So I just got 2 new baitcasters and have done fairly well with setting them up to not get backlashes, my main problem at this point is accuracy, I can cast a mile, but wherever I throw it goes to the left a good ways. Am I letting go to late? Or early? Really ticking me off since I can't get it to where I want it.

So I just got 2 new baitcasters and have done fairly well with setting them up to not get backlashes, my main problem at this point is accuracy, I can cast a mile, but wherever I throw it goes to the left a good ways. Am I letting go to late? Or early? Really ticking me off since I can't get it to where I want it.

 

Yes.  Release point is totally different than a spinning reel.  Takes a bit of practice to adjust.

 

EDIT:  If you were making overhand casts, you would be getting backlashes as the lure would be hitting the water way too soon.

That's a tough question to answer without being there. Are you right handed? If you are, it's likely you're letting go too late. 

 

My suggestion would be patience, practice, practice.

 

Also, casting distance is a distant third to casting angle and height. There are many types of casts, but most people are going to do 90% of their actually casting using little more than their wrist. 

 

I'd start with casting only using my wrist, then as that improves, get more motion in it to nail down your distance.

 

Stick with it! You won't look back, and it doesn't take long, really. An afternoon on a lake with a decent reel and anything but the lightest lure should be more than enough to get you comfortable.

Casting right handed and making side arm casts at the moment just to clear that up.

 

By the sound of it I am letting go to late. Height is doing ok, not throwing it way up or hitting the water to soon, distance is probably due to weight of the lures more than ability at this point.

 

I am going out in a few more hours to play around with it some more.

Are you casting in the yard or on the water?  

 

Just like golf, I can't correct my swing on the course.  Too many variables.  Work on it in the yard.  Apply it on the water.

 

If you're already working on it in the yard, experiment with varying your arm, your wrist, your body....roll your wrist more...less....dip the rod tip, don't dip it....lots and lots of muscles and individual contributions go into where the lure lands...I practice a lot....now I'm adding kayak to my fishing and new angles mean countless new adjustments.  Unfortunately, I've got lousy muscle memory and need to practice more (and concentrate harder) than others appear to

What are you using as a weight? 

Not casting in the yard, unless a 10 foot cast into a tree or tomato plant is part of the learning curve.

 

Using either a 3/8 or 1/2 oz spoon.

 

Edit: I go to the river, loots of room with no fish on the mind since it sucks unless you are catfishing.

When you go to throw overhand start by twisting your wrist inwards so the line flow is up & down on the spool and not side to side.  That helps too if you are just beginning.

Casting right handed and making side arm casts at the moment just to clear that up.

 

By the sound of it I am letting go to late. Height is doing ok, not throwing it way up or hitting the water to soon, distance is probably due to weight of the lures more than ability at this point.

 

I am going out in a few more hours to play around with it some more.

 

Figured as much which is why i said you were releasing too late.  Side arm is much better to learn with especially if you make it a roll cast.  You would be hitting the water way too soon only if making an overhand cast.

 

 

 

Not casting in the yard, unless a 10 foot cast into a tree or tomato plant is part of the learning curve.

 

Using either a 3/8 or 1/2 oz spoon.

 

Edit: I go to the river, loots of room with no fish on the mind since it sucks unless you are catfishing.

 

Good weight to practice with if a Medium power rod.  May want to increase weights by 1/8 oz. if a MH rod.  Depending on rod and action, the 3/8 oz. may be the lower limit for a MH rod.  Better to get the weight up in the middle or slightly higher.

 

That is exactly where I go to practice (local river).  Catching a fish is almost like winning the lottery.  I don't fish at night with chicken livers, but I understand catfish can be caught there.  

Be sure to follow through, don't stop the motion of the rod too early. I finish my cast by pointing my rod tip where I want the lure to land. My wife had the problem of stopping the rod too early in the cast and it always caused it to go left on a sidearm or straight into the ground on an overhead cast.

There is pretty much every fish that you could think of in the river but catching any of them is a true task.

It's a medium heavy but I would say it's on the lighter side of most medium heavies that's why I think the 3/8 is ok, like I said though it could be a 1/2 not to sure.

I do follow through, still go to the left, unless I am casting to my left I can get it close to where I want. Going straight in front of me or to my left it's off.

Could also be caused by brake setting soff some too. Id guess its a lil to tight and needs loosening a fuzz. And by fuzz i mean just barely turn it and try a cast. Mine do that some when i change lure weights and not adjust brake

Brake is good I think, I think it's just timing coming from 10 years of spinning and probably not a full follow through.

There's not secret or trick to casting accurately.

 

Just practice it until you get what you're looking for. 

 

Do it enough and you'll probably get better at it.

 

Like riding a bike or hitting a baseball, except without the helmet (unless things are really getting out of hand.

 

A-Jay

It's a medium heavy but I would say it's on the lighter side of most medium heavies that's why I think the 3/8 is ok, like I said though it could be a 1/2 not to sure.

 

 

My MH Falcons run 1/4-3/4 so 3/8 is good.  Have a MH Villain rated 3/8-1-1/4 that will barely throw 1/2 oz. a decent fishing distance.  Sounds like your weights are fine for that rod.  Like everyone will tell you....it is only a matter of practice.

What length rod are you using? Teaching my grandson to use a casting reel and with a 7' rod he does the same thing so we went 6'6". That little change really helped and when he got use to it we went back to a 7' rod and he was much better, but it could be different for you but I thought I would ask and throw that out there.

The only thing I'd add here is to focus all of your attention exactly at a spot and make your cast to it not in the general direction.  That is critical especially when fishing around brush where pin point accuracy is a must.

You gotta practice, son.   I wish all my fishing situations would set up so that I'd just have to use one style of cast - doesn't seem to happen that way.  Focus on training your thumb and side arm - overhead - back hand - whatever, doesn't matter all that much.  My advice would be to learn how to pitch as well.  Even with cranks and spinnerbaits, a 50 or 60 foot pitch will get you into spots that a side arm or overhead cast can't.  I realize 60' is pushing it on a pitch, but it is doable.