Hey, I started fishing first lockdown and enjoying it for the best part but have being mainly underarm chucking and alot of margin fishing but the last couple sessions with alot of the lakes being empty and growth dead I have being having a chuck with just a lead but for some reason I seem to either cast upwards more than forwards or it makes a big splash and only goes a rod length or so out, I have watched videos and have being shown but I just can't get the knack of it any tips would be greatly accepted
In reply to Post #1
What kit are you using? And what sort of distance are you hoping for?
If you've jumped straight in with heavy carp rods, big reels it is harder to get the feel for it. Most people start with float or light leger rods.
It's just practice though, aim for a target in the distance, look high above it and release the line at the right moment.
If the lead is too light for the rod you'll struggle to feel the lead and miss the timing
If it's too heavy for the rod you might be through the cast but the lead is still behind you.
I think your best off fishing with others to show you how, and more importantly how to handle fish on the bank
What kit are you using? And what sort of distance are you hoping for?
If you've jumped straight in with heavy carp rods, big reels it is harder to get the feel for it. Most people start with float or light leger rods.
It's just practice though, aim for a target in the distance, look high above it and release the line at the right moment.
If the lead is too light for the rod you'll struggle to feel the lead and miss the timing
If it's too heavy for the rod you might be through the cast but the lead is still behind you.
I think your best off fishing with others to show you how, and more importantly how to handle fish on the bank
In reply to Post #1
You could practice a gentle cast first to get a consistent release then build your distance from there.
You could practice a gentle cast first to get a consistent release then build your distance from there.
In reply to Post #3
See if you can get to a big field with just a lead. Put yourself a marker out and just keep practicing trying to get to the distance you want to achieve. When you think you have it clip up to that distance. And try and hit your marker with out bouncing it off the clip so hard the lead comes back towards you .
See if you can get to a big field with just a lead. Put yourself a marker out and just keep practicing trying to get to the distance you want to achieve. When you think you have it clip up to that distance. And try and hit your marker with out bouncing it off the clip so hard the lead comes back towards you .
In reply to Post #1
as said - it's a case of practice. from what you say it sounds like a simple question of releasing at the right moment to get your angles right - too early you're up in the air, too late you're splashing 10 feet in front of you.
there are some useful casting tips videos on youtube for a bit of guidance
as said - it's a case of practice. from what you say it sounds like a simple question of releasing at the right moment to get your angles right - too early you're up in the air, too late you're splashing 10 feet in front of you.
there are some useful casting tips videos on youtube for a bit of guidance
If the lead isn't travelling far at all, sounds like you see releasing either too early to send it skywards or too late and casting downwards at an angle. Lots of video on Youtube etc, get the technique and aim for stopping the rod at 45 degrees to the lake. Start short and build up with your technique, don't try to hit the cast hard. It is much like a golfers swing, smooth, full and consistent - not a short, sudden, jagged thump.
In reply to Post #1
You're just not timing the release correctly. You're releasing the line too early or too late.
As with any physical skill it just takes practice.
Try holding the line only with the tip of your finger and there's no need to wrap your finger round the rod to trap the line. As long as the finger holding the line is directly above the spool. That way the movement needed to release the line is only a small straightening of the the finger. This should help youto time the release better.
You're just not timing the release correctly. You're releasing the line too early or too late.
As with any physical skill it just takes practice.
Try holding the line only with the tip of your finger and there's no need to wrap your finger round the rod to trap the line. As long as the finger holding the line is directly above the spool. That way the movement needed to release the line is only a small straightening of the the finger. This should help youto time the release better.
Seen this before with my son in law. He didn't have the line from the spool over the crook of his index finger - he used to trap the line between his finger and the rod handle! His line release was all over the place - once he gained confidence with the line laid over his 'bent' index finger his casting improved.
If the rod pointing straight up is,lets call it,90 degrees to the water.
Release your line when the rod is at 45 degrees to the water. And tweak it a split second before or after that point. Keep your drop from rod tip to lead about 3 foot to start
Release your line when the rod is at 45 degrees to the water. And tweak it a split second before or after that point. Keep your drop from rod tip to lead about 3 foot to start
In reply to Post #1
This may sound like a stupid question, you are not trapping the line against the spool with your finger like you can with smaller reels are you and low weights such as float fishing?
