Casting Distance Mystery

[Steve_640]

I only started beach fishing last Christmas and was reasonably happy with my casting distance. I have both a fixed spool rod and a multiplier rod, currently I can probably cast a bit further with the fixed spool, but that is probably down to my inexperience with a multiplier.

The reason I say I was happy with my casting distance is that I recently got to compare back to back, my beach casting distance to the distance I could cast a 45g Dexter wedge with my spinning rod, and suprisingly they were about the same distance. Surely I should be able to lob a 5oz lead much further? Any idea why this might be?

Although my casting distance with the dexter was quite impresive, I did have a problem in that the rod is a shimano exage STC and unless I regularly checked the tightness of the sections, the rod would occasionally come apart
on casting.
I can tell you, you do not look cool when you manage to cast half your rod 20 yards out to sea.
Any suggestions on what I could put on the joints to stop this?

Thanks Steve.

[geejayy]

steve,
can tell you, you do not look cool when you manage to cast half your rod 20 yards out to sea.
Any suggestions on what I could put on the joints to stop this?

not superglue! though it ud stop them comming apart

wrap a short bit of masking tape around the joint, works when fluff chucking.

geejay,

[Drew]

Hi Steve,

Depending on how old the rod is? Take it back to the dealer from where it was purchased and tell him that it will not do the job for which it was bought, or send it back to Shimano with a covering letter.

Cheers

Drew

[Greenheart]

Smear a thin coating of superglue on the male rod joint to build up the thickness by a couple of microns. Leave to dry overnight before attempting to join the two halves.This should tighten up the joint. If the joint is then too tight, rub it down with a bit of 0000 grade steel wool. No guarantees but this worked well on a carbon roach pole of mine that had a bit of joint wear.

[Steve_640]

Thanks Guys,

I used the rod again a couple of weeks ago, this time I made sure all the joints were fully home before I started and this time had no problems.

Steve.

[Ben]

i might do that with my zziplex 2500, the joint is quite well worn i think

[arc]

Hi Steve 640 , the reason you are casting the same or farther with the spinning rod over the beachcaster is that you can bend the spinning rod. The beachcaster with 5 oz is probably too powerful for your style of casting at the moment but the lighter rod is easier to compress for you making it work more efficiently. I am into casting on the field and had the same problem with my son (aged 12 at the time ) , he started on the field with a normal Diawa 12' beach caster but after a couple of sessions it was obvious the rod with 125 grms was too much for him ,he could not bend it it was acting as a rigid lever so I changed his rod to a Greys BZE 3-5 oz light beach/bass rod and a 75grm lead his distances improved immediately ( casting off the ground ), he could make the rod work for him without trying to pull him off his feet giving him distances in excess of 150yds over grass.
If you want to improve your casting see if you can find a local casting instructor ( ring Sea Angler mag and ask they will give you a contact number for your nearest ) ,a couple of hours with one is worth days of trying to sort yourself out .
Hope this helps.

[Steve_640]

arc,

I think you are spot on there, when I was blanking yet again the other day, I did a bit more investigation. I do get a lot of bend in the spinning rod, most of which is achieved with a flick of the rists. I do not have the strength in the rists to transfer this technique to the heavier and stiffer beach caster, there by being left with the poor technique of simply moving the rod from pointing backwards to forwards as fast as I can. I think you are also right about the casting lesson being worth while, any idea roughly how much it would cost?

Steve.

[arc]

Steve,
A few casting lessons is the quickest way to gain distance , you will be surprised how easy it is to gain yardage when shown how to cast properly which means less effort , better bait delivery ( i.e not splattered all over the beach ) and an option to fish at greater range .
I dont know the going rate for casting lessons , we do not charge , you only have to turn up at one of our casting days and pay the same as the rest of us towards the hire of the field to get some tuition, however I do know some people charge a small fee to cover travelling expenses etc .I would advise you to contact Sea Angler mag or the UKSF ( United Kingdom Surcasting Federation ) at their site www.uksf.sea-angler.org for more details of your nearest casting club/casting instructor . Give it a go you may be pleasently surprised but dont forget just because you can cast a long way does'nt mean you have to its just another string to your bow .