Long casting is definitely a developed skill. The right rod and reel help tremendously, but knowing the right amount of force for each rod, reel and bait is key. I get way more distance out of my bait casters than spinning gear (unless I am fishing less than 1/4 oz. lures). I used to get alot of birds nests casting too hard, and not letting the mechanics of the reel and action of the rod do the work. When I got into fly fishing - having to let the line straighten out in the back and load the rod up, really helped my casting with bait casters. You really need to allow some time in your backcast to allow the weight of the lure to load up your rod - letting the whip of the rod combined with your forward cast add distance to your cast. Having the right rod with the right weight of lure is key. I have heard that you can tell if your lure is the right weight for each rod, by dropping the lure down about 18" and swinging the lure around in circles. You want the tip to follow the lure around with very little bend in the rod past the tip. Of course your lighter baits are going to lose some energy in the cast and die down quicker. I can cast a deep diving crankbait well over 50 yds (with no wind), and a c-rig and jig a little less. Deep water fishing is the only time I really shoot for the long cast. In shallow water structure, accuracy is much more important skill than distance.