Casting my baitcasting reel

[BassGeek54]

Over the winter I aquired several Baitcasting reels. One is a Quantum Response that I really like. The one thing I kind of question though is if I am supposed to cast them from back to overhead rather than a more sidearm cast. I cannot seem to get the release right going overhead and I don't get the distance. How are you guys throwing them?

 

[jkbirocz]

You can cast then all ways. Sometimes holding the reel sideways in your hand when casting it overhand helps with distance. Other than that just keep practicing.

 

[bcritch]

I mostly cast sideways but will on occasion throw overhand....

 

[dj722000]

If your a beginner, watch casting overhead on baitcasters. Remember 10 and 2. 10 behind you, 2 in front of you, I think I release around 1 or so and follow through to about 2 o'clock. Without casting, dry run a few times to get the hang of it. Have to make sure everything is set right on the reel to, if spool drag or magnetic brake set a little to tight with a lite lure, it wont go very far. I can get it to go further with a side cast then a overhead. (I have a weird hook with the lure around the tip, I guess for extra umph) Also when you start to get the hang of it, dont cast it very hard, if you mess up you'll be undoing a major birdsnest. I always find you can tell if your messing up before the release and I always stopped it with my thumb before to much went wrong. It all has to be done nice and smooth fluid flowing motion. This is how I learned it and good luck.

 

[KMixson]

Practice, practice, practice. I have learned to cast the bigger saltwater reels with up to 8oz. sinkers on them with very good results. It took practice. I find that going overhead you have to end your cast with the reel spool perpendicular to the ground/water and the rod parallel or almost parallel to the ground/water. You want the line pulling straight out from the rod at all the way through the cast. That minimizes drag on the line as it is going through the eyes.

 

[juggernoob]

I mostly cast sidearm but occasionally cast over head in open water. My release point for over head and side arm casts are very close, 10 - 2 as DJ pointed out. If you're just not getting distance and backlashes aren't an issue then perhaps your brakes are set too high. I find that when I cast over head I tend to try and send my bait to Mars which causes me to backlash more often.

 

[BassGeek54]

This is why I like this site...you guys are awesome and very helpful. I have been practicing and I am getting better. I think the biggest issue I am having now is timing. When going overhead I either release it too soon or too late. I have been keeping the backlashes to a minimum though and that makes me happy. I just got a Quantum PT Smoke SL150 6.6:1 that I am really liking a lot! Thank you all very much.