casting mechanics 2024

riverbasser reply :

I was reading the latest issue of bassmaster, in one of the articles they were talking about a guy with tendonitis or fishing elbow and the guy was talking about how he adjusted his casting which puts less strain on his arms. mainly casting with 2 hands and when overhead casting he uses his non casting hand to grab the bottom of the rod and use it like a lever pulling it backwards. Then I just happen to be watching Timmy Hortons show and got to see him doing exactly this.

Does anyone do this? or am I the only one not lol? my overhand cast ends with more of a snapping action and if im heaving all day it can get pretty sore. I think I will be changing how I cast from now on, seems I learn something new all the time. Never knew I had an issue with casting

J Francho reply :

I've switched to pretty much all two handed casting due to shoulder and elbow strain. Sometimes, it's a little as just touching the butt grip with my left hand while do a little bait twirl to launch a bait a short distance. pitching and flipping is still a one hand on the rod affair. I've gotten pretty efficient with the process, and my palm hand is back on the reel before the bait hits the water.

Chance_Taker4 reply :

I do the two handed "lever" cast. Growing up playing hockey muscle memory has given me a wicked sidearm cast. I struggle a little with an overhand but I mostly cast sidearm or underhand. I have never experienced elbow pain through my motion.

MNGeorge reply :

I have used the two handed cast for several years due to wrist issues and have found it to be far less fatiguing as well as easier on the wrists. The reel never leaves my palming hand unless I'm flipping or pitching.

scaleface reply :

I have tendinitis in the casting elbow . The overhand cast doesnt bother me to much , its the under-hand pitches that are agonizing .

WRB reply :

You can get away with a one hand snap cast using spinning rods, baitcasting that motion is a problem for a few reasons. I would venture to state most weekend bass anglers use poor casting mechanics and wouldn't be happy watching themselves on vedio casting.

Baitcasting reel should have the handles at 12 o'clock during the casting motion, with the old pistol grip rods that was the natural way to cast. With today's longer handle (trigger stick) rods the casting motion has morphed into awkward reel handle rotated 90 degrees or 3 o'clock / 9 o' clock position that strains tendons. Using the butt end of the rod 2 handed should also position the reel handles at 12 o'clock for good casting mechanics.

Tom

riverbasser reply :

I agree @WRB I probably don't look good casting. I mean I've never really had issues with pain or casting distance for the most part but without reading this I would have been none the wiser. Besides being taught as a kid how to cast a zebco I've never thought there could be a wrong way to cast.

This overhand lever cast looks so smooth and effortless though, I've probably seen it a thousand times and never even noticed

MassYak85 reply :

Other than pitching I pretty much always use my other hand to grab the butt of the reel and cast with both hands. I'm not sure if I'm doing exactly what you describe though. The only time I use a "lever" action I guess, is making really low casts, usually skipping something.

Catt reply :

I've noticed over the years most anglers try to "force" their cast instead of letting the rod do the casting. It takes less energy & puts less strain on your joints once come to the realization that your rod cast better than arm strength.

Carpal tunnel, Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), & Rotator cuff tendinitis are not always a result of poor mechanics but usually by repetitive motions of the wrist and arm.

Wildbillb reply :

Aaron Marten has a video out there somewhere of simple stretches to do that will help with the elbow a lot.

Found it.

https://www.bassmaster.com/tips/video/aaron-martens-stretching-and-fishing

Pro Logcatcher reply :

I have always used two hands when casting with a baitcaster except when I'm pitching or flipping.

riverbasser reply :

On 1/10/2018 at 8:18 PM, Catt said:

I've noticed over the years most anglers try to "force" their cast instead of letting the rod do the casting.

Reminds me of what the coaches used to teach us in baseball swinging the bat

islandbass reply :

I do this and I did this before tennis elbow. As much as a rod with a “long” butt gets in the way of one handed casts, it’s a blessing when needing to make two handed casts.

I do this to reduce fatigue on my casting arm and that second hand on the butt really aids in that.

J Francho reply :

Good to see I'm not the only one. I'm really the only person I fish with that does it.

Paul Roberts reply :

Never really thought about it but, yes. Mostly I two-handed "lever" cast. My tendonitis issues never came about due to casting, but to fighting fish -my Doc's first case of "bass elbow". I've had to go lefty, on and off, over the past decade or so to give my right elbow a break.

