Since I started using Stonze back in June 2007, I have had quite a few anglers tell me that they can’t cast a Stonze very far or very accurately or that they are only OK for casting up to 60yards. Well these anglers are all wrong. Most anglers who say this have probably never even tried Stonze or haven’t taken the time to experiment.
After fishing the Carp Society’s Horseshoe Lake (65acres) and Watermark’s Bradleys (165 acres) for sometime and fishing at long ranges, I have not struggled in any way to reach 100 yards plus with these Stonze and accuracy hasn’t been an issue either!
Each Stonze is naturally unique in size, shape, colour and weight, so you can always find a Stonze to suit your angling situation.
When you are selecting your Stonze for distance, choose a large rounded one as it has more weight and better dynamics, as opposed to a large or small flat one, as flat ones will cut your distance down (step 1).
I have noticed that the main problems among a number of anglers are their casting technique and where the Stonze is positioned up the rod before the cast has taken place.
Many anglers have their Stonze too close to the tip eye of their rod, which is cutting down distance and not fully compressing the rod. A longer drop somewhere in line with the spigot is a good starting place and will gain you extra yards for sure, as the rod will be being compressed and more power can be put through the blank.
A good casting stance is a must. If right handed, put your left foot forward with your heel slightly dug in the ground with a straight leg. Put your right leg behind the left one and slightly bend it.
When holding the rod, keep both your arms dead straight above your head (step 2).
As you bring your right arm over to cast, bend your left arm, rock forward onto your left leg and straighten it to put more power into the cast (step 3), and accuracy will come with practice.
Obviously, if you’re left-handed it’ll be right foot forward and left back, etc.
A good supple, low diameter monofilament like GAMMA 12lb is a very good line for distance work and with this there should be no need for a shock lead, but I would recommend a casting stall glove if trying to hit long distances.
Pallatrax Steamlink or Gamma’s fluorocarbon are excellent hooklink materials and do work exceptionally well with this type of fishing because you can guarantee they will not tangle on a long distance cast.
However, remember to slow the cast with your finger as it nears your spot to throw your rig forward and straighten it out.
Once it has landed in the water the rig will always fall away from your Stonze, so you know that your hook-bait will not be sat over your tubing or Stonze and will be laid out nice and straight, and more importantly, tangle free.
A 27lb 1oz caught at over a 100 yards using Crave on the stonze system.
I hope that this helps you to get more distance, so get down to your nearest large lake or field and have a practice. Measure it out - you will be surprised how far you can cast by using these techniques.
All the best
Lee Pollard