casting test

[Walt Foreman]

I did a casting test on a 6'6" super-UL spinning rod I made specifically for casting very lightweight lures, the rod that I have built for UL enthusiasts who want more casting distance with such lures. I used 2-lb. test on a Shimano 2500, and did ten casts each with a 1/64 oz. jig, a 1/32 oz. jig, and a 1/16 oz. jig, no other weight besides the jig; I used a 1" curly-tail plastic body on the 1/64 oz. jig head, and a 1.5" Crappie Slider plastic body on the 1/32 and 1/16 oz. heads. I made ten casts with each jighead. Here are the results:

1/64 oz. jig:
42.4'
43.6'
43'
45'
46.2'
44.4'
44.9'
45.9'
49'
42.9'
Longest cast: 49 feet
Average distance: 44.7 feet

1/32 oz. jig:
64'
57.5'
55.4'
61'
53'
59'
58.5'
56'
61'
62'
Longest cast: 64 feet
Average distance: 58.7 feet

1/16 oz. jig:
69.6'
67'
65'
66'
67.3'
64'
68'
66.7'
67'
64'
Longest cast: 69.6 feet
Average distance: 66.5 feet

So the rod cast a 1/64 oz. jig an average of just under fifteen yards, and a 1/32 oz. jig an average of just under twenty yards.

[Tony Livingston]

I had the bird's nest early on...I should've tied on a heavier weight to allow for further casting and let the freshly spooled line unwind itself a little. I wound it on the reel like I always do with mono, but now I wonder if I should've done something different. Like I said, it is strange stuff. Not bad, just different than what I'm used to. I'm not shying away from it at all...matter-of-fact, I'm looking forward to experimenting with it. That tiny diameter should translate into further casting distance, and I'm thinking it could be just what the doctor ordered for a setup like you built for me.

I'll keep you informed as to my thoughts if you like, Walt.

[Walt Foreman]

Wow, that diameter is less than the diameter for 2-lb. test Trilene XL!  I take it it's less limp since you had a bird's nest?

[Tony Livingston]

I only got to fish with it about 20 minutes, but initial impressions are favorable. I had one bird's nest right off the bat, but that was due to an error on my part.....after that, all went well. To a guy like me that's used to mono, it's strange stuff....little to no stretch, and 4 lb is only .004" thick.

So far, so good. it could be a serious contender for my favorite line.

[Walt Foreman]

It is basically the same as yours, Tony, except the handle is cork rather than wood.  That's awesome that you were able to cast a 1/00 oz. jig that far!  I may have to try some Nanofil - sounds pretty good.  Do you like it better than Sufix Elite?

[Tony Livingston]

I don't know if it's the same as the one Walt built for me, but I played around with mine today...spooled with 4 lb. Nanofil, I could cast a 1/100 oz jighead about 30-35'...........It was awesome!

(by the way....I'm thinking good things about the nanofil!)

[Walt Foreman]

Thanks, Vince.  Guys that have this rod have indeed commented how much fun it is to catch a big bluegill on it.

[Vince Fusco]

I think you got a winner there, Walt! I bet a good gill on that rod would be a blast.