38 Super Fan reply :

Pretty much all two handed casts for me, just feels more natural. I must be fairly sound mechanically, I've had virtually no arm or shoulder issues in years of fishing.

Steveo-1969 reply :

I always cast 2-handed with both casting and spinning rods. If I try to cast one-handed it feels as awkward as my one-handed casting buddy looks...

RPreeb reply :

On 1/10/2018 at 3:52 AM, riverbasser said:

I was reading the latest issue of bassmaster, in one of the articles they were talking about a guy with tendonitis or fishing elbow and the guy was talking about how he adjusted his casting which puts less strain on his arms. mainly casting with 2 hands and when overhead casting he uses his non casting hand to grab the bottom of the rod and use it like a lever pulling it backwards. Then I just happen to be watching Timmy Hortons show and got to see him doing exactly this.

Does anyone do this? or am I the only one not lol? my overhand cast ends with more of a snapping action and if im heaving all day it can get pretty sore. I think I will be changing how I cast from now on, seems I learn something new all the time. Never knew I had an issue with casting

Watch any of Glenn May's videos and you'll see him casting two handed overhand. Watching him, it looks like an easy, no stress motion that's silky smooth. I think that some of it is properly matching the weight of the bait to the rod too. Watch this short video of Glenn casting light lures: Casting Light Lures

DSTN reply :

My casting improved a ton when I actually listened to the advice I had seen on this site and given in the various videos I watched on casting (Glenn's included). I used to really force the casts like Catt described. I started using the 2-hand lever casting with an emphasis on trying to be smoother and making sure I'm loading the rod instead of just trying to wing the lure as hard as I could. The difference in casting distance and precision was night and day.

IndianaFinesse reply :

I always use 2 hand to cast, and I don't even have any elbow or shoulder issues. Just feels more natural, gets better distance (for me), and keeps the rod more secure from the possibility of an embarrassing mistake of casting my rod into the water...

Catt reply :

On 1/10/2018 at 10:54 PM, riverbasser said:

Reminds me of what the coaches used to teach us in baseball swinging the bat

LSU is known for "Gorilla Ball"...it aint about arm strength ????

A-Jay reply :

I've been a two hand caster forever.

Spawned from years Surf Casting. Heaving 9, 10, 11 & 12 foot surf rods and a 3 ounce bucktail into a 25 mph wind all night - is work. If you've not done it - give it a try, let me know how it goes . . .

Few years of that, handling even the stoutest bass gear feels like a toy.

Still, I love to chunk & wind and being efficient is the name of the game - learning to cast from either side helps as well. This is what it looks like for me. ~

Here I'm throwing a 3/4 oz spinnerbait with a 7'4" composite stick - that loads nicely I might add.

A-Jay

ratherbfishin1 reply :

I’ve gone 2 handed since the beginning and I can’t remember a time I was sore after a day of fishing

ClackerBuzz reply :

also focus on keeping ur elbows close to ur body while casting. it tremendously helps mechanics and cuts down on injuries. not allowed to post the vid but google: KVD’s Secrets to Power Fishing Spinnerbaits. he casts 3-4 times in the video and his elbows are always tight to his body. Most guys try to use their arms/shoulders/elbows/wrists too much instead of allowing the rod to do its job.

LOTR88 reply :

I am dealing with a sore elbow right now, started for me back in November when I fished for two weeks straight. During the 2nd week my elbow really started bothering me, I have since had to adjust my cast to a two handed side cast and I mostly use my left arm now while trying to let my right elbow heal. I have been icing it and doing stretching that has helped but it has been over a month and it still bothers me. I may need to take some time off from fishing to let it fully heal but living on a lake in South Florida I just can't stay away from the water. :-)

Steveo-1969 reply :

On 1/12/2018 at 12:44 AM, ClackerBuzz said:

also focus on keeping ur elbows close to ur body while casting. it tremendously helps mechanics and cuts down on injuries. not allowed to post the vid but google: KVD’s Secrets to Power Fishing Spinnerbaits. he casts 3-4 times in the video and his elbows are always tight to his body. Most guys try to use their arms/shoulders/elbows/wrists too much instead of allowing the rod to do its job.

When I was learning to cast a baitcaster I watched a bunch of videos. In one the instructor took his wallet out of his back pocket and placed it in the armpit of his casting arm. He stressed keeping your arms/elbows close to your body when casting overhand, and if the wallet fell to the ground during the cast it showed you weren't using proper casting form.

