| The striped bassfish can be very elusive at times | | | | You will by now have conditioned you thumb, |
| for any number of reasons. But having said that, | | | | brain and arm to all the essential things they're |
| catching this predator is not that difficult if you | | | | required to know, do and feel, during the cast. For |
| are prepared. | | | | your first few casts you should aim to lob your |
| And striped bass fishing is no different then | | | | plug to a given target. Make sure your reel is |
| anything else, there is no free lunch - you´ll | | | | tilted to the side, your grip is relaxed, and your |
| need to practice and be prepared to bring home a | | | | elbow is by your side. There is no need to bring |
| boatload of the Striper. | | | | your upper arm into the action during the cast. |
| Prepare & Practice | | | | Your first casts should be gentle and high looping. |
| Before you attempt to practice you should make | | | | Keep the movement fluid and gentle. Glance at |
| sure your spool contains enough line. The line | | | | the target you wish to cast to, but watch the |
| should fill up to the bottom of the chamber on | | | | plug as it glides through the air. As it travels you |
| the top edge of the spool. A full spool does not | | | | should be feathering the line with your thumb, |
| have to revolve so quickly as the line peels off on | | | | ever so gently. As it reaches the target zone, |
| the cast. If the spool is only half full you are going | | | | your thumb should stop the spool. |
| to need more force to overcome greater | | | | That 20 to 30 minutes practice in the lounge will |
| rotational inertia in getting the spool going. This is | | | | make the whole deal so easy. In a matter of a |
| sure to result in problems. | | | | few casts you will find your confidence soaring. |
| You should treat yourself to a set of casting | | | | Once that feeling is achieved a whole new world |
| plugs. They are not expensive and will make | | | | of fishing pleasure will open its door to you. |
| practice in the back yard that much more | | | | Not surprising to find kids learn this technique |
| enjoyable. | | | | quickly and very soon are able to land the lure in |
| Choose the biggest plug, as this is the best to get | | | | a bucket at thirty paces. |
| the feel with when you are first starting out. | | | | Although these reels are called baitcasters, they |
| You should sit down, holding the rod and reel in | | | | are best suited to lure casting. Sure you can cast |
| the correct position, and with the rod point in the | | | | bait with them too, but they are the only way to |
| air. You then allow the plug to drop to the floor, | | | | go when tossing lures for species from trout and |
| feathering the line as it drops, but only stopping | | | | largemouth bass to striped bass. |
| the spool as the plug reaches the floor. | | | | When you're using artificial lures, the baitcaster is |
| By continually doing this exercise for a minimum | | | | the best because it's extremely accurate, is a |
| of 20 minutes, you teach your thumb the | | | | one-handed operation, and doesn't twist the line. |
| process of controlling the spool. | | | | The baitcaster is also excellent when fishing for |
| As the line drops to the floor you should be able | | | | bigger fish of any species on light line. Once you |
| to feel the rotating spool, tickling your thumb as it | | | | start using them you will be hooked better than |
| spins. Your 20 minutes practice teaches your | | | | the fish you are chasing. |
| thumb to feather the line on the way out to the | | | | There are some terrific baitcasting rods and reels |
| target, to stop the lure or bait when it reaches its | | | | out there waiting for you to discover them. |
| target, and not to point North. | | | | Today's units are light and extremely comfortable |
| Twenty minutes is not much when you consider | | | | to use, making three to four hour's casting easy, |
| the practice required for the golf swing! If you're | | | | provided you take the time to buy right.There are |
| prepared to do this the advice is well worth | | | | many good baitcasters out on the market and |
| heeding. | | | | most are very well designed. When buying a |
| Having driven the family mad with your 20 minute | | | | baitcaster, mount the reel on a rod and get the |
| feathering exercise, you should then be ready to | | | | feel of it. If the release lever forces your thumb |
| take on the dog in the back yard. | | | | out wide, or if the thing feels uncomfortable, try |
| Once outside, flex the rod back and forth whilst | | | | another. |
| holding the spool with your thumb. This is not a 20 | | | | For really light lures and loads you may find a |
| minute exercise - just flex the rod back and forth | | | | threadline reel easier to get distance with, but it |
| to get the feel of the rod loading and unloading. It | | | | will not be as much fun, and you may sacrifice a |
| is a continuous backwards and forward motion | | | | little accuracy. |
| taking the rod well back, but don't stop the rod in | | | | Johns website help beginners and advanced bass |
| the back position | | | | fishermen to catch a boat load of fish. Please visit |
| Practice at home | | | | the site for more info... |