how far can you cast a pike fly?

[fishfinder]

I've just been out with my pike flies on my local lake, and I'm disaapointed with the distances I'm achieving. I probably cast 20 yards at the most, usually around 15 yards max.

 

my set up is as follows: shimano biocraft XT saltwater 8 weight rod, biocraft xt reel, cortland 444SL ghost tip 8 wt line.

 

should the average person be able to do better with this setup, or am I expecting too much?

[Sportsman]

I've just been out with my pike flies on my local lake, and I'm disaapointed with the distances I'm achieving. I probably cast 20 yards at the most, usually around 15 yards max.

 

my set up is as follows: shimano biocraft XT saltwater 8 weight rod, biocraft xt reel, cortland 444SL ghost tip 8 wt line.

 

should the average person be able to do better with this setup, or am I expecting too much?

 

Depends a bit on the size of the fly and of course on your casting ability. are you double hauling?

[Snatcher]

Could well be worth going for a shooting head if you want more distance. If you have an old weight forward lying in the drawer go for that option. Will probably give you an extra 10yds at least.

 

By the way I am not a shooting head expert,just food for thought

[phil dean]

PM Alan roe, he's casting some heavy flies big distances.

[Snatcher]

Does he want some lighter ones tying Phil?? How is the leg mate ?

[singy]

I've just been out with my pike flies on my local lake, and I'm disaapointed with the distances I'm achieving. I probably cast 20 yards at the most, usually around 15 yards max.

 

my set up is as follows: shimano biocraft XT saltwater 8 weight rod, biocraft xt reel, cortland 444SL ghost tip 8 wt line.

 

should the average person be able to do better with this setup, or am I expecting too much?

 

8wt is great for playing pike on, but you will have trouble casting big heavy flies on it.

[Snatcher]

8wt is great for playing pike on, but you will have trouble casting big heavy flies on it.

The right place at the right time springs to mind.You do not need a big cast. Look to the weedbeds my friend

[Ken L]

If you haven't done it already, try cutting down the leader to no more than 1.5m including the wire tippet. I found that this makes casting and control of bigger flies much easier and the pike don't seem to mind.

[five bellies]

Dont read the wrong meaning into this awnser, Practice, practice, practice, Have you been catching? Pike are ambush preditors if you can get a line to a feature youve normaly cracked it I targeted pike on a small pool in kent for the better part of A season a few years back all of my best hook ups where in the shallows allong the margins, allso some of the pike flys that I have seen are huge and overdressed give them a trim or tie your own. Just a thought shooting heads will do itwithout a dought but I had murders getting on with them.

 

Good luck mate

[help_ma_boab]

I've just been out with my pike flies on my local lake, and I'm disaapointed with the distances I'm achieving. I probably cast 20 yards at the most, usually around 15 yards max.

 

my set up is as follows: shimano biocraft XT saltwater 8 weight rod, biocraft xt reel, cortland 444SL ghost tip 8 wt line.

 

should the average person be able to do better with this setup, or am I expecting too much?

 

I have always found Cortland lines to be on the light side. I normally fish a 7 wt rod, and Cortland #8 floaters and intermediates suit me better than #7's. It might just be my casting style, but it may be worth trying one line size up to see how it feels. Short leader and big flies should be OK - but try to tie them with materials which do not absorb water - and nice slim, streamlined patterns will have less air resistance. Also, I have not tried a Cortland Ghost Tip, so cannot comment, but Cortland sink tips reduce my distance - they feel unbalanced to me - again this may be down to my casting style. I hope you find these ramblings helpful.

 

Bill