The baitcaster or baitcasting reels are the modification of conventional fishing reels. The main purpose of baitcasting reels is to provide a long-distance and more line capacity through an accurate cast.
Furthermore, the baitcaster permits you to attempt cast at a higher rate, even if you are catching the heavy baits. That being said, why does your baitcaster not cast far?
Reasons your baitcaster doesn’t cast far enough may be the usage of the wrong technique, old equipment, use of inappropriate tools, bad weather, and poor maintenance of the baitcaster.
Another reason behind your issue related to distance casting can be due to the lack of experience. Baitcasting reels are preferred more by professional fishers than beginners. Today, I’m going to discuss all the reasons behind your poor baitcasting in detail. Read more to find out the solutions that will surely give a boost to your performance.
Factors Affecting Baitcasting
Insufficient Lubrication
In my opinion, both over-lubrication and no lubrication can cause hindrances in casting the fishing reels far. For the maintenance of your baitcasting tools, try to lubricate all the poignant parts of your baitcaster.
Give extra maintenance to the reel, the bearing, and the line guide. If these areas remain unclean and unlubricated, they can cause friction within your baitcaster.
Furthermore, that friction increases the tension within the casting device. Thus, provokes dragging while you try to attempt for a cast and eventually slows the speed of your retrieving line.
Inappropriate Rod Power Action
If you are using an inappropriate rod power action in your baitcasting, it can cause an obstruction within your collective performance. Heavy decoy does not give you favorable results, especially when you are using it with mild rod power action or vice versa. I suggest that if you’re attempting a heavy decoy, use a higher rode power. It will increase the effectiveness of your bait.
For further guidance, you can check the description of your equipment. It will help you to find a rod power equivalent to your decoy load. But if you are currently using a short rod, I recommend you pick a longer one. Because the shorter rods generally cast a small distance and are not able to carry the heavier decoys. Longer rods also work under unsuitable weather conditions.
Spool Tension
Spool tension plays a big part in the overall distant casting of your baitcasting. If you have set the spool tension of your baitcaster too high, then as per my observations, it will create a drag within your fishing line which eventually doesn’t permit you to cast your bait further. Thus, loosening the spool tension will assist you in managing the spool turns easily.
You should adjust the knob by following the weight of the bait and lure. However, you will become an expert at regulating spool tension with time and practice. Also, use a lighter spool collar as they reduce the drag effect. I suggest you make sure that all your tools are in sync before using a baitcaster.
The Line Strength
Your fishing line strength significantly impacts how far you can cast with your bait caster. You can not achieve long-distance casting through weak lines as they offer you less control and stretch. That’s why I prefer supple lines over the weak line. Smaller coils within the supple line pass through guidelines easily and thus will offer you lesser resistance.
On the other hand, larger coils make fishing lines thicker and heavier which eventually causes more resistance. As per my experience, the lighter lines will do wonders for you. As they have less diameter, which enhances their performance. So, if you are using a thicker casting line, I think you should consider lighter ones to cast further.
Weather Forecasts
You can never control weather conditions, but if you put effort into understanding the weather condition, it will help you know its effects on your baitcasting distance. For example, the length can be predicted by studying tailwinds. But when there are headwinds within your surroundings, they will create resistance and further slow down your cast speed.
Strong winds do not support this kind of sport. That’s why I suggest you should prevent baitcasting when there are strong winds in your area, as they create a tremendous amount of friction, which promotes bait caster instability and can be catastrophic for you. Always remember this, safety comes first.
Wears And Tears
Moving parts within the baitcaster are usually susceptible to wear and tear. If you need to increase the efficiency of your tools, then evaluate and change them regularly. That’s why I always prefer to lubricate some tools to reduce their friction. As wear and tear and corrosion cause harm within the baitcaster which affects a lot of its performance.
The Balance Between Distance And Lines
The relationship between the casting distance and the line is directly proportional. In simpler words, they are both dependent on each other and work on the same principle.
If you are attempting for a long distance, then let out more lines before casting. Whereas, if you let out fewer lines before casting, then it will produce a short casting distance. There’s no need to worry; you will be able to form a balance between line and rod distance after trying for some time.
How Far Should You Be Able To Cast A Baitcaster?
Your sports category of baitcasting will define the exact distance you should be able to cast with a baitcaster. If I keep all factors of my sports activity constant, then it is my technique that can correctly define how much distance I will be able to cover through baitcasting. That’s why, before casting, I usually prefer to study other factors which help to find cast length.
How Much Baitcasting Distance You Should Need To Cover?
As I already mentioned above, the baitcasting distance varies among various categories. For freshwater casting, you need to cover a stretch that goes between 30 to 40 yards.
A record 300 hundred yards had already been achieved within tournament grading. I think it is possible to achieve a range between 60 to 100 yards within surfcasting; even some anglers have covered more than that.
How Do You Make Your Baitcaster Cast Further?
If you want to increase your expertise within baitcasting, then understand the working mechanism of baitcaster. The correct baitcasting technique will gradually help you to cast further. The following guidelines will surely assist you in improving your skills in baitcasting.
Improve Your Casting Techniques
Give yourself ample time to study and practice to master the art of baitcasting. I have observed even if one has the right baitcaster and appropriate equipment or tools available, one would not be able to perform long-distance casting until or unless one practices the correct techniques of baitcasting.
If you want to improve your baitcasting skills, then keep practicing. Casting techniques are evolving with every passing day. So, it is vital to keep yourself updated with forthcoming methods and practice as much as you can.
The Balance Between Lure Weight And Rod Action Power
Rod power is the resistance to prevent the rod from bending due to the weight. If you want to improve your performance, you have to maintain a balance between lure weight and rod action power to complement each other. Carefully read the manual that comes with baitcasting equipment. It will guide you to load your baitcaster in the most appropriate way.
Use mild to medium rod power action if you have a lighter decoy. Heavy rod power modes will work better for heavier decoys.
Set Your Line Guide
The line guide is usually the narrow spacing on the reels from where the line leaves the spool and moves toward the rod. If your line guide is more than one on either side of the reel, then, as per my working experience, it will cause more friction.
Your line guide should be in the middle of the rod. If it’s not, then push the thumb bar of the cast to prevent excessive friction.
Don’t Throw Hard
If you cast as hard as you can, then, in my opinion, it will most likely shorten your casting distance. Because it is creating an imbalance in your spool due to high velocity or speed.
The spool moves with the baitcaster; the smoother and lengthier it moves, the longer distance your cast will carry. So instead of throwing a cast with power, try to throw it smoothly. It will gradually improve you to make your baitcaster cast further.
The Bottom Line
If you want to win tournaments or want to enjoy baitcasting’s pleasures, try to use effective casting; it will greatly impact your performance.
Furthermore, practicing the proper casting techniques will help you to cover a longer distance. I think the maintenance of your baitcaster and analyzing weather conditions correctly can play a vital part in how further you can cast.