Casting Distance Expectations for a newbie 2025
CharlieTN reply :
Did some trading and picked up my first low profile bait caster and I’m starting to learn how to cast it. It’s a basic Abu Black Max 3 combo and so far the casting is going well. With 12lb mono and an old crankbait body I’m getting roughly 20-25 yards from an overhand cast.
I’ve started trying to do some flipping and pitching (Still getting confused as to which is which).
What kind of distances should I expect to get from this setup both with an overhead cast or a side-arm as well as flipping and pitching? I don’t want to be chasing unreasonable distances.
Thanks.
CroakHunter reply :
30 yards is plenty with most types of fishing. Accuracy is more important. Pitching I try to stay inside 15 yards, after that I lose accuracy and would be better off side arming in.
TOXIC reply :
Keep working on your fundamentals and the distance will come. As far as Pitching vs Flipping, the old school definition is that Pitching you disengage the spool just like a cast and use a pitching motion (normally underhanded) to get your bait to the target. Flipping, you leave out the amount of line you want to use and leave the reel engaged. You get the bait to the target by pulling the line out just beyond your reel and flipping it to your target. Flipping works best if you are working very close structure and it maximizes the number of presentations you can make as you fish since you are not disengaging the reel, casting the bait, engaging the reel and reeling in.
Sam reply :
I’ve started trying to do some flipping and pitching (Still getting confused as to which is which).
Pitching: Rod straight out waist high. Let out enough line to grasp the lure in your hand. Lower the rod tip, swing your arm back to pull lure behind you. Then, snap rod tip upward, release the lure and release the spool, allowing the line to play outward.
There is also the "loop pitch" where you allow about two feet of line out and you drop the rod tip, then immediately snap tip up to swing your line upward. Allow line to travel in a fast loop around rod tip. As the lure straightens in front of the rod tip, release the line from your reel.
Flipping: More complex but easy to do after some practice. Let out an amount of line needed to reach the target. Yes, you are close to the target. With the hand not holding the rod, grasp the line and pull back about half the length of the distance to your target. Swing the flipping lure back under the rod by lowering then quickly raising the rod tip.
When your bait starts forward raise the rod tip and move the rod hand forward to increase the lure speed. At the end of the swing give a gentle flip to the rod.
As your bait approaches the target allow the line to slip through your fingers but do not let go of the line. Stop the lure just over the water surface so it drops where you are aiming. Good technique for fishing fast.
Check out Flipping and Pitching on You Tube so you can understand what I penned above.
What kind of distances should I expect to get from this setup both with an overhead cast or a side-arm as well as flipping and pitching? I don’t want to be chasing unreasonable distances
Flipping Distance: As far as you can flip your bait from where you are standing.
Pitching: You are very close to your target so up to 15 feet.
Overhead Cast: Depends on your rod and line test. To find the best line test to use take the high and low of the line test parameters shown on your rod, add together and divide by two. That is the optimum line test for the rod. Make sure you do not exceed or go lower than the bait weight stamped on your rod. Make sure your reel can handle your line test.
You can now throw as far as your set up allows, with the understanding that you can actually "out throw" your hooking power and miss bass farther away from you.
Baitcasting reel trick 1: Set up rod, reel and bait as you will be fishing it. Go outside and cast it as far as you can. Then pull off three arm lengths of line. Put some Scotch Tape or Electrical Tape over remaining line on spool. Reel in. If you do mess up your cast the tape will stop any backlash from going deeper into your line.
Baitcasting reel trick 2: Set up rod, reel and bait as you will be fishing it. Point rod tip to 11 AM and release the spool. Slow down bait dropping to floor (not carpet) so that the spool stops when the bait hits the floor. You will do this a few times. Adjust drag and spool tension to do this with every bait your throw with a baitcaster. By doing this, you will prevent backlashes and the spool will stop when your bait hits the water's surface.
And remember, the farther you cast the more power you need to set the hook so don't be too concerned about distance as it is based on your rod, line and spool/drag tension for every individual set up you throw.