You need to be holding it in your finger.
This may sound like a stupid question, you are not trapping the line against the spool with your finger like you can with smaller reels are you and low weights such as float fishing?
You need to be holding it in your finger.
In reply to Post #10
What Tony said and also maybe not thinking about releasing
I find it just happens if you relax
To be honest I trap the line with my middle finger
What Tony said and also maybe not thinking about releasing
I find it just happens if you relax
To be honest I trap the line with my middle finger
In reply to Post #1
I've fished for a good few years, but usually on smaller venues, and last 2 or 3 years have made step up and needing to hit 25 to 30 wraps etc.
With anything, the best bit of advice I will give is practice. I have recently started going out to a field, use something as a target and just practice.
Your casting will come on leaps and bounds, start off at a comfortable distance, then as you start hitting the clip right every time and accurately, add another wrap.
You will be amazed at the difference within the first session
I've fished for a good few years, but usually on smaller venues, and last 2 or 3 years have made step up and needing to hit 25 to 30 wraps etc.
With anything, the best bit of advice I will give is practice. I have recently started going out to a field, use something as a target and just practice.
Your casting will come on leaps and bounds, start off at a comfortable distance, then as you start hitting the clip right every time and accurately, add another wrap.
You will be amazed at the difference within the first session
In reply to Post #1
Wow thankyou everyone, just wanted to offer a quick update: I have being out today but the lake was so busy I couldn't have a play with casting so just went underarm for today but hopefully will be out again Friday.
I believe I am trapping the line to tight to the rod, instead of just bending and using the end of my finger and even today under arm casting I was paying alot more attention to the finger.
I shall report back as soon as I am back from the bank next time
Wow thankyou everyone, just wanted to offer a quick update: I have being out today but the lake was so busy I couldn't have a play with casting so just went underarm for today but hopefully will be out again Friday.
I believe I am trapping the line to tight to the rod, instead of just bending and using the end of my finger and even today under arm casting I was paying alot more attention to the finger.
I shall report back as soon as I am back from the bank next time
In reply to Post #13
Sounds like it's slipping Tom as I suspected. With heavier weights you need to have your clutch tight and the line in the top joint of your index finger. Good luck with it
Sounds like it's slipping Tom as I suspected. With heavier weights you need to have your clutch tight and the line in the top joint of your index finger. Good luck with it
In reply to Post #13
Get to a large field 🙂 best thing you will do
Get to a large field 🙂 best thing you will do
In reply to Post #1
buy yourself a small hard rubber dog ball
drill a hole thru it you can then cast away in your local field or park and can reel it straight back if you use a lead you will have to go and dig it out !!
you can go steps further by practising with a bucket 40 yards away till you can get it in the bucket most times the increase the range as you get better
buy yourself a small hard rubber dog ball
drill a hole thru it you can then cast away in your local field or park and can reel it straight back if you use a lead you will have to go and dig it out !!
you can go steps further by practising with a bucket 40 yards away till you can get it in the bucket most times the increase the range as you get better
In reply to Post #16
I'm really lucky we have an old disused cricket crease in a field near us, so can cast on to that from distance with no issues. If I'm getting the lead stuck then I know I'm getting it wrong 🤣
I'm really lucky we have an old disused cricket crease in a field near us, so can cast on to that from distance with no issues. If I'm getting the lead stuck then I know I'm getting it wrong 🤣
Tom worse habit to get into - my son in law still does it once in a while out of habit - he told me he struggles to trust a bent finger holding the line. Best lesson was beach casting with a 6 oz weight, he couldn't trap the line against the rod then and get any distance. Buy a Nash casting glove too £8.99 is cheap compared to a sliced finger!
In reply to Post #17
NO the lead will stick most times unless the grass is rock hard
a ball cant and twice as fast to crank it back !!
and as Tony said a casting glove especially with braid or you could end up with a finger like mine from years ago
NO the lead will stick most times unless the grass is rock hard
a ball cant and twice as fast to crank it back !!
and as Tony said a casting glove especially with braid or you could end up with a finger like mine from years ago
In reply to Post #19
Lead doesn't stick on the turf at all, only if I drop short and land on grass.
