Golf Ball Skagit Casting Tips with Ed Ward- OPST

In this video Ed Ward shares some thoughts on Skagit casting with the help of a wiffle golf ball. He covers the differences between single hand overhead casting and Skagit casting, connecting and separating the planes of a Skagit cast, proper tempo, how to get more load through line placement, and more. See more videos at opskagit.com.

[@AdrianStruwig]

Thank you for another great video ! I can honestly say that since you guys started with these videos Skagit casting has become much easier and WAY more enjoyable for me! All I want to do is get OPST lines for all my rods!

[@rjkisling603]

WOW, thanks for this visual!!!! I've been trying to teach myself, and have been beating the stuff out of myself with a "blown anchor". The dual plain explanation and seeing the movement of the golf ball really helped explain what I've been doing wrong. The light bulb just came on......THANKS for the video

[@stephencifka4629]

Way Helpful! This definitely helps to give the caster a way to visualize the motions. Thanks!

[@hankvana2149]

Thanks Ed!!! I'm totally new to Skagit casting so I am doing the research now (January) in preparation for purchasing equipment in the spring. Your golf ball demonstration really put it together for me - if it wasn't 17 below zero I would be out trying it right now :-) After watching you, I realize that I have done Skagit style (water loaded) casts (poorly) without realizing it - after a missed strike the line will often end up loosely piled up in front of me so I will sweep the rod to the left side to get water tension, translate that tension into a roll cast to the right which I will flip over my shoulder into a back cast. Thanks for the help! Hank

[@atokitaka]

The ball is a great visual idea. Thanks a lot from Brazil.

[@AndrewLakey]

Excellent visual demonstration and explanation!

[@OPSkagit]

Thank You!

[@062pesca5]

Thanks all the way from Brazil!

[@milosbozilovic7843]

This is pure gold. Thank you!

[@OPSkagit]

You're very welcome! This is honestly some of the best advice for Skagit casting and we still refer back to it at times!

[@johncees6178]

Cleared it right up. Tks

[@outdooravenues5373]

The golf ball is a great visual, Ed! Helps you see the out-and-around path and connecting the two casting planes. Your tip to start with an outward movement (which you also emphasized in Skagit Master #1) is something that has helped my skagit spey casting. As to why this works--I like to think about the weight of the Skagit head traveling like a tetherball. To get the ball to travel around the pole, you have to “hit” it outward and then it will swing out and around using the outward-traveling centripetal force.

[@chrisroberts3963]

I think it works because the out-and-around will put more energy into the D loop when it forms. When Ed does the "out" with the golf ball it takes more energy (and rod bend) than normal to bring it back to form the D loop. The more energized your D loop has the more energy you forward cast potentially has.
I used to think the rod was always bent but began to think differently after listening to an April Vokey podcast. Does this sound right:
- your anchor stroke is all about fly'/line positioning and bending the rod and causing it to store up energy during the sweep
- that energy is transferred into the throwing the fly line back and forming a D-loop
- so you got all this energy going backwards and then you go forward with the rod and in doing so you start bending the rod causing it to store up energy. Then when you stop the rod all that energy gets unleashed into the fly line going forward and out goes the fly.

[@ttpearse]

Certainly the outward force is needed to have a tight system to load the rod and the extra energy will increase loading. But I think the key to starting the sweep with an outward motion is using centripetal force to bring the line 270 degrees around behind you in that smooth circular motion Ed is talking about.

[@chuenyeelau]

Excellent instruction thanks

[@OPSkagit]

You're welcome we appreciate the support!

[@dominiqueleblanc2193]

Great tips. I ish I could meet him some day.

[@jamesskinner1996]

I think the cast is better when the line is closer in is because the line and D loop along with the rod are closer to being on a single plain. ie. when you cast vertically the rod loads, but the tip is aligned with the D loop and anchor. (not quite in the same plain as the rod) I've been wrestling with trying to land the 9' mono leader on my target line so I have a nice straight presentation instead of a 'bloody L. When you're dry fly fishing that could make a difference.

[@mikewratten9035]

Another great Vid from OPST. Thanks Ed.... When doing this in the water for real how much line would you have in the water ?

[@kleancut1]

That little tip of keeping the line inside the rod tip path is $$$. Good vids...

[@chrisroberts3963]

What is your setup? I can see the wiffle ball. But is that directly attached to your scagit head or do you have a length of leader in there? I'm off to walmart to buy a wiffle golf ball so I can practice! Do you guys ever have any casting lessons if someone is in the Seattle area?

[@chriscox1618]

Golf ball? Love your guys videos but keep it real. Very informative video nonetheless.

[@Mach1Greeble]

How do these techniques differ when on a beach with waves action? I'm thinking of using skagit in tropical australia for beach fishing with big flies

[@Kelberi]

get the Commando groove. It sits below the chops.

[@LineSpeedJediTimRawlins]

Ed Ward always thinks outside the box.

[@khristopherbourque7345]

What kind of reel is that

[@sleepingfor100years]

Ari t hart

[@christopherorman5769]

Freaking Jedi...