Article by Capt. Mark Sampson
A couple weeks ago, I wrote about both the advantages and disadvantages of using spinning tackle for various types of fishing and concluded that even though spinning tackle isn't appropriate for all type of fishing, it's one that every fishermen should at least have in their arsenal of rods and reels because sooner or later they're going to have a use for it, and it's probably the best tackle for those anglers who are limited to owning just one or two rods.
In the winter, I work as a flats-fishing guide in the lower Florida Keys, and while many of my clients are fly-fishermen, most opt to use spinning tackle in their pursuit of the many species of fish that frequent the shallow flats. In Florida, we often spot our fish first and then attempt to make an accurate cast that will put the bait or lure in the strike zone. We then follow up with the appropriate retrieve to tempt the fish to strike. Of course, after the bite, the angler will have to properly fight the fish to the boat, which, depending upon the size and the species, could be as simple as just cranking it right in or as involved as enduring a long give-and-take battle for more than an hour. Regardless of what we do or do not catch, my clients always step off the boat knowing they’ve had plenty of casting practice!
And while they cast - I watch. Cast after cast, from atop my little poling platform I have a front row balcony seat and the opportunity to critique every presentation. Not that I really do that, but I do have to pay attention to the overall casting proficiency of each client so that I know their strengths and weaknesses and what I need to do help connect them to the fish. As a guide, it’s my responsibility not only to spot fish and get the boat within casting range, but also to coach my clients through any shortcomings they might have, from making the cast to fighting the fish, “instruction” is a huge part of most trips.
One reason even seasoned anglers have problems casting is that many have spent their entire fishing career just lobbing casts out into the water without any real need for distance or accuracy, so they never really have a reason to perfect the use of their tackle and to be sure, many pick up bad habits that, even after many years of fishing, they just don’t shake. As long as anglers adhere to certain fundamentals, spinning tackle is some of the easiest equipment to use. Over the years, I’ve noted that there are a number of mistakes that spin fishermen commonly make, that when recognized are easy to overcome and will immediately improve their performance on the water.
Proper grip of the rod
A spinning rod should be gripped in the right hand with the reel seat between the middle and ring finger.
Holding the line
When preparing to cast the reel, it should be cranked until the line coming off the spool is at the top of the reel closest to the hand holding the rod. The line should then be grasped by the index finger ONLY, and about two-thirds of the way from the tip of the finger to the first joint. Don’t use more than one finger and don’t put the line in the crease of the first joint as doing either will impede a smooth release of the line on the cast, and ruin accuracy.
Don’t use the anti-reverse lever
The little lever under the reel that allows the reel to be cranked backwards (thus letting line out) is known as the anti-reverse. Many reel manufactures don’t offer this feature on their reels anymore and I wish none of them did. I cannot think of a single fishing situation when it would be appropriate to let line out by cranking the reel backwards. Line should always be let out by opening the bail – not by turning the handle! Using the anti-reverse lever just gets anglers in trouble because they’re always forgetting that they left it in the wrong position then they try to set the hook on a fish and end up actually backlashing their spinning reel.
Don’t let go of the rod
While this might sound like a no-brainer, it’s very common for anglers who use two hands to cast (right hand forward over the reel, and left hand aft toward the butt of the rod) to let go of the rod with their right hand when they release the line. This is a bad habit many anglers seem to acquire and one that everyone needs to stop. There is no time when letting go with the right hand is a proper technique because it ruins accuracy, limits distance and increases the chance that the rod might just go overboard with the cast!
Cranking over the drag
There are a lot of folks who fish many years without hooking a fish of size and stamina capable of pulling many yards of line OFF a reel during a fight. Having not experienced a running fish before, their inclination is often to crank the reel even when line is going out. Aside from wearing down the angler unnecessarily, with conventional tackle this mistake is pretty much harmless (even to the fish), but when an angler cranks a spinning reel as line is going out, not only are they wasting their effort, they are also twisting the heck out of their line. At the end of a fight, the line can be so twisted up that the rod and reel cannot be used again until it is dragged behind a moving boat and all the twists work their way out. Spin fishermen fighting strong fish must continually watch the spool of their reel and ensure that it is not revolving as they turn the handle of the reel.
Consider the wind
Trying to cast under breezy conditions can be problematic, but it’s not the end of the world for those who know how to adjust for the wind. Just as the wind can work against an angler trying to make long casts into it, it can also assist those casting with the wind. Obviously, the wind resistance of terminal tackle makes it hard to crank long casts into the wind, but wind resistance can be minimized by the choice of what we put on our lines as well as how we cast. By switching to smaller, heavier lures or baits anglers can punch casts into the wind with less difficulty. Also, by firing fast horizontal casts rather than big arching casts there will be much less wind resistance on the line creating better distance. If the boat can be positioned so that the anglers are casting downwind - the breeze can actually help the cast and anglers should use bulkier baits and lures and cast high so that their offerings have maximum air time, allowing the wind to push their cast all the farther.
At some point in their fishing career almost every angler will find themselves using spinning tackle, some just a little, but most will probably use it a lot. Yet as popular as this tackle is, mistakes and bad habits are common even among experienced anglers. Realizing these errors and taking the time to correct them can lead to greater success on the water and appreciation for spinning tackle.
Capt. Mark Sampson is an outdoor writer and captain of the charter boat, “Fish Finder”, docked at the Ocean City Fishing Center.
