One of the most important aspects of fishing is casting. It's something you should master if you want to get really good at fishing, and not just end up staying afloat in the water with a stick while your bait goes downstream.
Of course, even if you do know how to cast properly, there are still going to be some times where your bait will go in the wrong direction, but at least you'll know how to do it right.
Before I show you how to cast your spinning rod, let me first talk about how not to cast. Watch this video below of a guy who doesn't know how:
As funny as that is (and trust me, it's funny), it's also cringe-worthy, because it shows how you can easily mess up your cast if you don't know what you're doing.
Now let's take a look at how to do it the right way:
The first step is to find a spot where you can practice. A park or an open space with no obstructions is ideal.
The first thing you want to do is find the right spot on the rod to put your thumb. This is called the "thumb position." You want to place your thumb between the reel and the handle.
Next, hold the rod with your left hand so that the butt of the rod is resting against your palm and the rod rests along the fingers of your left hand.
The last thing you need to do is practice the motion. Let the end of the rod travel in a small circle before stopping it behind your back with one big, fluid motion. As you're doing this, shift your weight onto your front foot and bring your back leg up until it is almost parallel with the ground. Doing this will help you gain more power when you're casting your rod, and it will also help you steer the direction of your cast.
If you need to, practice it in front of a mirror so that you can see what your body looks like when it's doing all these steps correctly. You can also ask a friend to help you out.
Once you feel confident in your casting motion, it's time to head outdoors and start fishing! Just be sure to watch out for obstructions, like trees and power lines, and avoid casting near other people.
Casting is definitely something that takes practice, but with a little bit of effort and patience, you'll be a pro in no time.
Good luck!
