bait casting technique ?

[rutgersfan1]

been using same freshwater Shimano baitcaster after a 20 year hiatus from fishing...used it in the 80s and took fishing up again this year. Can cast rod angled up or whip lure if rod angled down if there are overhead obstacles


but I'm seeing guys these days casting sort of with a two handed baseball swing motion to get good distance if there are overhead obstacles, like sayto cast under a bridge (a situation where I can't get good distance)...

I've tried but can't manage that. is it me or my old reel ? is there something about newer reels ? or are these guys probably using more flexible light action rods ?

I've never been mistaken for Bill Dance but can someone explain how to cast two handed and like swinging a bat ?

[Bergen Angler]

Hi Rutgers fan,

Do you use Low profile? or a conventional (round) baitcaster reel?
Maybe your lure is too light? your line is too heavy? Too much drag?

When I use two hands casting, it creates a longer distance between my left hand (I am a rightie) and my lure where pivot point is my left hand (about 6 inches below the reel). If I use one hand cast, my pivot point is my right hand (location of my reel).

[Lard Almighty]

Give it some more practice; if you absolutely can't make it work I would recommend getting a new reel. But try everything else first; play around with line size, lure weights, rod positioning, and the reel's braking system.

[rutgersfan1]

not round, but not low profile like I see in the stores today. sort of in between. Maybe it was considered "low profile" at the time I bought it.

pole is 5'6" medium action berkeley Lightning Rod which given my finances in the early 1980s was probably low-end. Now I'm seeing much longer rods probably with more flex.

regular casts I'm fine. 1/2 oz spinner baits usually and 12 lb test I turn my wrist so the reel is to the side which I think lowers resistance as the line leaves. but it's the baseball swing casts where I can't turn my wrist and reel that I can
t get any distance.

ALso, with this setup I can't go any lower than 3/8 oz and get any distance at all no matter how I cast...but I'm Ok with this b/c I'd use a spinning setup for the small stuff

[Bergen Angler]

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..

[rutgersfan1]

thx bergen...good tips....I think we're saying the same thing re: turning my wrist & crank side up.

It's time for me to upgrade my stuff I guess..