How to cast a fly fishing rod

Unfortunately, you’re not always in the wide open when learning how to fly fish in saltwater. A lot of saltwater fly fishing (especially in Florida) takes place while wade fishing in shallow water close to mangroves. Some of your time fishing will be parallel to the mangroves, but to cover the most ground you will eventually have to cast your fly rod straight out. The only way that’s going to be possible is to learn how to spey cast.

Here is the first how-to video that will teach you how to spey cast a fly fishing rod:

Back casting a fly fishing rod is necessary when re-adjusting your flies position

Back casting a fly fishing rod is probably the most common cast used.The reason back casting is a must have in your bag of tricks is because once you learn it well you will be able to lift your fly line up from wherever your fly is and reposition it to a different target.

Learn how to back hand cast a fly fishing rod in yet another great instructional video:

The difference between roll casting a fly fishing rod and spey casting a fly fishing rod

To roll cast a fly fishing rod you must lengthen the string and get it out in front of you. Then, you sweep the line in an arc-like motion behind you, whip it forward and the line seems to form a loop. It then "rolls" out in front of you and that is where the name "roll cast" comes from.

Here is our last instructional video on how to roll cast a fly fishing rod:

So, the difference between the spey cast and the roll cast is: in the spey cast, the back cast is made under the rod tip. Several feet of line touch the water before you cast. The line hitting the water creates an anchor that creates tension and seems to work better for most anglers.

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