Can't accurately cast with spinning reel...why?

[jb_adams]

I struggle with my spinning tackle for accurate casts.  It has to be my technique.  Here is what I do, tell me where I'm wrong: (by the way, I cast right handed and retrieve right handed, I know that's wrong but it's comfortable)

- I hold the rod with my index finger & middle finger in front of the reel seat/shaft while the other two are behind the real seat

- I use my right index finger to hold the line against the bottom of the rod to hold tension on the line while I'm opening the bale

- I open the bale with my left hand

- My left hand holds the butt of the rod while I cast with my right hand (for short casts, it's with only one hand)

- I release the line with my index finger as tension builds on the line during the cast to get more distance (usually, I feel the line jumping off my finger as I release it because of the tension)

I can hit a general area most of the time but sometimes, I can't hit the general area because of release.  It has to be because I'm holding too much line with my finger or something.  I just can't get the same distance I can with my baitcaster and not as accurate either.  The whole rig just feels cumbersome compared to a baitcaster.  I want to get over this hump and become comfortable with my spinning tackle.

Any suggestions?

[roadwarrior]

Just using it more...There is no fundamental reason why you cannot have the same accuracy with spinning tackle as you do with baitcasting equipment. Many guys that use spinning gear a lot (like me) are more accurate with their spinning rod...Go figure...

Really, it's just practice or using that type of gear more often.

[.RM.]

I agree with RW, sounds like a timing and practice issue..

Keep Practicing & Tight Lines !!!!!  

[skillet]

 I'm better with bait casting than spinning :-[but I'll give it a try. From what you wrote, if you are still holding the line against the rod when you release it, that's too high. Drop your finger down some and try that. Other than that the only thing is pratice ,pratice and more pratice. Didn't mean to make that as boring as it sounded ;D...

                                  As Ever,

                                   skillet

[jb_adams]

I'm better with bait casting than spinning :-[but I'll give it a try. From what you wrote, if you are still holding the line against the rod when you release it, that's too high. Drop your finger down some and try that. Other than that the only thing is pratice ,pratice and more pratice. Didn't mean to make that as boring as it sounded ;D...

                              As Ever,

                                   skillet

Didn't sound boring at all. It made sense actually.  I never thought about holding it lower.  I'll try that.

I've noticed rod action plays a big difference too.  I guess practice is what it takes.

[dave]

Try holding your left hand at the front of the reel. Close your hand and feather it down as you want your bait to slow down.

[Guest muddy]

Keep practicing. I have done most of my fsihing with spiining gear, as I just went to bait casting this year. For me it's about avoiding line twist, letting the rod wqork for you . There is no need to be throwin Nolan Ryan heat, just let the rod in front of you at 10 oclock, bring the rod back to about 2 oclock and with a steady but soft lob let it go when it gets back to 10. I would avoid long fly ball casts also, it hurts your accuracy and you baits will make too much a slash.

 I have a weird style, because I use 2 hands I hold the line aginst the rod with one hand and cast with the other, i got the timming right and for some reason thats how i cast.

[Raul]

It 's a matter of timing which gets solved by practice.

[surfer]

From what you wrote, if you are still holding the line against the rod when you release it, that's too high. Drop your finger down some and try that.

                              As Ever,

                                   skillet

I only use spinning for now and agree with what Skillet just said.  I never hold the line tight to the pole with my finger.  I just hook the line over my finger in a comfortable position.  The weight of the lure prevents the line from jumping off my finger.  

[bpm2000]

I just started using a baitcaster and it feels like you have to release the casting reel a lot earlier than the spinning reel - something to keep in mind if you are going the other way.

[jb_adams]

I already guide the line with my left hand for slowing down the bait.  I learned that from a guide in Florida.  Looked like a radio controled bait.

bpm, that actually made sense

With a baitcaster, you release as your stop the rod in the cast.  Or at least I do it that way.  When my rod comes back to about 10:00, I release my thumb at the same time but I always try to keep my thumb close to feel for any backlash in case of overcasts.

With a spinning rod, you almost have to release the line just after the rod hits 10:00 to spring load the line a bit.  You have to be careful because you'll snap the line and your bait (ie, BRAND NEW CAVITRON!!!!) will go flying away free as a bird.  Not that it happened to me or anything.....(cough cough)  OK, it happened and it was on a baitcaster.  The water was over 25ft and I couldn't see past 22ft. so I'm guessing it was 30ft deep somehwere.  I looked for a long time.

I've thrown spinnerbaits on spinning rods and I noticed that I could throw a good distance if I load the line at release.  I just prefer throwing spinnerbaits on baitcasters now because I can pick my spots eaiser.

[Cephkiller]

You can point your right index finger down toward the face of your spool and feather and stop the cast by simply moving your finger closer and farther from the spool.  It makes cast control nearly as easy as using a baitcaster.

[burleytog]

You can point your right index finger down toward the face of your spool and feather and stop the cast by simply moving your finger closer and farther from the spool. It makes cast control nearly as easy as using a baitcaster.

That's how I do it.  The only thing I use my left hand for is flipping the bail and cranking the reel.

[MickD]

The only thing I do differently than you is to use my right index finger against the lip of the reel instead of on the rod.  This may be more precise and controllable than pinching the line against the rod.  Give it a try.  By doing it this way it is natural to move the finger back onto the reel lip at the end of the cast to shorten the cast if you've thrown too far and to stop the cast to straighten the lure out so you get fewer tangles of cranks and spinnerbaits as the lure enters the water.

