New to the whole fishing thing but a few trips on tuna boats over the last few years has spiced up my interest. I witnessed a guy chuck a 4.5 ounce jig out about 100 yards out and land an albie. My jaw dropped at that moment and have been trying for that distance ever since (Without Birdsnesting).

Do you guys have any tricks up your sleeve on this subject? I am thourougly frustrated at 40-60 yards. I need to get that distance just to show off.

I bought 3 reels this year. 3 rods.

1 is a shimano cardiff with a 6 foot pole (stiff) 50 yards
another is a daiwa sealine 30 sha with the free spooler with a 7 foot pool (stiff too) 60 yards
lastly was a saltist 30 (i bought from charkbait) high gear ratio. on a 7 foot rod (stiff aswell). i get the about 40 yards with this one. Its heavy. I think its too heavy for me.

What are some of your techiniques on this subject? I've tried the reel brakes to ward off birds nests. My thumb helps in slowing down the spin but i sacrafice distance that way. I've tried turning the reel horizontal to the ground to help slow down the spin with out the thumb. I've got everything spooled with 20-30 pnd mono. Is this the right line? Would another product work better?

I use a 1.75 ounce jig for the shimano cardiff.

I use a 3.5 ounce jig for the Daiwa Sealine 30

I use a 4.5 ounce jig for the Saltist 30.

Any words of advice or encouragement would definately be appreciated.

Longing for the distance Iggy

Try a longer rod. Most people don't use rods shorter than 8 feet for jigs. I would get an 8'6" rod. Also, one of the most effective ways of casting Jigs is called the Pendulum method. I don't know if you are using this method so I will explain it. This method is where you let out enough line so that the jig is at the same height as the reel when the rod is held vertically. Then you swing the rod so that the jig arcs in a circle and the line is tight the whole time. Maybe another person on the board can explain it better and in more detail. A lighter action tip may help, I don't know how stiff "stiff" is.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Trapt in Arizona,

A few questions...Are you trying to "sling" your jig as hard as you can, or are you trying to loft it out? Lofting works better and distance will come with practice. Slinging it creates alot of reel speed which can create lots of problems. Loft the iron, point where you want it to go, keep your thumb on the spool, and practice, practice, practice...

I try to chuck it. The distance from the jig to tip is like 6 inches. So its more like a strong flick. I tried the lofting technique once and let go too soon. The jig went straight up and down giving me the birdsnest from hell. I guess its time to attempt this again. I'll let you know if my distance improves. Time to start packing the rod and practicing.

In regards to the "Stiff" ness of the rod. I mean not much ben at all with 20 pound fish. Not a trolling rod. I'm too embarrassed to name it because I got it from Walmart on special at 7 bucks. Its the best 7 foot rod i've ever purchased for 7 bucks. Last week I fought a rock at the bottom of the ocean for 2 hours untill my knot gave way. Very little bend.

Lastly I will try to get an affordable 8 foot rod. Any suggestions?

Rod length is important, but, not as much as technique. A good deckhand can cast further with a 6 foot rod than the typical fisherman can with a 9 foot rod...why? Practice, practice, practice.

I have found that a stiffer tip will get you some distance. In my opinion the lighter tip causes the whipping action, which can be bad, whereas the stiff tip, for lack of a better term, forces you to loft the iron.

As for rod suggestions, go buy a decent Seeker American series 870 and practice, practice, practice.

my 2 cent, practice is the key.

Hello Iggy, Welcome to the Chark-Fest:

Distance over water can be deceving. You would be supprised how long 100 yds. really is. 100 yds is one great cast with a boat rod. There are some great casters out there who are capable of it but it is rare. Is it doable , yes. Communicating with some East Coast beach fishermen that are distance casting nut cases, have reccomended the following for distance casting from a "Boat".

At least an 8.5ft. rod length. The longer the rod the faster the lure speed upon release.
No whimp stick, 20-50 minimum, prererred 30-60lb rated. The less rod bend the faster the recovery rate which in turn translates into faster lure speed.
Newell 225 (light graphite spool and small spool diameter) with 30lb spectra back, 120yd Izor XXX 20 lb. top shot, thats right 20lb no higher. The Izor 20 will test out over 35lb. The smaller the line diamter the longer the cast.
If you do not want to buy a new reel just use your Saltist, it should be just fine. Just be sure to back with the 30 spectra with the 20 Izor XXX top. Do not throw anyting lighter then 4.5oz. You need enough wt to sufficiently load the blank to take advantage of its power.

