Technique,  line and how the reel is set up has more to do with casting distance than the cost of equipment.   Also,  how far is far enough?  If you could cast 200 yards,  wouldn't you be tempted to cast extra hard (risking injury) to get to that spot at 205 yards?

Being an old gymnasts my shoulders are held together with screws and Kevlar, casting a bait caster shouldn’t involve shoulder stress, it’s should be in the wrist and some elbow stress, depending on technique. 
A fishing rod isn’t a baseball bat or tennis racket.

 Vintage reels how about 1940’s Langley Target* or Lure Cast reels that can cast just as far as today high end reels! It takes casting skill and trained thumb but 50 yard cast as easily within the old reels capability. The tuned 2500C is a 1970’s vintage reel, sweet casting reel!

Tom

* bulldog1935 has developed magnetic cast control for the Target reels👍

On 6/17/2025 at 12:13 PM, CrawfordXL said:

This guy is my best friend for life, we grew up together, known each other since we were about 12, and now in our later years we really enjoy our fishing and trips together even more. I would hate for him to get to the point of not being able to fish because of this. 

 

^ Problem ^

 

v Solution v

 

On 6/17/2025 at 5:34 PM, king fisher said:

Gift him a Zillion with a right hand retrieve. 

 

I use a spinning reel and after a couple hours i switch the handle to the other side. I cast overhead, sidearm, and backhanded. When i put the rod down to rebait and then get ready to cast again i find myself grabbing for the handle on the empty side.

Remember there are ways to fish that don't require non stop casting.  Trolling or live bait are two methods that are less stressful on less than youthful joints.  I know many will say that's not real bass fishing, but it sure is better than sitting in a rocking chair complaining about the weather.

On 6/17/2025 at 5:34 PM, king fisher said:

Gift him a Zillion with a right hand retrieve.

Doesn't even have to be a Zillion.  There are plenty of reels for less than $200 that cast great.

 

By the way, I cast right handed and have a right shoulder that's been repaired twice and torn up another time without repair.  It can rebel a little at the end of a long day on the water, but I'm getting along pretty well with it by not using it much in casting.  Mostly two handed overhead casts using mostly wrist and arms from the elbows down.  The proper technique can do a lot for those of us with physical problems.

 

My best 4500C bench result will cast 3 g past 150' - on a 6'6" rod yet.  

A BFS-raced Steez won't quite keep up with it.  

My next project is a 5000D, it will get the same treatment on the LW, and a set of Japanese improved spool bushings.  Though I'm not shooting for the performance above, it will be a on a medium crank rod - will be 1/8 oz capable, and I'll be fishing more weight on it.  

 

I'm going to show this thread to my wife.

 

I'd hate to get injured throwing old gear.

On 6/17/2025 at 8:13 PM, geo g said:

I use a 2500 for frog fishing with 65 pound braid.

You're going to warp the pinion gear.  That reel isn't designed for that kind of abuse.  The pinion crown starts to spread at about 6lb, I can only imagine doing it repeatedly.  The frame also can't withstand that either, they go out of square fairly easy.  Simon's frame and gear set will enable it to take the heat, but you're looking at close to $400 for the frame, gear set, and clutch assembly.

On 6/22/2025 at 3:06 PM, WRB-2.0 said:

Being an old gymnasts my shoulders are held together with screws and Kevlar, casting a bait caster shouldn’t involve shoulder stress, it’s should be in the wrist and some elbow stress, depending on technique. 
A fishing rod isn’t a baseball bat or tennis racket.

 Vintage reels how about 1940’s Langley Target* or Lure Cast reels that can cast just as far as today high end reels! It takes casting skill and trained thumb but 50 yard cast as easily within the old reels capability. The tuned 2500C is a 1970’s vintage reel, sweet casting reel!

Tom

* bulldog1935 has developed magnetic cast control for the Target reels👍

@bulldog1935 is a wealth of info, he and I have been corresponding for a few years now being bad influences on one another.  One of the best to learn from.  We're both going down this direct drive road together.  I just bought an Isuzu DD310SSS and Isuzu Tough Light spool, probably one of the only new knuckle busters you can get.  My spool came today and the reel should be here tomorrow or Wednesday.

One of my fishing buddies has issues with his shoulder. He has some older G. Loomis rods paired with Shimano Curado B's. By today's standards, these set ups are pretty heavy but they are functional. In his case I don't think it's his gear that's old and heavy causing his pain, it's his casting technique, line and bait selection. The rods he owns are basically the same rod, a 783C. He throws whatever on them all on 12lb test mono. So an 1/8oz Bitsy bug up to a 1 oz crankbait all on the same rod, using the same casting technique. He is either over loading the rod or his arm and shoulder when he casts.  It's sort of painful to watch. He will also backlash all day.  The worst to see is when he will throw his favorite 7in curly tail worm with a 1/8oz weight. It weighs around 3/16oz. He can't throw it more than 35 feet on his gear. The rod never loads, only his arm. At the end of the day, he is always in pain. 

