Accuracy With Casts

[Flangler]

I'm looking for some advice with accuracy. I've been using a baitcaster for maybe 1 month straight, (off and on previously) but I'am starting to see the benefits of using one. However, putting the lure where I want it to go and where it goes are two different things most of the time. Its easier to cast one direction then the other. And it can be difficult to keep it close to the bank, or even just a short easy cast. Could it be that my settings aren't properly adjusted? Possibly my rod? I'm using a Shimano Carbomax 6'6" medium/fast rod, which I enjoy. Or, may I possibly be releasing the spool to early or late? It is easier for me to cast sidearm then overhead, but I want to cast overhead as well. Does anybody have any suggestions that may help? It would be appreciated!

Lyle

[fishingkidPA]

I'm looking for some advice with accuracy. I've been using a baitcaster for maybe 1 month straight, (off and on previously) but I'am starting to see the benefits of using one. However, putting the lure where I want it to go and where it goes are two different things most of the time. Its easier to cast one direction then the other. And it can be difficult to keep it close to the bank, or even just a short easy cast. Could it be that my settings aren't properly adjusted? Possibly my rod? I'm using a Shimano Carbomax 6'6" medium/fast rod, which I enjoy. Or, may I possibly be releasing the spool to early or late? It is easier for me to cast sidearm then overhead, but I want to cast overhead as well. Does anybody have any suggestions that may help? It would be appreciated!

Lyle

i have found the overhead cast the most difficult for me by far. As for me i hit most accurate with a side arm or roll cast, but when i am trying to hit tiny little holes i pitch the bait, its very accurate for short casts and you make a small entrance into the water compared to most baits, its mostly a stealth tactic. But i still find im alot more accurate with spinning gear

[Fat-G]

Practice practice practice!

[WanderLust]

Practice, practice and then practice some more...

Side arm, pitch, flip and overhand all need to be mastered. Remember to keep the bait closer to the tip for accuracy and a butter smooth motion to send it down range.

Good gear makes these things easier but that rod is fine... What's the reel? and What's the settings?

Youtube some casting vids

and...............

don't forget to practice!

[Bassn Blvd]

You've mentioned just about every possible thing that can make your cast go astray except for one important thing. YOU! I'll cut to the chase and flat out tell ya. It aint the reel, rod, wind, air temp, or mother nature. It's you. You just simply need more practice.

[Fat-G]

3 straight posts indicating practice. Get out in your yard and just do it! When you get a little bit better, set up a 5 gallon bucket and try to cast and pitch it into it.

After a while, it just becomes second nature. I'm very good at pitching, because that's the way I usually fish. Just practice and keep practicing! If you fish in places that require long casts, short pitches, low-trajectory sidearm casts, or even flipping work on that the most.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

3 straight posts indicating practice. Get out in your yard and just do it! When you get a little bit better, set up a 5 gallon bucket and try to cast and pitch it into it.

After a while, it just becomes second nature. I'm very good at pitching, because that's the way I usually fish. Just practice and keep practicing! If you fish in places that require long casts, short pitches, low-trajectory sidearm casts, or even flipping work on that the most.

Ive had baitcasters now for over 20 years yet just yesterday was out in the backyard for some target practice. I was watching my kids in their playground so figured why not. Got my new SMOKE rod a Spro frog tied on throwing at basketball nerf football some smimrings never hurts to practice more.

[s13john]

i think pitching is the most important cast to master. you can get some good distance and just drop it in nice and smooth.

[Flangler]

Practice, practice and then practice some more...

Side arm, pitch, flip and overhand all need to be mastered. Remember to keep the bait closer to the tip for accuracy and a butter smooth motion to send it down range.

Good gear makes these things easier but that rod is fine... What's the reel? and What's the settings?

Youtube some casting vids

and...............

ok so I know I need to practice! I'm using the bps pro qualifier tournament series! Magnet brake is on 8, and dbs I have 5 on. I'm throwing a light blure so its easier for me. But I'm really not sure where they need to be. I read great reviews about it. I like it so far. I returned the kvd signature series because it was falling apart after 4 days. But I agree practice is needed. Thanks for the tips!

