In the Charleston area I’ve always fished in the breakers for redfish and have heard that it’s a waste of time to cast well beyond them. But is there a case for investing in equipment that allows you to make extra long distance casts like they do in the Outer Banks. Example: 11’ plus rods equipped with reels like the Daiwa M7HTMAG Millionaire.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Tight lines!
Harry I like to fish a two zone approach. Two rods before the breakers with shrimp and two rods past the breakers with cut bait. It just covers allot. Not only am I offering the fish a variety of bait but I am covering 2 different zones. Sometimes the reds where I fish are uncomfortable coming up close in the wash during the outgoing tide. At a certain point they realize that the access or highways that they are using to drop in on me is getting ready to be cut off. They can be feeding like crazy and just stop as if someone threw a light switch. I experiaced this “many” times last year and when the fish stopped hitting up front it was critical for me to be able to cast beyond the breakers to reach the fish. As soon as I was able to hit the areas out deeper past the bar the bite would instantly cut back on and would do so strongly in the beginning. This happened many times. It was just a matter of the fish were not OK with coming in there any more. As soon as I was able to reach the outer bar either by casting or being able to make my way through the water to the bar the bite would instantly cut back on. The fish never left they just moved their feeding area to where they were comfortable which was just beyond the breakers on the falling tide. 11 ft rods made reaching the fish easier. They cast further and I would much rather have the ability to reach fish than to not. I can alway’s under cast. I have used some 11 ft rods over the last year and love them. You would think the bigger rod causes fatigue but I found it to be the opposite giving me more and easier power to retrieve baits, lead and work against currents all day. I just bought an 11 ft St Croix Mojo rod. They cast like a dream. If you want to use it on your next trip let me know and you can borrow mine to see how you like it. Light weight, strong and casts a mile. Which I know is not alway’s needed but sometimes it is and when you do need it it can be the difference between catching fish or not depending upon the area and structure you are presented with
Thanks Pete. On that 11’ rod do you use the “long cast” spinning reel, a casting reel w/o the level wind or a standard spinning reel? Alan Hawk has recommendations for the “long cast” however his top pick (Aero Technium) is rather pricey. His second choice (Ultegra C14 XSB) is more reasonable.
Again thanks for your in-depth response. I always enjoy what you have to say.
I just use a regular spinning reel. I have heard the long cast shimano’s do add distance.I have never used one or can speak to the durability of the reels. I have also heard that using thinner diameter line will increase distance such as 20 or 30 lb braid vs the equivalent pound test in mono. Some thinner braids are marketed to cast longer that are smooth and slick. Allot of braids break at a decent bit higher than advertise so a 20 or 30 lb braid is more than enough for reds. I would say the majority of the time the added distance is not needed at all and most often you catch fish with no issues with regular set ups, but when it’s needed it’s nice to be able to reach them and I have found times when it is needed. A fellow that is a good friend of David Parkers on here knows his stuff when it comes to getting distance. He periodically posts on here and his name is James Web. He is a competition caster and would be a good person for you to talk to regarding distance. PM Mr. Parker and he might be able to get James to phone you. James is a good fellow and would more than likely be able to give you some good advice that will help you. I know he likes Carolina cast pro rods which are built by I believe Tommy Farmer if I’m not mistaken. Tommy is a pro. Good luck and catch them up Harry. Send us a few pics:smiley:
Cape I know i’m not part of this discussion , but let me say the info you just received is from one of the best surf guys in the business and will not lead you wrong…Listen learn and catch em up . post your results for I know they will be good…
George McDonald
US Navy Seabees,Retired,
MAD, Charleston Chapter
[http://www.militaryappreciationday.org
When you see “Old Glory” waving in the breeze, know that it is the dying breaths of our fallen hero’s that makes it wave.
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Thanks for the info and yes George I do value Pete’s knowledge and willingness to share with others. That goes for Dave as well. Learned a lot fishing with them during MAD last year. Based on Pete’s comments I’ll hold off on buying a “long cast” spinning reel since I have several I can use already spoiled with 20 lb PP. I’ve looked at both St Croix and Carolina Cast Pro rods. However, since I enjoy building rods I’m looking at ATX either the 11’ 1 to 4 or 2 to 6. Based on Pete’s choice I’m leaning towards the heavier rod.
As a noobie to charleston surf last year i never casted where the water was crashing. I allways casted as far as i could past and most of the time wading out there waist deep to cast. It felt like the further i flung the bait the more fish i got including the 20 or so big reds i caught last year. This was at n folly and sulivans near the lighthouse.
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Originally posted by Stevo291scAs a noobie to charleston surf last year i never casted where the water was crashing. I allways casted as far as i could past and most of the time wading out there waist deep to cast. It felt like the further i flung the bait the more fish i got including the 20 or so big reds i caught last year. This was at n folly and sulivans near the lighthouse.
Waist deep is plenty of water to hold big reds too. It’s not always about how far out you cast. It’s where the fish are and often they are in the nearest trough…
Olde Man Charters
843-478-1538
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286 Seafox/Twin 300’s
Daytime its better to fish deeper, at night fish come in closer so you can fish closer in. If there is any form of structure, a good slope, a trough, sandbar, rocks, wood fish by them if the water is deeper than 2 ft. If the beach is flat i fish behind where the waves crest. Mornings and evenings are better than mid day most day’s. If there is bait fish closer to the bait. Some times bait runs close sometimes they’re far out. April and may for the spring run of big reds and september and october for the fall run. The fall run is always better.
