Learn These Casting Techniques And Use on Your Next Fishing Trip
Not everyone can learn to love the hobby of fishing, but once you do there’s no turning back. There’s just something about the way you patiently wait for that catch. A quiet and peaceful activity to spend your time relaxing and going off the grid. Most fishing employs rods, and today we will talk about how to cast your spinning gear and get on with it.
There are several arts of throwing your fishing line. This time, we will show you five particular ways of using your spinning gear.
Best Casting Techniques
1. Heave-Ho!
Heave-Ho or a forward throw is, without a doubt, the most common way of casting a fishing gear. Beginners are basically taught first on how to throw their lines with this cast. Even for those who fish once a year, or whenever they find themselves on the beach, most anglers use this cast. When fishing, what you basically want to do is get your bait out in the water, and this does the trick.
Typically, the heave-ho is a grand lob done first by extending your hand behind you, extending that arm as far back as you want. When you are ready, heave your rod above your head at the same time releasing your line to get your lure or bait to fly up as high as you can in the air and curving into the water.
If you find it hard to heave your line overhead, you can do the same by angling sideways. Instead of reaching way back over your head, pull back your arms to the side, and hurl your rod sideways in that angle.
Heave-ho will do the job for you when it comes to getting that bait in the water. The only thing you need to consider is the amount of space available to you when doing it. This is a big action that requires enough space for all that pulling back and throwing overhead, or sideways you will be doing. It is often used with heavier rigs that weigh about 3 to 6 ounces where you need to use your body to be able to cast.
However, for lighter rigs that measure below an ounce, this is overexertion so you can modify it a little. You don’t have to go and stretch way back to power up your throw. Raising your arm until it reaches your face, making sure the line is behind you, sweep it forward to cast bait for lighter rigs.
2. Sidearm Flick
Not every fishing condition is perfect and under different circumstances, a forward cast like the heave-ho might not be suitable. It could get windy, or there could be lots of overhead branches that can make it difficult to practice the conventional way of casting. There could be trees around the area that can cause hang-ups or simply being on a boat with fellow anglers.
During these times, the sidearm flick is your best bet to get that bait where it needs to be. Unlike the forward cast we discussed earlier, this move requires a circular sidearm whipping motion that flicks the bait to the desired area. This cast requires both of your hands, one on the placed on the reel seat and the other on the butt of the rod.
You first open the bail and lower your lure around 6-8 inches, and use your forefinger to grab the line as what is usually done. In this position, sling your arm sideways tightly in a circular motion, more like whipping it while letting go of the line. The force of this movement will be responsible in flicking your bait to your target area.
This is a more complicated cast, and you might feel disappointed on the earlier parts as you fail to hit the mark accurately. All you need is practice, repeat the motions and tune in on how you use your arms, the force involved in throwing the rod you are using. Each try will allow you to feel the difference and further along, you will learn the perfect timing of how to flick and when to let go of the line.
3. Skip Cast
Skip Cast is almost the same as the sidearm flick with all its whipping motions. It’s just that with this type of quick cast, you intentionally release the bait really low on the surface that actually lets it skip across the water.
This is perfect for conditions where you need to go through obstructions like reaching under docks, or getting under low hanging branches or wires. This isn’t as easy cast, but it is worth learning to get that different angle when needed.
4. Backhand
The backhand earns its name as it looks like the backhand attacks used by tennis players, only this time, instead of a ball, you are throwing a bait. Mastering this technique is a good arsenal for your fishing hobby.
It is the opposite of a sidearm flick but is done on your other side. This allows you to change the angle of how you throw your lure when situations need it by casting from the opposite side of your body. Theoretically, you can just use the sidearm flick, but you will need to switch hands. Truth is, switching arms would mean giving up your dominant hand.
Most right handed casters will find it hard using a left hand, unless they take the time to train as lefties. This technique allows you to take advantage of throwing from the opposite side with your dominant hand.
5. Pitch Cast
Fish can be found living near broken-down trees, docks, grass and other places with cover and this can prove to be challenging when fishing. The other types of cast are usually done for open areas but having these covers, pitch cast is the perfect way to get your lure near those fish without splashing and scaring them off.
A pitch cast is a type of flick cast but instead of the side sweep or circling motion, your wrist flicks vertically. Prepare your line to be almost the same height as your rod, or at least at 4 to 5 feet long, while holding the reel with one hand and the bait with the other. Quickly snap the wrist of your hand holding the reel pulling the bait from your other hand and leaving your line to pull it. You don’t have to throw your lure.
This type of cast uses very little effort and depends on wrist action only. No need to employ your full arm as you do with the Heave-ho.
Your Turn
These are the casts that you should try to learn when you decide to take on fishing. With these techniques in your arsenal, you can adjust to almost any situation you find yourself when fishing. Tackle those low areas with a skip cast, beat the wind with your sidearm swing, get your bait near seawalls or pilings effortlessly or just straightforward heave it over where you want your lure. With, these, you will be prepared for just about anything.