Casting Advice

[RossW]

I can't cast my Conoflex Highlander very well at all.

I'm 6ft2 and 15stone and use 6oz lead. I only overhead thump it but, even so, it is hard to bend.

Any simple tips to do it better? (I know I should go to a casting instructor etc but any wee tips would be much appreciated)

Cheers in advance, ......

 

[COD-O-MATIC]

When I had a highlander I found it cast best OTG.

Twist hips and rod tip back to 2 o'clock, lay lead back 5-6 o'clock, vary your drop length till you find what suits you.

Start rotate with hips and follow though with shoulders punch & pull with forearms.

I think a smooth slow but deliberate build up suited me with it, wish I had another one.

 

[COD-O-MATIC]

If you use a multi, try the reel down as its easier to compress, just a pita to reel in any weight with that orientation imo

 

[RossW]

Cheers mate - I'll give the OTG a go

 

[toonboymc]

i have a highlander too and am only 5 foot 10 and have the same issue and will give the advice a go cheers

 

[Darnc]

I find my highlander the same, they are very stiff rods I only use mine when fishing rough ground so I don't need a long cast just a chuck out

 

[Stewart 1971]

I can't cast my Conoflex Highlander very well at all.

I'm 6ft2 and 15stone and use 6oz lead. I only overhead thump it but, even so, it is hard to bend.

Any simple tips to do it better? (I know I should go to a casting instructor etc but any wee tips would be much appreciated)

Cheers in advance, ......

Simplest tip is to get a softer rod. If you can't bend it, you can't send it. Even casting lessons won't help you that much - ideally you need a rod that will be forgiving of mistakes and poor timing while still giving you a gentle nudge. Bad timing on a rod like the Highlander is likely to put you on your arse and because it is so stiff it will hinder rather than help development of a decvent technique.

Unless you are fishing rough ground (and if so distance casting shouldn't be much of an issue anyways) I'd advise to invest in a less poker like rod. Carbon Metal Express or a Mk 1 Tip Tornado Sport are two rods that spring to mind that you could probably pick up 2nd hand for around £120 or even a straight swap for the Highlander.

 

[magpies]

I was having the same trouble with my Sonik SK3, switched to a Penn Affinity 15' fixed spool and braid and it added 30 yards (maybe more) and reduced the effort required to get there. Just makes life easy. It's a cop out mind and perhaps I should have learned how to cast properly. But I want to go fishing, not casting if that makes sense.

 

[Elbob]

try this mate: John Holden Easy Cast Method - YouTube

 

[billynobaits]

Simplest tip is to get a softer rod. If you can't bend it, you can't send it. Even casting lessons won't help you that much - ideally you need a rod that will be forgiving of mistakes and poor timing while still giving you a gentle nudge. Bad timing on a rod like the Highlander is likely to put you on your arse and because it is so stiff it will hinder rather than help development of a decvent technique.

Unless you are fishing rough ground (and if so distance casting shouldn't be much of an issue anyways) I'd advise to invest in a less poker like rod. Carbon Metal Express or a Mk 1 Tip Tornado Sport are two rods that spring to mind that you could probably pick up 2nd hand for around £120 or even a straight swap for the Highlander.

Wise words indeed.

 

[g-force]

Simplest tip is to get a softer rod. If you can't bend it, you can't send it. Even casting lessons won't help you that much - ideally you need a rod that will be forgiving of mistakes and poor timing while still giving you a gentle nudge. Bad timing on a rod like the Highlander is likely to put you on your arse and because it is so stiff it will hinder rather than help development of a decvent technique.

Unless you are fishing rough ground (and if so distance casting shouldn't be much of an issue anyways) I'd advise to invest in a less poker like rod. Carbon Metal Express or a Mk 1 Tip Tornado Sport are two rods that spring to mind that you could probably pick up 2nd hand for around £120 or even a straight swap for the Highlander.

That......or try three Shredded Wheat

Gary

 

[RossW]

Thanks lads. Food for thought (or just food in your case Gary).

Think I might keep the Highlander for fishing the filth and invest in a new rod for mixed ground.

I've got an old Daiwa Moonraker which casts beautifully but bends in half with any wind or snags... Need something in-between the 2.

 

[g.ordon]

Thanks lads. Food for thought (or just food in your case Gary).

Think I might keep the Highlander for fishing the filth and invest in a new rod for mixed ground.

I've got an old Daiwa Moonraker which casts beautifully but bends in half with any wind or snags... Need something in-between the 2.

what model moonraker yer got mate?

 

[COD-O-MATIC]

I've got an old Daiwa Moonraker which casts beautifully but bends in half with any wind or snags... Need something in-between the 2.

Sounds like my sk3 :-!

 

[CHUKKA]

Sorry got to disagree! A highlander is a powerful rod but certainly not stiff by modern standards. Anyone of 12 stone plus should be able to compress the rod, maybe not to its full potential but enough to get onto the meat of the rod. It is ALL about technique! Some lessons and hands on help would be my advice.

 

[InCodweTrust]

Simplest tip is to get a softer rod. If you can't bend it, you can't send it. Even casting lessons won't help you that much - ideally you need a rod that will be forgiving of mistakes and poor timing while still giving you a gentle nudge. Bad timing on a rod like the Highlander is likely to put you on your arse and because it is so stiff it will hinder rather than help development of a decvent technique.

Unless you are fishing rough ground (and if so distance casting shouldn't be much of an issue anyways) I'd advise to invest in a less poker like rod. Carbon Metal Express or a Mk 1 Tip Tornado Sport are two rods that spring to mind that you could probably pick up 2nd hand for around £120 or even a straight swap for the Highlander.

Totally agree, CME is a excellent rod for all around fishing, will handle rough, and smooth, alike. Has a good tip, is a joy to cast, and can punch very good distance. The best thing i can say is that if you don't get your cast 100% it forgives you, unlike my blackbird which bites lumps out of you. i will always pick CME up as partner to my zippy bullet, for night fishing, or when casting of an uneven surface,
mel...

 

[big phil 123]

size helps to bend a rod but speed and a bit of know how is better i have seen lads 12 stone put a lead out a long way yes it helps for the field to be big but for every day fishing no

 

[DINSLEY]

i use the rt axcellrator i struggled ta get a gd cast the a just played about with my wys of casting and found if i lay the lead at 2 o clock and pull rod towards me a fraction so tip is slightly bent and twist my upper body and as i bring rod forward go straight over my head i get a excellent cast this suits me but others vairey

 

[david.northeast]

i agree with some of the others above me a slightly softer rod will be much more forgiving.

a rod that is too stiff will hinder as much as a rod that is too soft, ask a freind if they have a softer rod than yours and if you can have a few throws of it.
i do also think that a few lessons wont go a miss it may just be your technique that needs altering

 

[Juliogeordio]

Dont think you will have that issue with a tip tornado or the CME as mentioned above mate. Im only 5'9" but can bend the Highlander.... mainly down to technique but as mentioned already, try an off the ground cast and vary the drop length... its all about physics!! Best of luck with it,