Originally Posted by
artcarney_agr
Never measured the cast distance, but I can bump bottom at 16 to 17 ft with a DD22
I use 8 lb test mono, a custom built 7'-7" Castaway rod with micro guides, and a Quantum PT Tour Edition reel with 6.3:1 gearing
The Lews Speed Spool reel is actually a little bit better choice for getting distance. Mine fell apart though and I haven't replaced it yet. Those reels can cast a long dang ways - has more to do with the spool configuration than anything I think.
The trick to getting deep is to crank like heck while sweeping the rod hard at the start of your retrieve - makes the bait dive hard. Higher speed gears are the key for this. I like to crash the bait into the bottom, then slow the retrieve with a dragging motion bumping along and maintaining contact with the bottom.
Also make sure the spool on your reel is as full as you can get it. That always adds distance to your cast - when it's full, more line per revolution is spit out during the cast.