Spincasting

Versatile, fun, and beginner-friendly, spincasting is a go-to fishing method for catching a variety of small to medium fish in both fresh and saltwater. It’s as simple as casting a line from a rod with a spinning reel. Anyone can learn to fish with this set-up, including children (just be sure to keep an eye on kids using braided lines, as these lines are hazardous). Because the line on a spinning reel is thrown from a fixed spool, spincasting allows you to use relatively light lures and baits. It is ideal for making long, accurate casts from the shore or a pier. You can use a variety of bait, and venture into a range of aqueous habitats.

Technique

Successful fishing starts with the right equipment. For spincasting you want a lighter weight rod with maximum eight pound test, although this will vary according to your targeted game. The key is getting a line light enough to cast and tough enough to withstand trolling and large catch. Choose a line that is limp and castable. Make sure to set the drag so that a fair amount of weight is needed for the line to come out. Once geared up, get stationed on an appropriate bank, boat, pier or jetty.

The key to spincasting is the cast itself. You want to use a whip cast, rather than a long, wide cast, and coordinate the action of your hand moving the rod with the action of your fingers or thumb releasing the line at the correct time. Practice makes perfect, and once you get this method down it is easy – most kids older than six pick it up quickly. Simply hold the line at the reel, face your target and point the rod tip at it, flex your elbow to raise the rod tip over your head, and whip the rod tip back toward the target in a smooth, continuous motion, releasing the line at the reel when the rod tip is at about a 45 degree angle. Follow through with the rod tip until it points at the target again.

Tips

For a heavier line, use a braid – it will cast farther while still giving you a small diameter.
Use an open-face reel with removable spools to equip yourself with different lines. For example, load one spool with light line (six pound test or less) for small lakes, and the other with heavier line (eight pound or higher) for rivers and trolling.
If you are fighting a fish and the drag is going out, stop reeling in. Not only is this futile, but it will twist your line. Use your hand on the spool to get control over the fish, or tighten the drag.
Feel your line near the lure for nicks and frays every once in a while during fishing. If you feel any, cut off above the rough spots and re-tie.
If your line loops up around the reel when you try to cast, your line is too stiff or you put too much on the spool.
Never discard any fishing line except in designated areas, as it can severely damage wildlife.
Spincasting can be used to catch a variety of small to medium fish. Research your game to select the best bait!