Overhand Casting a Bass Lure

Overhand cast, or the overhead cast, sometimes referred to as bombing when making long casts, is casting the rod directly overhead towards the desired location. It is common for both spinning rods and baitcaster rods.

Why are Overhead Casts Important?

Overhand casting is important for:

Casting Long Distances – Bombing: When cast distance is important overhead cast is common.
Covering Water: When fan casting, working a bank or some other covering water technique and accuracy isn’t the top concern, overhead cast is common.

Overcast Options

Technique Considerations:
1. Initial Rod Position: Swing the rod straight back over your dominant shoulder and let the rod to “load,” or “bend” under the weight of the lure. Some suggest a lure 2 feet or more from the rod tip to assist in the rod loading up.
2. Rod Movement: Once it loads, swing it forward and release the cast out in front of your body and some suggest with both arms extended.
  - Avoid high Casts: Some suggest thinking of sending the lure straight or horizontal as this will also help reduce backlashes in baitcaster reels which is caused by the lure stalling and the reel continuing to spin. This will also help reduce the impact when casting into the wind.
3. End of Rod Movement:
  - Spinning Rod: Snapping motion.
  - Baitcaster Rod: Smooth motion, some describe as “letting the rod do the work” with a full follow through with the rod tip pointing to the desired location.
Use Two Hands: To create the maximum load on the lure.
Moderate Action Rod: More moderate rod action provides the most arc/bend in the rod when loading the rod during the cast which results in the longest distance cast.

Additional Considerations

Wind: Wind is one of the largest challenges to effective overhead cast as it is prone to catch the wind. This may help when casting leveraging the wind but is problematic when casting towards the wind.
- Boat Positioning: Better boat positioning may help when addressing the wind.
Cast Accuracy: Overhand, bombing cast, is the least accurate.
Spook Factor: Overhand cast has the highest spook factor as the lure will typically land heavy.