[bigbassctchr101]

A lure or practice plug about 1/2ounce could make it a little easier to start. To start out, if you hold the rod out even with the floor and release the spool, the lure should slowly fall to the ground and the spool should stop when the plug hits the ground. This will give you a good starting point, you can adjust accordingly from that. If your getting overrun in mid cast, the magnetic brake could be tightened. If your getting overrun from the beginning and end of cast, the cast control knob (circle knob by handle) could be tightened down. You'll eventually get a feel for what needs to be tweaked

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A heavier lure will load the rod properly for a more effortless and hence accurate cast.

[dulouz]

Practice. Imagine if you had cast that rod as many times in your life as you have put an eating utinsile in your mouth. You don't miss your mouth when you eat do you?

[deep]

I'm using the bps pro qualifier tournament series! Magnet brake is on 8, and dbs I have 5 on. I'm throwing a light blure so its easier for me. But I'm really not sure where they need to be. I read great reviews about it. I like it so far. I returned the kvd signature series because it was falling apart after 4 days. But I agree practice is needed. Thanks for the tips!

When I had a PQ (sold it), I had one centri brake on, 5 off, and the mag brakes at zero. I never throw anything less than 0.5 oz on a baitcaster though.

When I'm shooting for distance, I use the sidearm cast. Makes it easy (for me at least) to shoot the bait 50-60 yards out. When accuracy is what I want, in the 25-30 yards range, I use a sort of lob overhead cast. The direction of the rod swing throws the bait in the precise direction, and the thumb controls the distance.

P.S. Don't do much pitching or flipping.

[bigbassctchr101]

Also, when casting, point the rod at your target at the end of the cast. And be attentive to how your casting. I thought I was doing everything by the book and I would be off on my target. I finally realized that I was trying to put so much into my cast that I was actually twisting my wrist on the cast causing my bait to fly off of target.

[Flangler]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! There in the brain and hopefully can apply them to the water this Sunday!

[ChiCityBasser]

I just spent some time last night in the house pitching into a punch bowl and at pieces of paper my kids put out as fish for me to try to land on them. I used a half oz. jig wrapped in a lure keeper and spent about an hour just working on it and I admit practice is what I needed as well. My reel is the Quantum Accurist PT and it's sat long enough without me learning to use it properly.

[linehand]

I know I'm in the minority here but I found for me I only use casting set ups for heavy bait heavy line cranking. Crank baits spinner baits etc. With 8lb or heavier line. light finesse type fishing when I have to be pinpoint accurate or skipping under stuff I just use spinning set ups. Just me though and I don't spend more than 100 bucks per rod reel set. Leave all the fancy stuff for the pros.

[Mattyvac]

For me it's all about how much line between the tip of the rod and the lure, and where in my cast (what angle) I release my thumb from the spool at. To cast farther with lighter baits I release my thumb sooner into the cast, rather than later so it creates a bigger arc and goes farther.

[jignfule]

Practice practice practice!

X2

[JacobK]

Practice makes perfect. Although I just picked it up one day and it came naturally.

(SARCASM)

[Gatorbassman]

I've been using a baitcaster for about 9 years now and you will still see me just about every day standing on my back porch practicing. I have a bunch of small sections of 4 inch PVC pipe in my back yard that my boys and I practice casting to. Some are close and some are far. I let my boys move them around the yard to challenge me and each other. It's a great game and it really works. Right now I'm teaching my left hand how to pitch. I'm good to about 15ft but I'm working on longer pitches.

Side arm is always easiest. I cast side arm 99% of the time. It give you greater accuracy and limits the splash. Most of the time a long cast isn't the best anyway because it makes a hookset more difficult. Keep practicing and you'll get it.

[NBR]

My most accurate method is perfectly straight vertical rod arc.To early a release can be corrected with your thumb and too late can be stopped or will fall short of the target. I use this when I'm trying to hit a fork in a lay down or a tiny spot in cover. Most of the time when +/- 6" is close enough though I use a little roll cast.

Practice is the key.