Whether you're in a boat or on shore, how far out beyond the shore should you cast?  I was on little john boat yesterday and pretty much casted no further than like 10 yards off shore.  I'm sure the time of season and time of day matters, but let's say Fall morning and middle of day.  

i would start out fishing as far back from the shore as you can when in a boat.......if the need arises then move inward.

when bank fishing i tend to fish closure to shore, casting in a fan from left to right or right to left....only after all visible cover has been fished.

hope this helps,

Alfred

Some of the best "secret spots" are offshore locations where the structure attracts bass.  These can be found using electronics.  I have a portable "fishing buddy" that shows these humps and valleys pretty clearly.  It's so cool to be in a jonboat or in my case a canoe, and have the benefit of a depthfinder.  It will print water temp, bottom softness, weeds, and of course fish.  It has a sideview that will also will print fish along the shoreline.  I love it.

What's the price range of one of those gadgets?  Also, I would think with one of those your success rate when you go out would be pretty high.  Isn't knowing where the fish are like 80-90% of the battle...assuming anyone with a finder would know how to use the different lures once they get find them.  

Here is a link for two types of fishin' buddys, one for $100 and the other for $170.

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.SearchResults?cmid=TOP_SEARCH_GO

Whether you're in a boat or on shore, how far out beyond the shore should you cast?

As far as fishing from shore, there is no one correct answer. You just have to look things over, fish the area, cover a lot of water, and draw your conclusions.

I fish some waters where it's almost impossible to catch a fish more than 20' out  from the bank, and others where you have to heave your lure out as far as you can.

Trial and error.  Learn from each cast.  Where did I catch, where did I not catch.  Notice the variables such as weather, wind, time of day etc  and try to reproduce the same results next time.

Remember, even if we aren't catching, we are learning.

The funny thing about boat vs bank fishermen is most of the boat fishermen are casting right up to the bank while most of the bank fishermen are casking out as far from the bank as they can.

Very interesting.

Because the grass is always greener on the other side. ;D