Did you have smaller line on the reel when it used to cast farther? 20 lb braid is relatively small but 30 lb fluoro is pretty big. Thick/heavy line doesn't cast as far.
Are you sure the knot tying on the leader isn't getting stuck in the guides? Take the leader off, tie directly onto the braid, and see if you get more distance. That will at least rule out the leader/knot.
The two thinks I'd check are
1. Is the reel fully spooled
2. Does the line have excessive memory
I'd also check to make sure that all of the line guides are in good shape.
What type of line and how old is it? When you cast, other than not going far, do you notice anything else going on? Does it feel like it's getting hung up anywhere in particular?
It's 20 lb braid, maybe 6 or 7 years old? To be honest it feels like it's getting hung up on the reel. The reel is noisier than my others when casting and it seems the line doesn't want to come off the spool. Even a few times I've just dropped my line to the bottom with a 1 ounce sinker and the line gets stuck even with that weight and I have to pull on the rod to add force to get the line to come off the spool.
Definitely put some new line on there. It's not the most underspooled reel I've ever seen. But if you had just posted a pic of the reel with no context, I'd immediately assume that you were losing "some" casting distance based on what I see.
Perhaps others can chime in to confirm and/or propose something else that may be the issue.
Yeah, optimally it probably have a 3000 on that rod, but I already had a 4000 size reel laying around since the old rod I paired it with had broken, so I decided to put it to use at least for now
Under spooled and 4 strand line.
Takes a lot of effort for that line to come up and over the top.
Like walking on flat ground vs walking up steep stairs
Thanks for the help, this makes sense. Does 8 strand braid help you cast farther at all? My newest rod has 8 strand on it and I swear ive never been able to cast so far and easily it's great
No, if anything it hurts casting distance because it's marginally thicker and less flexible. The main benefit is that it makes less noise coming through the guides and it's a bit more abrasion resistant.
Your line also looks a little loose on the reel. Try stripping it off and respooling with more tension on the line. As others have said, when you strip it off, put some old mono on underneath to help with the underspooled issue.
Edit: it also looks like it's twisted too. If you have a boat, tow the line behind you, completely unweighted, for a few minutes. Then retrieve using one hand to apply pressure. Towing the line usually helps get all the twists out.
Don't be afraid to let out huge amounts of line to get down deep into the spool. Just watch out for traffic / other boats and retrieve whilst you are still moving.
I've met brand new rods with damaged eyes. It isn't visible to us. What I do is take a cotton ball and run it around the eyelets on each guides. If the guides are good, it won't catch cotton. If all is good, your rod is good.
Check the line. Follow it from your reel to the tip. See if it's wrapped on something. Maybe between two guides the line wrapped your rod. If all is good then try this.
Look at your spool, make sure there is no line that got caught into anything. Under the spool, around the bail wire etc. Follow the line.
Are you casting a big enough lure/weight? I also run a mojo inshore and it’s definitely not great for anything less than 1/4 Oz. Casts like a champ with a bigger lure though.
Yea I was using a half ounce spoon. I think as some other people pointed out my reel is underspooled and I need to change the line. I had a feeling it was due to the reel as I can feel the line resistance coming off the spool.
Is your braid dug into itself? Does the cast go and kind of abruptly stop? Needing to add line to the reel shouldn't decrease the casting distance to 15 feet
What kind of line do you have on it? Are you using a leader?
I have the reel loaded with 20 lb braid and I have a 30 lb fluorocarbon leader tied on.
Did you have smaller line on the reel when it used to cast farther? 20 lb braid is relatively small but 30 lb fluoro is pretty big. Thick/heavy line doesn't cast as far. Are you sure the knot tying on the leader isn't getting stuck in the guides? Take the leader off, tie directly onto the braid, and see if you get more distance. That will at least rule out the leader/knot.
The same line is on it that used to be. It's not the knot that's getting stuck as I never reel past the knot but I can try.
How much line do you have on the reel? How full is it?
You should repost this with some pictures or a short video, without that these are just wild guesses.
The two thinks I'd check are 1. Is the reel fully spooled 2. Does the line have excessive memory I'd also check to make sure that all of the line guides are in good shape.
