Casting smart will keep you in the game longer.
Everything in life changes. Now that I’m 67 my thinking about surfcasting, how I surfcast, and especially how the body I use to surfcast has changed. As a long-distance runner I’ve learned that once you reach a certain age every year thereafter you get slower. There’s even a formula for it. Maybe because there are no markers in the water I haven’t really noticed my casting distance shortening. But when I throw a ball for my dog I’m shocked by how little ground it covers and have to assume my casting is similarly affected.
This all got me wondering about what equipment to use to maximize casting distance and limit the effects of aging. I know the importance of casting distance is often exaggerated, but it definitely has its situational advantages. I’ve found this to be particularly true recently with large schools of migrating bunker in the fall. There are a lot of times you need distance to reach them and if you don’t you’re just watching others catch.
The thing I wasn’t sure about was whether using a smaller reel and rod that were lighter allowed my age-diminished muscles to gain enough speed on the cast to gain greater distance. Rod speed is crucial for longer casts. But so is rod length and spool size. Longer rods offer a greater radius on the swing of the cast which leads to greater distance. Larger spools produce less friction per inch of line coming off the spool. But would the weight of a heavier outfit outweigh those benefits? I went to my local park to find out. What I can tell you is that very clearly, even as you age, it still pays to use a long rod and big reel with a large diameter spool. I use an 11-foot, 3-inch Century Surfmachine or 12-foot Surfmachine Elite usually paired with a Van Staal 275—or, sometimes, a 250. These outfits significantly cast further than shorter rods and smaller reels. Really, it was no contest.
I’m fortunate that I never ache after casting for hours and have no arm or shoulder injuries. I know there are some surfcasters who need a lighter setup to avoid pain or aggravating an injury. Still, I’ve notice that a lot of older surfcasters using 100 and 150 sized reels paired with 9-foot rods and they always rave about how light these outfits are. I guess a lot comes down to your priorities. If you enjoy a light outfit that’s great. You just need to be aware that it means that there are going be times when you won’t be able to reach the fish, when you probably could with a bigger outfit.
I’ve known that new line casts better than used line, but I was surprised to find that new 50-pound Sufix 932 cast as well as slightly used 30. So keeping your line fresh will also help in the distance department.
If the cost of a Van Staal or similar sealed reel is not for you there are a number of more affordable options by Shimano, Tsunami, Daiwa, Penn, Quantum, Okuma and Daiwa that will get the job done, especially those will long-cast spools. However, if you wade in areas with rocks, heavy surf or uneven bottom I would go with a sealed reel, so you can use your rod as a walking staff to help with balance and reduce falls. I know that may seem expensive, but I don’t think you can put a price on personal safety.
Lastly, I always make sure to keep a few long-casting lures in my bag for when I need distance. I still fish a lot of other plugs, but it’s good to have options. Plug weight can also make a difference so I look for long-casting plugs that also aren’t too heavy. That may mean fewer 3-ounce pencil poppers in favor of a few more 2-3/8-ounce Super Strike Little Neck poppers. At night I might carry a few extra needlefish and I also like the Madd Mantis Quake. Wind resistance also is important to consider; a big pencil popper might be tiring to throw on repeat, but I find the 3-ounce Ice Cream GT or the RSK Topwater cast a mile with minimal effort. All these things together will lead to longer casts and lower fatigue, and that’s a good thing no matter what your age is.