I know it's personal opinion however to me practicing with a rubber dog ball is practicing with something that casts completely different to the lead you would cast.
As I say personal preference, but think we are both agreed on the benefits of heading up to a field where you can consistently cast and no disturb water for anyone else fishing 🤣
Lead doesn't stick on the turf at all, only if I drop short and land on grass.
I know it's personal opinion however to me practicing with a rubber dog ball is practicing with something that casts completely different to the lead you would cast.
As I say personal preference, but think we are both agreed on the benefits of heading up to a field where you can consistently cast and no disturb water for anyone else fishing 🤣
In reply to Post #20
Most casting instructors advocate using a rubber ball it's irrelevant as with a lead you will improve I please don't tell me a 4 ozs lead won't dig in the ground after you have smashed it 150 yards I been doing it for years
Where is our Terry when you want him ? 😜
Most casting instructors advocate using a rubber ball it's irrelevant as with a lead you will improve I please don't tell me a 4 ozs lead won't dig in the ground after you have smashed it 150 yards I been doing it for years
Where is our Terry when you want him ? 😜
In reply to Post #19
Nice one
I had a similar but far less severe, experience when touch legering for barbel with braid. Sometimes we need to learn the hard way
Nice one
I had a similar but far less severe, experience when touch legering for barbel with braid. Sometimes we need to learn the hard way
In reply to Post #21
As I say mate all down to preference, I have honestly found using the old turf cricket crease by me perfect, but appreciate not everyone has that option 🙂 Honestly not trying to argue, just trying to help the fella out, as we all are! 🙂
As I say mate all down to preference, I have honestly found using the old turf cricket crease by me perfect, but appreciate not everyone has that option 🙂 Honestly not trying to argue, just trying to help the fella out, as we all are! 🙂
Gerry - I knew you couldn't resist putting that photograph up again!
And Tom - now you have a great indicator of where the line needs to be on your finger!!
I love it!!!
And Tom - now you have a great indicator of where the line needs to be on your finger!!
I love it!!!
In reply to Post #24
I remember when Maddox wrote that bloody book and the instant carp men were born 
I got a bit cheesed off for a year so went to the Sea Angler casting lessons over Greenford sports field and learnt to pendulum cast 5 and 6 ozs leads we were chucking enormous distances but !!!!!!! you had to walk carrying a digging tool as the lead would be buried in the grass completely it paid dividends as I had some nice fish from Langley point
I remember when Maddox wrote that bloody book and the instant carp men were born I got a bit cheesed off for a year so went to the Sea Angler casting lessons over Greenford sports field and learnt to pendulum cast 5 and 6 ozs leads we were chucking enormous distances but !!!!!!! you had to walk carrying a digging tool as the lead would be buried in the grass completely it paid dividends as I had some nice fish from Langley point
In reply to Post #25
Yep my dad and I used 5 and 6 oz leads on a playing field in Lincolnshire I was about 12.
Vortex hollow glass beachcaster with a Penn Sea Boy!!!!
My dad ultimately had an Abu Atlantic with an Abu Ambassador reel (I've got them now).
And we had to pull like crazy to get the weights out of the ground - dad made the weights with big eyes and made up a see saw arrangement so we could lever the weights up. We didn't have to carry spades but I got the job of carrying the lever thing. Neither of us could cast much more than 85yds in those days.
Still remember the burns we got on our thumbs if you braked on the line rather than the side of the spool.
Tell the kids of today and they'd say you were lying....
Yep my dad and I used 5 and 6 oz leads on a playing field in Lincolnshire I was about 12.
Vortex hollow glass beachcaster with a Penn Sea Boy!!!!
My dad ultimately had an Abu Atlantic with an Abu Ambassador reel (I've got them now).
And we had to pull like crazy to get the weights out of the ground - dad made the weights with big eyes and made up a see saw arrangement so we could lever the weights up. We didn't have to carry spades but I got the job of carrying the lever thing. Neither of us could cast much more than 85yds in those days.
Still remember the burns we got on our thumbs if you braked on the line rather than the side of the spool.
Tell the kids of today and they'd say you were lying....
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