CASTING TECHNIQUES - INCREASING YOUR CAST WITH A BAIT
Last month ray investigated the basics on casting including the stance, drop and loading of the rod. This month we’ll try and give you tips on how to throw a bait a little further.
Distance is not always required to get the bite , we tend to throw over the fish .there are however times when a long throw is required to produce the pull and you’ll be left watching movies if you cant get your bait into the strike zone.
Text by Dean Pretorius, image By Brenna Bales-Smith.
Times when one might require extra distance are:
* When the sea is up and you need to get the bait behind the swell
* When there is working water or puffing sand that the fish are feeding in
* When there is a patch of reef or structure that needs to be reached.
* When throwing over a bank into open sea or a into a far out gutter.
As you can see there are numerous instances when that bit of extra distance could come in handy. With the advent of the non return slide, getting a big bait out a long way became a far easier task and there is much debate around the erosion of angling skills with the advent of this invention. In my opinion, this is all good and well but there are many times that the conditions are not conducive to sliding. For example, a strong current, wind, big crowd and sea weed etc. When these factors come into consideration, it’s the angler who can throw a well prepared bait CID (cast in deep), who will reap the reward of his throw.
With the use of the bait clip on the wire and weedeater grab sinkers that are now the rage, one is able to clip their hook onto the sinker, this allows the bait to travel with the sinker minimizing resistance and keeping the bait from spinning in the air. In utilizing this clip one could gain up to 30m on a cast. This seems easy but if the bait is not properly prepared the bait will simply spin in the air decreasing the cast and probably getting you some comment about being a chopper pilot or worse…
Believe it or not, when intending to throw a clip bait, aerodynamics play a huge role in how the bait is built. It is important to remember that the hook must always be proud as it is no use to get the bait out where the fish are only to miss the pull because the hooks were not proud enough.
Here are some tips when baiting up for a CID.
* Always make sure that your sinker line is slightly longer than your hook line.
* Make sure that the bait is cut aerodynamically i.e. sharp on both sides
* Make sure that the hook is secure in the bait by means of foam or a tooth pick. If you do not do this the bait will often slide up the line on impact with the water.
* The hook that is to be clipped must not be too far away from the bait as this will cause the bait to spin in the air.
* Always build the bait up from the front never behind as this will cause the bait to wobble in the air.
* Make sure there are no excess strands of cotton sticking out of the bait as this can grab the casting clip and your bait wont release.
Use these small tips and see the difference.
Here are two of my favorite throw baits.
1. The CID head throw bait
2. cut the head behind the pectoral fins and shape aerodynamically
3. Open up the head along the bottom as shown.
4. Put your top hook through the lips
5. Lay the bottom hook into the opening. A piece of foam can be put on the hook.
6. Tie up with cotton making sure bottom hook is proud and does not swivel around
7. Clip and throw.
This bait is great for a mackerel head but works brilliantly with bonnito, snoek and other large heads.
The whole mackerel CID throw
1. Trim the tail of the whole mackerel/red eye
2. Push the hook through the tail and out aging and then into the mouth and then pull up.
3. Push the hook through the bottom jaw and come out the nose and secure the hook with a pin /tooth pick.
4. Neatly cotton the bait up. Add a piece of foam along the side if required.
5. Secure the top of the tail tightly. A small clear cable tie works wonders
6. Clip and throw a mile.
This works better with a semi frozen bait as fresh or thawed bait tends to spin. Whole red eyes, sea pike and other rounded body bait fish are great for this method.
Article Courtesy: ESA
















