The Perfect Cast Part 2

It’s easy to think that the key to success in fishing is knowing the best spot or the best bait to use. Often this is true, but what if that perfect spot requires a certain presentation to get that best bait to the fish correctly? A versatile angler can make multiple types of casts, depending on what the situation requires. Sometimes, being close is not enough to trigger pressured fish to bite. Whether it’s skipping a bait underneath an overhanging bush, launching a bait to a small group of schooling fish or precisely casting to a fish seen cruising on forward sonar, various casting methods have evolved over time, giving an angler the best opportunity to catch fish, regardless of the challenge.

As just one example of the skill required in fishing, I decided (with the encouragement of Lake magazine editor, Betsy Iler) to take a deep dive into the how-to and importance of casting. In the November issue of Lake, I discussed the flipping and pitching techniques. These are primarily close-range methods that allow stealth and precision when casting to very small target zones.