I can cast it good from sidearm, but how do you keep it from darting towards the ground and get more of the arch cast like you get from sidearm when throwing overhead?

Earlier release.

Mostly practice, but here's a tip:

Rotate your wrist so that the handle is facing

up as you complete the cast. When you are just

starting out, pick a target 10 yards out. Once you

have that mastered, extend your targets to 15

and 20 yards. It takes time to train your thumb,

don't concentrate on accuracy until you become

comfortable with managing the reel.

Another issue might be your rod. Initially, a soft tip

or moderate action is easier to work with. Finally,

practice with a 1/2 oz weight, not a lure.This takes

air resistance out of the equation.

8-)

You never want to cast overhead because when the rod is straight up there is no tension on the lure and momentum moving the spool forward thus creating a backlash. Sometimes the cast will get the backlash out, sometimes it won't.

if its hitting the ground in front of you , your releasing the spool too late.

it took me a while to get the hang of it. i was only doing side arm casts too untill i went to a few spots that i could only overhand cast. i learned quick.

i have the same problem, but i usually side arm it.

Mostly practice, but here's a tip:

Rotate your wrist so that the handle is facing

up as you complete the cast. When you are just

starting out, pick a target 10 yards out. Once you

have that mastered, extend your targets to 15

and 20 yards. It takes time to train your thumb,

don't concentrate on accuracy until you become

comfortable with managing the reel.

Another issue might be your rod. Initially, a soft tip

or moderate action is easier to work with. Finally,

practice with a 1/2 oz weight, not a lure.This takes

air resistance out of the equation.

8-)

Get a softer tip rod. It makes overhand casting way easier because you don't have to "wip" it so fast that your getting backlash, and you can loosen the cast control.

I just recently got the hang of overhead casting and I found that switching from my 6'6" MH to a 7' M made all the difference in the world.

You have to learn how to properly load the rod.  It seems that you already know how to side arm cast. The mechanics are exactly the same.  The rod is just in a different plane.

There should be no difference in a overhead and a regulare side arm cast.

Everyone is spot on on analzying your casts into the ground. When the say release earlier picture this:

With 12 oclock being above you and 9 oclock in front of you and 3 oclock behind you, that release point is somewhere between 12:30 and 1 oclock.

Good luck!

does lighter pound test line make it easier to throw lighter baits like using 8 pound instead of 12 pound, and size rod should i get to throw like 1/8 oz and 1/4 oz lures. thanks.

This is strange to me.. I learned to overhand cast first then side then skip and lastly pitch... when i switched from spinning to casting i just did the same thing i always did...but just used my thumb and cranked down on the cast control....

does lighter pound test line make it easier to throw lighter baits like using 8 pound instead of 12 pound, and size rod should i get to throw like 1/8 oz and 1/4 oz lures. thanks.

Spinning tackle is a much better choice.

Throwing light lures on a baitcaster is not where to start.

If you are determined, I'll suggest a 7' ML Power/ Fast

Action rod; Shimano CH50MG and #8 Trilene XL.

8-)