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Casting Essentials: Straight Line Path

Producer: Carl McNeil  |  On the Fly Productions

Casting expert Carl McNeil explains why moving the rod tip in a straight line is essential to loop formation and effective cast control. Excerpt: “The line always follows the path of the rod tip. Therefore, if you can get that rod tip pointed in a really straight line, and employ crisp, absolute stops, you’re going to get some really nice loops.”

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Watch more:

The Five Essentials
Casting Essentials: Eliminate Slack
Casting Essentials: Timing
Casting Essentials: Variable Casting Arc
Casting Essentials: Power Application
Casting Essentials: Straight Line Path

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  • Anonymous

    Well . . . nice video (putting to one side for a moment the fact that in the demo the last portion of his cast clearly shows the rod tip NOT remaining in a straight line, but instead dipping down, a fact the narrator fails to mention or address) but let’s think about it for a second:

    Even if one assumes that the straight line rod tip path is vital, the video fails to explain how to achieve that in real life, since the caster cannot see his cast from a convenient position 50 feet to the side, and has no idea if the tip is following a straight line or not.  

    The 3:01 minute clip would have been more useful if 30 seconds had been devoted to that crucial issue: “OK, so how do I know if my rod tip is following a straight line or not?”.

    • http://www.ontheflyproductions.com Carl McNeil

      “OK, so how do I know if my rod tip is following a straight line or not?”
      Ok then – you can tell exactly what your tip path is doing by looking at the loop as explained and shown in the clip.

      Here it is again:
      A large wide open loop results from a large open convex tip path
      A tailing loop (or closed loop) is the result of a tip path that has traveled a slightly convex path.
      A tight loop is a consequence of the rod tip traveling in a relatively straight path with a crisp efficient stop with the rod tip maintained high after that stop. i.e don’t drop the rod tip and tear open the loop after you send it on it’s way.

      WIth regard to loop shapes:
       The top leg (the fly leg) of the loop is determined by the path of the rod tip prior to the stop.
      The shape of the bottom leg (the rod leg) is determined by the tip path after the stop.
      The shape of the loop face and the distance between these two legs is primarily dictated by what the rod tip does during the stopping sequence. The process that usually takes milliseconds.

      Hope that helps.

  • http://profiles.google.com/dwormell1 Dean Wormell

    Excellent brief on casting essentials. Thanks, Carl and Marshall.

  • The Raven

    I recall taking command of a far north USAF Munitions Maintenance Squadron, it was winter, below zero, and I wanted to meet all the assigned personnel at once.  Several hundred members.  Cleared-out a large hangar, heated, bought with my own funds, snacks and soft drinks.  Went well.  Then came the IG complaint; I had not provided some specific ‘diet cola.’  Sometimes it is disheartening to learn, you just cannot satisfy everyone, no matter what.  Thanks for the good work. 

  • Which Way Out

    Smooth thats the way to do it.

  • Anggayoga_prabawa

    sir,what is the name of striped orange and black fly line did you use on your video,, i want them so much,,thx

  • Jimwwoods

    Best description I’ve seen,  makes it very simple.  Now I need to practice.