I use to have this problem a lot before I learned how to cast better....no put down or anything. I use to "pitch" it out there as hard as I could, thinking I would get it out there, but would end up having it twist on itself a lot - and not get any more distance from it than I do now....
Do you cast over head or side arm? I found overhead causes more problems for me, but maybe thats just me.
As far as distance - weighted floats...will get you more distance, but a LOT less fish. The weight makes it less sensitive. I would say stick with either a stick float or a "oval" float. I prefer the oval ones...little more weight and size, without becoming much less sensitive.