Casting technique

[Matt Ireland]

Hey all
i was wondering what sort of casting distance you guys get when casting light plastics. I find that using size 2 squidgeys on 1.5 gram jigs, i seem to be getting pretty short casting distances.

I dont know whether this is
a- normal
b- caused by tackle - My rod is a custom fuji samurai 001, alconite guides, i was thinking maybe my guide placement isnt that good, but in terms of loading up the rod when fighting a fish it sems about right.

c- caused by casting technique - this is what i think the problem is, how much does casting technique affect the distance you cast, and can anyone give me advice on increasing my casting distance.

thanks
matt

[pete s]

what do you call not much casting distance??

my asssumption is that technique is everything.

the rod will play a part in casting distance but it wont matter how good your rod is, if you dont have the right technique then you wont get decent distance or accuracy.

the best advice i can give is to practise your casting and try to get someone who is a good caster to watch you cast. they will be able to give you pointers as to whats wrong.

mind you 1.5 gm jighead isnt all that heavy. also the wind will make a huge differance.

[jimi]

Matt, 1.5g is around 1/20th of an ounce. I've been using 1/20th oz gamakatsu cobra jig heads with sliders and find that I can cast them quite a long way, probably 15-20m+ which is heaps for boat based work.

I'm not familiar with your rod, but it may be too heavy for such light casting weights. Also, what sort of line are you using? With 4lb fireline and a light leader (around 6-10lb) you sould be able to cast them easily enough.

Your casting technique is impossible to diagnose online, but if you could get together with some other bream guys you should be able to work it out. Where are you located? If you are in WA, maybe get down to one of those informal bream fishes that Bear has been organising of late.

James.

[pw-bream]

The blank you have built your rod on is ideal for lighter weight jigs, although a longer one would give better casting distance.
Unless you have done something crazy with guide placement and sizes you wouldn't see much change with variations thereof.
I assume you followed one of the well publicised recipes for that blank.

Your line is going to have quite an effect on casting distance, what breaking strain and what type of line are you using?
Is the spool well filled?

You aren't going to cast a tiny jig out of sight on a 6 foot rod.
Have you accurately measured what distance you do get,
maybe it isn't as short as you think.

[Matt Ireland]

Hey

Im using 4lb fireline and 8lb vanish leader. I followed a recipe put out by fuji for the 001 blank and then moved a couple of guides slightly when I did a static distribution test.

Would it affect my casting distance much by having too long a leader?

Also, I havent accurately measured it, its just like, damn that didnt land next to the snag....its not casting far enough :)

I knew I should have extended the blank!!!!

Matt

[pw-bream]

A leader of up to 2 metres is typical, that shouldn't be your problem. Your rod recipe should be just fine. An under-filled spool can really cost distance on threadline reels, is yours filled appropriately?
I dare say you are getting typical distances for such light jigs.
Go fishing with some other people so you have something to compare with. Measure out some distances in an empty space at a park or vacant land, etc, say 5, 10, 20, 30 metres and then do some practice casts and see what actual distance you are getting.