i need longer casts

[STEVE IN MASS]

Anthony - for the bait ch#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g rig, that is one way, but go get a plastic fishfinder sleeve. They are only about $0.20 and will work much better than a swivel. I used to use fish finder rigs all the time, but have found that what is better and improves both your casting distance and keeping the bait on the hook is either a hi-lo rig, or something exactly like it with only one hook. This involves about 36" of leader material tied to a barrel swivel. About 12-18" from the swivel, tie a dropper loop and attach a hook. Go another 12-18" and tie another dropper, attach another hook. Go another 12-18" and tie on a snap for the sinker. (Since you are young and still rather short, the 12" between would probably be better to shorten up the whole rig. As you grow taller, you can leave more distance in between). If you only want one hook, just shorten up on your strating length. The areodynamics of this make for a longer cast, and you don't get that "snapping" of the bait following the sinker like you do with a fishfinder set up, allowing for the bait to remain on the hook better. When I fish in New Jersey, the bait of choice down there is clams. With the fishfinder rig, I always had a problem with the clams seperating from the hook. With the hi-lo rig, that problem vanished. Good Luck.....