Tackle Frenzy - Casting

Although I am an advocate of the fixed spool reel, casting is still an art that needs to be learned. The most common mistake people make is to hold the line against the rod, with all four fingers. To make it worse the angler often leaves an excess of line hanging from the reel that tangles around the bail arm causing either tangles or loops in the line.

The Correct Method

When handled correctly the fixed spool reel is very easy to operate. The design of the bail arm and stem connecting the reel to the rod is not accidental, it is designed to aid easy use. In order to prepare for a cast the bail up should be positioned with the roller closest to the rod. The line is then picked up by your index finger only and pulled up the the stem of the reel where it joins the fixing plate and held in place by the index finger. The bail arm is then opened and the rod is pulled back for the cast. On swinging the rod forward, the rod should be pointed at the target area and when the rod is around 30 degrees from the horizontal the index finger is pointed along the rod and the line is released to flow off the fixed spool and run smoothly through the rings allowing a decent cast. The line will automatically slow down as the weight sinks to the bottom, once the line has stopped flowing from the reel turn the handle forward, the bail arm will re-set and you then take up any slack.

Quick Tips

Hold the line only with your index finger
Trap the line against the reel stem
Release line by pointing the index finger along the rod ONLY when the rod is at 30 degrees to horizontal
Allow weight to land on sea bed and wind reel handle forward to re-set the bail arm
Take up the slack line

It doesn't take long to master casting with a fixed spool reel and if these guidelines are followed a fixed spool reel will provide many happy hours of trouble free fishing.

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