TOXIC reply :
On 2/13/2019 at 7:54 PM, Sam said:I’ve started trying to do some flipping and pitching (Still getting confused as to which is which).
Easy way to remember is that in baseball the pitcher throws the ball (more distance) thus, pitching is for farther away targets.
CharlieTN reply :
On 2/13/2019 at 8:08 PM, TOXIC said:Easy way to remember is that in baseball the pitcher throws the ball (more distance) thus, pitching is for farther away targets.
Now that way I’ll be able to remember. Thanks.
Thanks everyone for the input. It is greatly appreciated.
I have a good bit of experience with baitcasting reels but it is the larger round ones I use for catfishing and of course you don’t cast those nearly as much and accuracy is not as big of an issue.
I’ve been picking trees in the yard and casting to them. I’m much more comfortable with a side arm cast than I am with an overhead and seem to be much more accurate but shorter in distance by just a few yards.
As for pitching, I’m trying to learn a trick I watched on a Flukemaster video - to learn to keep the rod in my left hand for flipping and pitching. So far, not doing to bad. Focusing on accuracy first then will work on greater distance later.
Thanks again. Now to get on the lake and actually try to catch a fish.
JoshFromBolo reply :
The easiest way to learn for me, when I first started using baitcasters was using the side swing. I would backlash almost every time trying to go overhead, and i got height, but not distance lol. Using the side arm motion especially starting off, I'll believe you get more distance and hopefully less frustrations(concerning backlashes) With that said, everyones different and that was just my experience.
LCG reply :
Focus on accuracy over distance. As well as smoothness of the cast over the force of the cast. Learn to use your thumb as the break more and loosen the spool tension over time. Distance will come in time but accuracy is still far more important.
CharlieTN reply :
When I used to shoot competively some we used to say “You can’t miss fast enough to win.” I guess the same would apply here. Accuracy first, then distance.
J Francho reply :
On 2/13/2019 at 7:32 PM, CharlieTN said:I’ve started trying to do some flipping and pitching (Still getting confused as to which is which).
Check these videos out: https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/flipping-pitching-punching-skipping
I've never really cared how far I could cast. It was always about how close I could get to getting in trouble with my bait without actually getting in trouble.
WRB reply :
As Catt once said you only need to cast as far as the fish are at.
I have given up on trying to define flipping vs pitching, few anglers today have the rod to flip with and 99% call pitching flipping.
I use a underhand loop/roll cast in lieu of pitching unless targeting coffee cup size holes in heavy cover.
Tom
Tennessee Boy reply :
On 2/14/2019 at 12:29 AM, WRB said:I have given up on trying to define flipping vs pitching, few anglers today have the rod to flip with and 99% call pitching flipping.
It brought joy to my heart this past weekend when Rick Clunn said he was "pitching" a worm.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 2/13/2019 at 10:50 PM, JoshFromBolo said:The easiest way to learn for me, when I first started using baitcasters was using the side swing. I would backlash almost every time trying to go overhead, and i got height, but not distance lol. Using the side arm motion especially starting off, I'll believe you get more distance and hopefully less frustrations(concerning backlashes) With that said, everyones different and that was just my experience.
I started with the side arm cast. Now I always suggest using a side arm roll cast. Much less chance of backlashing.
On 2/13/2019 at 10:51 PM, LCG said:Focus on accuracy over distance. As well as smoothness of the cast over the force of the cast. Learn to use your thumb as the break more and loosen the spool tension over time. Distance will come in time but accuracy is still far more important.
Yup. Smooth is the name of the game.
OP. Once you get used to the reel you should be able to cast in the 35-45 yard range consistently with most lures. I've made quite a bit longer casts with the right combination of lure/rod, but have never been one of those guys able to empty the spool.
LionHeart reply :
On 2/13/2019 at 7:32 PM, CharlieTN said:Did some trading and picked up my first low profile bait caster and I’m starting to learn how to cast it. It’s a basic Abu Black Max 3 combo and so far the casting is going well. With 12lb mono and an old crankbait body I’m getting roughly 20-25 yards from an overhand cast.
