The Coarse Fishing Guide

There are two main casting techniques that you will need to master, the overhead cast, and the underarm cast.

There are no hard and fast rules about which cast you should use for a given situation and you will quickly develop your own style, but in general terms you would use the overhead cast when you need to cast a long distance, and the underarm cast when long distance casting is not required, and you are fishing with tackle that could easily tangle if you used an overhead cast, such as a stick float rig.

Overhead Cast

This is probably the easier of the two to learn as timing is less important than with the underhand cast. A poorly timed overhead cast will, unless it is really badly mis-timed, just result in less distance, and a bigger splash when the tackle hits the water.

To begin the cast, let out enough line so that you can comfortably swing the tackle by moving the rod backwards and forwards. Open the bail arm of the spool so that the line can run off, and prevent this by trapping the line against the spool with your finger.

Next, lift the rod to a vertical position so that it is pointing straight up. The next part requires practice to get the timing just right so don’t worry if your initial attempts don’t go too well.

Imagine that you are standing next to a large clock face, and the rod is currently pointing to 12 o’clock.

In one fluid movement, swing the tackle behind you by moving the rod sharply back so that it is pointing at between 10 and 11 o’clock, and then immediately move the rod sharply forwards so that it is pointing at between 1 and 2 o’clock. Stop the rod, and release the line by lifting your finger off the spool.

If you get the timing right, the tackle should be propelled away from you towards the place where you want to fish, and if the spool is loaded correctly, line should come off the spool freely.

When the tackle is a few inches above the water, drop the rod tip to between 3 and 4 o’clock, and the tackle should land gently on the surface without causing too much disturbance.

The most difficult part of the cast is timing the release of the line correctly. If you release too early, the line will fly up in the air without the necessary power, and will land in a heap. Release too late, and the tackle will not achieve the required distance and will be driven with excessive force into the water.

Underhand Cast

This cast will not achieve the same distance as the overhead cast, but it does give you more control over the tackle in flight, and is less likely to result in the tackle becoming tangled.

To begin the cast, assuming you are right handed, hold the rod in your right hand, open the bail arm of the reel, and let out enough line from the rod tip so that with your left hand you can comfortably hold the line just above the hook.

Hold the rod across your body while keeping the line under tension with your left hand, and then flick the rod towards the water so that it is pointing directly away from you, at the same time releasing the line held in your left hand. You should find that the tackle is propelled towards the place you want to fish, and if you get enough power into the cast, and get your timing right, line should flow off the spool.

Timing of this cast is quite difficult to master, but with practice you will find that it becomes second nature. As your skills progress you will find that you can achieve this cast holding the rod at different angles to avoid bank side vegetation and other obstacles.

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Coarse fishing tackle
Carp fishing tackle
Pike fishing tackle
Float fishing rods
Feeder fishing rods
Carp fishing rods
Pike fishing rods
Barbel and specialist fishing rods
Fixed spool reels