Casting?

[RiverRat2]

I'm using my gandpa's fishing rod and it has a spinning real on it (at least I think it's a spinning real. You can see the fishing line). I have no idea how to cast it correctly. What I've been doing is pulling the small curved bar back, when I do this the line starts to go out. So I hold the line with one hand and then cast with the other hand. I feel like a dork when I do this. How I can I cast it properly without looking stupid?

[Fred in Ky]

You have a Spinning reel. The way I use them is to take my index finger on the hand I am casting with and hold the line. I turn the handle so the bail puts the line close to the rod, take your finger and hold the line, open the bail and cast. When you are casting, take your finger off the line as you come forward. Do not try to "hoss" it out, just a nice smooth action. Let the rod tip do most of the work for you. Good Luck 2ya.

[RiverRat2]

You have a Spinning reel. The way I use them is to take my index finger on the hand I am casting with and hold the line. I turn the handle so the bail puts the line close to the rod, take your finger and hold the line, open the bail and cast. When you are casting, take your finger off the line as you come forward. Do not try to "hoss" it out, just a nice smooth action. Let the rod tip do most of the work for you. Good Luck 2ya.

I almost get what you're talking about. What is the the bail? and what is "Hoss" out?

[fishin3]

I almost get what you're talking about. What is the the bail? and what is "Hoss" out?

Bail is the curve metal bar you are talking about and "hoss" it out is sling it as hard as you can and it still goes no where. Also welcome to the board. Hope this helped some.

[labill]

RR2....I'm assuming you're not messin' with our minds, so I'll play it straight. The bail is the heavy wire that spins around the spool. It's function is to reel the line in when you turn the handle. To cast very hard is "hossing" the line out, which is seldom accurate. If the rod you use is the right action and line weight is compatible with the rod action and lure, you'll have a nice rig. Good luck!! :D

[Barnacle Bill]

Since you are apparently just learning to use a spinning reel you need to learn to do it right. Like others said, don't try to horse it. Hold the rig with the reel base between your middle and fore finger. the reel will be under the rod. Hod the line with your index finger and open the bail. Now practice throwing the bait using just your wrist. You don't need to use your arm like when throwing a ball. Practice doing this and you will soon be able to throw it far and accurate. Practice manually closing the bail just before the bait hits the water. This will eliminate tangles caused by the lines tendency to keep coming off after the bait is in the water. Hope I made sense.

[Darryl Morris]

There is never anything wrong with being new or inexperienced at fishing. You go ahead and ask all the questions you want and don't be embarrassed. My recommendation for you would be to find and hire a guide in your area that will show you some of the basics and techniques for crappie fishing. I think you would be surprised at how much just one trip will help.

[Charger]

Check this Rat

http://www.angelfire.com/ia3/fishing/howtocast.htm

[LBM]

RR2

I was originally taught to reach down and loop the string on my index finger before opening the bail to cast the bait. If I remember right I believe I would turn the handle to close the bail which as they mentioned above is a no no since it causes line twists when the bail is closed that way.

Later on I was taught a neat way to cast the open faced reels. With my index finger, on the hand holding the rod, I would just touch the front edge of the spool holding my finger against the edge and then open the bail. As long as my finger touched the front edge the line would not come off the spool past the point my finger contacted the spool edge. As I cast the line I would lift my finger from the edge of the spool and let the line fly and now I always close the bail with my left hand.

This gave me great line control because if I saw the bait was flying to far alls I would do is just retouch the spool edge and the line would immediately stop comming off the spool. Were as before I would try to turn the handle to close the bail to stop line comming off the spool. This action would allow alot of line to continue comming off the spool before it finally stopped hard telling where the bait would actually end up.

One way you could practice this motion or action is to just hold your rod horizontal touch your finger to the front edge of the spool and open the bail. Then from this position just lift your finger let your bait fall abit and retouch the spool edge to stop the line. Repeat this several times until the bait hits the floor. It still amazes me how much control one has in letting line come off the spool this way.

Back in the days I though I wanted to bass fish I was told about this method of using a spinning reel at a seminar and have been using it ever since. I just wish someone had told me about it when I was first learning.

I have some friends that think it won't work with their short stubby fingers but I really think they are just old dogs that don't want to learn new tricks.

Anyhow good luck in your learning process.

[RiverRat2]

Thanks for all the help guys. Charger, the link helped out a ton! I've been pracitcing in the yard. I'm not casting any farther, but at leat now I don't look stupid. :D