Distance....

Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:20 pm

I was just wondering if casting huge distance is really that important :?
I know that at certain beaches it's considered essential but i've always found that you'll catch just as much close in,with fish like Bass and Flatties can be practically under your feet and people can overcast these areas(actually witnessed this down Castlegregory last summer with a guy who missed timed a cast and suddenly found fish less then 30 yards out).
I use a fixed spool reel and get enough distance to get among fish :shock: ,but i'm told if i increased my distance i'll get among bigger fish,is this true or would it stand to reason that bigger fish would come into feed on smaller fish :? .
As i don't target certain species i'm more than happy just to catch fish(i just enjoy the sport :) )but i've seen guys blank trying to catch one type of fish :D ,surely it would be better to try catch what's around (especially if during a comp. you weren't doing well and had to change tactics and try scratch a few fish )
As always thanks for u'r time...... :D

Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:59 pm

It depends greatly on where you are. On a very good day i could hit 110 with a rig but that is just about far enough for around here.Also the thing about distance is that in allot of places you get very few Flatt's and no bass and you have to cast far for dogs and huss and ray.

Other places literally 5 yards is enough. If your casting isn't great you just need to go to these places until your casting improves.

Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:03 pm

You will catch all the fish you want in the 20/70 yard range. There is an advantage to long range fishing but only on special days when fish are not feeding in close but this is rare.

colin

Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:04 pm

wouldn't worry about it too much. however as mentioned there are times it will be the difference between catchin a few fish or nothing at all. it's down to whether or not you care!

Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:10 pm

Thanks for the replies lads :)
The reason i asked the question is the increased emphasis placed on casting these huge distances by rod manufacturers and magazines,that can lead to guys starting out thinking that if there not catching it must have something to do their lack of distance rather then any water craft they have to learn,resulting in them giving up after a few sessions.
As someone who just enjoys the entire process of fishing (from getting the flask of tea ready to meeting up with other anglers for a laugh :D )i hate to see guys giving up after a few sessions.
Maybe it could be arranged for some of the better more experienced anglers to give there time for newbies to S.A.i by arranging meets in there given areas and sharing their knowledge tips and casting techniques :!: it can only help in expanding the membership and give the scheduled meets more of an even playing field (as a relative newbie the thought of fishing with experienced guys with years of fishing behind them scares the crap out of me :))
Sorry this is a bit long winded and kind of strays from the original question :oops: ...again thanks for u'r time :wink:

Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:12 pm

Loads of fish on the Cork beaches under 50 yards Gavin. :wink:

Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:15 pm

i know i showed ye how to catch them :P :P :lol:

Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:18 pm

The reason i asked the question is the increased emphasis placed on casting these huge distances by rod manufacturers and magazines.


they are completely wrong to advertise that. i have a century carbon metal and it does cast well(i can put it 130), but i have a daiwa tdxs and it casts just as far with much better bite detection. anyway, even if all the fish are always no more than 50 yards out i would still say practice a bit to gain a little extra distance, it may help, it may not. but it is useful to have the ability.

Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:25 pm

Remember field casting is so big now they are trying to make it an Olyimic sport. This is why they make the big casting rods.

Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:30 pm

i CAN put it beyond 50 yards :oops: :lol: ... it's just that's where the fish in Cork tend to be (for future reference Pete :twisted: :lol: :lol: )...but there's definitely room for improvement :oops: :roll: ...but why give up bite detection for increased distance espeically in a comp situation

P.S. Pete don't go there :lol: :lol: :lol: it could end horribly for ye :twisted: :twisted: ....

Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:52 pm

but why give up bite detection for increased distance especially in a comp situation


Because in a comp, if you are going long, you will prob just be searching, therefore seeing as you would reel in every 15 min's or so, often you don't need to see the bite.

Remember field casting is so big now they are trying to make it an Olyimpic sport. This is why they make the big casting rods.


The prob i have with that is that century don't make a good bite detection rod(that i know of) they only make casting rods. i don't really like this because i like century and i would like to but a rod from them with a good tip that compare to my daiwa.

Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:56 pm

petekd wrote:Loads of fish on the Cork beaches under 50 yards Gavin. :wink:


here he's sayin you can't cast more than 50yards!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:58 pm

fishinmidget wrote:
but why give up bite detection for increased distance especially in a comp situation


Because in a comp, if you are going long, you will prob just be searching, therefore seeing as you would reel in every 15 min's or so, often you don't need to see the bite.


Good point, well made.This is the kind of advice that should be going to newbies. :).... much appriciated :wink:

Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:00 pm

i have ruined many a days fishin by worryin about my castin. n i'l probably do it again. it's amazin how some days you can send it to the moon and others u'd swear u'd never been fishin b4 in ur life!! gettin good distance with the high swing now when i'm on form...just wish i could become more consistent.

Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:04 pm

m.b3 wrote:i have ruined many a days fishin by worryin about my castin. n i'l probably do it again. it's amazin how some days you can send it to the moon and others u'd swear u'd never been fishin b4 in ur life!! gettin good distance with the high swing now when i'm on form...just wish i could become more consistent.


got some sort of tequnique thats working for me also dont no what it is like but it works keeps me happy and i always catch close never when i throw it as far as i can :roll: ........Fish imo will be were the food is look for features around the area where food may collect :!:

Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:05 pm

I don't worry about distances(probably just as well"50 yard cast" :lol: :lol: ) and i rarely blank so i'll take a days catching over worrying about distance any day

Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:11 pm

Gavins in for a right pasting the next time we meet up.... :D Im sure he could cast over 50 yards too if it wasnt for the tin of pedigree chum he insists on using as bait....

Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:20 pm

What ever works buddy what ever works :lol: :lol: :lol: ... might have been the worlds smalliest doggie but it was more then some caught :twisted: :twisted:

Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:36 pm

As has been previously discussed, I was...ahem...doing my bit for angling PR :D Who says fishing isnt sexy.... :D

Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:50 pm

petekd wrote:As has been previously discussed, I was...ahem...doing my bit for angling PR :D Who says fishing isnt sexy.... :D


damn right it's sexy! i have had many a good night hittin the dance floor in my beach buddy...oho eeyeah!