Amount of line between lure and rod tip when casting 2025
michael1 reply :
I have been observing pros on TV and other local anglers and I have noticed a good deal of difference between how much line guys allow to be between the tip of the rod and the lure. Some 2-3 inches some almost a foot. I understand it kind of matters what lure (and it's weight) that you are throwing but I was curious how close you reel up your lure compared to your rod tip before casting?
MN Fisher reply :
On 1/24/2020 at 11:53 PM, michael1 said:Some 2-3 inches some almost a foot.
That's a good distance.
Seriously, I'm not that...OCD about how close the lure is to the rod-tip before I cast. Sometimes it's almost touching the tip, other times it's a foot or more away. Don't worry it too much.
JediAmoeba reply :
Sometimes when I am using a short leader I will leave more line at the end so it doesn't pass through the line guide.
Otherwise I would say usually it's 6-10" depending on the rig. Sometimes it's less if I am not paying attention. Also, If I am trying to be really accurate I will leave 2-4" at the end.
Overall I don't think there is a right answer - do what feels comfortable for you.
wisconsin heat reply :
Further is better IMO. I've never understood why some will have the lure just inches from the tip - or reeled right up to the tip 
. If I'm casting for distance, there's probably somewhere between 1.5/2.5 feet between the lure in the rod tip. I'll shorten that to less than a foot if I'm trying to make accurate roll casts. If you ever watch a video of KVD slinging crankbaits he's got like 3 feet of line out when he casts.
A-Jay reply :
For me it depends on the gear I'm using, the type of cast & presentation I'm making and the distance desired.
Then there's the fact that we all do it a little differently.
Time on the water with your gear is really the best way to find out what works best for you.
A-Jay
Bird reply :
I really don't pay much mind to distance from rod tip to lure, just something reasonable.
BUT something I've learned as someone who uses leaders......keep your knot outside the reel " my case it's Alberto " and the knot clears the guides much more smoothly.
Choporoz reply :
On 1/25/2020 at 12:20 AM, wisconsin heat said:Further is better IMO. I've never understood why some will have the lure just inches from the tip - or reeled right up to the tip
I might be that guy. Some reasons -
-I mostly fish from a kayak and there's a LOT of backswing risk in casting with the lure a long ways from the tip; just touching the water on the backswing will, at best, decrease your distance and accuracy, and at worst begin the very quick process of birdnesting the crap out of a reel
-Even if I don't hit the water, there's seven other rods and a flag behind me that would create whole different kinds of crises if hit
-I also fish from small boats with my wife. We've both learned after many years fishing together to control the amount of line between the rod tip and the lure....for obvious reasons. People on ends of a 14 foot boat are no where near 14 feet apart
-There's times when distance is desired, but its rarely more important than accuracy...to me
scaleface reply :
I dont know how much line I let out . I guess I'll have to go down to the basement pick up a rod and see .
I'm back . 10 inches
MN Fisher reply :
On 1/25/2020 at 1:12 AM, Choporoz said:I might be that guy. Some reasons -
-I mostly fish from a kayak and there's a LOT of backswing risk in casting with the lure a long ways from the tip; just touching the water on the backswing will, at best, decrease your distance and accuracy, and at worst begin the very quick process of birdnesting the crap out of a reel
-Even if I don't hit the water, there's seven other rods and a flag behind me that would create whole different kinds of crises if hit
-I also fish from small boats with my wife. We've both learned after many years fishing together to control the amount of line between the rod tip and the lure....for obvious reasons. People on ends of a 14 foot boat are no where near 14 feet apart
-There's times when distance is desired, but its rarely more important than accuracy...to me
Canoe vs Kayak
No one else with me
Otherwise, the reasons are the same.
In addition, different lures load the rod differently. The distance between lure and rod-tip varies based on that.
Mobasser reply :
I think lots of us probably don't think about it too much. We cast too much. Probably 8" to 10" works best for me
wisconsin heat reply :
On 1/25/2020 at 1:12 AM, Choporoz said:I might be that guy. Some reasons -
-I mostly fish from a kayak and there's a LOT of backswing risk in casting with the lure a long ways from the tip; just touching the water on the backswing will, at best, decrease your distance and accuracy, and at worst begin the very quick process of birdnesting the crap out of a reel
-Even if I don't hit the water, there's seven other rods and a flag behind me that would create whole different kinds of crises if hit
-I also fish from small boats with my wife. We've both learned after many years fishing together to control the amount of line between the rod tip and the lure....for obvious reasons. People on ends of a 14 foot boat are no where near 14 feet apart
-There's times when distance is desired, but its rarely more important than accuracy...to me
These are some great points and I'll echo that in these situations, I do the same. If I'm in my kayak, or a crowded boat, I'll shorten that distance wayyyy down.
