How To Cast A Spinning Reel – 12 Steps For Beginner

admin

Updated on:

How-To-Cast-A-Spinning-Reel-1

So, you are thinking about picking up a new hobby. Perhaps it is fishing, and a question that comes to mind is how you effectively cast a spinning reel in a spinning rod. That is a valid question. Even seasoned and experienced anglers have trouble with some of these things. 

So, let me show you my simple ways how to cast a spinning reel.

Making The Cast

Besides being a hobby, casting is a sport. You can cast both freshwater fish and saltwater fish with high accuracy. But how to make the cast is pretty tricky. A few answers will not give you enough clues to know how to do it. The point is to determine where to start and how to do it. 

Before casting anything, you should understand how to use its devices and some of the terminology of the rod:

  • The butt is at the bottom, and the thick part closest to the handle is rubber. 
  • Handle or Grip: it is usually made of EVA foam or cork, softer than the rod, and be where you hold your rod the entire time you are fishing. An EVA handle is frequently chosen the most as it is cheap.
  • The reel: is attached to the rod for the fishing line.
  • Reel seat: it helps attach the revolution to the rod. 
  • Guides are the circles or ring passing through and going down the rod. They affect the sensitivity of the rod and help keep the line close. They are often stainless steel, titanium, fiberglass, or graphite.
  • Action: Action refers to the speed at which the rod returns to straighten when released from a load. Slow-action rods are suitable for beginners.
  • The bail allows you to remove and replace the line from the reel.
  • The drag is a pair of friction plates that prevent the cable from breaking if the fish pulls on the line too hard. 
  • The reel gear ratio shows the line’s fast when it is retrieved.
  • Tip Top: this is the guide that is easy to break off.

Related post: 8 Essential Parts Of A Spinning Reel

Various Casting Styles

There are three popular casting styles you would like to know about:

Overhead Cast

First of all, you got the overhead cast. Put your index finger on the line, just a few 6 to 7 inches of the lure hanging from the rod tip. Choose a point that is straight to decide the target you want. Then, hold the rod and reel with both hands and go over. It’s also the easiest way for beginners to cast a spinning reel!

Roll Cast

The next popular one that I recommend to you is the roll cast. You stand close to the water and use the rod in a circular motion. Then you are pointing the rod in the direction that you want to go. This style is to skip baits.

Side Cast

The very next cast is what we call a simple side cast. You are not getting low or rolling the rod. Just open the bell or place the line on your finger; opening the bell, locate your target, load the rod to your side, hold your rod at a 45-degree angle, point it straight to your target and then release your finger.

How To Cast A Spinning Reel? (12 Steps To Cast)

Step 1: As mentioned before, locate the place you would like to fish and the kind of fish that should be considered to pick the right lure or bait.

Step 2: Use your dominant hand to hold the rod to help you feel comfortable. Don’t clench your rod so tight that your knuckles turn white; you’ll need a loose grip to cast your line correctly.

Step 3: When you are ready for casting, you want to take your index finger or trigger finger and lay the line on your finger. One thing that is often done wrong, even by some more experienced anglers, is that they are likely to grab the whole line. 

Step 3: Turn the rod downwards, so the reel faces the ground.

Step 4: Lay your index finger on your line and let your left hand engage the bill. If you are right-handed, do the opposite so that you are holding your index finger with your left hand.

Step 5: Release your index finger. Pull the fishing line between your pads on the top of your finger until you hold it against the rod. If you have the reel handle, let it go.

Step 6: Slowly reel the line. One of the things that you would like to do before your cast is to make sure you have 6 to 7 inches from the rod tip down to the lure. This length helps to increase the accuracy of your casting. 

Step 7: Release your line. It helps relieve the tension on your line.

Step 8: With your index finger, re-grasp your line. It would be best if you protect your rig from drifting away from you once it has landed in the water. Stick your index finger aside from you and clutch the fishing line to hold your line momentarily. Hold it in place by pulling it back against your rod.

Step 9: Turn the bail on your spool to unlock the line. The bail helps lock and unlock your spool to ensure that your line is appropriately released. If your bail is closed, your line could snap, sending your bait or lure hurtling into the water.

Step 10: If you’re unsatisfied with the location of your lure or bait, turn the reel handle. If you toss your line out too far or want to try again, crank the reel handle clockwise to pull it back in.

Step 11: Turn the bail to the locked position to secure your line. Keep your non-dominant hand on top of the line near your handle and flip the bait to the closed position. Simply pull the bail to the opposite side from where it was locked to reverse it. 

