Struggling with pendulumn

Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 8:41 pm

Tj (I know I will find you in casting!!!!!!!) or anyone else that can help

I find trying the pendulumn, that if my leaders too long (the weights a foot or two above my head) that I cast about 45 degrees to my right of target and the lead flies in a high arc, and only ends up about 50 yds away, or I find the weight takes control of the rod and it goes where it wants (sort of like I am too weak for the cast)

Where as if I shorten the drop to about 5 foot from my rod tip I can send it via royal first class, I do however feel that I am casting more of a over head thump like this though, and the 5 foot is not enough length to be effecting a pendulumn.

Am using the 13 ft Diawa 133 and an Abu 7200 with 170gms, set with the reel at the bottom of the rod.

Rgds

Joe

Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 9:56 pm

hi joe,
firstly the rod you are using is fine for pendulum casting as is the reel, but the reel is not an out and out casting reel.

you say that you have the reel mounted down the butt. if you are using a reducer then you need to seat the reel about three inches from the end of the butt. in order to get the correct hand spacings (upper hand grip ) you need to place the reel under your armpit, extend your hand up the butt until it is out stretched and gripping the rod comfortably, but not over stretching, this should then give you the correct hand spacings.

the drop needs to be approx. 2 to 6 inches above your top hand.

too short a drop and then it all happens to quick and your timing has to be spot on.

too long a drop and the swinging of the lead becomes harder, it takes alot more effort to get the lead moving and you lose the feel of the cast.

you need to look up at an angle of approx. 45 degrees, with the lead shooting out to the right it sounds like you are experiencing spool slip. to cure this you need to get a "thumby" this is a section of cycle inner tube for your thumb. ensuring that it is a tight fit.

what you also need to do is try and get in touch with a casting instructor here is a link to the UKSF website. if you e-mail the HQ and ask if there are any instructors near to you.

hope this helps you out a little.

tony.

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 5:13 pm

Many thanks TJ, I will try that tommorrow, I will also try with maybe a 110gr lead, just to get my style right. I havn't been using the reducer.

I think maybe on sunday I will get down to the comp. Is there anyone there that will be able to give me a lesson there, as I live in the midlands?

Rgds

Joe

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 5:29 pm

joe,
if it is mainly for fishing that you want to learn to cast, then i would opt for the 150 gram lead. this should be more suitable for learning to cast for a fishing situation.

the only comp that is on this coming sunday (23rd) is in scotland. the next one after that is in south wales in between cardiff and bridgend, which i am hoping to be at. it would be a bit of a treck for you but it would be worth it. good if you can get someone to tag along with you. here is a link to the surfcasting federation of wales website which you can get all the info from.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/m.dixon45/homepage.htm

there will be people there who would be very willing to help. maybe i might get to meet you there.

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 5:57 pm

Tj, have just spoken to Colin, and he seems like such a nice bloke, any way, am meeting him on Saturday in his area.

Will let you know how it goes.

Rgds

Joe

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 6:16 pm

hope all goes well for you and please say hi to colin for me.

thanks.