Casting skills.....rod limits or more practice?

[Frank2104]

I have an Offshore Angler Breakwater RT1, 12', 4-8 oz, heavy, mod fast with a Penn Battle III 8000 on it. I was practicing on a soccer field throwing a tennis ball weighted to 7 oz. Seems like the best I could do was about 60 yards, usually running 50-60 yards. Just a wee breeze in the face.

 

How does that rate? Reasonable? I know it is a bit of a budget rod. Is it a limiting factor. I've studied lots of YouTube on technique but don't know if I am doing it right.

 

Does anyone in the area offer coaching on technique?      I know most of the fish are closer. My last trip down it was suggested to put clams out about 80 yards for any random drum in the area. 

 

[Highlander1]

Firstly, its more the Indian than the arrow. A cheap Walmart rod in the right hands becomes a much better idea than a top quality stick in the hands of a googan or even semi-googan, aka newbie. Nothing replaces experience.

 

So, 60 yards tossing a 7 oz. weighted tennis ball doesn't sound awful. Thats not an aerodynamic wonder, yet it is round and without much resistance. 60 yards is further than many think and in many cases further than is needed. I think you could probably throw a 3 or 4 oz. Kastmaster or Hopkins past the 60, probably 80 or 90 without much practice. Distance is not always a factor, although there are locations that require it. Many a slob has been hooked just over the breaking waves on the beach, don't go deep unless your trying to clear a sand bar or reach structure. And school fish particularly like to feed right in the wash, in the white water, its their playground, bigger fish will also come close, however its usually after dark, well after dark. 

 

Keep practicing, its always good to be ready if you need. If your spiking rods for bait fishing, fish one at 30 yards and one at 60 and see which produces, I'd bet the 30 out produces the other, just cuz' I believe fish in close are on the chew more than those further out that may just be cruising and not looking for a meal that it will attack.

 

And maybe, I am cuckoo because I can't really know that, thats my approach, only fish know what fish think and do. They jump on only a yellow lure for a week or so, doesn't mean they like yellow, means the yellow lure is doing something during those times that the fish wants. They don't see or think like us, they have a brain the size of a pea and still it seems they outsmart us. On their turf, they can do that. A month later it might be pink that does it, its up to you to find out what they want, shape, size and color. Unless your bait fishing, then its up to the freshness and attraction. 

 

Anyway, be more concerned with sharp hooks, good equipment, and well tied knots than distance, its lower on the priority scale than many tactics you'll use to try and be productive. And remember if its raining or cold or wind in your face and its dark as the inside of a boot, its probably gonna be a good night cuz' if its more difficult its usually more productive. Its an effort and time game, enough of both are needed for success in the surf. Countless hours spent with the skunk hanging on are learning experiences, don't be discouraged, eventually you become successful enough to think you understand, but then you realize you don't ever know enough. 

 

And go fishing when you can, forget all the factors like tide, wind, temperature, barometer pressure, moon phase, etc. they have effect but not going has more effect, your chances drop to "0". I would say the most important condition is , these fish are by nature nocturnal, dark is best, usually a few hours after sundown, of course its the most inconvenient time, its time to go home and sleep, instead from 10pm till 2am are probably the best 4 hours of a surf hunters life. I can't answer that bell much anymore, 2 hours before sunrise and 2 hours before sunset are my times, the down side are crowds specifically late afternoons, early mornings from 4-6 are ok as most can't get up to go and stay home in bed. Truth also is, many are scraidy fraid of the dark, its a lonely place and takes awhile to not only be comfortable but to prefer it, once you prefer nights you'll understand the attraction. Best advice is have fun and enjoy the beach when most never get the chance to.

[Frank2104]

Highlander....thanks for the input. I absolutely love the days I've been on  the beach before sunrise. Planning on some evening tours this year as well. 

[wok167]

I'd say 60 yards with that rod and 7 oz is above average. It's a long rod and significant weight and takes some strength to load properly. 

 

Without seeing your cast I will not say anything about whether better technique would get you better distance. However, I will say benefits in distance are weighted more on technique than rod price. I'd continue to practice/experiment with what you have.

 

Are you using braid? What type/test?

Using a finger guard/ tape?

Shock leader?

Are you tightening the drag to cast?

 

[Frank2104]

On 5/10/2023 at 5:52 PM, wok167 said:

I'd say 60 yards with that rod and 7 oz is above average. It's a long rod and significant weight and takes some strength to load properly. 

 

Without seeing your cast I will not say anything about whether better technique would get you better distance. However, I will say benefits in distance are weighted more on technique than rod price. I'd continue to practice/experiment with what you have.

