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In angling, casting is the act of throwing bait or a lure using a fishing line out over the water using a flexible fishing rod. The usual technique is for the angler to quickly flick the rod from behind toward the water. The term may also be used for setting out a net.
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There are several techniques anglers use to attempt to cast further, the most prominent of which is the shifting of body weight towards the front foot in correlation to the forward movement of the rod. That combined with stopping the fishing rod at 45 degree's and using the correct fishing tackle will help anglers cast further.
Casting techniques
Casting techniques vary with the type of fishing involved.
Fly fishermen use artificial flies as a lure and use lighter rods and lines. They develop much finesse casting the flies, using motions of the hand and arm, so the flies land with great accuracy into or onto the water and mimic the behaviour of real flies.
Salt water anglers usually use heavier rods and lines They often use lures and bait which are heavier than flies. Heavier again are the rods and lines used in surfcasting. Specialized, two-handed casting techniques are used to cast the lure or bait the added distances required in many cases to reach feeding inshore fish. In these casts the entire body, rather than just the arms, are utilized to deliver the cast, which may travel many hundreds of feet.
Casting as a sport
Casting (known as Casting Sport) is also a sport adjunct to fishing, much as shooting is to hunting. The sport is supervised by the International Casting Sport Federation (ICSF) which was founded in 1955 and as of April 2014 has member associations in 31 countries.
The ICSF sponsors tournaments and recognizes world records for accuracy and distance. This sport uses plastic weights or hookless flies, and can be held on water or on athletic fields. There are competitive divisions for almost all types of fly, fixed spool and revolving spool tackle, and competitor classes. It is included in the World Games (see photo) and has been considered for the Olympics.
The American Casting Association held its 100th Annual Casting Championships in 2008 at the Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club.