Need casting advice for lightweight rods

[kevinhaney1]

I can cast anything 5wt and over pretty well. However, when I try to cast a 3wt or 4wt, the loop often starts to collapse before the line straightens out. I've experienced this on both bamboo and greenheart rods, with both silk and modern lines. Any advice would be appreciated.

[PT48]

Do plenty of practice. Don't try to cast too far, nothing beyond say 30-40 feet. Concentrate on loading your back cast. This should drive the casting action to the point where it is fairly easy to make a forward cast which straightens the leader. Work on a full, gradually accelerating lift from 9 o'clock to 1 o'clock. Try not to bend your wrist too much. To put it in other words - let the rod do the work.

[Flykuni3]

Video yourself, or have someone shoot you as you're casting. PT has it right, cast shorter to start, back cast rules the front cast. Will add, slow down the whole process. Try also facing the rod, cast horizontally and watch loops on front and back. Watch the whole cast, if the rod is working, or are you forcing and rushing? It should be obvious to see.

[rsagebrush]

You should hire a casting instructor to help you perfect your technique, there is really no difference between a 3 weight and a 5wt line in terms of casting provided your using the appropriate rod.

[ibookje]

I agree, get in touch with a casting instructor rather than messing up

[Capt. Frank]

Good advice already given, let the rod do all of the work, it can be surprising how little casting effort is needed. Too much results in over powering the rod.

[kevinhaney1]

there is really no difference between a 3 weight and a 5wt line in terms of casting provided your using the appropriate rod.

So is it really true that there should be no difference between your casting strokes/timing for a lightweight line verses a heavy one?

[Bud]

Accelerate smoothly to an abrupt stop. Emphasize the stop.

[Canewrap]

My guess is you're just punching it too hard. Light-line bamboo doesn't respond the same way. Usually it means you have to slow down.

[Capt. Frank]

More good advice.

[ted patlen]

My guess is you're just punching it too hard. Light-line bamboo doesn't respond the same way. Usually it means you have to slow down.

that would be one of my guesses. whatever the reason it is a loss of power on the forward cast.

[Brooks]

master the back cast. You’ve got to watch it.
After a lot of practice and watching it, you won’t have to (as much).

[Flykuni3]

there is really no difference between a 3 weight and a 5wt line in terms of casting provided your using the appropriate rod.

So is it really true that there should be no difference between your casting strokes/timing for a lightweight line verses a heavy one?

You really have to wait on slower rods, and stroke them gently. Or they simply wont cast.

[billems]

For a 3 weight, a rod to consider is a Jenkins 70L. It's a 7-footer with lots of moxie.