After taking my girlfriend out fishing Saturday I have decided that we need to work on casting.  She cant cast very far or accurately at all.  

I have her using a 6' spinning set up.  Any pointers on what I can do besides just time on the water.  It there something more that I could do to aid in her learning?  Any tips or tricks guys?  Thanks

First thing is to get her comfortable with the rod.  Heavy, larger lures, like a big spook (trebles removed, single hook in rear) to increase her distance and to learn to load and unload a rod.  Use wide open water, no pressure.  leave her with that for awhile, let that be the lesson of the day.  You have plenty of outings ahead so don't give her too much to think about at once, tell her to just be conscious throughout the day of the things you just discussed and then go fishing.

For accuracy, rig her a weedless plastic for throwing at tight areas like under trees, bushes,etc.  There isn't a lot I can tell you here, the more comfortable she gets with the rod, and the more hours she practices, the more proficient she will become.

To get her feeling more at one with the rod, encourage her to get aggressive with it, don't be afraid.  Give her a cheaper set up and explain that the rod is disposable, you can't hurt it.  Explain that line snafu's, tangles and lures in trees are the norm and to expect it.  Explain that when trying to be accurate, you sometimes miss, this means you are doing it RIGHT.  If you don't miss and tangle, you are not trying hard enough.

This takes the pressure off her so when it happens, she doesn't feel defeated or like she's messing up your day.

Laugh with her about it, tell her if she wants a squirrel, we can switch that lure to an acorn.  

Pack a lunch and during your break, interject some encouraging words and how nice it is to have someone willing to try like she has been.  

Keep it light and fun, remember why you're out there to begin with.

i think accuracy just comes with thowing the line out and reeling it in.. as you begin to thorw more andmore and more the accuracy just pops out of no where and your throwing into 5 gallon buckets 35 yards away....

i say just take just a weight of mabe 3/4oz. and just tell her to thorw it in the back yard... once she can thorw it well without you having to be right there watching her every move she will pick up on the accuracy....

this is how i taught my girlfriend to throw a spinning reel... it was also a 6' MH fast action rod with a KVD signature series reel... shes gotten pretty decent now lol.... im proud to say ive passed the fishing enjoyment on to someone else....

also once she can cast worth 2 flips theyre great fishing buddies.... only turn back... females talk alot, and guys dont as they fish... LMAO

good luck and i hope this helps...

Alex

I have found that "yard" casting is great for teaching kids (make it a game or competition, assign points and prizes) or for a serious angler who is trying to hone a technique but for a girlfriend or wife, it's boring.  

When they are on the water, at least they have the experience of an outing and scenery and a boat ride, etc.  Which reminds me.  TELL her to bring suntan lotion and a book in case she wants to take a break, it shows you are willing to compromise so you can both enjoy the day and that you are giving forethought to her comfort.

Dang good idea!!!! My 8 yo son has graduated from the Zebco 33 to a spinning rod/reel combo set up for bass fishing. He's got the bass fishing bug pretty bad. He loves to cast and your idea about making his practice be a game is OUTSTANDING!!! Yep, I've definately found my new CYBER HOME!!!! ;D

Careful Sarge,....remember how quickly they get better than you at stuff,lol.  Have fun, glad we could help

Careful Sarge,....remember how quickly they get better than you at stuff,lol. Have fun, glad we could help

;D Tell me about it! One thing he's got to keep in mind though, is Ole Dad has all the funds for his Bass Fishing endevors! ;D So he can get better than me, that's fine; just as long as he doesn't really think he's better than me or as long as he keeps it to himself! ;D ;D

It just takes time.

-Make sure the line is not twisted AT ALL.

-practice overhead and sidearm

-try pitching: Opening bail, pulling out some line, holding it in her left hand (if she's a righty) and pendulum swing the weight out.

-The target idea -something fun to cast, at, in, or under, is a great one.

-be careful with weights caught in the grass Maybe use a soft casting plug, rather than a lead weight.

"It just takes time."

And that's the truth. The more often you go, the better she will get.

I have found that "yard" casting is great for teaching kids (make it a game or competition, assign points and prizes) or for a serious angler who is trying to hone a technique but for a girlfriend or wife, it's boring.  

When they are on the water, at least they have the experience of an outing and scenery and a boat ride, etc.  Which reminds me.  TELL her to bring suntan lotion and a book in case she wants to take a break, it shows you are willing to compromise so you can both enjoy the day and that you are giving forethought to her comfort.

I do that for new anglers, same way i learned.  coffee cans in the back yard, at varying distances up to about 50 yards.  Hookless lures, casting and retreiving.  I got to where I could hit a coffee can at 50 yds. 9 out of 10 times.

Thanks for all the replies guys.  She is extremely interested and just wants to catch fish.  I put in her in the right spots and we just need to work on casting accuracy.  

She loves the outdoors and tagging along.  She hunts with me too.  Although she doesnt like getting up early or the cold.  So I am trying to get her more into fishing.  Since it is warmer and she can sleep in.  

It's working.  We have been together for a few years now.  It has gone from me asking her to tag along to her asking me to take her.  As soon as I can get her casting better and a few more fish pulling on her line I dont think she will ever want to leave the water.

Thanks again.

i actually did the casting in the yard thing with a 1/2oz weight, casting at a frisbee. could hit almost 90% of the time. and when i didn't hit it, i was pretty much right next to it.

I am a lucky man, I guess...  My wife's first time out, last year, she casted like a pro, and caught like 6 bass...  She isn't perfect, but she is almost as good as me...  She is a really fast learner!  lol

Heavy, larger lures, ...  to learn to load and unload a rod.

I was able to teach this to a girl I fish with and it instantly added 25% to her distance.  Originally she would bring the rod back, wait for the lure to quit swinging around then throw it.  Now she brings it back and whips it forward in one quick motion.

also my girlfriend likes the buzz and spinner baits the best... on more than one occasion shes caught more fish than i did... but that doesnt bother me i like to see he all excited like that..

also shell bait her own hook with worms livers crickets and what not and well do everythign buy take the hook out of the fishs mouth..

how cna i get her to do that?

Alex

tell her until she gets the hook out herself, you get to fish, she has to watch, lmao

Oh, and then duck   ;D ;D ;D

Work with her in a open field were she can't get hung up start out casting at 10yds into a tire with a 1/2oz rubber plug then move back 5 more yards  after your happy with her performance every thing comes with time remember you can teach some one but you can't make them learn lots of luck just be careful she my like it then you will be dealing with two bait monkeys  ;D thats a lot to handle   :) keep me posted I like to know how she is making out