Baitcasting Techniques

Part V

Let us just take this scenario. Your friend and you decided to go do some fishing in a lake. The sun is hot and the both of you decided to take shelter under a tree with branches about a foot above your heads. You are seated at the bow (front) of the 8 feet long boat and your friend is hanging out at the stern (back). Suddenly you see the rise of a toman (giant snakehead), and you want to cast but your friend is on your left, you cannot do a overhead cast because of the branches, and your only empty space is on your right of which is where your casting hand is. What would you do? Simple, you do a side cast. But is it really so?

Fishing with a baitcasting reel provides for better accuracy and control of the cast.

Opportunity Cost

I have been in this same situation before but with me at the stern. Some of those seated at the bow just decided not to cast and you can see that it is not because they do not want to cast. They found themselves to be in a tight spot where they would like to cast but the only space available to do a cast is one that they do not know how to utilize.

Knowing more baitcasting techniques will be a great help especially when fishing on a boat.

Casting From The Side

If you are in this very same situation, all you need to do is to learn how to perform a side cast, and practise thereafter to get better at it, and you will be able to at least have give yourself the chance of catching the fish.

Preparing to cast – front view.

The Mechanics Of The Side Cast

Side cast simply means casting from the side of your hand that is holding the rod. If you are holding the rod with your right hand, the side cast will be performed on the right. If you are holding the rod with your left hand, the side cast will then be on your left. Note that for this lesson, I will assume that you are holding the rod with your right hand.

Bring the rod tip to the back and whip it back to the front. The tip will shoot the lure out in front of you towards your intended target.

Preparing to cast – Side view.

Imagine that you are hitting a shuttlecock. This is somewhat the movement of your wrist and arm. With your rod tip pointing to 10 o’clock (sideways), bring the rod tip towards the back and then whip out the plug using the rod tip to execute the cast, the same way you would with a badminton racket, and follow through with your right arm.

Notice the rod starting to curve.

Your first few casts may have your casting plug flying to your left (if you are casting with your right hand). It is normal. You need to adjust your cast. If it flies to the left, you are letting go of the spool too late. If it goes to the right, then you are releasing the line too early. You want the plug to fly straight in front of you.

Notice that the rod tip is about to shoot the casting plug forward.

Reel in your casting plug and try again. Practise these few steps over and over again until it becomes second nature to you. As you get better, slowly loosen the spool and brakes to achieve better distance.

Give it a try and if you are still unable to do so, send me an email at…

email: phil@theasianpublisher.com and I will see how best to help you.

Remember, practise, practise, practise.