Why Doesn't My Fishing Rod Cast Far? (With Solutions)

Are you wondering why your fishing rod seems to fall short in comparison to other fishers when casting? There could be many reasons behind it, but fortunately, you can improve your casting distance in various ways.

Why Doesn’t My Fishing Rod Cast Far?

Your fishing rod may not cast far if there is not enough lubrication in the various parts, if the lure’s weight doesn’t suit the rod and if some parts aren’t high quality. Sometimes the gear is just not suitable, so it can result in shorter casting distances. Even the wind conditions can be a cause.

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When thinking about why you’re casting fewer yards, you need to consider the selection and maintenance of the fishing rod first.

The set-up is secondary. Power, action, line, lure, rod length- are all a few factors that affect your casting distance.

3 Reasons Why Fishing Rod Is Not Casting Farther

Here are the most common reasons your fishing rod is not casting farther:

Not Enough Maintenance:

Cleaning and weekly lubrication are a must for the best results. This basic requirement is an important factor in your casting as well. A rod with corroded parts will not allow you to reach the maximum potential.

Your Fishing Gear is Not Optimal:

Your fishing gear, consisting of the rod, line, lure, etc., needs to match your needs perfectly.

A short rod will not cast as far as a long rod. Too little or too much power and action, lure weight too light, a thick line diameter- all result in suboptimal casts.

You’re Not Working with The Wind:

You may be overlooking how big of a factor wind can be. A simple breeze blowing the wrong way can sabotage your cast by increasing the air resistance for your line and lure.

How to Improve Your Casting Distance?

You can improve your casting distance by trying the methods below:

Get a Longer Rod:

Switching to a longer rod is the easiest way to increase your casting distance. It’s self-explanatory that between two rods of the same power and action, a longer one will cast farther.

A smaller rod is easier to move around, so it’s a bit more accurate. But when you’re aiming for more yards, try learning how to use a longer rod.

Get the right balance in Action and Power:

According to physics, every action has an equal opposite reaction. So, it stands to reason why a heavier load in the rod’s blank lets you cast farther.

So, the answer is not as simple as getting the rod with the highest action and power. Because those types of rods are more inflexible, resulting in not being able to hold too heavy loads.

A rod with light action and lack of power is also more likely to break. Taking both these into account, choose a rod that is moderate in both action and power.

Go for Thinner and Lighter Lines:

Thicker lines are necessary in some cases, but when you want the maximum launching output thin and light lines are your best friend.

The reason is simple: the force of recoil affects a lighter line and displaces it farther. The aerodynamics also favor the thinner shape in reducing air resistance.

You will come across many long-distance casters using braid lines for this reason.

Give thought to the Material of the Line:

Materials like fluorocarbon of the same weight as a braid will throw a shorter distance. Try looking for lines with smaller diameters.

Get a Heavier Lure, but pay attention to the Shape:

As a general guideline, heavier lures gain more distance. However, don’t be quick to invest in a bulky lure. The lure’s shape needs to have a lined quality.

A worm will cast farther than a flapping and spinning bait.

You also need to consider which weight works best for your rod, because each is different.

Don’t cast when the Wind is Against You:

The wind has a mind of its own. At times, it can work against your cast. Don’t get frustrated as it’s a point out of your control.

What you can do is learn how to best use the direction of the wind, and work with it rather than against it.

Also read What Type of Reel Casts the Farthest?

What Makes a Fishing Rod Cast Far?

These are the things that make your fishing rod cast far: longer rods, medium power and action rods, line and lure are not aerodynamic, good technique, etc.

Do Longer Fishing Rods Cast Further?

Yes, longer fishing rods cast further in almost all cases.

When two rods are identical in every way except for length, a longer rod undoubtedly covers more distance. That’s why you see most pros who cast 100 yards and above using long rods.

What Type of Fishing Rod Casts the Farthest?

The standard for distance casts is a 10-12 feet length rod capable of casting half a pound in weight. However, the fishing rod that casts the farthest is the one that is optimized for your goals.

Remember a long 12 feet rod will not be of use to you if you can’t move it around comfortably.

How Far Can a Fishing Rod Cast?

With the right gear and technique aiding you, you can easily go from short casts to 50-60 yards. Most ambitious fishing enthusiasts are after the 100-yard cast. While this is possible, this result requires a lot of setup and expertise.

You can increase your current cast distance. Theoretically, one feet increase in rod length will increase your distance by 10 yards. And you can gain about 15 yards if you switch to an optimal fishing rod with the right length and use a suitable strategy.

Types of fishing rods and strategies for casting far:

Crankbait with an 8 feet parabolic long rod:

Crankbait is all about throwing as far as you can. So, a moderately heavy long rod with a line that passes the 10-pound test is perfect for this.

Topwater with a 6.6 feet parabolic medium rod:

When casting a topwater, you want to do a long-distance cast but you also want to control. Hence, the medium length size of the rod is optimal.

You also want to have some good action going, so a braided line passing the 50-pound test is the way to go.

Spybaiting with a 7 feet medium rod:

As the name suggests, the trick is to be subtle in your approach. You want to create the longest cast you can while keeping in mind its fall rate, so it drops down to the fish perfectly.

When retrieving, you want to be slow and steady. The perfect gear for this would be a medium length rod with a line that’s tested for 6 pounds.

Heavy baiting with a 7.9 feet long rod:

When you want to cast for heavy fish, you want a long cast with a lot of power so a long rod is the way to go. Moreover, you want it to be lightweight for ease of maneuvering. A sizable grip area is also necessary.

A 7.9 feet long rod with a braided line that passes 80 pounds testing is your best bet for this.

How to Cast a Fishing Rod Far?

If you want to cast your fishing rod far, follow these tips:

Use a rod of a length suitable for your style of fishing.
Long rods cast farther, so considering switching.
Pick a reel that goes up to 300 yards, so you can cast up to more than 100.
Choose an aerodynamic sinker.
Use hand protection.
Master the Brighton Cast.
Practice your casting often.

How Long Should Your Fishing Rod Be?

To put it simply, rods less than or equal to 6 feet (short rods) are good if you want to hit the bullseye and catch fish with accuracy. On the other hand, 7 feet and up rods (long rods) are good for casting long distances and take the lead if accuracy isn’t your agenda.

The three main things that will account for how long your fishing rod should be are:

Casting Accuracy:

Casting accuracy is easier to pull off with a short rod. That’s because the length allows you to quickly angle it to your desire. Longer rods tend to be both long and on the heavier side, hence they fall behind in accuracy.

Potential Casting Distance:

Casting distance on the other hand will undoubtedly increase the longer your rod gets. When you want to cast fish from far away, long rods will be your choice. However, keep in mind you will lose the ease of maneuver and accuracy that comes with a short rod.

Amount of Comfort:

Comfort is the last thing to check but it can be the dealbreaker. Getting a rod that you feel you can keep using is the best way to ensure you sustain your hobby.

Your casting distance relies on a lot of factors other than your fishing rod, but the rod is the most decisive factor. Learning about the reasons and how to make the best out of your fishing will aid you in reaching the 100-yard cast!