28 PRACTICAL BAIT CASTING 



retrieve is something the novice should practice diligent- 

 ly it means more strikes and more fish. 



CASTING WITH THE HENSHALL ROD 



Scientific bait casting originated with the Henshall 

 rod (discussed in the chapter on rods), which is usually 

 8J4 f eet l n g- Live bait is nearly always used with 

 this style of fishing. This method has much to recom- 

 mend it, although it is not practiced as much as former-: 

 ly, due to the overwhelming popularity of the short rod. 

 Neverthleess, there is no denying that the old style 

 casting and Henshall rod have their advantages. The 

 older men who use them can lay down a long line 

 with remarkable accuracy and they catch their share of 

 fish. 



The same reel and line are employed as with cast- 

 ing with the short rod, but the reel is placed in the 

 reel seat so that the handle is toward the left when on 

 top of the rod. The cast is made with the reel on top, 

 but when the rod is shifted to the left hand, it is 

 turned so that the reel is beneath the rod with the 

 handle to the right. In casting to the left the move- 

 ments are as follows: 



The angler stands facing the front, but his head is 

 turned toward the spot he is casting at. The rod is 

 pointed downward and to the right. It is then swept 

 out and across the body upwards, the hand traveling 

 from the right hip to the left shoulder. 



