I cast short if I see obvious signs of life directly in front of me. I would rather work a larger area and then dial in to a smaller area if necessary. Think of it like a search grid

that's when plugging. Fishing eels I swim out to a rock hook an eel and take the line off the roller and BOOM COW TIME. right at my feet everytime!!! I joke, I cast those as far as I can as well.
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