How Can I Learn to Cast?

Practice. Once you’ve selected a spincasting or spinning outfit, use either the Palomar or Improved Clinch Knot to tie on an inexpensive rubber covered weight called a casting plug. Ask your dealer to suggest one, or buy one that fits the size of your fishing rod.

Next, find an area away from other people where you can practice casting without breaking a window or hurting someone. Make sure you set your reel’s drag properly by checking the instructions that came with the reel. Now follow the steps for your type of rod that are shown on the next two pages.

Don’t be discouraged if your first casts don’t go exactly where you want them to. No matter what type of fishing tackle you use, the timing of your arm and hand movements is critical for long, accurate casts. You will improve with practice— keep trying!

Spincasting

A spincasting reel has a button that you push with your thumb to release the line.

1. Grasp the rod’s pistol grip with one hand. Push the reel’s thumb button down and hold it in.

2. Face the target area with body turned at a slight angle, about a quarter turn. Aim the rod tip toward the target, about level with your eyes.

3. Swiftly and smoothly, bend your arm at the elbow, raising your hand with the rod until it almost reaches eye level. When the rod is almost straight up and down, it will be bent back by the weight of the practice plug. As the rod bends, move your forearm forward with a slight wrist movement.

4. When the rod reaches eye level, release the thumb button.

How did you do?

If the plug landed close in front of you, you released the thumb button too late. If the plug went more or less straight up, you released the thumb button too soon.

Spinning

With a spinning reel, you use your finger to release the line.

1. Grasp the rod’s handle, placing the reel “stem” that attaches the reel to the rod between your middle fingers. Place your thumb on top of the handle and extend your forefinger to touch the spool cover. With the other hand, rotate the reel spool until the line roller is directly beneath your extended index finger. Pick up line in front of the roller with your index finger and open the reel’s bail with your other hand.

2. Face the target area with body turned at a slight angle— about a quarter turn. The arm holding the rod handle should be closest to the target. Aim the rod tip toward the target at about eye level.

3. Swiftly and smoothly, using just one motion, bend your casting arm at the elbow and raise your forearm so that your hand is almost at eye level.

4. When the rod is almost straight up and down, it will be bent by the weight of the practice plug. As the rod bends, move your forearm forward with a slight wrist movement.

5. When the rod reaches eye level, straighten your forefinger to release the line.

How did you do?

If the plug landed close in front of you, you straightened out your index finger to release the line too late. If the plug went more or less straight up or behind you, you straightened your index finger too soon.