Guide Tips

Effective Saltwater Casting

A common belief is that you must be able to cast 80 feet to be a successful saltwater angler, and I won’t deny that there are times when it comes in handy. However, after many years of guiding in the salt, I still find that saltwater casting is best done with a controlled 45 foot cast rather than an abrupt 80 foot cast. Accuracy is critical when sight fishing, and let’s face it - 99% of us are more accurate at 45 feet than at 80 feet. Moreover, the double haul is self defeating when executed abruptly. As distracting as a tailing redfish can be, a smooth and slow delivery will facilitate maximum line extension and control. So…as you prepare for your next saltwater adventure, dial in a smooth, 45 foot accuracy cast rather than a beautiful, 80 foot "parking lot" cast.

Chuck Naiser has fished the Rockport waters of the Texas coast since 1967 and started guiding in 1992. He has appeared on numerous TV shows and has been included in many newspaper and magazine articles over the years. He was also featured in a chapter of the book, Tidelines: Captains, Fly-Fishing and the American Coast. Chuck is active in the conservation of coastal and marine resources. He is currently a member of the Coastal Resource Advisory Council and previously served as Vice President of the Gulf Coast Conservation Alliance (now known as the Coastal Conservation Association), which led the fight to establish Trout and Redfish as Gamefish.