Casting in a kayak, why and how?

The use of casting rods at sea is increasingly legion, and kayaks are no exception. The search for new species is leading us to evolve towards new techniques, and Casting equipment brings not inconsiderable fishing comfort in certain areas.

Being more familiar with spinning gear, casting can be scary at first. Fighting brakes, centrifugal brakes, magnetic brakes, wigs, it can all be a bit daunting. And yet... Casting doesn't require any particular skill for the technique I'm about to introduce, vertical fishing. Don't hesitate, you won't regret taking the plunge!

[caption id="attachment_1236" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Sea bass spiked on a 30grs Tenya with the NFC SJ 604SM blank.[/caption]

---

For which techniques?

This type of equipment has big advantages for vertical fishing: jigging, elevator, etc.... but also for bait fishing as well as tenya and madai. These techniques, as varied as they are, allow you to hit a maximum number of species in a relatively simple way.

. [caption id="attachment_1235" align="aligncenter" width="800"] The SJ 604 NFC blank in action. Makes you want to go fishing![/caption]

---

In fact, the rotating drum on Casting reels allows you to sink a lure to the bottom very quickly by simply pulling the trigger. With the thumb on the reel, control of the descent phase is extremely precise and if a tap intervenes, reaction speed is much greater.

.

For fishing where you need to follow the bottom (bait, Tenya), the Casting is also a real plus. The release of the line via the thumb allows for greater precision when levelling the bottom.

Normal or spiral casting?

This is a question that comes up regularly on the Rodhouse forum and this choice is strictly personal. Personally, I see 3 main advantages to spiral mounting your rods.

• • Under high pressure, the blank will work like spinning, it won't tend to want to twist to one side or the other.

• • The wire never touches the blank when bending, a phenomenon that occurs during conventional assembly.

• The spiral or "Brazilian Assembly" will give your rod an incomparable look and that's cool ;-)

[caption id="attachment_1233" align="alignnone" width="800"] Assembly spirale or "montage Brésilien". A technical and aesthetic plus[/caption].

---

Another point that seems important to me in this type of equipment: comfort. Sitting in your Kayak, with the reel on top of the blank, you can rest your rod on your leg while fishing to rest your arm when using "heavy" jigs. Over long sessions, this comfort is not negligible.

Which blanks to choose?

For the Atlantic and North Atlantic coasts, the SJ (Spin Jig) series from North Fork Composites is a great success for vertical fishing. The range covers a wide range of powers to suit your sector and fishing style.

I chose the SJ604SM reference from NFC, a 1m83 blank for powers from 30 to 100grs in vertical. For more power, you can turn to the SJ606SM, also called "vertical advantage" which will take from 50 to 150 grs in vertical. These rather round blanks in action are inexpensive and release plenty of power.

---

Conclusion: Being now a total fan of vertical fishing, be it with lures/baits/jigs etc... I can't do without this type of equipment during my sessions as soon as the depths exceed 10/15m of water. I can only advise you to go for it if you haven't done so yet. To try it is to adopt it!