I have a question for you ladies. I've been taking my girlfriend fishing with me for a while and started her off with spin cast reel to keep her from getting discouraged with back lashes and have now progressed her to a bait caster. My real question is do any of you know of classes for ladies about fishing. I fish a lot but can't explain the mechanics of casting to help her get more distance. I know it gets frustrating (but she won't admit it or complain) for her because she can't always reach the cover, but I don't know how to help. I know there are some classes out there and was wondering if there are any in the DFW area.

Thanks for your help.

I don't know of any classes I'm sure there are some. My first baitcaster has a thumb bar on it. Maybe you could try that. It seems to be a little easier cause your thumb is already on the spool.

Thanks, Ms. I have her using a Torno. I may switch her to a lighter action rod or something with a faster action. I'll keep looking.

My hubby taught me how to cast by tying a pretty heavy weight on the line and just casting out in the back yard. Or some wide open area. I would get out there by myself. Had a blast eventually the dog would even chase after it. Give it a shot. Or try a swimming pool if you have access to one.

I'll try that. That is how I learned, I just hope my dog doesn't think it is fun to chase it. I'll never keep her in the boat.

if you let her watch she would probably learn by her self, after about a million rat's nest she'll learn, thats how i learn, my boyfriend tried to explain how but it was better to watch and learn.

The weight in a open backyard or field is the best way if I may add my opinion. Also show her how to tighten the spool or loosen it. Depending on what I am throwing and the weight I will adjust the tightness of my spool. Something heavy will of course pull line much easier. If the spool is super loose and the thumb comes off for a sec the line goes everywhere. Ok I will get out of your forum now.....LOL

I say give her a fly rod! Worked for me!

please let me know if anyone finds a fishing class for women in the central tx area. I am soooo there.

dbbwoman

you are awesome. thanks. do you know of anything in the austin area?

thanks

The best fishing school that I have come across is by fishing as a co-angler in a tournament. Ladies, if you're new to bass fishing you need to check out ESPN's Women's Bassmaster Tour. The beauty of the tour is that you don't need to be an excellent fisherwomen to fish it as a co-angler. I have fished as a co- for the last two years and have learned an incredible amount from the best women in fishing. The pros are more than willing to share their experiences and techniques with you because they want you to catch fish as well. The last tournament of the season is on September 20 - 22 at Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana. To learn more go to Bassmaster.com > Tournaments > Tournaments Home > Women's Bassmaster Tour. If you would like to hear from other women that fish you not only have a great link here at the fishing forum, but you can also go to ladybassangler.com.

Just Keep Fishing Ladies!

Move the boat closer.

Hey Pat,

I'll take her out and teach her. No problem I do it everyday. Had someone bet me $500 that I could'nt teach his wife to use a baitcaster without backlashing. I'll just say I won the bet. No I did'nt take the money. I have instructed several classes from Special Needs, Woman in the Outdoors, Summer Camps, Bass Clubs etc.

I will be avaible late Oct./early Nov.

Maybe we can start at the Red River Shootout Sept 29th?

Shoot me a call or PM me.

Helen

I have had problems with having sufficient upper body strength for long casts also, also fishing most of the season with a back injury and new fractures to 2 vertebrae has placed an importance of not straining or reinjuring things when making a long cast. Here are few things I have found to help overcome this issue:

1 I use longer rods and can get more distance with a 7ft or longer rod, I switched to using Setyr rods this year and the combination of lighter rods with more length has greatly improved casting distance. I also have less fatigue with fishing all day or multiple days in a row by using lighter weight rods like the Setyrs, they are very strong rods, but lighter and the handles are more friendly for a female with smaller hands, these rods are also more sensitive. Rods with less handle length below where the reel sits also help me cast further. In the past I have also taken rods into Southwestern Parts and Service and had them shorten the rod butts between an inch and 3 inches depending on the rod to make this part shorter and the rod lighter in weight.

2 I use mostly Shimano Curado Super Free reels, seem to get better distance with better reels, also do well with the Shimano Chronach ?sp that I use. If I had the money to invest in new reels right now my favorite choice would be using the Ardent reels with 11 ball bearings, excellent casting distance with those reels. (I am not sponsored by any reel companies,these are just suggestions from my experimentation.)

3 I will typically use lighter line than what alot of folks use so I can get better casting distance.

4 You can spray the rod guides with either Reel Magic or KVD's line conditioner and that will also improve casting distance, esp if you are using a light bait.

5 I have the brakes on the reel set as light as possible (usually only 2 on opposite sides of the curado super frees) With the type of line I usually use, I do have to have fresh line on and not be casting in the wind or with light baits for this to be effective.

6 If she is fishing plastics, have her put on a slightly heavier weight to get a little more distance.

7. If I am fishing with someone who has the boat farther away from the bank and i can't make the throw to the bank, I will start throwing a Carolina rig, even in shallow water, sometimes it is more effective anyways, esp in grass.

Hope these suggestions are helpful, and I think just spending time on the water casting is what makes the most difference.

If you are in the DFW area, you might consider encouraging your wife to not only take part as a co-angler on the WBT, but also join a local ladies club. The North Texas Lady Anglers meet at Fuddruckers in Grapvine the Tuesday before our tournaments. Our next tournament is slated for September 29. We would love to have her come out and many of our members would be glad to help her with her casting skills.

I totally had to laugh at this! I can see it now!

Ladies,
Thanks for the tips. Helen I may take you up on the offer.

When My wife and I married (about half a century ago) I asked her if she wanted a push button reel or one that a good fisherman would use. She chose a Red Ambassedur 5000. Just like mine. She stood in the street and threw at manhole covers to learn. She took a lot of kidding from her friends but she did learn. Five years after she started she won the Texas Ladies Bass Championship two years in a row.

Use a slightly heavier weight (5/8 oz Rubber practice plug) and a 6' rod. not too stiff but not a cheap limp whip. Most guys don't outfit their women with quality equipment and then wonder why they give up.

My wife nad I would be happy to do a seminar for the ladies if you are interested. Can do both casting and spinning.

http://www.bassresource.com/fish/casting.html
there are a few tips

excpecialy "Cast with the wrist, not the arm and shoulder."
a lot of people use thier arms and shoulders to much

I need to do more practice. I bought a bait caster and still don't feel like I can cast it worth a flip. I did okay in open territory. The problem is I took it to a pier. The pier had a guard rail that was in the way. I have only practiced using a side arm cast. I am not good enough at that for a overhand cast. I decided to take it back there anyway. I did okay I guess. But ended up getting the first really good backlash on there. It was not a pleasant experience for me. :-)