Try to use a consistent motion so you will get used to it.  Some prefer sidearm, some overhead, but until you get confident, do it one way and that way every time.  I use a motion that brings the rod back then forward in a smooth motion with no stop in the motion.  That loads the rod helping to propel the lure without your needing to have any abrupt, fast, motions involved.

And as others have said, practice practice practice.  Spinning is usually found to be easier than bait casting for most since you don't have to worry about the backlashes.  I think the basic rod motions should be very similar, however.

Mick

[jb_adams]

You can point your right index finger down toward the face of your spool and feather and stop the cast by simply moving your finger closer and farther from the spool. It makes cast control nearly as easy as using a baitcaster.

That's how I do it. The only thing I use my left hand for is flipping the bail and cranking the reel.

Me too.  I do that with my ultralight reel.  Sounds like I'm using the right techniques, I just need lots and lots of practice.

Thanks guys!

[skillet]

jb_adams

 Rod action plays a LARGE part in spinning and bait casting ...

                                 As Ever,

                                  skillet

[burleytog]

jb_adams

Rod action plays a LARGE part in spinning and bait casting ...

                              As Ever,

                              skillet

IMO moreso with spinning tackle than casting tackle.

That said, it is harder to throw a too-light bait on casting tackle regardless of rod action.  Throwing a little harder in order to get that little bit of extra distance is dangerous when using casting tackle.

[jb_adams]

You have to balance the bait with the rod action.  I know that.  I try to match the bait to the appropriate rod action and type.

And yes, to me the spinning rod makes the variances of an improper match known much faster than a casting rod.  If your bait is too light or too heavy, the spinning rod seems to give you a more sensitive feedback that it's too heavy or too light.  It may be my imagination but it feels that way sometimes.

[Raul]

That said, it is harder to throw a too-light bait on casting tackle regardless of rod action. Throwing a little harder in order to get that little bit of extra distance is dangerous when using casting tackle.

You need a Pixy.  

[32251]

I don't know why, but I always used my middle finger to hold the line and  I never hold the line close to the rod.  I hold the rod in front of the reel only.

If I need distance I will sling it like a surf fisherman does. If I need a  VERY straight cast then I will bring the rod directly overhead and release right straight ahead.  Everything else is from the side if I need to keep line low to the water and under limbs or about 2:00 for general casting.  I sometimes find myself transfering the rod to my left hand after the cast and pointing it in the direction where the line is going to cut down on line friction through the eye.

If I need to make a one handed cast, I always flip from left to right like throwing a frisbee.

[fish-fighting-illini]

 I started with spinning so not quite the same. I never thought about it I just do it and am just about as accurate with spinning as I am with a BC. Shorter casts are much easier at the moment with spinning.

I can't get the BC set right for short casts without lash no matter what.

[Tokyo Tony]

I think your main problem may be that when you're getting ready to cast and you're holding the line with your index finger, the line is in the first crease at your first knuckle.  Releasing it from that bend in your finger can be inaccurate, so try moving the line to the tip of your finger.  I even bend my index finger upwards towards the rod and hold the line with the very tip of my finger, so I can get a little flex.  Does that make sense?  I can try doing a diagram if that would help...

Basically, get the line out of the crease in your finger and hold it on the tip of your finger.  That should help a lot.

Also, make sure you don't have too much or too little line out between your bait and the rod tip.  I usually have about a foot space there, but when I'm trying to really wing it out there, I'll let a little more line out.

And lastly, like the others were saying, if your rod action is too fast/stiff, you'll have trouble throwing light baits, and if it's too soft you'll have trouble with the heavier ones.  Try experimenting to find a comfort zone.

[jb_adams]

I think your main problem may be that when you're getting ready to cast and you're holding the line with your index finger, the line is in the first crease at your first knuckle. Releasing it from that bend in your finger can be inaccurate, so try moving the line to the tip of your finger. I even bend my index finger upwards towards the rod and hold the line with the very tip of my finger, so I can get a little flex. Does that make sense? I can try doing a diagram if that would help...

Basically, get the line out of the crease in your finger and hold it on the tip of your finger. That should help a lot.

Also, make sure you don't have too much or too little line out between your bait and the rod tip. I usually have about a foot space there, but when I'm trying to really wing it out there, I'll let a little more line out.

And lastly, like the others were saying, if your rod action is too fast/stiff, you'll have trouble throwing light baits, and if it's too soft you'll have trouble with the heavier ones. Try experimenting to find a comfort zone.

Yep, I use the crease of my index finger most of the time but I have tried using the very tip of my finger.  That resolves the funny feeling at the releast but I'm still not as accurate for some reason.  As for the comfort zone in rod flex, yeah I'm aware of that too.

Sounds like I knew more about this than I thought.  Sounds like practice is the best answer.  I'll have to get a few rods out this afternoon and practice hitting targets.

[Tokyo Tony]

If subtlety of presentation is not a priority then you can cast overhand - that's more accurate, but most of the time you're not going to want that big splash, so sidearm or underhand will be better.  Accuracy with these methods, once you've got the basics down, which it sounds like you do, is, like you said, only going to come with practice (nice sentence huh???  ;D)

Good luck!

[MickD]

Try using your finger on the lip of the spool instead of on the rod.  Then you can easily drop it back down into the line flow to slow down or stop the lure.

Also, until you become used to casting with a spinning rod, keep the rod vertical as you bring it back and snap it forward for the cast.  This makes it impossible for the lure to go anywhere except straight ahead of your vertical motion.  Distance becomes the only other issue, and just keep practicing with the timing of the line release and try to keep a smooth, continuous, motion bringing it back then going forward.  I agree with a poster who said rod action has an influence-the stiffer the rod the less forgiving it is.  If you have a soft rod available, try it with that one until you get confident.

Mick