I have a Abu Garcia ambassador black max baitcaster with a 6 foot rod and I am wondering how you cast overhead without it going into the ground a few feet in front of you. How is it that you get it to keep going a distance in the air? Any tips about release point? And would using a 14 lb test line instead of 10 lb test line make any difference in your casting ability (without nesting)? Thanks.

I hardly ever cast overhead usually preferring sidearm or roll casting with a snap of the wrist. I find you usually better distance and control that way.

I have a Abu Garcia ambassador black max baitcaster with a 6 foot rod and I am wondering how you cast overhead without it going into the ground a few feet in front of you. How is it that you get it to keep going a distance in the air? Any tips about release point? And would using a 14 lb test line instead of 10 lb test line make any difference in your casting ability (without nesting)? Thanks.

When your lure slams into the ground in front of you, that is a clear sign that you are letting go too late.  If you release to early, you would get a rainbow arched shaped cast.

If you are coming from a spinning reel background, you are going to find out that the release time of the thumb is ever so slightly earlier on a casting setup than the forefinger on a spinning setup.

Picture yourself inside a large imaginary clock with 12 o'clock directly above you and 9 o'clock directly in front and 3 o'clock directly to your backside.  The release time of your thumb coming off of the spool is somewhere between 12 and 1 o'clock.  This is going to seem too early because of your spinning background, so you're probably going to have to convince AND make yourself to let go in that time frame.

I don't know about the line, but I would guess it would be easier to learn with the line with the thicker diameter.

Here is the best tip for you to minimize nests: Before the lure hits anything; the ground, the water's surface, or a shrub, make your thumb stop the spool from spinning.  Whether you stop the spool cold or feather it to a stop is irrelevant. Just make sure your thumb stops the spool from spinning. Assuming the reel is set to the lure's weight and the wind isn't a problem, this will help minimize any nests.

As for distance, you should focus more on making casts that don't end in a bird's nest first. Distance will come later. Kind of like learning piano. Better to play the piece slowly but correctly than to play it fast but full of mistakes.

Sitck with at least 1/2 oz of weight for learning purposes. Good luck!

Did you set the lure fall rate? Cast Control.

Plus reels spool Brakes to the lure, rod and line your using?

Sounds like the combo isn't setup right for long distance casting.

Basic Baitcast Reel Setup 101

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

the difference between an overhead and a sidearm cast is only 90 degrees.  If you can cast fine sidearm, (a cast off to the left or right would be the same as a lob or driving one into the water short) you can do the same overhead.

Don't over   think it.  

Good tips before this, but here's another small thing that may help:  When casting overhand, hold the rod & reel at an angle.  If the rod is pointing straight up, have the handle of the reel pointing behind you instead of away from you.  At the end of the cast (when the rod is pointing straight in front of you) the reel handle would be pointing more up than off to the side.

Everyone else has already given good advice. One piece of advice I am offering is concentrate on being smooth. It's not about how hard you cast, it's about how smoothly you cast that gives you distance. It's all in the wrist.