I consider myself a fair caster but could never cast the whole line
consistently when playing around… No other reason for me.
Anyway, while at a bass pro “candy store” the gentlemen at the counter
is a Certified caster, I am certified also but not as a caster:roll:
Anyway, he has me out in the lot and as I cast he offers me this advise,
pick your target, I do now he says stop pushing so hard on that final cast
yes he says, extend the your reach but let the rod do the work from start to finish
the rod was losing its energy from me doing the rod’s work, made great sense.
I did not even realize that I was trying to help the rod on the final cast
as I was.
I always cast effortlessly relaxing, letting the rod do all the work until that
final lay down, there is a difference between reaching out after and
overworking your arm during the final casts stage.
Think smooth all the way no effort, I gained allot from his short lesson.
Often times when I demonstrate a cast I always say relax let the rod
do the work, I even hum during the backcast ect… Now I keep on humming
right down to the water…
Make sense? or as they say whatever floats your boat…lol
Hope this helps someone as it did me… It not meant just for throwing all the line out
it should be for every cast, if your casting is hard than your not doing it correctly.
Each stroke should be effortless…
We called it “Stop, Look, and Listen.” Our school would have you cast with your eyes closed and listen to the sound of the rod in both directions. It should be about equal.
Surprising that when you wave the rod really hard in either direction is makes a “Whoosh” sound. Quiet it down and your loop will form again. Use less effort and make no sound…
Another “light bulb” moment for me was learning to be more efficient with my false casts. When I started, I don’t think I ever cast without three or four back casts involved.
Watching and Reading some more proficient folks (especially from FAOL), and throwing larger deer hair poppers for Northern, I adjusted my approach and now it’s very rare for me to false cast more than twice. I’m saving energy, and focusing on making each movement of the rod as efficient as possible, like you mentioned (which has added to my distance as well).
We see that too many new folks (and many with experience too) want to use their strength, rather than the rod.
Often, the best advice is to slow it down and let the rod do its work. Feel the line load and you’ll get good power and better control. It is also our experience that faster rods are more difficult for most people to cast.