Step 12: Hold your handle and wait for a bite. 

How To Improve Your Casting Distance

The following is a list of suggestions to help you perfect the technique:

Learn To Hold The Spinning Reel Properly

Most novice anglers wrongly hold the spinning reel, which interferes with casting style and distance. You won’t be able to get the bait to the desired location if you don’t grip the reel correctly. Casting distances of 25-30 yards are not difficult to achieve. The reel should be facing the ground just before you cast. The reel should be facing the sky when you rear the rod. You should also be holding your reel in this posture when recovering the line.

A tip: Aluminum-spool reels may allow you to cast further.

Rod Choice

When fishing with spinning reels, you should always utilize the spinning rod. The casting distance is substantially reduced using a casting rod with spinning reels. For distance casting, a graphite rod is frequently the best option. So, how to choose the best spinning rod?

Make sure you have the correct rod length

Is a longer rod sufficient? Assess your fishing style before selecting a fishing pole to string. However, the optimal fishing rod for maximizing casting distance should be capable of casting 1–8 oz. and be 10–12 feet long. The sinker and bait are included in the total weight.

Related post: Fishing Rod Length Explained for Beginners

Buy A Lighter Fishing Line

It would help if you were using a lighter line. The logic is straightforward. When your test line is 20 pounds, your cast will almost certainly be shorter than if it were only 12 pounds. However, the line should not be too thin; otherwise, you risk breaking the line. The diving curves will also improve and get steeper with a lighter line.

Related post: Different Types of Fishing Lines Explained

Use A Shock Leader

There are various forces at work when casting the line that causes abrasion, but a shock leader can help you overcome this. A general rule of thumb in fishing is to use a 10-pound test shock leader for every ounce of weight cast.

Select Your Sinker Correctly

Yes, even if you wish to obtain the average casting distance, sinker selection affects your casting distance. To increase your casting distance, your sinker should have the correct features. It should, for example, be able to endure even the most significant currents and be aerodynamic. Storm, pyramids, flat banks, and other similar designs are practical.

Choose Fishing Lures That Weigh More

A heavier lure aids in increasing casting distance, and you’d be surprised how much distance you can gain with a simple change in lure weight.

Don’t Forget About The Wind Direction

You are most likely not considering the wind direction if you have followed every advice and still haven’t managed to maximize your casting direction. It won’t help your cause if you’re casting against the wind. The wind must be on your side for the maximum casting distance.

How Far Should A Spinning Reel Cast

Choosing the best spinning and rod combo is one of the most essential aspects in deciding how far you can cast your spinning reel. Casting at 15 years is relatively simple for novices, and with a little effort, you should be able to cast up to 60 yards. However, certain factors influence the casting distance, such as:

  • Rod action Think of a slingshot; the longer your shorts will be, the further your drawback. A fishing rod is the same way.
  • The Line material – You already know that a heavier line will not travel as far, but this weight gain can be due to the line’s substance. On the other hand, a braided line with a larger diameter will throw much further than a normal line.
  • Lure profile – If the shape of the lure is incorrect, it will encounter resistance in the air. Additionally, a bulky and non-aerodynamic lure will not work in your favor. So pick carefully.

Does A Spinning Reel Cast Farther Than A Baitcasting Reel

Both spinning reels and baitcasting reels have their benefits and drawbacks. On the other hand, Baitcasting reels outsmart spinning reels in achieving distance. Apart from that, baitcasters are more accurate for long-distance casting.

But, for various reasons, spinning reels aren’t horrible for casting long distances.

  • The spinning gear is simple to use and maintain. Flip the bail, place your finger on the line, and cast if you’ve chosen the correct bait. Even a novice can perform it, and your casting distance is only limited by how hard you cast.
  • Lighter lures gain maximum casting distance since there is no drag constraint. Baitcasters, on the other hand, have drag resistance, and you won’t be able to get the maximum distance if you can’t figure out where to thumb the spool.
  • You don’t have to worry about backlash with a spinning reel, but you will have to manage it with a baitcaster

Conclusion

The first thing you would like to do with casting a spinning reel is to know its fundamentals and learn the terminology. Your reel also has a crank to retrieve the line, and the gear ratio of that reel determines how fast the line is retrieved. So, to cast this, start by holding your rod naturally between your fingers and near your side about the mid-waist. Be sure the spinning reel is positioned when holding the rod. There is no right or wrong way of controlling the rod. It depends on each angler’s fishing habit.

Related Post: Best Spinning Rod And Reel Combos (Top 10 Combos)