Casting Fishing

Knowing how to cast well is a skill that applies to most types of fishing, and your casting fishing technique is one that you should spend time practising and developing.If you are completely new to fishing, it is advisable to spend some time practising casting fishing at home before you take your equipment out to your local fishing spot. You should also remember that you do not need the most expensive or most modern equipment to learn to fish – there are many inexpensive rods, reels and tackle that you can purchase from your local outdoors shop that can be just as effective as more sophisticated equipment. Casting fishing is something that all recreational anglers will know how to do, so you should be able to get plenty of advice from the store staff when you are purchasing your equipment.

When you are learning casting fishing, it is a good idea to purchase a casting plug. This is a small weight that is covered in rubber. The particular weight you buy should be suited to your fishing rod, so it can be worth getting professional advice before you buy. When you buy your rod you will of course also require a reel, usually either a spincasting reel or a spinning reel. Your casting fishing technique will have to be adjusted depending on the type of reel you purchase.

Before you try fishing, practise casting using your casting plug. Fasten it securely to the end of your line and make sure that you practise in an area where there is plenty of space around you. Carefully adjust the drag on your reel. If it is too tight, the weight will not be able to travel away from the rod properly. If it is too loose you will have no control over the casting plug. There should be instructions provided with your reel that tell you how to set the drag properly. If you are using a spinning reel, you will have to hold the line with your index finger. When you cast the weight, you should try to release the line by lifting your finger at the best possible moment, so that the casting weight will travel as far as possible. If you are using a spincasting reel, you will have to push a button with your thumb to release the line.

When learning casting fishing with a spinning reel, you should follow the steps below.

1)      You should hold the fishing rod between your middle fingers, with your thumb on top. Your index finger should be placed on the spool. Use your other hand to turn the reel until your index finger is over the line roller. Catch some of the line in front of the roller with your finger. You should also use your other hand to open the reel’s bail.

2)      When you are casting fishing, stand with your body at a slight angle, with the rod pointing towards the water, or a target you choose. Aim the tip of the rod at the point in the water where you would like your hook to land.

3)      Bend the arm holding the rod quickly, letting your hand come up to about eye height. The casting weight will go backwards over your head and your rod will bend. Once this happens, flick your wrist forwards to send the weight flying towards your target. It is important now that you release the reel at exactly the right moment. This is something that will improve with practice and with repetition, but a good guideline is to lift your finger at the moment the tip of the fishing rod reaches eye height.

If you are using a spincasting reel, you should follow the above procedure. The only difference is that at the beginning, you just have to push the release button in with your thumb and hold it there. You then release the button as the rod passes eye level, exactly how you would release the reel if you were using a spinning reel.

Do not expect to master this technique immediately. If you find that your casting weight is dropping too close to you, you are not releasing the reel quickly enough. This means that the weight cannot fly forward far enough because the reel pulls on it for a moment. If you find that your casting weight is flying too high up into the air, this is because you are releasing the reel to quickly, and the weight is flying free when it is still over your head. Your casting fishing technique will improve with time and practice, and soon you will be able to pick spots on the water out with ease.