Pendulem problems

[JumboHaddock]

Hello.
Ive just got back from the beach where i was doing a bit of casting .
The problem i m having is that when i pendulem cast about 1 in every 4 casts smashes the shingle as i bring the rod round,the lead then goes out alright (ish_
I m probably bring my tip to low?
Just wondered if anyone knows where i m going wrong or is it just a case of keep practicing.
Also how close to the ground should my tip get?
cheers

[DAVE H]

not seeing you cast it could be owt
HOW long is your drop?
if you wait to long on the back swing the lead starts to fall then you are playing catch up this makes it hit the deck.

[philtherod]

Classic case of short drop to the lead. The lead should be around the same position as the upper hand. If you are using a stiff-tipped rod, then do not swing the lead high, as you would with a softer tipped rod. Also, do not try to pull the rod back over your shoulder before casting; keep the rod low, and let the lead climb higher than the rod, but don't allow the lead to climb "over the top". If the lead is outside the tip, you lose control as the lead cannot move back inside the tip, and instead of compressing the rod into its full power curve you will merely stretch the leader. This is a common cause of cracking-off.
Those who have been to a session with me will know about what I call "Transition-point casting". It is the key to good casting, but would take too long to put in words.

philtherod

[JumboHaddock]

Thanks for both your replys.
I m using a zzippy 3500s with the reel in the low position,my lead on the drop is about 12-18 inches above my top hand.
I shortened my drop thinking this was the problem but by what your saying it needs to be longer.
I suppose the only real answer is get lessons.
Thanks very much for your advice and have a good christmas .

[DAVE H]

try the lead on the top of your high hand
i know it seem funny a longer drop not hiting the deck but its true.

[flukeyluke]

not seeing you cast it could be owt
HOW long is your drop?
if you wait to long on the back swing the lead starts to fall then you are playing catch up this makes it hit the deck.

This is what i was suffering from,now ive started to uncoil as soon as the lead has gong out of my view and i hardly ever hit the floor any more

[cain]

If You Pull Into The Cast Too Early It Will Also Hit The Floor, Basically There Is 101 Reasons That Can Make It Happen

[DINOBOY]

the way i learned was from the time the lead goes out of view on the back swing to the time i had turned my head to look at my sky target it was time to start unwinding the cast slowly the progress to the power stroke.IMO some of my best efforts come when i dont think about what im doing. RELAX

[dkstenson]

Dave H, Philtherod have given you some perfect scenarios as to why this can happen.
Also, low reel, SLOW down....
If you are going to fast then you can force the lead into the deck behind you.

Once you start doing this, its difficult to establish why if you are alone...
Try this... (And stick to it)

Longer drop, (as per Dave H) Try it with lead at right hand height.
Then SLOW SLOW SLOW.....
Keep looking really high, but relax and consider it as just a gentle lob... DO NOT GO FOR DISTANCE....
Nice gentle easy cast as if you were just running first 50 yards off your reel....

When you have done that, then have another go, but SLOW down even more... (Because you wouldnt have slowed enough in the first case)...

As also said, it can be a number of reasons, with ideas put forward so far, sure it can be fixed....

SLOW SLOW SLOW......
Only once you have cured this problem is it time to start applying the power, and remember the power does not come through speed.

[cain]

as i was taught think slow then think slower then do it even slower!

[JumboHaddock]

Cheers for the great information,when i m casting i know its slow slow slow but its hard not to speed up the cast in the search for more power.
Merry christmas to you all.

[big_spence]

I know its difficult not to try and smash the lead into oblivion but the slower the better mate the distance and power will come and you probably wont even notice.

[purglaspete]

another classic reason for driving the lead into the ground is dipping your shoulder, ie a right hander as he comes around with the lead dips his right shoulder trying to get under the lead to belt it and the usual result is a lead banged into the ground .

[philtherod]

True, it used to work with the Abu 484, as the rod was only 11'6" long. I have an Abu "Tight Lines" from 1973 with a set of pictures of Nigel Forrest doing just that, with modern blanks it is almost impossible to get the foreshortening of these early glass rods that allowed the shouldder to dip under the rod.

philthefish.