In my initial post I was more referring to a perfect situation where you are on the front deck of a boat or on shore where your casting range of motion isn't limited by these factors.
Dirtyeggroll reply :
It depends on so many factors, rod power/action, line type/diameter/weight, lure weight, length of/type of desired cast and most variable individual casting mechanics. Its something one just learns to get a feel for and is not the same for everyone.
You could calculate the physics of the ideal amount per gear and desired cast, but it would still be an imperfect calculation because of the difference in casting mechanics per person.
Dens228 reply :
I don't give it much thought but it probably varies between 6 inches to a foot. Sometimes when I'm pitching to a close target it's probably a few feet of line.
the reel ess reply :
Whatever gets you the cast you desire. You don't need 3' of line hanging off the rod to sidearm a bait under a dock or hit a specific target. But it helps is you're after a long cast for search baits or covering water. Also, consider those around you. I fished with a guide a while back and he kept sitting in the driver's seat going through tackle. I kept checking before I cast the walking bait I was using and he said "Let it fly, you won't hit me." I said "You want to bet on that? I'll just make sure I don't." My dad once hit my mom in the head with a Norman's DD22 crankbait and never lived it down. She probably reminds him of that in heaven.
MN Fisher reply :
On 1/25/2020 at 3:45 AM, Dens228 said:Sometimes when I'm pitching to a close target it's probably a few feet of line.
Pitching for me involves more than just a 'few feet' of line. Usually a rod-length.
billmac reply :
I usually just go by feel, but it's often more than a foot of line.
NHBull reply :
It depends, but always more with lighter baits
Dens228 reply :
On 1/25/2020 at 3:53 AM, MN Fisher said:Pitching for me involves more than just a 'few feet' of line. Usually a rod-length.
Well I'm sitting in a kayak and it's not my best technique........
Hammer 4 reply :
On 1/25/2020 at 8:49 AM, Dens228 said:Well I'm sitting in a kayak and it's not my best technique........
Try it while sitting almost at water level in a Float Tube..Takes a Bunch of practice..and then some..
MN Fisher reply :
On 1/25/2020 at 8:49 AM, Dens228 said:Well I'm sitting in a kayak and it's not my best technique........
I guess I have it a little easier. I am in a canoe, but the seating mod I made puts the base level with the gunwale, so I'm above that a bit. Plus with the outriggers, I can stand to do casting if I need to.
813basstard reply :
Need to get one way out there, more line.
Need to get one on a specific spot, less.
Todd2 reply :
I don't think I've ever paid much attention except on carolina/split shot rig where your weight has to be closer to the tip or pitching where it's farther away.
OnthePotomac reply :
On 1/25/2020 at 8:42 PM, 813basstard said:Need to get one way out there, more line.
Need to get one on a specific spot, less.
Exactly what a guide with 30 years on the Potomac told me 19 years ago when I got into bass fishing.
Bankbeater reply :
Probably 2 or 3 inches. I've never really noticed before.
Catt reply :
Depends on where I'm fishing
If I'm in the boat 1 mile offshore casting to deep water structure it doesn't matter.
If I'm standing under trees on the bank it matters alot.
Yesterday morning I was standing on a bank that was 2-3' wide with trees & brush literally at my back. Anything over a couple inches wasn't smart, neither is a rod over 6'!
scbassin reply :
With bait casting Equipment which I use 99.999% of the time I go by the weight of the bait. As NHBull said the lighter the bait the longer the distance to a point, not more than 12 to 15 inches which depends on the length of the rod.
kayaking_kev reply :
I find that 10" on average usually feels the best for me. I've seen tips where people say to have 2 feet or longer to get more distance, but it doesn't work for me.
papajoe222 reply :
On 1/25/2020 at 12:23 AM, A-Jay said:For me it depends on the gear I'm using, the type of cast & presentation I'm making and the distance desired.
Then there's the fact that we all do it a little differently.
Time on the water with your gear is really the best way to find out what works best for you.
A-Jay
Love that pic. How did you get the water so calm for it?
On the topic, I used to reel up to about 1/2ft. When I was using a leader, I was constantly banging the swivel into my tip. By the end of the season, I was stopping around 1.5ft. and casting from there. The next season, it'd take me an outing or two using leaders to adjust again.
A-Jay reply :
On 1/28/2020 at 11:33 AM, papajoe222 said:Love that pic. How did you get the water so calm for it?
Thank You ~ Me Too.
Sorry but I can't give that up.
A-Jay
papajoe222 reply :
On 1/28/2020 at 11:38 AM, A-Jay said:Thank You ~ Me Too.
Sorry but I can't give that up.
A-Jay
I know the answer, but I don't have the awesome relationship with Him that you do, so I understand.
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