 

My point to him is to throw the right baits/weights that suit the rods and his casting style. If I can get him to throw a 1/4oz or 3/8oz bullet weight with this worm, he doesn't have any issues as long as he loads the rod properly. 

12 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

@bulldog1935 is a wealth of info, he and I have been corresponding for a few years now being bad influences on one another.  One of the best to learn from.  We're both going down this direct drive road together.  I just bought an Isuzu DD310SSS and Isuzu Tough Light spool, probably one of the only new knuckle busters you can get.  My spool came today and the reel should be here tomorrow or Wednesday.

Oooh @redmeansdistortion I for one love your and @bulldog1935’s show and tells😃

I used to tell my clients that were learning to cast that a fishing rod is no different than a baseball bat, tennis racket or golf club.  It’s more about finding the sweet spot that gives you the maximum result from minimal effort.  Sure, power is part of it but not as much as most think. Casting is no different and you need to pair your equipment to what it is you are throwing to get the same result.  

3 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

I used to tell my clients that were learning to cast that a fishing rod is no different than a baseball bat, tennis racket or golf club.  It’s more about finding the sweet spot that gives you the maximum result from minimal effort.  Sure, power is part of it but not as much as most think. Casting is no different and you need to pair your equipment to what it is you are throwing to get the same result.  

I use the same terminology golfers use when explaining to somebody how to throw a baitcaster, "don't try to kill it, follow through".

The gear itself is causing injury I’m sure, but I can see where constant muscling casts could cause issues. I suggest gear maintenance, proper setup, good technique and general self care all being implemented. 

On 6/17/2025 at 12:27 PM, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

Yep, it's crazy, stacked like wood in the rafters of his garage.

On 6/23/2025 at 4:29 PM, HawkeyeSmallie said:

I'm going to show this thread to my wife.

 

I'd hate to get injured throwing old gear.

No need to spoil the whole point of the post, we're trying to make this look legit. 

On 6/24/2025 at 8:58 AM, Eric 26 said:

Oooh @redmeansdistortion I for one love your and @bulldog1935’s show and tells😃

I have three builds I'll be doing after my trip to Colorado next week.  The one I'm most geeked about is a '94 Abu 4500CS.  Avail 4530UC spool, Avail level wind, line guide, star wheel, and 2BB cog, aluminum frame, Record 5600 6.8:1 gears (33 IPT), and a Haneda Craft 80mm handle with white knobs.  I also have the semi direct 3500C and a BFSed Black Max 1600C I'll be doing up.  It'll be a fun week.

@redmeansdistortion I for one appreciate the heads up on the builds and cannot wait to see them.

There's a whole culture that fishes nothing but old and antique tackle in organizations like ORCA and NFLCC.  

Old Langley, Skilkast and Marhoff on old glass, cane and steel rods.  

They enter this tackle in ACA casting competitions.  

I'm making a niche for myself adding mag brake to vintage Langley reels.  

 

Casts half the weight twice as far, and improves reliability over the full range, including ACA 3/8- and 5/8-oz.  

With the mag-brake mod, Langley Target will fish 1 g, and Lurecast will fish 2 g

 

I am a carpenter, mostly working in a furniture shop for 20 years. If I cast a pistol gripped rod, or try to cast one handed, it hurts my wrists. But I can fish all day if I use a rod where I can put my off hand on the bottom of the grip when casting. And I can get some decent distance too. It's all in the rod tip, and speed of the motion, not necessarily the power of the motion. If I put my body and shoulders into it, I can cast farther, but I don't do that repeatedly.

 

I am right handed and I have an injury to my left elbow. I also cast some left handed. I've noticed that if I do so very much, I get pain. Probably from poorer form, but I digress, If your buddy can learn to cast left handed, he could spread the load out.

On 6/23/2025 at 5:46 AM, MickD said:

Doesn't even have to be a Zillion.  There are plenty of reels for less than $200 that cast great.

 

By the way, I cast right handed and have a right shoulder that's been repaired twice and torn up another time without repair.  It can rebel a little at the end of a long day on the water, but I'm getting along pretty well with it by not using it much in casting.  Mostly two handed overhead casts using mostly wrist and arms from the elbows down.  The proper technique can do a lot for those of us with physical problems.

 

I have a tear in my left shoulder that acts up just from reeling. I have to remind myself that fishing is supposed to be fun and it’s ok to take a break during the day to rest, stretch , or move around.  It’s painfully apparent when I slack on self care. Pun intended.