About Casting for Beginners

An angler casts his line a number of different ways, all depending on what kind of fishing rod and reel he uses. Some casts call for a delicate flick of the wrist, while others simply require you to muscle the cast out as far as you can go. In the end, each fisherman develops his own best technique to put the bait right where he thinks the bait should go.

  1. Fly Fishing

    • Fly fishing is a mystery to many, and a magical art to many more. In truth; while the normal fly fishing cast does require a bit of practice to perfect, it isn't hard to accomplish. It is best to practice fly casting on dry land, though, with your leader connected to an unhooked fly. Begin by holding the rod with your dominant hand 12 inches above the reel. Loosen the line so approximately 7 to 10 feet of line extends from the tip of the rod, and a loop of excess line between the reel and the first line guide. Concentrate on smoothness, getting the line to roll along the ground gently, with the fly touching the grass last. The smoother your cast, the more successful your chances of catching fish.

    Bait Casting

    • Bait casting is the very basic cast, known almost universally to children on their first fishing trip. The idea is to place the bait just beyond where you think some fish may be hiding, then reel in the line until you are satisfied with the positioning. Simply wait for the bobber to disappear beneath the water, indicating a strike. Bait casting reels work simply. All you have to do is rear back with your rod and depress the clutch switch. This allows the mechanism inside to release. Whip the rod forward, sending the bait, hook and bobber into the water. When the tackle strikes the water, turn the handle a few turns to lock the internal mechanism of the reel.

    Spin Casting

    • Spin casting is done in a similar way to bait casting, but does not involve a clutch mechanism that must be tripped. A metal bar extends over the end of the reel that is moved out of the way, and you hold the string and the rod with your dominant hand. When you launch the spinner bait, you release the string with your finger. When the spinner touches down, begin cranking the handle at a moderate speed. This causes the spinner to perform movements in the water that mimic the look of bait fish. In spin casting, the bait is always in motion, constantly being cast and retrieved.

    Trolling

    • Trolling is a method of fishing that requires only minimal casting. Essentially, you cast out behind your boat between 20 and 30 yards. Prop the fishing pole securely in the boat, then use your boat's trolling motor to move around the fishing area slowly and silently. This allows you to fish multiple lines at once, but do not to allow your lines to cross one another, which can result in a tangle. In addition; driving the boat too quickly causes the bait to skim the surface of the water, rendering it useless.