Casting distance.....how important is it?

[bart]

i think it depends on the spot and what you're using. some places like the canal when the fish are busting in the middle a long cast is required. other places like in Gansett or Jamestown you have deep water right at your feet so distance isn't too much of a factor(except in one place we fish where getting your eel out to an offshore reef is critical). when fishing eels, i think having the ability to cast further is only going to put you at an advantage. eels dont cast that well and the longer you can keep them in the water the better chance a fish has at finding it...