The art of accurate casting

Mastering basic casting is key. Most spinning and
bait-casting reel and rod combinations today, are made for
hassle-free, ease-ofuse flexibility by a variety of anglers
(multi-level at that too!) Try to eliminate errors from your basic style and
technique. Skill and accuracy should matter more than
strength and it is not always about getting it as far out,
as fast as you possibly can (although this might be
important in certain situations and circumstances too!)
Casting, getting your line/hook/bait, sinkers, weights and
leaders in and into the water, at the exact right depth,
imitating ‘prey’, and doing so with extreme, pin-point accuracy, is what this
is all about. Hitting your target with confidence is a very basic
skill to master and refine. Getting the hook out to exactly where
you wanted it to be, what you should practice and work for.
Casting is one part of this process, getting the lure to
the right depth quite another. Advanced bass anglers suggest using a
countdown OR counting method. Quite simple really. Form the
moment the bait hits the water, start counting, 1000, 1000
and 1, 1000 and 2, 1000 and 3… estimating the seconds it will
take for it to ‘drop’ into the water. This will help you know
better what you are doing, when it hits the bottom for example, whether
or not it got caught on something in the process etc. YOU
establish reference points for yourself on and in the water.
Hands-on and rod in-hand is the best way. Practice-plugs in
the park, or your own backyard (be it on ‘dry land’, so to
speak), will make you that more effective and accurate, in and on the
water, no matter what the body of water, or style of fishing you
choose to pursue. Whether spinning, bait casing or fly-rodding,
there is something for every taste. Even missed targets,
attempts and failure, are also good teachers, as this technique is
somewhat of a routine you can master and learn.
Casting a lure with a spinning reel for example, casting
float and or leger rig, bait casting are very similar. Lure
fishing, spinning, floating, spoons, plugs, surface or
top-water lures, crank bait, trolling etc. are all basic
techniques that require exposure, quick demos and hands-on
practice. We suggest a video or DVD, or online in-depth
explanation, watching a fishing show or two and getting
pointers from other anglers and professionals, as well as
finding and defining your own style that you are
comfortable and successful with. The beauty of bass
fishing, is that it offers something for everyone, no
matter what your prior experience with fishing might be!
Focusing on your grip, spinning reels, bait-casters and or
closedface spin casters techniques and mastery, picking a
target, aiming to land your lure (terminal tackle) in the
middle of that target, is a good approach.

As a general rule of thumb, a good arch in the air as a
travel path en route to the water, is a good reference and goals to
have, as you set out to improve your casting technique and accuracy.
Line-control is crucial to avoid overshooting, get a
gentler landing, slow flight (by touching the lip of the spool with
the tip of your index finger (also known to anglers as ‘feathering’)
is useful. Playing and landing fish
Getting to know the feel of a fish on your hook, line and
rod is very important. Retrieval is about more than simply getting
the fish into the eager hands/net/boat. Mastery, maneuvering,
responsiveness, knowledge of your tackle, well-balanced
control, reel-clutching, fighting curves and arching/bending rods
and the various controls and settings, techniques (including
casting, hooking, playing, reeling in, retrieving and landing is
important. They are so much more than mere steps in a process and or
sumtotal of parts. To translate into a true blue-blood bass-fishing
experience and success, appreciation of the symphony of the
interplay of process and outcome, tactic, technique,
angler, equipment, the catch and haul is what is at play here. When
using a spinning reel/bait-casting, there are three key
techniques to master that would include reel control: with
anti-reverse on, back winding (anti-reverse off) and thumb-pressure control
There is nothing more exciting than a fish on the run,
apply pressure, keep the rod up slightly and increase the ‘drag’
if required, using one of the techniques above. Watch tension
and avoid line-breaks and allow the fish to tire.
It is one thing to prepare, cast, tease and tempt, hook and
eventually reel in. The process however does not stop
there. More of the basic technique mastery includes methods of landing
fish, like beaching (not suitable for catch and release), tailing
(not suited for all species), lipping (watch the teethed species
here!), netting or even gaffing (banned in most areas, due to the
risk of the stroke injuring the fish).
The most useful tip we can provide or suggest, is remaining
in control, alert and not upset or startle the fish even more.
Allow the tired fish to turn, submerge the net and avoid lunging
at it. When lipping, grip the lower lip gently between your thumb
and forefingers, unhook carefully or hold in the water while
freeing it gently, but efficiently, without hurting the fish, adhering
as far as possible, to current and accepted, catch-and-release
practices. Lure-fishing and spinning
Spinning tackle and artificial baits and lures are
increasing in popularity and the most popular form of fishing worldwide.
As far as bass fishing is concerned, one of the easiest way to
attract the species – even for novices and beginner anglers of all ages
and fishing style and skill-levels. Rotation, color and
movement, staying as true as you can to the natural diet and target
prey of the bass will optimize your chances. The shape and
thickness of the spinning ‘blade’ on the lure affects the action and
mobility of the lure – how it responds and acts in and
under water.
Floating lures are also common and effective especially for
deepwater bass fishing. Watch for snagging on the bottom and ensure
to weigh it done appropriately using suitable weights. This
method ensures getting the bait at eye-level of the fish.
For spoons, there are two broad categories, namely trolling
and casting spoons. Weed-less lures mostly have hooks with
nylon or metal weed-guards that prevent snagging and or non-weedless
spoons are also commonly used. How to tell which one to
use, most bass anglers look for shape, weight and speed. The
best way to find your way around in any tackle shop or box, is
to practice and get to know the behavior and or success in
different conditions. Trying to get to know the optimum retrieval and
success rates, maybe even logging it in a personal journal
as you undertake your bass journey/hunt for the NEXT BIG ONE!
Plugs, surface lures, useful at all fishing levels, at all
speeds make these lures versatile, agile and an all-time favorite
of many a bass angler. Matching the lure to the conditions you face
and the circumstance, body of water and specific species you
are fishing for (small-mouth, large-mouth, striped, spotted,
rock, yellow, black, white etc.). Shallow-diving crank-bait and
or surface or top-water lures have proven themselves most
effective for bass fishing – great for fishing shallows. Stick-baits
and jerking, minnow plugs (or the real thing!), prop-baits,
surface disturbers, crawler-type top-water baits and even a
floating, driving crank-bait can prove useful.
The true secret lies in what some call the ‘one-two punch’
teasing and enticing with a top-water or teaser (surface
disturber) and then following it up with a plastic worm for
example on a second rod, for optimizing strikes and yet
again tipping the scales in your favor.
Plastic worms There are a vast array of worms available on
the market (both live bait and artificial). For avid bass
anglers they are a necessity.
The technique to master is hooking them properly. When
hooking a worm for bass fishing, it is of utmost importance to
ensure that you thread it properly. Get a lot of the body
onto the hook, hooking it twice, at top and bottom. This is
to ensure that it does not fly loose when you are casting
it out into the water. It also protects it somewhat in the
submerged paradise that the bass shares with other fish,
who might want to come and take a bite or sample! Using
worms in combination with other baits/lures and enticing
techniques like top-water and or hard-bait surface
disturbers or frogs, eels or whatever species and body of
water would deem appropriate “feeding prey” for the bass of
your choice and preference is the key. Again adapting your
strategy when necessary and giving the bass a variety of
foods to choose from, will all hopefully increase you odds
of hooking your next bass! … even if it is not yet the BIG
ONE!

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