for spinnerbaits. What ever bait you are throwing, let it hang down about 6 or 8 inches and shake your rod. If it drops slow that is what you are looking for. I turn everything off and go free spool using my thumb only but, in 35 years you will be doing the same. Good luck, it will come to you.

[Catt]

Let the rod do the casting that's what it was designed for  

Wrist & elbow

Keep your elbow close to the body

[Tucson]

I'm pretty new at the BC game and have the same problem myself.  Seems no matter how early I release, it's too late!  Gonna keep practicing and I'll get it eventually.  I cast side arm as a rule and it works well but my accuracy is not to great.  

[chitwnbass]

Take it easy when your working on a cast. I've always found its easier to find your release angle when you cast nice and slow a couple of times. Most people whip thier rods way too fast when thier trying to get used to baitcasting.  I've introduced quite a few people to a baitcsting reel and I always take them through things nice a slow at first foucusing on the timing and then slowly start to speed things up and start to increse thier distance.

[KYbass1276]

I beleve it was lightining rod who told me this tip.   Try casting with the handles of the reel facing upward toward the sky.  

[Evan Pease]

I got my first baitcaster in october and have just now got the hang of it, just keep practicing.

[phisher_d]

I beleve it was lightining rod who told me this tip. Try casting with the handles of the reel facing upward toward the sky.

I agree 100%.  This made a huge difference when I was learning to cast overhand.  It was like a lightbulb turning on in my head

("handles facing up" is assuming that you cast and reel with the same hand.  If you cast and reel with opposite hands, the handles will be facing down)