Casting 220 GTO

[Veodok]

I had purchased a Penn 220 GTO recently and decided to take it to the beach. I can toss ABU 6000 & 6500 without any problems.

At any rate - I put a 4oz weight on the line, and tried to cast as I see some of you that have posted videos. The line, lead and bait were heading out and at I would say 40' my thumb was burning! Instinctivly, I took my thumb off to stop the burning sensation, and I crocheted a rat nest that was too big to work with.

I have done a search on casting a 220 GTO and many say that can do it and get a good distance. What are some tips (aside from getting rid of it) though today I wanted to pawn it off for an ABU 6500.

Any help you can provide would be great!

Penn 220 GTO
Tossing a 4oz weight
Surf rig - whole squid
20lb test mono

[bigphil]

Man, those things are tough to cast. My nephew has one. It's built like a tank. The spool weighs a ton compared to some of my casting reels. That being said, it's hard to cast any distance on it. When the wind blows you have to ride your thumb on it. His does better on a shorter rod (8ft or less). I put it on an 11' Daiwa and it didn't like it.

I would try not to throw for distance with it. Maybe try 6 or 8 oz. You can tighten up the spool tension some.

[chinookhead]

It's a great boat reel and would do fine on the pier, but it's not a casting reel.....the spool's too heavy.
Ue your abus on the beach and if u want a bigger reel go for a daiwa sealine SHA or newell etc.

[RuddeDogg]

What chinookhead said. You can cast them from piers just like the 320gt2's which I use from time to time off the Grassy Sound half bridge. Ya just have to play with it to get it adjusted enough.

[Smashed]

No amount of adjusting will ever make the GTO reels good casting reels (that is, if you don't mag the spool). The GTO's are an OK boat reel, but aren't meant for casting.

[RuddeDogg]

was that you won't get any good long distance, but you can cast short distances with them as I said in my previous post.