How would I increase the distance of my casts...

[villeman]

I'm just going to throw this into the discussion. American Angler Mag; Jan./ Feb. issue has and article on casting farther by "drifting". It is stopping the back cast and then moving it a few more inches backward to give you a longer forward stroke. I haven't tried this, of course, I should probably just stick to the basics right now. Plus its too cold outside.

 

[Chaz]

Practice, Practice, Practice. in the yard, at lunch, after dinner, whenever you have spare time, but start with about 5 minutes, and work on short casts first. Find a leaf or weed on the lawn, and cast to it from many different angles and from about 15 feet to 30 feet. Once you nail that consistently then lengthen the distance.
Keep in mind distance casting is relevant only on big water to reach fish that you can't wade to, to make a shorter cast without spooking the fish. In Pa there are very few streams that fit this description, Pine Creek, the Upper Delaware, the Yough, maybe some spots on Penn’s, so distance casting is good to have in your arsenal, but won't be used every day. If you are going somewhere like FLA. and need distance casting for Bonefish and whatever, then tie a couple of weighted flies that you will be using, cut off the hook so you don't hook yourself or others and find an open area that is windy, and do the same as stated above gradually making the distance longer. Of all the types of fly fishing I've done that is the only place beside the Delaware River, and the Missouri River that I've needed distance casting and used it. All three of these places you will need to be able to cast in wind for long distances to catch fish. Find a shop that has a good distance caster that can analyze your casting and get some lessons.
I am still not as good as I'd like to be at distance casts, but I'm getting there.

 

[sandfly]

I constantly cast my rods in the yard up to and over 100 foot. the shorter cast come much easier then, I also tend to shoot line even at a short distance..This year with the low water you needed to cast longer to get a rise...40 feet on the brushy streams...

 

[FarmerDave]

MattBoyer wrote:

ryanh wrote:
Also you might try going one line weight heavier to increase the loading on your rod. I know that someone will post saying that over lining a rod is bad practice but hey if it works....

Overlining works better for short casts, as it takes less of the heavier line to load the rod, but I have always been told that for distance you should underweigh your line. It takes a little more line to load it, but the rod has an easier time controlling all the line in the air if it weighs slightly less, and you get less wierd loops. [color=CC0000]I could be wrong[/color], but it made sense to me. I overline my 2/3 weight with DT4 and underline my 8 weight with rocket taper WF7. I can only cast about 60-70 feet with the 2/3, and tried for years to get past 80 with the 8 and the one thing I have decided, [color=CC0000]and once again, this could be wrong, is that if I wanted to cast further than that I would need a faster action rod. [/color] Once I get to that point where I can cast no further, the limiting factor always seemed to be control. It would just start getting away from me and the loops got huge, then it would start hitting things (ground, water, brush, etc...). With a faster rod It would get back to where the rod would load slightly faster than it would fall out of the air, allowing for a longer cast, so the speed of the rod has a lot to do with it as well. Some rods are made for casting further than others. I hope this helps.

Boyer

I don't think you are wrong, Matt. It makes sense to me, too. If you are wanting to shoot line because of less room for back cast, go with a heavier weight forward. If you are wanting to "cast" farther, I think underlining might work. And I agree with the rod weight stuff, too. But then, I'm self taught, and I don't know if I am casting "correctly" per the experts (and i really don't care if i am). So i could be wrong, too.

I have two different 9 foot bamboo rods of roughly the same weight, but very noticably different tapers, and i can most definitely cast further with the faster action rod. To top that off, i completely rebuilt the slower action rod, with new (larger) guides for modern lines and I even made them oversized for steelhead fishing. I'm sure it helped, but I still can't cast as far with it as I can with that old 50s vintage bass weight which still has the original guides. That said, I still prefer the slower rod in most cases. I can cast far enough in most cases, and it is more forgiving on steelhead. The faster bass taper with the right line is good for tossing big poppers.

JDemko, if you are going to get another rod for the big water and still water, I'd also go a little heavier, and longer.

 

[afishinado]

As most other recommned, take casting lesson if you can afford them. Since it appears that you are a student at ESU, maybe that’s not an option.

Mkern mentioned Lefty Kreh, his method of casting has helped my increased my distance tremendously. On distance casts he holds the rod a ¾ side arm and moves his arm and rod parallel to the water in a straight line. You can then reach back pivot your entire body, keeping everything in-line and get power into your cast, also a side benefit is that you are able to see your loops from this position. I practiced on my deck, using the railing to keep everything in-line, and it really worked for me. There are a lot of casing styles and methods of teaching, but this one worked well for me. Buy a video and/or book if you can't afford a lessons and...practice...practice...practice.
.
Cheap books

 

[littlejuniata]

Make a video of you casting, amazing what you will see and learn.

 

[JackM]

Distance is achieved through a tight loop, line speed (not casting muscle), and a longer stroke. I am wondering how people measure their casts, because my fly lines only come in 90 foot lengths and with a ten foot leader, I would have to have my backing up to the tiptop for a cast to reach 100 feet.

