Pitching Distance?

[new2BC4bass]

I've never known anyone who used baitcasting reels so I don't know what kind of distances to expect for different techniques. I started with baitcasting reels last year, but never tried pitching. I was told I should adjust my spool just enough to remove side-to-side wobble and learn to pitch first. (Apparently I was casting with spool tension too high.) First time I tried was 2 days ago. First few casts I was lucky to get 2 rod lengths of line out. Spent about an hour practicing, and got about 30 feet. Practiced again last night and am getting about 40 feet. Paced, not taped. This isn't competition!

This is from where I stood to where the weight hit, not from the rod tip to where the weight hit. Which is the proper method to measure? Am I starting to get satisfactory distance on my casts? Also I find it easier to get more distance if I cast to my right anywhere from 30 to 45 degrees. I cast right handed.

I'm not using a pitching rod. Set up my grandsons new rod/reel combo and used that. A 6'6" Berkley Lightning (not the Shock) and a Daiwa Procaster that is suppose to have been clean, lubed, and ABEC5 bearings installed. I say "suppose to" because the young man who did it is noted for his fraudulent dealings. I was unaware of it at the time.

BTW, I tried roll casts (or is underhand the correct nomenclature?), and found it was much easier to get decent distance with less effort when the spool was set up this way. Of course it is easier for me to overrun, but I think it is going to be well worth the effort of learning to cast with my reels set up with minimum tension.

[Hooligan]

Don't worry about distance, worry about accuracy. Once you get accuracy down to the point that you put it where you want it every time all the time, the distance comes with it. Start at 15-20 feet and go from there.

[CajunBass16]

Don't worry about distance, worry about accuracy. Once you get accuracy down to the point that you put it where you want it every time all the time, the distance comes with it. Start at 15-20 feet and go from there.

This is absolutely correct. Accuracy is important and so is a quiet entry. Try keeping your lure as close to the water as possible during the pitch. This will reduce the splash which could in turn improve your success. Pitching is done mostly around shallow cover and often bass are skitish and can be spooked easily by a giant splash from a high pitch.

[new2BC4bass]

I realize accuracy is important. Had 2 bird's nest. One was when I tried for a close target. Need some fluorescent paint so I can see the sinker!

So far I can't pitch as far straight ahead as I can pitching to the right. Is this normal, or will it eventually even out?

[flippin and pitchin]

I realize accuracy is important. Had 2 bird's nest. One was when I tried for a close target. Need some fluorescent paint so I can see the sinker!

So far I can't pitch as far straight ahead as I can pitching to the right. Is this normal, or will it eventually even out?

This is natural because of the motion of your wrist. If you learn that the wrist is a hinge and has more range of motion when the the " flat " of the hand is what flexes and not the thumb ( like driving a nail with a hammer ) you will get that distance, accuracy and entry you are looking for. It's a fundemental part of casting with a bait cast reel. It's like a reverse roll cast. Be patient, you will pick it up. Good luck !

[MSPbass]

Learning to pitch and only 2 birdnests so far? Sounds like you're a natural.

[new2BC4bass]

Learning to pitch and only 2 birdnests so far? Sounds like you're a natural.

I've had plenty of overruns, but only 2 bird's nests. The others were just loose line that I pulled out before reeling line back in.