Why can't I cast far?

[padlin]

Specs say 3-8 for line, 1/16-3/8.

 

Spinning

NED, HAIR JIG, FINESSE

ML-M

F

7'6"

1

3-8

1/16-3/8

[Glenn]

This should help:

 

 

[Bird]

10 ft casting distance would almost have to be line wrap around a guide, can't imagine anything else.

 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Too many people overestimate the length of their casts, but 8-10" is a clear indication that something is very wrong.  Even if the line was wrapped around the blank between eyes or going through a guide frame or 2 I would expect it to cast farther than 10".  You should be able to cast that 3'16 much farther than you could throw it.

I would suggest checking that line is going through all the guides correctly and wound tightly on the spool.  

[Columbia Craw]

Line routed thru the hook keeper? 

[Jar11591]

  On 3/11/2025 at 7:29 AM, Columbia Craw said:

Line routed thru the hook keeper? 

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I’ve seen someone do this before and it would definitely limit casting distance in the way OP is describing.

[Brian11719]

The consensus seems to be that wet braid casts further but I do remember one time when I went fishing in the rain and then for the next couple of days after that I noticed I would cast with that reel and it didn't go as far. I've got a kayak so I ended up emptying the entire thing into the lake and then reeling it back in and that seemed to fix it...it's almost like the line was caked onto the reel or stuck together before I did that...anyway that has only happened once so doesn't seem like it would be a common thing but either way if it might be worth emptying some / all of it out and then reeling it back in again if you can.

[Skunkmaster-k]

  On 3/11/2025 at 12:35 AM, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

This was my thought, but what else would you use?

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The reason I suggested the lure weight is because you had an “ ish “ .  If you’re through the guides and not wrapped around the tip or through the bait keeper then open the bail and the line should pull out effortlessly. If it does, tie a 3/16 bell sinker on and gently give it a test cast. That’s what I would do. 

[casts_by_fly]

  On 3/11/2025 at 7:29 AM, Columbia Craw said:

Line routed thru the hook keeper? 

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That was my first though, hence a picture request.

[LonnieP]

Sounds like the line is wrapped around a guide or the hook keeper

[A-Jay]

With as many high speed problem solving ideas presented to the OP here,

if the casting distance is not resolved by now,

there can only really be one cause left.

That rig is cursed and or possessed by the devil monkey.

Perhaps consider an Exorcism.

May need to be performed by either KVD or Tommy Biffle.

The evicting of demons, jinns, or other spiritual entities from a rod & reel

is serious business. 

Good Luck and stay safe.

A-Jay

 

 

[MN Fisher]

  On 3/11/2025 at 2:54 PM, A-Jay said:

May need to be performed by either KVD or Tommy Biffle.

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Or just ship it over here

 

[Darth-Baiter]

  On 3/11/2025 at 7:29 AM, Columbia Craw said:

Line routed thru the hook keeper? 

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hahaha..i had a Phenix Recon that put the hook keeper in the perfect location to do this.  as the lines spiraled off the spool, it would sometimes grab the hook keeper and make me look like i couldnt cast at all.  i am not proud to admit, i took my pocket knife and shaved the wrapping and took it off.  i put a wrap of black tape around the shaft to hide my abomination of a solution.   that rod is my Striped Bass magic wand.   but that hook keeper was not working for me. 

 

great thought on this topic..great thought.

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

Here's a question. How far would you reckon I should be able to cast this bait, in ideal conditions? 

[WRB]

Standard one hand wrist cast using a spinning outfit about 20 yds/ 60’ with ease.

Tom

[casts_by_fly]

  On 3/11/2025 at 11:06 PM, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

Here's a question. How far would you reckon I should be able to cast this bait, in ideal conditions? 

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20-30 yards should be an easy lob. 

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

Ok so I finally looked at the combo and the line goes in each guide so that's not it. But I did see that I maybe only spooled the reel half way? So too little line, could that cause this?

[A-Jay]

  On 3/17/2025 at 8:28 PM, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

Ok so I finally looked at the combo and the line goes in each guide so that's not it. But I did see that I maybe only spooled the reel half way? So too little line, could that cause this?

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Yes - 
I get great casting distance by filling the spinning reel spool to about 1/8 of the edge of the spool lip.

Also over filling it is often a problem too as line can & often does 'spill' off the reel

in a rather uncontrolled manner.

Just close to 'full' but don't go over.

A little under is better than a little over. 

Sort of like 'Let's Make a Deal rules".

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

[MN Fisher]

  On 3/17/2025 at 8:28 PM, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

Ok so I finally looked at the combo and the line goes in each guide so that's not it. But I did see that I maybe only spooled the reel half way? So too little line, could that cause this?

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Like the others have said - fill it to about 1/8" of the spool rim...about where it starts to turn towards the top edge. Light lures, I can cast 25-30 yards with just a flick of the wrist on my light spinning rigs.

[Darth-Baiter]

half full spool.  yup.  culprit.  not to brag, but that was my theory from the start.  hahah..

 

 

[casts_by_fly]

Even a half full spool will cast more than 10’. Certainly it will contribute, but I think there is more going on. I still think a picture would go miles here. 

[woolleyfooley]

  On 3/17/2025 at 10:03 PM, casts_by_fly said:

Even a half full spool will cast more than 10’. Certainly it will contribute, but I think there is more going on. I still think a picture would go miles here. 

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Agreed. 

[Darth-Baiter]

  On 3/17/2025 at 10:03 PM, casts_by_fly said:

Even a half full spool will cast more than 10’. Certainly it will contribute, but I think there is more going on. I still think a picture would go miles here. 

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true..but not cool poo-pooing my thunder.   hahhahah...

 

i think he is even less than half spool.  i wind-knotted deep and it took major surgery to clear.  i had less than half spool, and i casted..."nope".  i put the combo away and fished other things.  

[casts_by_fly]

  On 3/18/2025 at 8:18 PM, Darth-Baiter said:

true..but not cool poo-pooing my thunder.   hahhahah...

 

i think he is even less than half spool.  i wind-knotted deep and it took major surgery to clear.  i had less than half spool, and i casted..."nope".  i put the combo away and fished other things.  

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I suspect you’re partially right. I bet it’s well under filled for a start. Probably loosely wound and/or wind knots. I bet there is some casting technique as well and the rod isn’t loading. The rod is designed to throw what he’s throwing so it’s not like this was a mismatched setup. A sloppy cast not loading the rod up plus heavy braid on a tiny reel which is way underfilled and messily wound. All of that together might be enough to do it. 

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

  On 3/18/2025 at 8:49 PM, casts_by_fly said:

I suspect you’re partially right. I bet it’s well under filled for a start. Probably loosely wound and/or wind knots. I bet there is some casting technique as well and the rod isn’t loading. The rod is designed to throw what he’s throwing so it’s not like this was a mismatched setup. A sloppy cast not loading the rod up plus heavy braid on a tiny reel which is way underfilled and messily wound. All of that together might be enough to do it. 

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It's definitely not messily wound. I'm not a fishing expert but I'm not a newbie either. This is my first light action rod so I'd be lying if I said I'm used to casting something like this, but I'm pretty confident it has nothing to do with my technique either. 

 

I just bought a house and in the process of moving so my stuff is everywhere but I'm thinking I just didn't know that under filling a spool could cost me distance. That fact I'll pony up too being a newbie. My line is also clean and no wind knots, I couldn't cast it so I didn't even use it lol. I'm banking on the half or less then half spooled reel being the culprit.

 

When I get sometime hopefully before season opens in June I'll respool the reel and test it in the yard and update this thread. 

 

Otherwise thanks for everyone's suggestions!