Leaderboard

You may find that you can cast as far with 2.75lb TC rods as you can with 3.25lb; it is very much down to technique, and being able to generate the tip speed on the cast. For example, bank to bank at Wick lane dam is around 125metres, I could cast that with 2.75lb TC rods, 15lb line Aerlex 8000's and 3oz leads. To get the best out of my 3.25lb TC's I have to go up to 3.5oz leads. The rod itself, you are not going to cast as far with a cheap budget blank as a more expensive better built rod, with better materials, despite what the lovely manufacturers tell you. The technology and materials of my Century SP's is better than the materials of my Rod Hutchinson The Ones, and The Ones do not add much more distance, as much as I practise casting. When I get to cast out I physically go through my casting action, like a golfers practise swing. I check my feet, hand positions, even the swing. I also have a practise cast to wet the line and the rings. Long distance casting in snag free waters mean you can use a shock leader, and to be honest, fine your line down. If you don't need 15lb line, and can safely drop to 12 or 10lb then do so. Before anyone calls me irresponsible, bear in mind, in water basically your line will take 4 times its breaking strain, so 40lb on 10lb, and playing a fish safely, carefully, you can land bigger than that. Ballistics: Lead shapes, look at bullets, shells, for rifles, tapering down from a point, so go to tournament leads, they do get best distance with pears not far behind. The angle that you cast at is the angle the lead hits the water, and 45degrees is the angle at which you gain most distance, obviously wind and feathering down will have an effect on that. Keep your rigs tidy, as short as possible. I still prefer to use run rings, rather than helicopter leads, although I do know that sacrifices a few metres, but helicopter set-ups I have found give funny takes, and using that heli set-up, you will need a shockleader as the lead and rig do frag the line. (Incidentally it is that fragging the line that was the reason for leadcore, not its supposed sinking). Inline leads, because of the swivel or rig coming out the front wobble in flight. Give your cast everything you can, don't hold back, holding back will cost you distance.

The best tenner you'll ever spend if you do self takes!!!!!!

I've just moved swims to a silty area of the lake, I've seen a number of fish head and shouldering over the area, I've just put out a couple of catapults of 20mm boilies and a fish has just rolled over. I'm using 2 different types of boilie that have had a good dose of hemp oil, so I'm hoping that'll get them down. Rigs are in place and the fish are still there, fingers crossed.

Carp Anglers Inadvertent masters of tetras I'm off

I think the lads on here would all agree that most anglers subconsciously hold themselves back for fear of rod breakages or cracking off. Do as chilly suggests, start low until you get the feel, a day practicing on your water will bring you closer. This is the knot I've used for years, as mentioned before, the length, bail arm to bail arm.

watching back a Video of yourself casting is a great tip , slow motion is even better ( most phones have this function ) you can break down each individual part of the cast & really see what huge differences there are when you get it right & wrong & really see what your doing rather than what you think your doing . 150 - 160 should be achievable without a leader 15lb straight through. Just practice is the best advice & try a selection of leads some distance leads really wabble through the air , some are better for cross winds etc .

During our first day with Terry Edmonds, I was hitting 150 easily with 12ft 3lb rods, 3oz zip lead and .35mm line straight through. My biggest cast was just shy of 160yards on that set up. It is more technique than equipment. Although the latter does play its part. film yourself side on, in slow motion. Then watch terry Edmonds in slow mo on you tube. This will show you when you are loading the rod. I actually slowed the first part of my cast down after advice from terry. Giving the rod more time to load before generating maximum lead speed. I could cast pretty tidy before our lessons but having him tweak my technique, and practising it since, I can now hit what was my maximum with greater ease and far more accuracy. I can cast longer now but my main objective from the lessons was casting straight, at distance. Now, if I am faced with big winds etc, I can still fish comfortably at big distances if needed.

I thought I'd give this a bump again as I'm out fishing tomorrow. There's 2 maybe 3 waters I'm going to look at tomorrow, which ever one I see fish on I'm going to fish. I've gotten everything ready to be packed in the car tomorrow after I've taken the little one to school, then I'm back early on Thursday morning. The weather is looking wet so at least it won't be cold. What ever happens, I'm going to enjoy it regardless