Catt reply :

On 1/12/2018 at 1:38 AM, Steveo-1969 said:

When I was learning to cast a baitcaster I watched a bunch of videos. In one the instructor took his wallet out of his back pocket and placed it in the armpit of his casting arm. He stressed keeping your arms/elbows close to your body when casting overhand, and if the wallet fell to the ground during the cast it showed you weren't using proper casting form.

I have my students roll up a section of newspaper about 2" in diameter, once you loose the newspaper you'll normally move your elbow closer to your side.

I see a lot of newbies with elbows shoulder high!

Turkey sandwich reply :

Getting used to properly loading a fly rod has helped me a lot with understanding how a rod loads and the dynamics of casting in general, regardless of what kind of gear I have with me that day. A heavy 8wt fly rod, for me, is by far the most exhausting because my technique is still nowhere near as good as it is with conventional tackle. Still, if you think about it, regardless of tackle, the more work you can get the rod to do, the less you have to. Part of my goals for this year is improving my casting. Part of that, for me, is mechanics/technique, and another big part is cast selection. For example, while I think the two handed overhead cast is better than the one handed overhead cast for maximizing distance and throwing heavy baits, I'm going to prefer a roll cast (with casting gear) most of the time because I can do it with less fatigue, with better accuracy, and smaller splash regardless of whether I'm using one hand for something close, or two hands for heavier lures or more distance. This whole efficiency thing, for me, is huge because it minimizes the effects my back and neck have on my fishing over the course of a day and whether I'm good for a weekend or seized up in spasms after 4 hours.

jbmaine reply :

I agree with everything that is being said. I think a lot of us ( myself included ) use more effort then necessary when casting because when we started we had no one to show us different. Once we develop bad habits their hard to break, (for me any way.)

When I took up fly fishing in the 60's I was self taught, all out of a book, and later on I had an awful time improving, breaking bad habits. Everyone has different ideas of perfection, for me it's someone really good with a fly rod. A perfect fly cast is grace and beauty in motion, a wonderful thing to watch. I couldn't do it very often, but when I did, I knew it, and was amazed how little effort it took.

With conventional fishing, same thing. Rods today have actions and materials that can make casting so much easier, with so much less effort. The hard part ( again, for me any ways ) is knowing how to utilize this to the fullest, to get the maximum results with the least effort.

Jim

BrackishBassin reply :

Started out fishing saltwater from the shore/piers and always required two hands when casting to achieve the distance I wanted and avoid smacking bystanders in the head with large chunks of lead. Habit stuck with me going to freshwater. Even if it’s a really short cast, I always have two hands on the rod (spinning or casting).

uncustered reply :

My favorite (and most hated answer)...

Depends.

Depends on rod action.

Depends on lure weight.

Depends on technique (deep cranking, skipping docks, flipping, punching etc)

Depends.

I've had 4 rotator cuff repair on my dominant arm. Plus elbow and wrist work. (Fell on a whirley crane).

IMHO, you can't have one cast. That'd be like a mechanic with one wrench.

Pre-activity preparation solves most activity related pain. Footballers don't just walk on the field. They lift, run and stretch before every game.

Why would fishing be different?

Despite all the "body work", I fish tourneys and my arms never hurt because I target my exercise specifically to fish.

Good luck and Catchemall!!!

scaleface reply :

On 1/12/2018 at 8:28 PM, uncustered said:

Depends on rod action.

Depends on lure weight.

Depends on technique (deep cranking, skipping docks, flipping, punching etc)

Most lures I use one hand . Larger lures two hands .

Sam reply :

The "guy" in the article is John Crews.

Check him out on the Internet.

Two things to add to the conversation:

1. After making your cast, have the reel in your hand facing toward the sky.

2. Be sure to include your "magnets" when setting up your baitcaster for each bait you throw.

For long casts, I use both hands as John Crews has suggested.

For shorter casts I let the rod do the work.

Sam

Jaderose reply :

Use 2 handed cast all the time but I also do a lot of bombing frogs out over big mats. If I'm in close, chances are I'm using a spinning rod or a sidearm cast or a flip

BassWhole! reply :

Watch Bjorn Borg's backhand, (seriously), most would say its a 2 handed BH, but he mostly hit it one handed using the off hand to support and or guide the backswing in varying degrees situationally, mostly generating racket speed from hip and shoulder rotation. (and the foot work among the best ever). Same applies to casting.

