Distance casting opens new opportunities for you in the world of fishing. It also gives you an edge in competitive tournaments. But some anglers find it challenging to cast far even with practice. Do you understand why your bait caster does not cast far?
Your baitcaster does not cast far because you are using the wrong technique. Your equipment is also not in good condition. Furthermore, some of your tools are not a good match. Poor equipment maintenance and unfavorable weather conditions
lower your performance as well.
We are going to discuss these factors in detail and a lot more. Below are the reasons why your distance casting is a challenge. Find out what you can do to improve your performance.
Factors Why Baitcaster Not Cast Far?
One of the reasons why your baitcaster is not casting far is your casting technique. Having world-class equipment is not enough. You have to master the casting technique to go with it. The right casting technique enables you to cast far with less effort in the process.
Equipment Lubrication
No lubrication or over lubrication is another reason why you are not casting far. All moving parts of your equipment need to be well maintained and lubricated.
Pay attention to the bearing, the line guide, and the reel. If these parts are not cleaned and lubricated, they create friction. The tension causes drag and make your line to move slower.
Unmatched Rod Power Action
A wrong match rod power action hinders your performance. Light lures don’t work well with stiffer rod power action and vise versa. If you are casting less heavy lures, lower the rod power action to medium or low.
Check the recommendations on your equipment. It will help to ensure your load matches the rod power.
If you are using shorter rods, you may consider going for a longer one. Small and flexible rods cover short distances and limit the use of heavier lures. Weightier lures favor length and withstand unfavorable weather conditions better.
The Spool
Check your spool tension to ensure it is not set too high if you tune the Tension spool too high, the drag on the line increases. You can control or loosen it to manage the ease with which the spool turns.
Adjust the nob accordingly with each lure. With more practice and experience, regulating the spool tension should come with ease.
A heavy spool collar has a drag effect. Go for lighter spool collars and ensure they synch well with the rest of your tools.
The Line Shape And Material
Weak lines with less control stretch do not favor long-distance casting. Supple lines have better results. They form smaller coils and pass through the guideline with less friction.
Heavy and thicker lines form bigger coils, which move through the guideline with more friction. Lighter lines with less diameter perform better. If your casting line is thick, consider changing it to a lighter one to cast further.
Light Lures
A light lure is hard to cast far compared to a heavier one. Heavier lures pull on the line for more distance. But, you should bear in mind that lure and rod mismatch lower your performance. The secret is to find the perfect balance. Check your equipment manual to match your equipment with the right lure weight.
The type of lure can also affect how far the line goes. If you use a bulky and uneven one, you will experience resistance in the air. For distance casting, go for smoother lures that glide with ease.
Weather Conditions
You do not have control over weather situations, but it is good to know how it affects your casting distance. Tailwinds help you to gain length. But headwinds cause friction and decrease how far your baitcaster can cast.
Stronger winds are catastrophic, friction increases, and it affects your baitcaster stability. Generally, strong winds do not favor this sport.
Wear, Tear, And Corrosion
A baitcaster has several movable parts. With time, the pieces are subject to wear and tear. Check and replace them regularly to increase equipment efficiency. Some of them need to be lubricated to reduce friction. Wear, tear, and corrosion decrease the capacity of a baitcaster to perform well.
A Short Lure To Rode Distance
Letting out less line before casting covers a short distance. If you are aiming for more length, let out more lines before casting. But be careful of the long line you let out. Balancing the line with the distance of your rod comes with practice.
How Far Should You Be Able To Cast A Baitcaster?
Baitcasting distance varies depending on the sport. In freshwater casting, the stretch may range from 30 to 40 yards. For surfcasting, it is possible to cover a range of 60 to 100 yards. Some anglers can cover more. For tournament grading, we have a record of up to 300 hundred.
How far you should be able to cast a baitcaster will depend on your sports category. All factors remaining constant, your technique will determine the distance you cover. It is crucial to understand other factors that determine cast length.
How Do You Make Your Baitcaster Cast Further?
Understanding how a baitcaster works increase your efficiency. Having the right casting technique enables you to cover more distance. Below are the guidelines that can help you improve your potential.
Practice Your Technique
Take time to learn how to cast a baitcaster. You may have the right baitcaster and the right equipment, but your casting technique is limited if your technique is not good.
Keep practicing and improve your casting technique. Casting methods are evolving with changing times. Keep yourself informed and practice more.
Have Less Line On The Spool
Contrary to many beliefs, a full spool does not give you more distance. For better performance, don’t fill your spool. Consider having just enough line length on the spool. Less line reduces friction and allows you to cover longer distances.
Match Your Lure Weight To The Rod Action Power
Rod power is the resistance to bending under a given amount of weight. For better performance, match the lure weight with the rod power action. Each equipment comes with a manual. Use the manual as a guide to loading your baitcaster.
If you have a lighter lure, lower the rod power action to medium for further casting. For heavy ones, medium-heavy power rods will perform better.
The Line Guide Position
Ensure your line guide is lined up well in the middle to reduce friction. If the line guide is slight to the side, you will experience more drag.
The Line
If you use braided lines, which is becoming more popular and due to durability. Consider using a backing. Backing gives the line better anchorage to the spool, preventing slippage and tangles.
It offers more diameter to your spool without increasing the weight. More diameter makes the spool turn faster for more length.
Choose the right line size for the reel for better performance. Check and adhere to the recommended lines on the spool for efficiency. A wrong line causes tangles and casting issues.
All factors being constant, decrease the diameter of the line for less resistance in the cast. But, if you have a heavy lure, more diameter increases performance.
Baitcaster Maintenance
Well-maintained equipment equals efficiency. Pay more attention to movable parts. The baitcaster reel has an exposed wind level. The wind level is prone to clogging from water and dirt. Damage can lower the performance of your equipment.
To prevent damage, wipe the wind level immediately after use. Occasionally, disassemble the reel and clean it up and lubricate the worn gear. You can do this by yourself for simple reels, but complex ones need professional cleaning.
The paw is another delicate part of the baitcaster that can slow down your performance. It is not possible to fix a damaged one, replace it for better results.
The bearing is prone to corrosion because of constant submission in water. It is common in salty waters. Rinsing it well after use will help. Clean and well lubricated it to reduce drag.
Lubrication
Lubrication slows down friction and keeps your baitcaster well maintained. Well-maintained equipment enables you to cast longer distances. But, over lubrication or using the wrong lubricant causes damage to your equipment. It results in clogging and causes the line to drag. More power is also needed to turn the handle.
Use the right lubricant and use the right amount. Over lubrication can not be fixed. The remedy is to replace the affected parts.
More tips that can help increase your output is to replace worn out parts in your baitcaster. Use smoother throws versus hard ones to prevent backslash. Load your rod effectively and synch your tools well.
Final Word
An effective casting can make a difference in your hunt as well as winning tournaments. Having the right technique improves your casting distance. Other factors such as the condition of your baitcaster and the weather play a role in how far you can cast.