So slipperybob, you're saying the lighter the lure, the earlier you release?

Yes, for me if the lure weight is on the lighter end or less then then what the rod is rated for, I release it earlier because it is not loading up the rod tip. Can be easier to go with a lighter power rod. For me on fast action rods, 1/2-1 oz lures work great on Med-Hvy rods, 1/4-1/2 oz work good for Med rods - any less I pull out the spinning reel.

jwhjr, on the side arm casts, if casting from the right side, try reeling the lure within ~6" from the tip, then twirl the lure clockwise and release it when the lure is at the 9 o'clock position. This works great for keeping your casts low (especially into the wind or under docks). This really helps for tossing lighter lures.

Twirling is for momentum build up right?

NCLaker - thanks for the tip. I'll give it a try next time out. I'll be doing 3-4 days of fishing this upcoming weekend, so I should have a lot of chance to "practice".

Yes the twirling helps it gain momentum & the flex of the rod tip (loading up) as you are doing this giving you distance on the cast. To get more distance, as I am twirling, I accelerate after lure passes the 12 o'clock position and is on the downward arc. For me it provides a smoother, more consistent side arm cast.

jwhjr, On the cast, follow-thru with the reel turned sideways (reel handle facing up). Normally I follow thru with the rod tip pointing in the direction I am casting. Let us know if it helped.

Of all the bass videos I own, NOT ONE OF 'EM has any instructionals on the actual cast and the actual retrieves.

Pros take these for granted in the sense that they might be thinking casting/retrieving is an automatic.Darn it, KVD has a whole DVD on pitching and flipping but he doesn't even "frame by frame" demonstrate how its done.

With all that's been posted in this thread, seems like casting isn't as "automatic" as one might think.Them videos focus way too much on lures and conditions and not enough on the actual ART of fishing.

I agree ... I have that KVD pitching/flipping DVD, that is were i picked up on the twirling casting technique. It would be really nice if they had the frame by frame demo. I sat and tried to figure out pitching and burned up my pause/slow-mo buttons on my remote trying to figure out exactly what he was doing. Getting good at casting with a BC boils down to a TON of practice, experimenting with trial/error and forcing yourself to work on various techniques of casting and under both calm & windy conditions.

For the past couple months I have hardly touched the spinning gear and only used my Baitcasters. It's often been a painful road, but the commitment has paid off.

Even YouTube doesn't have anything basic enough as far as casting instructions are concerned.

I did find an awesome tutorial on www.monkeysee.com it's very basic and very good screen resolution.Best of all it's FREE!

I'm thinking about it...but for now, there's no absolute rule to it. I think it might have to do with that twirl thing mentioned. It might be like, I start at 10 O'clock, bring it to 1 O'clock release at 12 O'clock or 11:45. But I also point the rod at my lure as it sails through the air and lands, so my rod is moving from 12 O'clock down to 9 O'clock or maybe even 8 O'clock depending on distance.

When I use heavier weights, I'm not as likely to twirl so I start from my back about 3 O'clock and release about 11 O'clock. I guess it's becuase the lure is moving more so in a linear fashion in comparison to the twirl method that gets the lure to move more so in an angular method.

If I use glass/composite type rods with more flex, I suppose I lose that linear movement and it becomes more angular. Hence the rod flexs more and loads the lure/bait on the cast.

You know this casting business has lead me to think we should have a fishingmn casting competetion in about January. We can get together and have a tackle swap and a casting competetion and we can all compare notes. Dietz works at a school and i think a School gym is just about the right size. Sorry for hijacking this thread but i have A.D.D. and that is what i do. What do you think? ike

I'd probably end up looking up on everybody else in the winner's list haha!

I'm not good with all the casts but yes I can do all of 'em except that darn overhead!