 

[schrec]

I agree that stillwaters require longer casts... I didn't forget I just assumed that a 5-weight was being used in streams.

When I fish for hybrid stripers in still water, I use a 7 weight, 9.5 foot fast-action rod with a rocket taper line. That being said, I'm not a good caster. I've read all the books, seen videos and, in my younger days, have even taken some lessons. My casting still sucks. I do try to double haul a lot (my version of a double haul anyway.) I find myself constantly looking at my backcast and my arm moves all over the friggin place, through v,w,x,y,z axes. I haven't learned the fine art of lettting the rod do the work either. My casts rarely exceed 70 feet. It ain't pretty but what the hell, it gets the job done 90% of the time.

rising fish always
schrec

 

[jayL]

Speaking of double hauling.

I feel like my casting is pretty proficient, but I have a huge problem with this. Keeping in mind that I've never had an opportunity to do it in a real fishing situation, I can't do it quite right in the yard.

Is there some kind of rhythm that you guys follow when you do it, or is it just feel? Perhaps a special casting stroke?

I think the reason I fail at it is that I'm trying without having enough line out.

 

[MattBoyer]

jayL wrote:
Speaking of double hauling.

I feel like my casting is pretty proficient, but I have a huge problem with this. Keeping in mind that I've never had an opportunity to do it in a real fishing situation, I can't do it quite right in the yard.

Is there some kind of rhythm that you guys follow when you do it, or is it just feel? Perhaps a special casting stroke?

I think the reason I fail at it is that I'm trying without having enough line out.

Try practicing it with a weighted fly, perhaps a size 2 clouser on your big rod. The weighted fly gives enough bounce at the end and helps you feel it while you get used to the rhythm, then just reduce the amount of weight once you have a feel for it. Oh, and watch your head! :-o

Boyer

 

[MKern]

I would under weight to cast farther. Remember, as discussed in other topics, a line's wt. is determined to 30 feet, which means that at I believe 40 feet a 4 wt. is now a 5 wt., at 50 ft. a 4 wt is now a 6 wt, and so on.
I would think that over weighting might help in certain instances, but not distance. Think about it, casting a 4 wt on a 5 wt rod, after 70 feet it's tough (probably because it's now a 8 wt.) So if you have ona 6 wt line on your five wt. is now like a 10 wt at 70 feet.
That's either proper technique, or a lot of muscle (and sloppiness).

 

[Cynic]

Diagnosing the Cast by Ed Jawarski - by Padraic.

The "Wrong" was covered by: "In additional to all the above advice"

Specifically, your post; your citations.

 

[pete41]

If you want long casts for streamers or wets-
Get a 8 or 81/2 foot rod for 5wt. or move up to 6 wt.rod for a 9 footer.You need more backbone.
Use shooting heads.Once you learn to fish with them easier to use than fly lines.
Learn to double haul.It gets automatic.
If you are using a 5wt. rod use 6 or 7wt. heads and cut enough off the rear[not tip] of the head so it weights the same as a 5wt.-repeat same-thats what the rod is designed to load best with.
Use a good running line such as 20 or 25pd test Amnesia.
By trimming a heavier head you reduce the bulk but not the wt. This reduces air resistance.
This may sound like extremism but for long casts its the way to go.
We ain't talkin dainty or dropping a dry in a 2inch feeding lane.

 

[fishingspider]

Two decent options:
1. see an FFF certified casting instructor
2. buy "The Cast" or "Troubleshooting the Cast"

 

[sandfly]

anyone stopping by this year, I'll gladly give a demo...just mention this discusion...anything from a 5ft. rod to a 15footer..

 

[thedude1534]

Get a casting lesson and practice every day. The lesson will get your rhythm down, but the practice will make the rod like an extension of your body. One you have that "instinctual" feel for the rod and the line, you can break the typical casting mold and invent your own casts to fit any situation.

As for getting better distance, once you get the feel for what the line is doing, it becomes very easy to throw it further. Its like being on a swingset, once you feel how the swing is moving, you use its momentum to send you higher and faster, exerting little energy yourself.

 

[buckbarrett]

M two cents is to keep your arm straighter and higher

 

[OhioOutdoorsman]

This year with the low water you needed to cast longer to get a rise...40 feet on the brushy streams...

Ain't that the truth. Caught a lot more big fish when I casted two pools ahead....

 

[OldLefty]

Just my penny's worth of opinion. I always encourage folks to invest some time working on improving casting. Mastering good casting mechanics and learning to cast efficiently can only work to the fly fisher's advantage. I put it into context this way: We cast to fish, not fish to cast. I have extreme difficulty presenting a fly without casting. Limited casting skills means limited ability to present a fly and that means limited ability to effectively address the variety of scenarios encountered on the water.

The original question was "How to increase the distance of my casts." Speaking stricktly fo myself, I don't have enough information to address the question. I would want to know what you goal is? How do you define casting for distance? What is your maximum capability, currently?

There's been some good info provided to you so far, but to tailor it to YOU, specifically, I would like to hear from someone who has had an opportunity to observe you cast. You haven't given us any insight into YOUR casting proficiency. Without that, I don't know how we can help you.