Rutgersfan,
Yesterday, I received a $40 casting combo from Cabela which I bought for my kid. With all the brakes off, 14 lbs mono, & 1/2 oz sinker, I was able to cast 40 yards side arm casting without putting any force into it. With 2 brakes on, about 30 yards. For the overhead casting, I was getting 50-60 yards - that's without any force putting into it. But the rod is 7'.
Did you check your brake? Maybe you should put your reel to a longer rod?
Btw, I usually put the crank side UP during overhead casting and Spool side up during sidearm casting.
Also, all the casting was done with one hand - not baseball two hands.
If I use both hands for overhead, I might throw too far and my backyard is only 60 yard long..
