I know many people might see me fishing places like Boddington Reservoir, when casting 90m and beyond is important, and think: ‘Well, I’ll never do that where I fish.’
That’s true, but even if you fish a lake where the fish are caught at a more leisurely 40m, there’ll come a time when you need to be able to cast further than that.
Normally that’s in winter, when the fish can back off in clear water and if you can’t follow them out, you’ll stop catching! Being able to put another 10 or 20 yards on your cast is a handy weapon to have in the armoury, but it’s not as simple as it seems.
Using a heavier feeder will help, but it’s not always down to the tackle you’re using. Getting the casting mechanics right is the starting point, and that means not being afraid to really compress the rod on the cast.
Length of drop is another factor, and even something as simple as standing up behind your box to get more leverage can add yards.
Pick the right rod
To cast a long way, you need to put real power into the cast, and that means being positive. Don’t be afraid of the rod – it’s no good spending lots of money on a rod if you’re afraid to use it to its full potential. Length is also key. To go a long way, you need a bespoke 13ft distance model.
Get the drop right
You have to get the length of ‘drop’ right (how far the feeder is away from the rod tip). The optimum position for casting is with the feeder just over a third of the way down the length of the rod. This way you’re using the whole rod to cast, as opposed to just the tip, so you can cast a lot further.
Use a heavy feeder
If your feeder isn’t heavy enough, it won’t go where you want. That doesn’t mean that you need a massive 3oz feeder, but you do need to be picking one that’s at the heavier end of the range. Take Hybrid feeders, for example. At places like Boddington Reservoir I’d go for a 45g or 55g model.
Attach a leader
To cushion the impact of launching a heavy feeder, a shockleader is vital. My mainline is low-diameter to reduce drag, being 5lb Pulse Pro, with a length of 12lb Shield leader. Leader length varies, but you should have four to six reel turns of leader on the spool when in the casting position.