 

Are you using braid? What type/test?

Using a finger guard/ tape?

Shock leader?

Are you tightening the drag to cast?

 

Yes on braid. Probably 30 lb power pro. (Lol I need to write this stuff down. Memory sucks anymore). Yes on finger guard. I had tried the  cannon trigger doohickey but went back to finger guard. 6-8 ft of 60lb mono leader. Yes had drag cranked down. 

[Callmefish]

On 5/11/2023 at 8:53 AM, Frank2104 said:

Yes on braid. Probably 30 lb power pro. (Lol I need to write this stuff down. Memory sucks anymore). Yes on finger guard. I had tried the  cannon trigger doohickey but went back to finger guard. 6-8 ft of 60lb mono leader. Yes had drag cranked down. 

I was going to say if your hucking 7oz with braid and unprotected fingers thats enough to slice you really good if your putting everything you have beind the cast.

 

also your leaning toward the heavy end of your rod rating, that affects the time it takes to load your rod during cast and when your release should be, that messes up my casts quite a bit. 

[wok167]

6-8 ft mono leader on a 12 ft rod will still leave your casting finger on braid during the cast. Most folks make sure to have enough mono leader to wrap around the spool several times while the rod/line/sinker is in casting position. This does two things: It provides a wider line on your finger during the cast, preventing cuts. It also provides more stretch to protect your rod during hard casts (hence "shock" leader).

 

On most of my bait set ups (spinning), I simply run a 5-6 foot of mono leader off of a duo lock snap to my braid mainline. I am not super powering these casts, the mono leader just gives me a hold on the line while landing fish in the surf.

 

If you want to run the shock leader all the way to your spool you will need to tie your leader directly to braid. (Alberto, Allbright, FG, but I wont stir that pot here) Keep in mind that with a spinning reel, no matter how tight you make the drag, it could slip. Slippage can cut your finger, even with heavy mono.

 

If your  modus operandi is chucking 7+OZ and bait, consider going conventional. Personally, I am not fully confident with a conventional. However, I found my cast distance increases with heavy weight simply because it eliminates fear of slicing my finger and thus reduces hesitancy in powering my cast.

 

Truth is, If you can get out 50 yards on Delaware beaches you have 98% of all scenarios covered. It is fun, however, to prepare for that 2% of times where a little extra distance can pay off.

[Stryper Snyper]

On 5/11/2023 at 5:48 PM, wok167 said:

6-8 ft mono leader on a 12 ft rod will still leave your casting finger on braid during the cast. Most folks make sure to have enough mono leader to wrap around the spool several times while the rod/line/sinker is in casting position. This does two things: It provides a wider line on your finger during the cast, preventing cuts. It also provides more stretch to protect your rod during hard casts (hence "shock" leader).

 

On most of my bait set ups (spinning), I simply run a 5-6 foot of mono leader off of a duo lock snap to my braid mainline. I am not super powering these casts, the mono leader just gives me a hold on the line while landing fish in the surf.

 

If you want to run the shock leader all the way to your spool you will need to tie your leader directly to braid. (Alberto, Allbright, FG, but I wont stir that pot here) Keep in mind that with a spinning reel, no matter how tight you make the drag, it could slip. Slippage can cut your finger, even with heavy mono.

 

If your  modus operandi is chucking 7+OZ and bait, consider going conventional. Personally, I am not fully confident with a conventional. However, I found my cast distance increases with heavy weight simply because it eliminates fear of slicing my finger and thus reduces hesitancy in powering my cast.

 

Truth is, If you can get out 50 yards on Delaware beaches you have 98% of all scenarios covered. It is fun, however, to prepare for that 2% of times where a little extra distance can pay off.

Yup.  6 plus equals conventional. 

[197esmer]

If want casting lessons Tommy Farmer is the man. Not sure if he is on here but I know he’s on FB.

[Frank2104]

On 5/25/2023 at 9:18 AM, 197esmer said:

If want casting lessons Tommy Farmer is the man. Not sure if he is on here but I know he’s on FB.

Thanks for the suggestion. Not sure if I'll follow up. Last two trips have left my 73 yr old left shoulder in sad shape.

[hot tuna]

On 5/11/2023 at 5:48 PM, wok167 said:

Truth is, If you can get out 50 yards on Delaware beaches you have 98% of all scenarios covered. It is fun, however, to prepare for that 2% of times where a little extra distance can pay off.

Same on AIVA...md side is another story.

[197esmer]

Frank, I understand I had surgery on my right shoulder back in October still having issues, heading back to the doctor on Thursday, and I am only 69.