[Fishing Tips] How to cast a Baitcaster?
How to cast a Baitcaster? Compared to the spinning reel casting, Baitcaster can be a bit difficult because of a birdnest problem.
The fact is... making a super precise accurate casting with a Spinning tackle should be a much bigger technical challenge but yes, casting Baitcaster would not be as simple and easy as what Spinning and Spincast reel do.
[Overhead Cast] How to cast a baitcaster. [Casting tutorial / Japanese style]
Two Legendary Japanese Casting Masters.
In Japan, we have many famous pro fishermen who have a huge influence on Japanese anglers. For casting style, I'd say Jim Murata (村田基) and Toshinari Namiki (並木敏成) are THE BIG 2 LEGENDS.
Jim Murata has been closely working with Shimano producing many Shimano gear like Shimano Scorpion and World Shaula. Shimano's flagship reels, Stella and Antares are tested and supervised by him. He has appeared on TV shows, magazines, and Manga (Japanese Cartoon) for over 40 years. A real legend and many generations have been influenced by him.
Toshinari Namiki a.k.a. T.Namiki is the first Japanese Bass pro who qualified Bass Master Classic in 1997. He used to work for Daiwa as a company employee (1990) but he quit Daiwa in 1992 to become a BassPro. And he made his dream! So impressive. Btw, at that time, the current Jackall's chairman, Seiji Kato, and the current Jackall's president, Toshiro Ono, were also working for Daiwa. Three Japanese Bass Fishing legends were there! Toshinari Namiki is now operating his own fishing brand, OSP. But he's still closely working with Daiwa. Daiwa's flagship Bass fishing gear, Steez, is produced by T.Namiki.
Jim Murata's casting style
Jim Murata's casting style is kinda Japanese standard because so many anglers were influenced by him. He's been teaching his style for long years on TV shows, Fishing show events. DVDs, and magazines. Yeah, we do have anti-Jim's style anglers. But when we're asked "How to self-study casting? What's a good reference?", I believe the majority of anglers (in certain generations, age 30s to 60s) would say "Let's check out Jim Murata style!".
His style is basically "Single-hand cast". He's a legend, He's a casting demonstrator. He's super good at trick casting. He used to demonstrate it on a TV show. He cast a practice sinker (a rubber weight) from the stage, stealing a handbag from the viewers sitting down on seats! it's like a circus show.
Anyway, he's demonstrating many casting (overhead, side hand, backhand, pitching, flipping, flip cast, spiral cast, and more) but first, we should focus on the overhead cast. It's a basic of the basic. And again, Jim's style overhead cast is "Single-hand overhead cast".
Here is a link to his Youtube Channel (Japanese). (LINK)
I have many casting tutorial videos on my Youtube channel. Almost all of them are following the Legendary Çasting Master Jim Murata's Casting Bible. I've been checking out not only his videos, his articles but also his followers' videos and blogs. And ended up deciding to make videos in English to introduce Jim Murata's style that made a big impact on the Japanese anglers in my generation.
How to cast a baitcaster [How to tips]
T.Namiki 's casting style
T.Namiki's casting style is one of a kind. It's called "Machinegun Cast". He is left-handed. With his left hand, he easily produces quick, sharp, and super accurate casts. It's just breathtaking. It's awesome. It's cool. I believe everybody who sees his casting would have a dream "One day, I want to make such a cool cast...".
"Machinegun Cast" is mainly focusing on underhand, side hand, and backhand cast. Tightly bringing a lure into bushes and laydowns, skipping under the dock, and pinpoint shoot through the holes in the cover quickly. It's amazingly quick and accurate.
I want to master some of his "Machinegun Cast" techniques. I'm trying to master the "Roll pitch cast" that he often uses. I can throw my lure with it, but compared to T.Namiki's super sharp and quick motion, mine was kind of child's play... I do need more and more practice.
Here is a link to his Youtube Channel (Japanese). (LINK)
Casting is an essential matter for lure fishing. Just to bring lure far away, any style can make it. But... I personally want to have "cool, smooth, and accurate casting'. The only practice would make it. Let's practice!
