A spincasting reel has a button
that you let go of with your thumb to release the line.
1. Grasp the rod's pistol grip with one hand. Push the reel's
thumb button down and hold it in
2. Face the target area with body turned at a slight angle,
about a quarter turn. Aim the rod tip toward the target, about
level with your eyes.
3. Swiftly and smoothly, bend your arm at the elbow, raising
your hand with the rod until it almost reaches eye level. When
the rod is almost straight up and down, it will be bent back by
the weight of the practice plug. As the rod bends, move your forearm
forward with a slight wrist movement.
4. When the rod reaches eye level, release the thumb button.
How did you do?
If the plug landed close in front of you, you released the
thumb button too late. If the plug went more or less straight
up, you released the thumb button too soon.
Spinning
With a spinning reel, you use
your finger to release the line.
1. Grasp the rod's handle, placing the reel "stem"
that attaches the reel to the rod between your middle fingers.
Place your thumb on the top of the handle and extend your forefinger
to touch the spool cover. With the other hand, rotate the reel
spool until the line roller is directly beneath your extended
index finger. Pick up line in front of the roller with your index
finger and open the reel's bail with your other hand.
2. Face the target area with body turned at a slight angle
— about a quarter turn. The arm holding the rod handle should
be closest to the target. Aim the rod tip toward the target at
about eye level.
3. Swiftly and smoothly, using just one motion, bend your casting
arm at the elbow and raise your forearm so that your hand is almost
at eye level.
4. When the rod is almost straight up and down, it will be bent
by the weight of the practice plug. As the rod bends, move your
forearm forward with a slight wrist movement.
5. When the rod reaches eye level, straighten your forefinger
to release the line.
How did you
do?
If the plug landed close in front of you, you straightened
out your index finger to release the line too late. If the plug
went more or less straight up or behind you, you straightened
your index finger too soon.