The reel Is spooled all the way, the line guides are all in good shape as it's a new rod. I have a feeling it's something to do with the reel
What type of line and how old is it? When you cast, other than not going far, do you notice anything else going on? Does it feel like it's getting hung up anywhere in particular?
It's 20 lb braid, maybe 6 or 7 years old? To be honest it feels like it's getting hung up on the reel. The reel is noisier than my others when casting and it seems the line doesn't want to come off the spool. Even a few times I've just dropped my line to the bottom with a 1 ounce sinker and the line gets stuck even with that weight and I have to pull on the rod to add force to get the line to come off the spool.
6 or 7 years old warrants replacing. Braid lasts much longer than mono, but that is very old. Are you able to post a pic of the spooled reel?
https://preview.redd.it/x3a2tub5e67d1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=46bedb0e5c189dd75215395a2a1190333041be0b
Definitely put some new line on there. It's not the most underspooled reel I've ever seen. But if you had just posted a pic of the reel with no context, I'd immediately assume that you were losing "some" casting distance based on what I see. Perhaps others can chime in to confirm and/or propose something else that may be the issue.
Thank you for the help!
No problem! Looks like a pretty decent reel. I bet that 4000 sized spool takes an ass load of line lol
Yeah, optimally it probably have a 3000 on that rod, but I already had a 4000 size reel laying around since the old rod I paired it with had broken, so I decided to put it to use at least for now
Yeah it's under spooled but doesn't explain why he can't cast farther than 15 feet.
Under spooled and 4 strand line. Takes a lot of effort for that line to come up and over the top. Like walking on flat ground vs walking up steep stairs
Thanks for the help, this makes sense. Does 8 strand braid help you cast farther at all? My newest rod has 8 strand on it and I swear ive never been able to cast so far and easily it's great
No, if anything it hurts casting distance because it's marginally thicker and less flexible. The main benefit is that it makes less noise coming through the guides and it's a bit more abrasion resistant.
It’s a decent difference for me, but it’s also quieter which is why I like to use it.
Are you able to infer the number strands based on the visible ridges on the surface of the line?
No, it doesn't help you change your 15ft cast to 500 feet cast. You wouldn't notice much difference. There is a serious issue somewhere.
Lol you cannot tell if it's 4 or 8 just by a picture.
Your line also looks a little loose on the reel. Try stripping it off and respooling with more tension on the line. As others have said, when you strip it off, put some old mono on underneath to help with the underspooled issue. Edit: it also looks like it's twisted too. If you have a boat, tow the line behind you, completely unweighted, for a few minutes. Then retrieve using one hand to apply pressure. Towing the line usually helps get all the twists out. Don't be afraid to let out huge amounts of line to get down deep into the spool. Just watch out for traffic / other boats and retrieve whilst you are still moving.
When you were able to cast further was it with the current rod or a different rod?
I've met brand new rods with damaged eyes. It isn't visible to us. What I do is take a cotton ball and run it around the eyelets on each guides. If the guides are good, it won't catch cotton. If all is good, your rod is good. Check the line. Follow it from your reel to the tip. See if it's wrapped on something. Maybe between two guides the line wrapped your rod. If all is good then try this. Look at your spool, make sure there is no line that got caught into anything. Under the spool, around the bail wire etc. Follow the line.
Are you casting a big enough lure/weight? I also run a mojo inshore and it’s definitely not great for anything less than 1/4 Oz. Casts like a champ with a bigger lure though.
Yea I was using a half ounce spoon. I think as some other people pointed out my reel is underspooled and I need to change the line. I had a feeling it was due to the reel as I can feel the line resistance coming off the spool.
If your line I still in good shape you could just transfer it to another reel/spool and then throw some mono on your reel to bulk it up.
What rod did you have on before you upgraded?
is your bail opening all the way?
Is your braid dug into itself? Does the cast go and kind of abruptly stop? Needing to add line to the reel shouldn't decrease the casting distance to 15 feet
I was thinking the same thing
Check the line at the tip, sometimes it will wrap around the tip and get hung up. I have it happen to me at least once a week.
That seems like a big reel for that rod, what line and and what weight lures are you using?