Casting questions

[min-va]

Not really a kayak related topic, but fishing related.

Anyway, i was on a full day trip fishing for yellowtail.

I got a Avet SX reel not long ago, put it on my 8' Shimano Teramar Jig rod, tossing Tady 45, C......i was having hard time get them out far and constantly getting backlash....and at the same time, i am also using a Torium 30 on a 7' Fin-Nor rod, i can cast a Megabit jig so far out there without a single backlash all day, i also using calcutta 400 tossing all kind of little stuff without any problem.

I thought i know how to use a casting reel for the whole time, but not after i was using the Avet, i just can't get it to work....

Is it because lever drag reel is harder to cast than star drag reel? or i just need to do more practice?

[Siebler]

8' rods are tough to really get a ton of distance on, that is why you will see most deckhands fishing 9' and 10' rods. Also having the right stick for the right jig is important, rod has to load up correctly. For instance I know that on my 9' Ulua a 45 is too light and the 7x throws better. On something like a 90J a 45 throws better. That Tady C is likely a good choice for that rod however as would an A1.

Personally i find an Avet a waste for Jigs. Leverdrags are bait reels. I am a fan of old Newells for jigs, 338 being my choice on most applications, with 40lb Izor First String. A Torium or Sealine or similar will do very well though. Something in the 40 size.

Another thing is that you usually throw irons in a different fashion than normal casting. Jigs are usually dropped a lot further from tip and casted in more of a pendulum style to help load the rod. This is why on a sportboat you will often see guys cast a jig with it almost hitting the deck even on a 9'+ rod.

[skrilla]

Ditto. Try turning the reel sideways or upside down after you release.

Also, I'd swap reels. Torium 30 for surface iron and the SX for Megabait. The SX is too small for bigger jigs IMHO.