The pendulum cast will give you more distance but is not reccomend on a boat. Too dangerous.

Now my 1.5 cents worth:
The real key to distance besides the above is not to have to use your thumb on the spool except for touch down. Thats why all the good advice, practice, practice. You have to practice using your thumb just enough to stop the overun without killing the distance. However, no matter how skilled you become your thumb always kills 'extreme' distance potential by acting as a brake and slowing the spool speed. If your saltist still over spins do this.....

http://www.charkbait.com/article/2004/Walt_Galen.htm

Personally have a magged Avet MX W/20 Izor on a 7 1/2 ft. 20-40 stick I wrapped that is my go-to stick for 1-3 dayers. Can cast a 5oz iron 70yds (measured, on land) so a true 100 yds should be doable with the longer stick.

Walt

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Walt,

Wow. I have only been on this board for less than 1 day and just about all of my questions have been answered by all you wonderful Persons. The only way i can say thanks is to buy more stuff from Mark and Beth so they can keep this site up.

Trapped, AZ, Capn Lou Albano, Walt, Tanglediver, Baja, Mark T, you guys are great! Thank you for your time and attention.

I'm learning all this new stuff because its the best way to spend time with my dad. This is all my dad would talk about when i was growing up and i couldn't figure out why until i started working and then i finally knew that its the best temporary escape from everyday life. Just know that sharing this information on these boards will help shape memories for me that will never be forgotten.

Thanks All!

most of the guys and gals here on the board can help you with just about anything, follow and learn my little brother.

quote:

The pendulum cast will give you more distance but is not reccomend on a boat. Too dangerous.

I have been fishing So Cal waters for only 26 years on both private and sport boats and have found the above to not hold true. For me its the caster and not the casting method that is dangerous. I only use two types of casts most of the time in saltwater, an underhand lob with fresh baits for close in or the pendulum cast for bait or iron when distance is needed. When using the pendulum cast I have my bait or jig hanging down to my waist or lower depending on the room I have too cast. When using this style ALLWAYS LOOK BACK OVER YOUR SHOULDER and make sure onone or nothing will be snagged behind you while casting. I also say something like "going out" before starting my cast to let others I cant see know what I'm doing. Now if the boat is too crowded or there are things that can get snagged I go to the bow or use the lob cast. Again ALLWAYS look back and watch your bait there is no need to look forward until your lure or bait is out in front of you the ocean is big and you shouldn't miss it.

IMO...

I am first a fly fisherman who does silly things with no weight on the end of the line. The casting is a matter of loading the rod with the weight of the line plus the speed of the line. No yards here but casts are measured in feet.

So how does this transfer to casting iron....

1. THERE IS NO SUBSITUTE FOR PRACTICE!
2. I agree in an 8' fast taper rod
3. I agree with a modest 20 yd top shot of izorline 20 to 30 # with 50# spectra.
4. I have seen first hand a deck hand toss bait over 50 yds to a swirling tuna for an instant hook up. So 75 yds plus is doable by those who practice.
5. Always keep on eye on your jig and say loudly "going out" as you actually cast back over your shoulder.

The technique is better observed on a boat being done by a deckhand or someone like Walt. Ask for help and they will take you to the bow and toss a few for you so you can see the technique of loading the rod, thumb control and follow through.

Oh, did I mention going to your local football field with rod and jig, sans hook, and practicing?

You make some good points Socal. Your procedural description for safty should be put in an OSHA manual. Everyone needs to read it, if for no other reason than to keep safty fresh in our minds. Its back to the old adage, its not the gun its the gunner. Not everyone has the common sense, expierence and thoughtfulness that you do. Have been on 3/4 day'ers where I feared for my well being. The thought of one of them swinging a 5oz iron on 4 feet of line would send me to the galley.

The Captians back East have a different perspective on casting than we do. Pedro was telling me that on his boat they do not allow over hand casting. (bummer) Most likely because of risk involved when a newbie deadhead with no common sense winds up to pitch. If I was on a 5 day'er knowing some of the guyes were using the the pendulum cast I could relax, on a 1 day'er I would be on red alert.

For thoes with inquiring minds:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fishe...0%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

Walt


.

yah , dont try it on a full boat.

or go to the bow.

Walt,

I agree with you. The point I was trying to make is that its the caster and not the casting method only. Most of us all have been there and done that with the 3/4 day guys that know it all Don't even get me started with the swing for the fence hook setters.

P.S. Did anyone say practice makes sence