Took a crankbait rod I am working on out to the park at lunch and performed some test casting. Really liked the distance and line flow in most of the casts but also had a few where I saw some line slap and shorter distance. My gut tells me I didnt cast very well on the few that performed bad.

My question for the test casters that read this is which casts should I believe? Are the good performing casts a matter of luck or were the bad performing casts user error on those specific casts?

If in this situation, do you keep adjusting guide location or chalk it up to a few errant casts?

A couple casts far exceeded my expectations. Distance was pretty darn special. Others, some slap and backlash.

Thanks for your time!

The rod can only do what it can do. The rest is up to the caster. If the rod will cast well one time, it will cast well a thousand times. Your best cast should be an indication of what the rod is capable of, when you do your part.

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I assume this is a baitcaster? Can you really see where the line slap is? How far is the first guide from the reel?

I'd try some adjusting. A cast that you are calling a bad cast right now might be the best cast you could make into a stiff breeze.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Tom, I thought that as well but as a pretty new builder wanted to get some experience to lean on. Good points!

Russell,

Baitcasting. Yes, I saw the slap. Minor and really only happened when the cast didnt feel as smooth as the others. Guide is ~21" from face of the reel. Curado 200E. Size 10 DF.

My best advice is to go cast some more and see how it performs. I have had as many bad days casting as I have had doing anything else. try again. :>)

Did the bad casts happen when you tried to give it a little extra power? Many times that extra effort to really get one out there is counter productive, especially casting into the wind.

Have you tried the new concept from Anglers Workshop I have it on 4 different rods, you can see and feel the difference line slap is near to none. Watch the video and try it on you next build.

Bobby Stout
Bloomburg, TX