I recently just started fishing again and purchased an Abu Garcia Cardinal 102i / Cherrywood 6'6" Med. Combo. I have a feeling the rod tip is just too soft and casting causes a lot of vibration and affecting the cast distance. Or possibly something else could be causing this issue. I really have to put some "mustard" on my cast to get it out there, and it don't think that's healthy for the rod and or reel.
I have tried my buddies setup, which I think is a MH 6' or 6'6", where the tip is much stiffer, although it's set up with a pflueger president, I only have to put about 15% amount of effort as I do with mine to achieve the same casting distance.
Any suggestions?
[signature]
What size line are you useing? Consider useing a smaller lb test. Go to braid and that will allow you to go smaller as well. Most better quality rods seem to have more eyes on them as well.
[signature]
Too bad there isn't a video to show the problem. Do you mean the whole rod wobbles after your cast like that of a fly rod if you jerk and stop to fast?
I've had problems like that as well. Gdn443's lighter line tip might help though you might end up having to find a replacement rod
Hope you find a less expensive alternative
[signature]
I am with gdn on this one, my first thought is you are using an 8 or 10 pound class line on a 6 pound combo.
that will put the slow down on your casting right off the bat.
I am asuming that you picked up a reel that was already spooled. My friend, the first thing you do when you get a new reel is strip off the line that is on it. the factory spools it with the stiffest and cheapest line that they can get their hands on.
Might I suggest one of my favorite lines, "silver thread N40" it has a smaller diamiter than most lines so you can go one size bigger than the combo is rated for, low memory, vary flexible and limp.
It is smooth casting.
it is a little more expencive than your Kmart specials, but I swear on a platter of gills and perch that it is well worth the price. once you try it you will see the differance.
the soft tip only means it is a fast action rod, that realy has nothing to do with your cast. "slow action - stiff tip" "medium action - some what flexible tip" "fast action - wobbally tip"
fast action means you will see fish stikes faster even smaller fish.
stiff or slow action means the rod is not sencitive to smaller fish strikes..
most guys like fast action for trout and gills, medium action for bass and slow for carp cats and trolling.
be sure to let us know what you did and the results you achieved. We like to know how advice works out for our guest.
check lure weight, line size, and then go to the rod is the problem also a head wind can effect trowing lures to light or heavy like wind resistance blue gill sized soft plastics. on the wrong rod will cast for nothing.
[signature]