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One of the most common sights I see while watching
folks practice, and sometimes in actual use of the
double-haul, is the difference between the pull used
going into the back cast and the pull used to load
the forward cast. Often the pull loading the front
cast is much, much longer and spread over a wider
time period than the one for the back cast.
For some reason it seems easier and more natural to
give a big long pull on the front cast, maybe it is
all part of the big forward delivery we are trying
to make. The back cast often gets a little short,
sharp jerk, not really a pull at all. This of course
will give differing results to your casting. If it
is important to you to have loop control in both
directions and an equal amount of line in the air,
why do we try to do it using differing casting strokes?
The forward and back cast should be identical.
We all are used to throwing something forward but not
backward, the casting arm needs to be re-trained for
good double-haul strokes.
Again, to get control of your casting strokes, turn
your head and watch your back cast. As controlled
loops become a natural part of your cast, watching
them will not often be necessary, but could help at
first. Be careful when watching the back cast that
you do not drop your right shoulder and cause the
reel to swing out of the casting plane though.
Leaning a bit back and tilting your head should be
all that is necessary to watch your line.
A short sharp jerk will produce a fast flex of the
tip and may not produce the loop shape you want or
need in your back cast. A longer pull over a greater
time period will tend to load the rod deeper into the
butt section. The combination of loading the rod and
increased line speed are what we are after here. If
you are not having the results with the size and shape
of either of your casting loops, try making the pulls
longer, shorter, harder or smoother. Experiment to see
which gives you the best result.
Remember too, that if you wait until your rod is at
vertical when making your forward cast and then give
a good hard shot with a double-haul you can almost
always break your rod. This a case of when 'better
late than never' is not a good idea.
Remember, if something is not working, do not try harder;
cast smarter. Change something.
~ James Castwell
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