Wanting to cast as far as possible is ingrained in shore anglers. it can also be essential: casting further often means more chance of catching fish. Dutch international casting expert Rob Punselie explains how to maximise your distance using an off-the-ground cast
TIPS FOR A BETTER CASTING TECHNIQUE
You don’t always have to cast far to catch fish – they often swim right in front of your feet in, or just behind, the surf. But in many other situations, such as fishing for cod in winter where casting into deeper water is where the fish will be found, it is very practical to be able to cast as far as possible. If the situation calls for it, you want to be able to reach the fish with a long cast and it pays to work on your casting technique. Agood technique is important for another reason: like with any other sport, good technique is not only more effective than brute (and the wrong) force but prevents you from sustaining injuries. The forces that are released during a ‘wrong’ cast can cause you to develop serious complaints in your back and shoulders. The fact is that strength is not part of the solution. Balance, timing and technique are much more important for a successful cast and tens of meters in distance gained. Luckily, the right casting technique is relatively easy to learn with some practice.
WHOLE BODY
If you look carefully at a good cast you will see that it is carried out calmly and in a controlled manner. The movement is smooth and fluid so it looks like the caster is barely exerting himself. The reason for this is that when properly executed, the entire body is used in the right way to put power on the rod. The strongest muscles groups are in the legs, hips, shoulders and back – not in the arms. Athletes such as javelin throwers, shot putters and discus throwers also make use of this principle. All these techniques are very similar to casting with a beach rod, so there are quite a few similarities as far as the basis of a good cast is concerned.
SOLID FOUNDATION
If you want to make a well-executed, powerful, cast every time, then a solid foundation is fundamental. Teach yourself to take the same position on every cast. With your face to the water, place your feet just a little further than body width apart. Now take a step forward with the left foot. It should point in the direction between 11 and 12 o’clock. Your right foot points in the direction of 2 to 3 o’clock (if you are left-handed, then of course the reverse applies). If you draw an imaginary line between the legs, this is the direction of the cast. In this natural position, the muscle groups in the body work together effectively. Thanks to the right balance in the interplay of the different muscle groups, it becomes possible to put more speed
