Another fly fishing question-saltwater

[Redbelly]

How far should you be able to cast? Say an average skilled caster?


And: Is it all sight casting, or is there sometimes blind casting involved?

[sundown]

Man you got me on both questions...I can cast from my deck to the neighbors hedge which is bout 50' I guess...I figure if you trout fishing, theres going to be quite a bit of blind casting..
Not to derail your thread , but how much leader do you need ? I been practicing with a 1/8 oz clouser and 9 ' leader and it seems too long...

[Barhopr]

I am by no means an authority on this but I think you should be able to cast to about 65-70 feet or so with no more than three false cast. Sight cast is the most fun/nerve racking way to do it, but if you fish in areas with stained/muddy water blind casting to structure/grass lines/oyster bars is about the only option. plus blind casting is good practice.

[Chalk]

How far should you be able to cast? Say an average skilled caster?

Practice will dictate that, if you don't practice, your ability will not improve. If you can make a nice quite 40 ft cast you can catch fish. An average caster IMO should cast 60 ft with proper form. If you can cast to 80 ft with proper form you should go test to be a certified FFF instructor. Proper form is the biggest obstacle, a few hours with a certified instructor will make you casting experience enjoyable.

And: Is it all sight casting, or is there sometimes blind casting involved?

Your preference....you can sight cast or blind cast

[Redbelly]

I am planning on getting some casting instructions from a certified teacher soon.

[noleflyfisher]

If you are blind casting, the longer the better. I will cast 80+ feet blind casting. If you are sight fishing, you need to be very comfortable at hitting a target at 40 to 60 ft, QUICKLY. I catch 90% of my fish at this distance.

Whether to blind cast or sight fish is a matter of choice. You can do both very effectively if you are comfortable casting. Sight fishing with the flyrod, IMO, is hard to beat.

[Supa Fly]

Ditto on 60 ft - from the bow of a boat, with a little wind and an average sized fly - which is a little different than standing in the backyard with a piece of yarn tied to the end of the leader.