learned something new - casting

Grey Crane · 02-05-2008, 09:55 AM

Some of you guys may have already figured this out, but I just discovered it this weekend. I couldn't find a post about it, so thought I would put it up.

I'm not a fan of spinning reels, so my topwaters are thrown on conventional reels - Shimano Toriums to be specific. I know there have been some bad reports on them, but until mine fail, I'm not going to give in to my tackle whore nature and buy new equipment.

Here's what I discovered this weekend. When casting, I normally just thumb the spool, load the reel and let it fly. Due to the weight of offshore poppers, I was limited to a degree on the power I could put in to loading the rod while casting. Just by chance, I tried putting my other thumb on the line at the portion of the grip above the reel. Having 2 points of pressure really made it easier for me to cast at full power. I've tried gloves and don't feel the outgoing cast as well. This method kept my bare fingers in good shape while casting 50 pound mono.

Ragman · 02-05-2008, 10:02 AM

Thanks for posting Grey!

I'm going to be doing some casting with the Accurate 2-speeds that have the cast control knob and compare my distance to a Stella/Spinner.

Hopefully that cast control will enable me to throw full power with out really using much thumb pressure.

I know I've got my inshore conventional set so that I don't use my thumb at all.

BretABaker · 02-05-2008, 10:07 AM

I might be missing something - but how did you cast well using 2 thumbs?

Grey Crane · 02-05-2008, 10:29 AM

When casting, I have one hand on the lower part of the handle with a thumb on the spool. The other hand is holding the upper part of the grip for leverage. Your thumb is already over the upper portion of the grip. Since the force is created on the back swing, you don't really need the thumb as a pressure point on the upper grip, so using it to put a little extra pressure on the line works fine.

Mitchw123456 · 02-05-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey Crane

When casting, I have one hand on the lower part of the handle with a thumb on the spool. The other hand is holding the upper part of the grip for leverage. Your thumb is already over the upper portion of the grip. Since the force is created on the back swing, you don't really need the thumb as a pressure point on the upper grip, so using it to put a little extra pressure on the line works fine.

Somethings sounds weird with this still and I've done alot of long distance casting using various styles (surfcasting) and I have no idea to how you are getting your leverage to really cast with both hands up up by the reel. Maybe I'm jsut not understanding....

papio · 02-05-2008, 11:07 AM

Huh??? What?? How?? Splain again please??...can't go wrong with spinners

SkeeterRonnie · 02-05-2008, 11:25 AM

spinners for me, now and always! not one single backlash in 48 hours of fishing >>

Uncle Russ · 02-05-2008, 11:36 AM

Tom: I keep hearing from folks that they can cast as well (or even better) with conventional gear. However, I can not and will not believe it--even if I saw it with my own eyes.

I have been trying to cast a conventional reel ever since I was a child, and when, in 1957, I found out there was such a thing as a Mitchell 300 and I could buy it for about 5 bucks, I jumped at the chance. Same with the Stellas.

No joke--if I had to cast lead weight 50 feet with no wind, I would pick up a spinner. If you happen to cast well in your trials, it is only an optical illusion--or a dream.

Russ

BretABaker · 02-05-2008, 12:32 PM

it seems like trying to swing a baseball bat with your hands 12 inches apart. Sure I can do it, but I'm not going to hit any home runs that way.

Maybe if you took a few pictures we'd all get it.

ksong · 02-05-2008, 12:38 PM

Don't you lose casting distance by using two thumbs ?

I am pretty good at using conventional reels for casting as I have been casting with conventional reels on the boat and at jetties for long.
I experimented casting poppers with long conventional rods and reels last year and caught a few yft and bft, but I gave up conventional reels for casting poppers as spinning reels are much easier for the job and it is inevitalbe you get tangles from time to time, especially at night, no matter how skillful you are.

02-05-2008, 09:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
Grey Crane Junior member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 12	learned something new - casting Some of you guys may have already figured this out, but I just discovered it this weekend. I couldn't find a post about it, so thought I would put it up. I'm not a fan of spinning reels, so my topwaters are thrown on conventional reels - Shimano Toriums to be specific. I know there have been some bad reports on them, but until mine fail, I'm not going to give in to my tackle whore nature and buy new equipment. Here's what I discovered this weekend. When casting, I normally just thumb the spool, load the reel and let it fly. Due to the weight of offshore poppers, I was limited to a degree on the power I could put in to loading the rod while casting. Just by chance, I tried putting my other thumb on the line at the portion of the grip above the reel. Having 2 points of pressure really made it easier for me to cast at full power. I've tried gloves and don't feel the outgoing cast as well. This method kept my bare fingers in good shape while casting 50 pound mono.

02-05-2008, 10:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ragman Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 924	Thanks for posting Grey! I'm going to be doing some casting with the Accurate 2-speeds that have the cast control knob and compare my distance to a Stella/Spinner. Hopefully that cast control will enable me to throw full power with out really using much thumb pressure. I know I've got my inshore conventional set so that I don't use my thumb at all. __________________ Tom www.oceantackle.net *Go Hard or Go Home!*

02-05-2008, 11:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
SkeeterRonnie Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,209	spinners for me, now and always! not one single backlash in 48 hours of fishing >> __________________ www.navionics.com (prostaff)

02-05-2008, 11:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
Uncle Russ Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,075	Tom: I keep hearing from folks that they can cast as well (or even better) with conventional gear. However, I can not and will not believe it--even if I saw it with my own eyes. I have been trying to cast a conventional reel ever since I was a child, and when, in 1957, I found out there was such a thing as a Mitchell 300 and I could buy it for about 5 bucks, I jumped at the chance. Same with the Stellas. No joke--if I had to cast lead weight 50 feet with no wind, I would pick up a spinner. If you happen to cast well in your trials, it is only an optical illusion--or a dream. Russ __________________ "Tschirhart: Helluva deal. You bait the hooks--I catch the fish!--Grimm."

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02-05-2008, 10:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
BretABaker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 1,005	I might be missing something - but how did you cast well using 2 thumbs?

02-05-2008, 10:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
Grey Crane Junior member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 12	When casting, I have one hand on the lower part of the handle with a thumb on the spool. The other hand is holding the upper part of the grip for leverage. Your thumb is already over the upper portion of the grip. Since the force is created on the back swing, you don't really need the thumb as a pressure point on the upper grip, so using it to put a little extra pressure on the line works fine.

02-05-2008, 11:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
papio Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Antonio, Tx. V Posts: 213	Huh??? What?? How?? Splain again please??...can't go wrong with spinners

02-05-2008, 12:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
BretABaker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 1,005	it seems like trying to swing a baseball bat with your hands 12 inches apart. Sure I can do it, but I'm not going to hit any home runs that way. Maybe if you took a few pictures we'd all get it.

02-05-2008, 12:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
ksong Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,156	Don't you lose casting distance by using two thumbs ? I am pretty good at using conventional reels for casting as I have been casting with conventional reels on the boat and at jetties for long. I experimented casting poppers with long conventional rods and reels last year and caught a few yft and bft, but I gave up conventional reels for casting poppers as spinning reels are much easier for the job and it is inevitalbe you get tangles from time to time, especially at night, no matter how skillful you are.

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