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Backwards casting
I was out at a local haunt last night trying to find some stripers and I saw a few guys working the only spot where there were bass, it figures. The wind was at their backs to where the fish were and they were doing that casting technique that I have only seen on TV. They would turn around and face the wind double haul false cast a few times then a final shoot over their shoulder behind their back with the wind.
My question is other than looking foolish does that technique have any merit to distance at all, which I doubt? I was throwing just as far if not farther than they were with my double haul normal casting.
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Who has time for stress when there are fish to catch.
Nick
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Not sure if there is a significant impact on distance, but "casting backwards" ie using the backcast as the presentation cast is often necessary in New England winds when striper fishing. There always seem to be fish at the place very tough to approach on a normal forward cast..
I have seen Mark Sedotti do his "sling" cast which is a modified version of this sort of cast, and it does go a long way.
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JC will tell ya this is a crutch for people that can't cast with either hand (like me)
I find it handy when the wind is blowing toward the rod hand and is over 20 knots.
I don't know why anyone would do this if the wind is from the front or rear of them
I would think it would cut down on distance
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At the risk of looking a bit foolish, I use a backwards cast when fishing an area that has restricted backcast room. That way, I can carefully aim/cast into a small opening in the trees and then shoot the line out into the lake. I don't use it too often, but it is certainly useful when I need it.
Jim Smith
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Micropteris
I hope the Flats Dude reads this post, he is a master and doing things backwards. I have watched him cast backwards in high winds and he seems to be less tired than I am at the end of the day. I think it has something to do with the amount of energy he is using to get the line out. I can cast almost as far as he does but MY energy output seems to me higher. I know he is a much better fly fisherman than I am because everything he does looks easy.
I also think he is able to correct his casting in the wind by looking at the line in the wind. He does turn and watch the back cast also or forward what ever you want to call the presentation part.
I have not tried to learn his style yet, I am still trying to master the DH.. I can hit the backing my way but man am I tired at the end of the day.
Since getting cancer I need to make my fishing as easy as possible or I am done in a couple of hours. Fishing the salt you fish the tides not water.
All this bowls down to the easy of presenting the fly to the fish. I agree with you that the distance does not seem to be the problem, I think it is all about loading the rod at the right time and in the wind it takes more skill.
Harold
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It is a useful technique to know. Two of the reasons have already been mentioned; wind blowing across the body from the rod side and a limited slot into which the backcast must be directed.
However there is another even more important reason to adopt this technique. We all know that a good backcast is essential to a good forecast and likewise most casters can put more power and control into their forward cast. So it makes sense at times with a very strong wind from your back to use the cast that you described, using your power and control into the wind and then taking advantage of the wind to complete the cast. Line is shot into the back cast aided by the wind, It is not the only way to deal with the wind from your back but it is a very effective one and easy to excute with litte practice. A good caster using this technique under the proper conditions can achieve extreme distance with a lot less effort. Accuracy will suffer.
[This message has been edited by Jim Cramer (edited 19 May 2006).]
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Thanks for the input guys. Any insight is appreciated from any angle, that is why I like this site. But as far as looking at my line behind me I can do it just by turning my head. The only time that I have cast backwards is when it comes to cover like Mr. Smith mentioned where you have that one little whole in the trees behind you to put your back cast into.
Glad to see you are feeling good enough to fish again Harold
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Who has time for stress when there are fish to catch.
Nick
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I have a stronger back cast than forward cast. Not sure exactly what I do wrong to make my forward cast weaker, but so be it. I therefore use my back cast in certain situations to get the extra distance. It is harder to pinpoint my target, but thats a trade off.
Kirk said:
"I have seen Mark Sedotti do his "sling" cast which is a modified version of this sort of cast, and it does go a long way.
I have seen Mark cast and any cast he tries is a long cast. He does 6" flies the full length of line, starting with his line on the ground behind him. I wonder if his having a forearm like Popeye helps?? He's a nice guy and will spend time helping you cast if he can.
jed
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Most everyone's backcast is better than their forward cast. Because you 'stop' the rod on the backcast whether you want to or not.
Your physical makeup does not allow the shoulder to keep going backwards. This involves severe pain...so you stop the backcast, and in turn, stop the rod.
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LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
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with the wind at my back I do not use this method.
With the wind from the right (im right handed) i do use this method.
maybe one day I will be able to cast lefty and go with it
I can see some uses for the backward cast, but not need in covering every base - there are exceptions to every rule