The Maestro reply :

It seems like everyone has their own unique style of handling a fishing rod. Somewhat like no 2 baseball plyers swing or pitch exactly the same. I guess it comes down to whatever works for you. If there's one thing, I would say the motion needs to be smooth and not jerky. It amazes me when I see pros pitch with their winding hand and then change hands but it has obviously worked well enough for them.

WRB reply :

Spinning reels hanged down on the underside of the rod seat, the rods guides are also on the underside. Nearly everyone knows how to hold and cast a spinning outfit and keep the reel downward, it balances that way.

Baitcasting reels are mounted on the topside of the rod and the rods giudes are also on the topside. Now comes the $64,000 question; where should the reel be positioned during the cast?

If you hold your casting hand with the palm downward and thumb pointing towards your side the casting motion doesn't twist your elbow. Holding your pal towards your side and thumb upright at 12 o'clock the casting motion will cause you to twist your elbow straining tendons. The thumb up casting position keeps the reel and rod upright at 12 o'clock, the line going though the guides can contact the rod blank slowing the line.

Answer to the $64,000 question; the reel handles should be at 12 o'clock for right handed or 6 o'clock for left hand, your thumb pointing towards your side, the rod guides rotated 90 degrees from 12 o'clock, the line doesn't contact the rod blank and you don't stress your elbow tendons.

1 hand casting for everything except big swimbaits and crankbait that 2 hands help to excellerate and control the long rods for extra distance by extending your arms.

Tom

"hamma" reply :

Whatever it takes to accomplish the task at hand is how I approach this. From dropping a jighead straight down to suspending fish, to casting a spinnerbait a country mile with the wind at your back. Im sure we all have our own ways.

Me? I try to be quiet when I need to. And make a slight racket, when the situation calls for that as well.

He, he he, Knowing the difference? priceless.

I mean of course the lures entry into the water, (cuz that "IS" important in any cast).... As for the mechanics of casting? Oh yeah,...

With all the different ways to cast, you kinda need to be a maestro of sorts, sometimes waiving that wand/rod like an artist, smoothly and effortlessly hitting every note, beat, and changeup.. (like casting a jerkbait to visible cover) Something no machine could ever duplicate. Then other times mimicking a machine to the "T". Methodically, repeating the same exact motion over, and over, all day long. (like flipping)

My casting styles may not work for you, and vice versa. A technical approach "usually" will work for some, like: hand positioning, rod angle, etc. and yes these will help. but the only true way to answer the casting mechanics questions? Is to be out there casting away, finding what works for you. rod strengths, line, and lure weights, can be exactly the same, but like dna we all differ.

OK,. no more soapbox, today,... good to back online tho

fishwizzard reply :

Man, I did some lawn casting with my wallet between my arm and side and it was hard as hell to cast that way. I know I have short arms (or so my tailor tells me), but the rod butt gets in the way with all but the shortest ones.

BassWhole! reply :

On 1/14/2018 at 9:45 PM, fishwizzard said:

Man, I did some lawn casting with my wallet between my arm and side and it was hard as hell to cast that way. I know I have short arms (or so my tailor tells me), but the rod butt gets in the way with all but the shortest ones.

Let me guess? you read this wallet thing was good on the InterWeb®. Stop that!

fishwizzard reply :

On 1/14/2018 at 10:07 PM, reason said:

Let me guess? you read this wallet thing was good on the InterWeb®. Stop that!

This very thread in fact! It's s similar idea that also applied to sport shooting, keeping your arms close in and not "chicken winging".

Yard casting is all I got going on right now, so anything is worth trying for half an hour. I am going to go practice casting at a frozen river later for some real excitement.

BassWhole! reply :

On 1/14/2018 at 11:12 PM, fishwizzard said:

This very thread in fact!

Dennis Miller moment...

RPreeb reply :

On 1/14/2018 at 11:12 PM, fishwizzard said:

This very thread in fact! It's s similar idea that also applied to sport shooting, keeping your arms close in and not "chicken winging".

Yard casting is all I got going on right now, so anything is worth trying for half an hour. I am going to go practice casting at a frozen river later for some real excitement.

I expect to see those photos on Facebook with some sort of cynical captioning attached. Something like "This is the recommended form for casting on hard water."