I’ve started trying to do some flipping and pitching (Still getting confused as to which is which).
Easiest way to remember is Pitching is the one you'll actually do.
BigAngus752 reply :
On 2/13/2019 at 10:54 PM, CharlieTN said:When I used to shoot competively some we used to say “You can’t miss fast enough to win.” I guess the same would apply here. Accuracy first, then distance.
Slow is smooth and smooth is fast!
Buffdaddy54 reply :
I used to get really hung up on distance until I started working on my accuracy. Do this and I promise your distance will come;
Go to your local elementary school and find a 4 square block. Use old line and a weighted plug. (Old line because it will fray like there is no tomorrow) Start out 10-15 yards away, make pitches, casts, whatever until you can consistently hit each box on the first try. Now move further away and do it again. Keep going, what you will find out is your distance got much better as your accuracy gets better. Do this and I promise, you won't ever worry about distance again!
WRB reply :
Glenn has a few excellent baitcasting vedio's on this site and suggest watching them.
It's better to develop good casting mechanics then trying to correct bad habits later.
Tom
PS, nice (blue) cat?
BaitFinesse reply :
That reel is not the best thing to try and get a lot of distance out of. You have to run the spool tension pretty tight or have the brakes cranked up. If you want distance a centrifugal brake reel or Daiwa Magforce Z reel would be better. I would upgrade to Fuego CT when you can scrape together $60-$70 in bank card form.
J.Vincent reply :
Aim for these distances accurately and you will be able to target bass effectively:
Flip: 1-10 ft
Pitch: 10-20 ft
Roll Cast: 20-30 ft
Side Arm: 30-60 ft
redmeansdistortion reply :
Try not to focus on distance. When bass fishing, you're usually throwing shorter distances towards cover mostly inside of 20yd or so.
MN Fisher reply :
Distance is not a factor in Bass fishing. I don't think I've ever cast a lure more than 50', and usually less than that. Most of my casts are less than 25', it allows me to 'lure-scan' an area in a shorter amount of time.
No taps/bites? Change to a different lure.
Tried a lipless crank? Change to a lipped one. Still not getting anything? Change to a jerk. Jerk not working either? Change to a T-Rig. Nothing still? Try a drop-shot or Ned.
Still batting zero? Change to a different spot. Repeat as needed.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 2/14/2019 at 3:04 AM, MN Fisher said:Distance is not a factor in Bass fishing. I don't think I've ever cast a lure more than 50', and usually less than that. Most of my casts are less than 25', it allows me to 'lure-scan' an area in a shorter amount of time.
No taps/bites? Change to a different lure.
Tried a lipless crank? Change to a lipped one. Still not getting anything? Change to a jerk. Jerk not working either? Change to a T-Rig. Nothing still? Try a drop-shot or Ned.
Still batting zero? Change to a different spot. Repeat as needed.
I'm fishing from the back seat of the wrong boat. 
And from the wrong shore. 
MN Fisher reply :
On 2/14/2019 at 3:17 AM, new2BC4bass said:I'm fishing from the back seat of the wrong boat.
Well, I'm in the 'back seat' too...but being as it's a canoe and I'm going solo...????
stratoliner92 reply :
Your doing fine with 25yds already overhand. I'm usually around 30yds on average with most 1/2oz lures on normal cast with not trying to put it way out.
BaitFinesse reply :
Keep in mind that someone learning how to use a baitcast reel with a Black Max is most likely fishing from the bank. When fishing from the bank distance is king.
CharlieTN reply :
On 2/14/2019 at 4:50 AM, BaitFinesse said:Keep in mind that someone learning how to use a baitcast reel with a Black Max is most likely fishing from the bank. When fishing from the bank distance is king.
Actually I’ll be doing a bit of both. I have a pontoon and once I get a trolling motor on it I’ll be fishing for bass more from it. For now, I use it to mostly catfish out of.
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