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Put your left-hand fingers on the spool
lip and thumb on the release lever. The index finger will
keep the line from coming off the spool. Press the lever
and turn the spool. |
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Bring the spool a full quarter turn until the open faced
casting position is reached. |
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Now swap the index finger holding the line with the
thumb. Restrain the tline with the thumb against the spool.
Some people use their finger to restrain the line but
the thumb method is more comfortable and provides better
control over the line release. The learning curve is short. |
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Hold the rod over your shoulder with the reels facing
upward and the left arm held high. Stand with your body
at a right angle to the eventual direction of the cast.
Good balance and a firm footing are essential; your weight
should be on the rear leg. The right hand should be gripping
the rod blank at the point where you get maximum leverage
for your size and the length rod being used. Allow a line
drop of approximately 4 to 6 feet from the rod tip to
absorb the shock of the cast. With the rod tip low to
the ground the arc of swing will be maximized and more
continuous power can be applied before the rod reaches
the line release position. In other words, longer casts
can be achieved.
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To cast, punch hard with the right arm and pull downward
with the left in one smooth continuous movement. Sufficient
force should be used to have the rod well bent as the
cast is made. |
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During the cast, transfer your body weight from the
rear leg to the front leg to increase the power applied.
Be sure not to exaggerate this movement and cause over
balancing. Follow through, releasing the line, and aim
the rod in the direction of the cast. |
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Finish of the casting action should have brought the
rod butt beside the left leg, but clear of any clothing
that may impede the stripping line. |
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As line is going out, brace the rod butt against your
body and move your left hand to the base of the spool
to control casting distances and to stop the line as soon
as the bait or lure hits the water. Your right hand can
now be slid down the rod to a more comfortable position.
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When the cast is complete, turn the spoll back to the
retrieve position, then hold the rod foregrip with your
left hand, your right hand working the reel handle. The
line can be slipped into the Alvey Open Runner (see page
on Alvey style rods) to keep it close to your left forefinger
for level winding onto the spool, for detecting bites
or feeling the bottom contours. |
Side
Casting