N Florida Mike reply :

I also did a lot of salt water casting with heavy weight when I was young , so any lure that's heavy , or a heavier combo gets thrown with 2 hands. If it's a lighter bait on a lighter combo , I usually use one hand. For me , the one- hand motion is similar to when I threw a curveball in baseball. I dont use baitcasting as much as spinning though ,because I broke my right thumb near the wrist when I was 19. With 2 hands or one , I get a lot of pain with the wrist torque involved with bait casters. So I mostly use spinning , which I can do all day with no pain.

WRB reply :

The OP was discussing over hand casting with a bait casting reel.

Flipping, pitching, roll cast, side arm, back hand, short casts, spinning and spin cast wasn't the topic.

My point is about hand position in lieu of arm motion because hand position affect arm motion.

Why so many of today bass anglers cast with their thumb upright on the spool maybe do to learning to cast with a spin cast reel. Whatever the reasons correcting your hand position will improve your casting and reduce the stress on your elbow tendons.

Tom

Fishinthefish reply :

I always do a lot of lever casts when casting overhand. But i also like to throw a lot of back handed casts and side casts. I mix it up pretty regularly so I rarely experience any fatigue or issues.

hawgenvy reply :

On 1/10/2018 at 5:26 AM, WRB said:

Baitcasting reel should have the handles at 12 o'clock during the casting motion...

Why? Because the handle somehow gets in your way when horizontal?

Offhand, it seems to me the best position for casting distance would be whatever handle position brings the line guide to the central position on the worm gear, so there is the least extreme angle from the edge of the spool. I can't say I'm sure of that, however.

WRB reply :

On 1/16/2018 at 11:57 AM, hawgenvy said:

Why? Because the handle somehow gets in your way when horizontal?

Offhand, it seems to me the best position for casting distance would be whatever handle position brings the line guide to the central position on the worm gear, so there is the least extreme angle from the edge of the spool. I can't say I'm sure of that, however.

Pick up your casting rod with baitcasting reel and try both casting motions, it will be obvious.

Tom

hawgenvy reply :

Will do, Tom, thanks.

Smjunior25 reply :

On 1/10/2018 at 8:47 PM, Pro Logcatcher said:

I have always used two hands when casting with a baitcaster except when I'm pitching or flipping.

Same here. Trying to cast one handed just feels awkward to me! There's no way I could use a pistol grip rod!

BassWhole! reply :

On 1/16/2018 at 1:04 PM, Smjunior25 said:

Same here. Trying to cast one handed just feels awkward to me! There's no way I could use a pistol grip rod!

Same here. Sometimes it's a full two handed cast with left hand on the butt, at other times 2 fingers pressing somewhere in the rod, really depends. Pistol grips were designed to be casted and fished from the same hand position. I still have a couple but don't use them, because it would require using a left handed reel for me. You can cast them "2 handed" by pressing your index finger on the ring finger, and middle finger on the pinky of your casting hand. I palm everything for bass, so N/A.

Mike L reply :

Just learn to flip or pitch with either hand.

You'll probably catch more fish anyway. ????

Mike

FishDewd reply :

I have a feeling I cast somewhat backwards to a lot of right handers. When I watch videos of people casting "right handed" reels, they seem to cast from their left side; if using a baitcaster they use their right hand to control the spool, while on a spinning reel they use their right fingers to hold the line on a cast. For me, this doesn't work well. I cast over my right side, with my right hand on the butt, and my left hand controlling the spool with a baitcaster, or left hand holding the line on a spinner. Then use my right hand to reel it in while I move my left downwards to settle in. It doesn't feel right if I try to do the opposite, doesn't matter if I am using a baitcaster or a spinner. I've tried leaving spinning reels in left-hand retrieve mode, but it feels awkward to me reeling that way. With spincasts I hold the button with my right thumb, and that's my power hand, but then I still retrieve right handed. Not sure how normal this is, or are there others that do this?

soflabasser reply :

Interesting subject. I have been fishing for well over 20 years and have no pain caused by bass fishing. I fish with spinning gear mostly. I have been weight lifting for close to 20 years and found that the added strength gained from weight lifting makes fishing much easier for me.

On 1/12/2018 at 8:28 PM, uncustered said:

IMHO, you can't have one cast. That'd be like a mechanic with one wrench.

Pre-activity preparation solves most activity related pain. Footballers don't just walk on the field. They lift, run and stretch before every game.

Why would fishing be different?

Good answer. I agree with you on this.

10559

casting mechanics 2024

related General Bass Fishing Forum topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed General Bass Fishing Forum topic