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Originally posted by runbabyrunI just use a regular spinning reel. I have heard the long cast shimano’s do add distance.I have never used one or can speak to the durability of the reels. I have also heard that using thinner diameter line will increase distance such as 20 or 30 lb braid vs the equivalent pound test in mono. Some thinner braids are marketed to cast longer that are smooth and slick. Allot of braids break at a decent bit higher than advertise so a 20 or 30 lb braid is more than enough for reds. I would say the majority of the time the added distance is not needed at all and most often you catch fish with no issues with regular set ups, but when it’s needed it’s nice to be able to reach them and I have found times when it is needed. A fellow that is a good friend of David Parkers on here knows his stuff when it comes to getting distance. He periodically posts on here and his name is James Web. He is a competition caster and would be a good person for you to talk to regarding distance. PM Mr. Parker and he might be able to get James to phone you. James is a good fellow and would more than likely be able to give you some good advice that will help you. I know he likes Carolina cast pro rods which are built by I believe Tommy Farmer if I’m not mistaken. Tommy is a pro. Good luck and catch them up Harry. Send us a few pics:smiley:
thanks for the kind words, Pete.
Harry, I use both conventional and spinning reels. If i need distance (100-150 yards), I always go to the conventional reel. I use mono on all of my conventional reels. I use 16,20 and 25lb rated Sakuma fishing line. Smaller diameter than the stuff that i see at the local shops and tough as nails. I normally use 40-lb shock leaders depending on the weight that i’m casting. i have at least 8-10 wraps of shock leader before casting
Great post and effort James. Your ears must have been burning and realized we were talking about you. Thanks for helping us out. I think we all have learned a thing or two about distance casting and it’s alway’s a good day when we grow. Fantastic Sir and two hundred yards is phenomenal:stuck_out_tongue:
lol, Pete. All you have to mention is the word “casting” and I will magically appear. We need to fish together this year. I’m tired of hearing Parker brag about you #128578;
Thanks for all the responses and great information, suggestions and tips. Hope to see you on the beach.
Tight lines!
James, thanks for the pics of your equipment and rigs. Your sinkers (the 3 on the left) are different than the pyramid style I use and see others using. Do they hold bottom better oz for oz vs the pyramid? I generally don’t use over 4 oz since that’s the max rating for my rods. And I’m not a fan of the Sputnik style.
Thanks for your input.
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Originally posted by CapeislandredsJames, thanks for the pics of your equipment and rigs. Your sinkers (the 3 on the left) are different than the pyramid style I use and see others using. Do they hold bottom better oz for oz vs the pyramid? I generally don’t use over 4 oz since that’s the max rating for my rods. And I’m not a fan of the Sputnik style.
Thanks for your input.
you are welcome. going left to right on the sinker pic…
Fat Boy: this sinker is 7.5oz i use this sinker during calm-mid current. once it digs in the sand, it will stay. easy to retrieve due to the round top, but heavy to cast
frog tongue sinker: my favorite sinker for heavy current. in my opinion, it is better than the pyramid sinkers. once this sinker digs in, it will be hard for it to move. reeling the heavier sizes are not that easy because of their design, but they are very effective. i can purchase these sinkers from 1-10oz
torpedo sinker: great for casting in calm-medium current. these sinkers are used in germany for surf fishing. i can only find these in 6.5oz
tournament sinker: great for casting in calm current. tends to slide easy. you can find these from 3.5oz-6oz
if your rod is rated for 4oz, i would try a 2oz frog tongue sinker and see how it feels. Depending on the weather, i may come to charleston area next weekend. I will let you know and maybe we can meet for a casting lesson.
James,
There’s some really great info here, thanks! I learned the Hatteras Cast by watching Tommy Farmer videos on youtube. I do one or two Hatteras trips a year and have been using an Ocean Master with a black gold conventional, but I’m really thinking about upgrading to one of his rods and an Akios shuttle. It’s amazing what that Hatteras cast has done for my distance. I did buy some bicycle tubing to put over my thumb to keep from burning it up. Another random tip if folks are using braid: tighten your drag before a hard cast, if the drag slips a bit, it can do a number on your trigger finger.
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Originally posted by jtsnakeJames,
There’s some really great info here, thanks! I learned the Hatteras Cast by watching Tommy Farmer videos on youtube. I do one or two Hatteras trips a year and have been using an Ocean Master with a black gold conventional, but I’m really thinking about upgrading to one of his rods and an Akios shuttle. It’s amazing what that Hatteras cast has done for my distance. I did buy some bicycle tubing to put over my thumb to keep from burning it up. Another random tip if folks are using braid: tighten your drag before a hard cast, if the drag slips a bit, it can do a number on your trigger finger.
Thanks, JT. Good info about tight drag on the spinning reel to avoid slipping. Losing control of a sinker would not be fun.
Once again, I only cast far when I need to. There are times that the fish are within just a few feet from you and bombing bait is not needed.
Tommy has some great videos on YouTube. Here is a link from 3 years ago of my final cast of the day. I used a 13ft 6-10 rod while casting 175 gram sinker.
https://youtu.be/xyCo9-6z_mQ