How much does the rod affect casting distance?

**xcrisx** · 10-01-2007, 13:06

ok, i recently bought a pretty cheap rod due to financial constraints and I feel that its lack of flex and power is affecting my casting. I can easily lob a 40g lure 80-100 yards on my 8ft spinning rod so I expected that I would be able to lob a 5oz lead a little further with a 14 foot rod.

my technique is ok, although I know that flicking a lure and lobbing a heavy wieght require different approaches, but i feel that my rod is hampering my ability to get greater distances.

im using a f/s spool reel mostly. i used a penn 502 multi reel for a bit but this didnt improve my distance to any noticable degree.

what say you?

**Painy** · 10-01-2007, 13:20

Some of the cheaper rods these days are more than capable of chucking a lead a fair way.

Buy an expensive rod, lob the thing as opposed to getting the max from the rod and it won't go any further.

I reckon it has more to do with casting style suiting the blank as opposed to the cost of the rod.

**xcrisx** · 10-01-2007, 13:31

yeah painy. i keep hearing that a top of the range rod wont make much difference and might even make it worse if I dont use it properly. the rod is ok i guess, but when i cast i dont feel it whipping the sinker out that way my spinning rod does. i only have to give that a flick and it send the lure flying. the surf rod seems a bit, well, loose with no real elasticity and power to it.

maybe i just need to refine my technique.

**oldchukka** · 10-01-2007, 14:04

believe me ! there is such a thing as cheap and nasty. there are also a few rods that are reasonably priced and will "do the job" . but real state of the art rods coupled to a good real , can make life a lot easier , provided you chose the right one to suit you and not one that is too stiff--too heavy and likely give you a hernia

**Rich pickins** · 10-01-2007, 14:21

In answer to your question. The difference with using a good rod, coupled with a good casting style and Reel, properly loaded, will make a huge difference to achieveable distance. Anyone who tells you different is very wrong in my opinion. Its a bit like saying a Mini is as good as a Ferrari. Yeh! for people who have never driven one, i`m sure they think their Mini is `the business` But most of us know a Ferrari is better!
You can buy a top of the range rod now for about £100 either in the sales or second hand on e`bay. I saw a Tip Tornado go for £100 about 2 weeks ago! Now THAT`S a good fishing rod!
p.s. If you are using a Fixed spool. Try 30 lb braid with 60 lb shock leader. That will improve your distance even if you are using a Bamboo pole!

All the best,
Rich

**AndrewJS** · 10-01-2007, 16:18

An expensive rod may increase your distances but at the end of the day its down to the individual's technique. The rod must suit your style and you must be able to bend it. I find my spinning rods need a fast, crisp hit at the end but my beachcasters need a slow build up of speed finishing with a powerful hit. The two techniques don't go together well.
A lot of the less expensive rods in the right hands will get to 200 yards.
I started tournament casting last year after 30 years of beach fishing and its changed what rods I do and don't like!
Using a basic OTG cast I recently compared some of my rods with the same weight (5oz), reel and line. The differences between my cheapest and most expensive rod was over 50metres. The cheapest rod (12' Penn Powerstick) still cast 166 metres though.

**inford** · 10-01-2007, 16:41

alot of ppl blame the rod
remember a rod is a tool and will only do what you tell it
i now some one that has cast over 250 yards with a on thomson excelleraternot the dearst rod in the world

first i would say develop a good sound casting style then find a rod that suits you

dont be a dedicated follower of fashion just because jason willacome has hit 311with a hst dosnt mean we all can he found what rod works for him best

**Ulsterman** · 05-01-2008, 12:56

Originally Posted by xcrisx

yeah painy. i keep hearing that a top of the range rod wont make much difference and might even make it worse if I dont use it properly. the rod is ok i guess, but when i cast i dont feel it whipping the sinker out that way my spinning rod does. i only have to give that a flick and it send the lure flying. the surf rod seems a bit, well, loose with no real elasticity and power to it.

maybe i just need to refine my technique.

xcrisx, I find the exact same with my spinning rod. A flick with my spinning rod sends 2 onces out as far as my beachcaster does with 5. I'm using a rather stiff, but tuff, Ron Thompson which is basically for rough ground, I've never managed to get it whipping a lead out the same as my spinning rod. I think it would need to be loaded with 8 onces or more to get the whip and responce needed, but then I'm afraid of snapping the thing.

My spinning rod loaded with 2 onces feels springy but firm and very responsive, but my beachcaster loaded with 5 onces feels stiff, there's no feel of energy or elasticity there. I have to put real power behind it in order to get the rod bent and it still doesn't go all that far (80yrds with an overhead thump)

**Omnipotent Krlll** · 05-01-2008, 15:45

The caster is the main limiting factor.

Turd Rod + Turd Caster = Turd Cast

Good Rod + Turd Caster = Turd Cast

Turd Rod + Good Caster = Good Cast

Good Rod + Good Caster = Excellent Cast

**jackknights** · 05-01-2008, 21:37

Originally Posted by Omnipotent Krlll

The caster is the main limiting factor.

Turd Rod + Turd Caster = Turd Cast

Good Rod + Turd Caster = Turd Cast

Turd Rod + Good Caster = Good Cast

Good Rod + Good Caster = Excellent Cast

cant agree more well said