Casting Report - 7/11/10

[cycleguy]

Very cool… thanks for the info!!

We still use some erie deires on a few lakes at times, and do pretty well on them. Guessing we use them more than it sounds like they are used on the real "Erie" now. Funny how methods come and go.

[StarViper11]

The casting rigs, whatever you call them (weapons, mayfly rigs, etc) will produce better than the weight forward lures during the mayfly hatch (use one third of a night crawler). I continue to use them all summer fishing them like an Erie dearie on the swing.

[wakina]

There is one other trick that works while fishing the swing. Instead of just cranking the lure back slowly, you would count it down as usual and as mentioned trying to keep the slack out of the line as much as possible so you can feel any bites while the lure is falling. Next just reel in the slack until about tight then with the rod tip level or just lower than level toward the water slowly sweep your rod in the direction the lure is traveling and you can feel the wt of the lure and the thump of the blade spinning. If anything changes in that feel set the hook. Then once again take up the slack, reeling your rod back toward the lure, then sweep your rod slowly again and repeat until the lure is boatside. Cast and repeat. You can use this cast and sweep method any where on the boat, believe me it really does work.

Example~~ Cast out the corner of the boat on the windward side, count the lure down and then sweep the rod toward the bow. The object of this is to sweep slowly just so you can feel the wt. of the lure and the thump of the blade, if that feel stops then something has stopped it(fish on). Then reel the rod back until the rod tip is pointed at the lure then sweep again. While you are reeling back to the lure the lure is also falling again staying in the strike zone longer. Once again the sweep must be slow!

[Zwis]

The swing has been recognized as the best technique when counting down. From the splash count to the bottom drag, the swing is efficient. Consider this question, why do charter captains position the best "stick" on the bow? Longer casts, extended time in the strike zone, greater cast directions and better hook sets are in play. The swing was the topic of an In-Fisherman article back in the 80's. Hope this helps.

[Old Wheezer]

I've heard guys mention the swing. Can someone explain that please?

[wakina]

I've heard guys mention the swing. Can someone explain that please?

Example would be if your boat is drifting sideways. You would cast your lure out the Stern/bow and count it down to the depth that you want, then begin your retrieve so the lure will come back to the boat in a semi circle sort of way(the swing). Your boats drifting action in one direction will be away from the original line to the lure created by casting out the stern or bow and the retrieving of the lure would produce the swing effect as the boat drifts away from that original line. This can be done to the same effect off of the sides of the boat also. Just cast at a right angle from your drift line.

So no matter how your boat drifts (many do not drift sideways) you can adjust your casting angle to accomplish the same affect that was described above.

[Drifter]

I would like to hear more fisherman chime in on the longer cast being a good thing when working the swing. I am a long caster, but have seen and had success shortening the cast as the sweep of the swing is magnified with a shorter / medium swing.

Anyone else have an opinion or want to share experience.

[gill]

I agree with wakina about the drag and reel retrieve. Have been using it for years and it does put fish in the boat.
Heading out tomorrow for the first trip since June.

[EYE TAMER]

I would like to hear more fisherman chime in on the longer cast being a good thing when working the swing. I am a long caster, but have seen and had success shortening the cast as the sweep of the swing is magnified with a shorter / medium swing.

Anyone else have an opinion or want to share experience.

When I take my wife casting when we are not trolling, she is lucky if she can cast the harness out the back of the boat 30 feet. She counts to 8 and reels very slowly even stopping at times. Funny thing is that she almost always catches the most walleye every time we cast. I tell her she is just lucky. Hope she doesn't read this. She may be on to something. I cast as far as I can on the swing and catch my share of fish but she just always out fishes us.

[Jawbreaker]

I would like to hear more fisherman chime in on the longer cast being a good thing when working the swing. I am a long caster, but have seen and had success shortening the cast as the sweep of the swing is magnified with a shorter / medium swing.

Anyone else have an opinion or want to share experience.

I've found when jig fishing (also doing best on the swing) a short to medium cast works better for me. When the fish seem to be biting right in the swing, I don't waste time time before or after it. I cast so the bait gets to the bottom at about 90 degrees or a little before compared to the drift and reel in right after the bait starts dragging almost behind the drift. Shorter casts take less time getting to the sweet spot and reeling in for another. Also can keep in better contact with the bait, especially in the wind.