I am rethinking my casting distances. I have always worked my setup for the longest possible casts mostly with 10lb line, I can make, but I am losing some fish due to not being able to get a good hook set when throwing big plugs long distances.  

Is it really necessary to throw long casts or would I be just as well off going to a 12lb line and moving the boat more and throwing  medium distances.

There are a lot of factors that go into your question. There are times when long casts are beneficial and/or necessary. Cb's offshore, for instance, are necessary to get your bait down. However, in murky water, flipping with short casts in shoreline cover is the way to go. In clear water, longer casts are better so the fish don't see you, but your lure needs to land quietly and accurately, and on target. So to answer your question you need to determine what cast is required, long or short. And if a long cast is required, then don't shy from it, but rather learn how to perfect it.

If you are having trouble setting the hook and landing your fish, then try these things. Use very sharp hooks and replace the hooks when they are not as sharp (and that may be less sharp after a few fish or a bad snag). Also use fluorocarbon line with less stretch. Also, if you are using single-hook lures (i.e. jigs, spinnerbaits, worms) then you definitely need a longer rod with a stiff backbone. Trust me, I learned this lesson myself. 7' medium/heavy minimum.

For treble hook lures, I bet the issue is your hooks. Having a long rod will help as well, but having good, sharp hooks will fix a lot of your problems. Those sharp hooks connect in a fishes mouth a lot better and penetrate their mouths very easily and with less hook-setting effort. Trust me, give it a try if you aren't already doing so. I hope this helps

 Unless you're fishing ultra clear water, boat positioning and accuracy would be more important I think...

skillet

Unless you're fishing ultra clear water, boat positioning and accuracy would be more important I think...

skillet

x2

The only reason I would think to make long cast is when you are covering a large area such as a point or flat with a moving bait.

If I'm using anything that requires any amount of hook set, I use a shorter cast. If you do make long cast and have trouble hooking fish you can use a stiffer rod such as for spinnerbaits. The speed of the lure and the extra pull tends to help stick em better.

I think that most of the time distance is of little importance so long as you aren't too close. Accurancy ,soft landing, and flat out being near fish are way more important.

Mottfia

Needemp hit the nail on the head on all topics.The only thing i can add is that if I'm fishing deep ledges with a deep crank i use a 7 6 flippin stick and when you hook a fish you will need pliers to get the hooks out

Setting the hook on single hook lures (Jigs, Soft plastics etc.) from a distance shouldn't be a problem if your using braid. If your not try a big sweep set, you have less power than an overhead, but you can gather more line, especially if you have a longer rod.

Your question seems to me to be about crank baits, casting longer distance with smaller diameter line to achieve greater depth and more cover water. The difference between 10 lb and 12 lb line can only be evaluated by knowing the line diameter difference, not necessarily the lb test rating. The smaller diameter line will tend to have less water drag, everything else being equal. If diving depth is a concern, then use FC line with less drag coefficient.

Most people can't cast a 1/2 to 3/4 oz crank bait further than 100 feet with any accuracy, so make a little shorter casts; 75 to 90 feet, the lure should still reach the depth you desire and you should have better control.

To set the hook on a long cast use the reel to load up the line pressure, then sweep the rod back.

WRB

there is no right or wrong answer to this, as every situation will be different.  In some situations, a short and very accurate cast is better, in some, you want to get it way out there.  When using cranks and spinnerbaits the idea is to cover alot of water quickly.  If i'm in a new area i will throw them as far as I can get them to work alot of water.  You want to throw them at least an appropriate amount past your target, if you have a specific target.  With diving cranks, you also have to give some extra distance to get the crank down to your desired depth.  On the other hand, with soft plastics and a more finesse approach, I'm typically not casting very far or hard at all.  It's more about pinpointing where you want your bait, and putting it there.

Sharp hooks

Fluorocarbon line to cut down on stretch

Rod with plenty of backbone

Hookset (Are you snapping the rod or sweeping)

I made the change a few years ago. I got away from always trying to get the longest cast. Now my philosophy is to make the shortest cast I can get away with. My hook-up rate went way up.