large lures, long rods and fixed spools

[Paul Hicks]

Have been using a baitcasting outfit with medium to larger lures (i.e. supershad - salmo whitefish size) but need to whack them out further than I can cast with 6'6" rod and multiplier. I know some anglers have reverted to 9-10ft rods and fixed spools for chucking large lures a long way (even Bulldawgs!) What are the pros and cons?

 

[Keith Orange]

Personally I think 6.5 ft baitcasters aren't much use for bank fishing. I bought one last year, together with a shimano curado multiplier. I was very disappointed with the rod - too stiff, difficult to play fish in weedy overgrown areas, and to be quite honest, it wasn't that effective at chucking out lures. On the other hand the reel itself was a pleasure to use.

I've abandoned the rod, and by chance I've found that the curado is fine with a fast taper 9ft spinning rod. I fish the rod upside down (ie rings upwards) and I've had no problem with line rubbing against the rod. The lures I use are up to 45 - 50gms in weight.

So I'd just put the multiplier on a longish, stiffish spinning rod and see if it suits you. If not, then buy a medium size fixed spool reel

 

[Chris Bishop]

Fine but you can work lures better with a shorter rod and casting distance does eventually come together. Stiff rods are the nuts as well - you bump fish off with soft ones as there isn't enough oomph there to bang the hooks in.

 

[Paul Hicks]

Thanks chaps your opinions are gratefully noted!

 

[Ron Troversial Clay]

I did many years lure fishing, mainly for bass. A short stiff 6 foot rod is fine for boat fishing, but from the bank, stick to something about 9 feet.

As Chris says, floppy rods are awful.

 

[Andrew Macfarlane]

I use a 6 foot heavy action jerk rod off the bank and I can cast as far as I have to and the rest. As Chris says, you can tune you gear and hit the distance if needed but even with braid, you can't utilise a lure's action at distance. It's basically that simple.
Watch most lure anglers and they barely lob their lures around. They want to impart the best action they can from their lure and that isn't going to happen at distance.
Fishing big spoons, spinnerbaits or dawgs is alright since they are basically straight retrieve lures but there's nothing to be gained by adding extra distance when fishing with a Salmo Whitefish for instance.
It simply won't respond properly. It really only starts working over the last 30 or so yards.

 

[Paul Hicks]

Thanks Andrew I appreciate your advice and fully agree that you can't impart the best action to a lure at distance. On the other hand even a perfectly presented lure is not going to catch if its landing 15 yards short of the fish. Maybe I just need to improve my crappy technique with a multiplier, I can cast all day out to 30 yards with it but if I start going for the distance Fatima Whitbread-style the backlashes and bad language start up!

 

[Andrew Macfarlane]

Rather than trying to exert more power into your cast, try leaving a longer length between the lure and the rod tip. Rather than trying to punch the lure, aim for a nice smooth arc and the lure should do the rest. Think of a trebuchet (big french catapult) and you,ll get the gist of what I mean. Power isn't everything.
I used to backlash when going for the big cast when I was beach angler until a chap showed me differently. The same action applies.
It also helps if you keep the rod pointing at the lure while it's in flight. You want little or no friction from the rings. It's amazing how many anglers drop the rod tip after the lure takes flight. Take my word for it. A little less friction adds a lot more distance.

 

[Budgie Burgess]

Both Chris and Andy make good points.I do have a "long" err I dont know exactly how long it is will measure it!... 9' 8" Heavy duty lure rod made from a 7'Musky blank and a short handle.Certainly casts big (4-5ozs) lures a lot further than my standard "Jerkbait" rod but only use it from the bank.Its a specialist tool for specialist situations and for my piking I have no problem with my normal rod.As said tuning the reel is possibly the quickest route to more distance.

 

[Phil Heaton]

I started fishing with a short baitcaster a few years ago and it took a while for me toget my head around the method. Basically the gear is not made for large casts, but to target area's within casting distance, this is obviously better if a boat is used.
I do not have a boat but find that I can easilly cast to any point on my local rivers and drains, between me and the far bank.
The plus points are that I now feel more confident 'playing' a lure, casting within confined spaces has improved and I feel that I have better control over the positioning of the lure. But the biggest plus is that the set up is better balanced than a 9' rod with an open faced reel making a long session less tireing on the arm.

 

[Tim Kelly 2]

You might find it easier to just carry a few long casting lures with you for when you need to get that little bit further. Jackpots, Salmo sliders and fatsos, jerkos etc cast a lot further than dawgs, spoons and crankbaits.

 

[Andrew Macfarlane]

A slider is pretty good for casting, I have to admit but I still see no reason for throwing a lure that far.
If I could throw a Dawg or a Spinnerbait that far, I may give it a bash now and again but I'd much rather concentrate on a chosen swim and thrash every inch which means close and repeated casting.

 

[Andrew Macfarlane]

Would you locate a 'swim' on a fishfinder and then move 70 yards away to throw lures as far as possible or would you rather anchor nearby and concentrate your lures in that area as much and as often as possible, until you have satisfied yourself that every angle has been covered in the shortest space of time?
I know what I'd rather be doing.

 

[Budgie Burgess]

Totally agree with what you say Andy but some times a boat isnt an option.Must admit that it aint often that a hot spot is out of casting range of conventional gear but if it is you obviously need to adapt.

 

[Paul Hicks]

Maybe I should clarify that my question arose because I fish a lot on a large natural lake where boat fishing is not allowed and where the bottom shelves very gradually. Chest waders are a boon but at times when the pike are in deeper water long casts are still needed to get among the fish. Anyway thanks again to everyone who has responded to my question, your ideas are all much appreciated.

 

[Tim Kelly 2]

Thrashing every inch of a swim would be a complete waste of time if the fish aren't there! If the fish are 70 yards away, that's where you need to be fishing by whatever means possible.