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Casting (fishing)

sports Maturity 5-7 Next article →

Casting is the way fishers throw their gear into the water.

00 0335 Angling in the Netherlands
00 0335 Angling in the Netherlands

In recreational fishing, an angler uses a long, elastic rod to launch a line. This line often carries a baited hook or a lure. They might also attach a float or a sinker to the line. Casting helps get the bait to the right spot. It can also be used to scatter groundbait or chums. Some fishers even use casting to set out a net.

Kerala fisherman
Kerala fisherman

There is a special way that a rod works during a cast. An angler quickly swings the rod forward toward the water. This movement makes the heavy gear pull the rod backward. This action is called "loading" the rod. Then, the rod uses its elastic rebound to spring forward. This spring helps hurl the line through the air. To cast even farther, an angler can shift their weight to their front foot.

Deepsea
Deepsea

Different types of fishing require different casting styles. A sidearm cast is a quick swing like a tennis stroke. A double-handed overhead cast uses a big swing for more distance. Some fishers use a "pitching" technique in small, weed-filled ponds. Fly fishers use a very different method with ultralight flies. They swing the heavy line in circles to build up momentum. This creates a loop that moves like a wave to carry the fly.

Durham Ranger salmon fly
Durham Ranger salmon fly

Fishers choose their gear based on where they are fishing. Freshwater fishers might use light rods for trout or black bass. They use sturdier, heavier rods for larger and feistier fish. Saltwater fishers use much heavier rods and lines. In surfcasting, they use two hands to reach far past the waves. These casts can travel many hundreds of meters or feet.

Fly-fishing-the-Soca-river-Slovenia
Fly-fishing-the-Soca-river-Slovenia

Casting is also a competitive sport known as Casting Sport. The International Casting Sport Federation was founded in 1955. As of April 2014, it had member groups in 31 countries. This sport uses plastic weights or hookless flies instead of real hooks. Competitors try to reach world records for distance and accuracy. It has even been included in the World Games.

Casting Fly (Sports)
Casting Fly (Sports)
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🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:Global thinking.svg
Global thinking.svg
File:00 0335 Angling in the Netherlands.jpg
00 0335 Angling in the Netherlands.jpg
File:Durham Ranger salmon fly.jpg
Durham Ranger salmon fly.jpg
File:Fly dresser's workbench.JPG
Fly dresser's workbench.JPG
File:Fly-fishing-the-Soca-river-Slovenia.jpg
Fly-fishing-the-Soca-river-Slovenia.jpg
File:President Barack Obama casts his line while fishing for trout on the East Gallatin River near Belgrade, Mont., on Aug. 14, 2009.jpg
President Barack Obama casts his line...
File:Deepsea.JPG
Deepsea.JPG
File:Trawer Hauling Nets.jpg
Trawer Hauling Nets.jpg
File:Kerala fisherman.jpg
Kerala fisherman.jpg
File:Casting Fly (Sports).jpg
Casting Fly (Sports).jpg
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