Is a long cast important when surf fishing?

[capecodder]

One spot I frequent has a rip that forms during a particular point in the tide. Often that rip will hold fish. Being able to reach that rip with your offering makes all the difference. Other spots the structure or moving water is easily reachable and doesn't require it...

[Flaptail]

Always get the most you can out of each cast. Somedays they are close others they are at the end. Depends where you are too. Take the canal for instance, hauling 2/3rds of the way across is a big advantage when fishing breaking tides and on the beig beach in the dead of night a simple lob puts you in the zone but a reaching cast upon starting will tell you a lot as to where they are.

(Ever notice how far we think we are casting at night on the beach and then daylight comes and you cast the same plug and it's only going 100 feet?)

[numbskull]

Then again, a long cast for me is a short cast for Flap.....which I hate.

[Slipknot]

You ask is a long cast important, why or why not?

OK, My answer is both

1. Why? Because there are places on the beaches where you need to get out to the dropoff where the fish are most times, there are bars you have to get a cast out over to reach fish that if you can't reach them, it's the difference in catching or not. I hate having to catch a fish so far out that it gives those sea hoovers aka seals, a chance to sense the fish in distress and they chase it down as easy prey , it sucks feeding those dirty animals but that's life. There are also spots in the canal like the others have said, you need a long cast, and yes it is much better to have the ability than not, that is why I rely on spinning so I can huck it out there and not worry about a backlash.

2. Why not? Because many time the fish are right in the first wave feeding as the bait gets disoriented in the curls. Or the rip in in close at the canal where the bass line up waiting for an easy meal. Therfore a long cast is not important.

that's my opinion.

[Pete_G]

The fish are where the fish are, and that's where your cast needs to be. It's stating the obvious, but that's how I've always operated. Sometimes point blank, sometimes far away...

[capecodkid]

Sometimes the fish can be out feeding 500ft off and sometimes they can be right in the wash 5ft out. All depends on the spot and conditions.

[baldwin]

Interpretation of all above replies:
Yes, long casts are important when fish are out far.
No, they're not important when fish are in close.

Start casting just beyond the first wave and parallel to shore before entering the water, then gradually cover the water farther and farther out.