8&Bait Casting Practice Question

Hi bucket, I have never used 8nbait during practice at a field. I only use 5 & 6oz's. As for the casting seminar; I will speak for myself. I am a beginner in casting a long distance. I am also somewhat of a beginner when using a casting reel. The 1st day of the seminar almost seemed useless; because it simply was not coming together for me. But on the 2nd day, it came together. Before the seminar my best was 300'; and my best on the 2nd day was around 550'. My longest at Crisfield was around 465'. Did I gain anything? Yes I did! I gained a better respect for what it takes to throw a piece of lead a long, long, long way. I learned how to throw a little further; & I made some wonderful friends. I am also looking forward to getting my 1st Zziplex in a couple of weeks. Just my .02. Larry the pelican man.

Hi Cdog & Bucket

I strongly believe that practicing the right casting technique is more important than practicing with an 8&bait rig. For one thing it’s too heavy a lead to practice good casting technique with. using a lighter lead (5 – 6 oz) will allow you to have more control during the cast. Casting is all about control, (getting the lead in the right position at the right speed before the hit (the push and pull)), and the heaver the lead the more difficult it is to control. But when you have developed a good casting technique then you will be able to cast 8&bait further and with better accuracy.
GOD BLESS!
Earl-DC
PS. The heaviest lead that I use in practice is the 175g (dead cow). Last year I had three cast with an 8&bait rig, (one practice cast that blew-up (reel to fast) and two competition cast) at the last Cast-a-Muck in NC and was very successful in casting (the DEAD ELEPHANT)

Cdog,

I knew these ol'boys would come through for us and the reality is we have to go back to school.

Translation, yes the 5-1/4oz crowd knows how to properly chuck lead and that knowledge is applicable to real field conditions which makes sense. Good to hear that there are actually 8*Bait contests - love it. Anything local for us in Hampton Roads and/or VA ? Help us out, where's the next nearest casting clinic ??

Thanks PT, Tommy, et al for all your posts

Heaving the "the DEAD ELEPHANT",

`bucket

cdog; We at Anacostia are not out of your league. Anytime you can make it I guarantee we will make you feel at home. The regulars that come do cast over 600 ft but if you come every weekend and think about NOTHING else, in a while you'll be able to do the same. I hesitate to comment on the very "dead elephant" (8&bait), because I have done it for so many years, I have a different perspective. I will try any combination of weights and bait sizes to get baits out there when distance is important and there are new weights that hold much better, so you can use less weight that will go further and unless a very strong wind is in my face it will rarely be as heavy as 8oz, and never a "dead elephant" 8oz pyramid weight. Unless, and here is the part that is hard for me, since I remember a time when it wasn't so: Unless you are fishing the "conga" line at the Point. I guess it is ok for a locality to have a particular method that MUST be followed. At the point everyone uses the same rig and it rolls along and the anglers amble along with rod in hand, all at the same speed. It wasn't always like that but now it is and its the only way the spot is fished, no other method can be used, only "dead elephant", all else is verbotant! When ever I hear about 8&bait casting compitions I feel like it's rubbing salt into a wound. It just seems(to me) like a distance compitition is blasphemed when a localized, restrictive technique is glorified on the distance field. As a separate event, held out there on the sand at the Point or anywhere but the distance court, I guess it's ok to have some fun, but I,ve done it (been there, done that) and just wouldn't consider using those old sinkers (that are in a pan in the garage).I'd use the new breakaway impact leads that are neatly aranged in the camper drawer according to color code ready to fish.