King Fishing Anchor rod

What you have, will work. I personally, wouldn't go less than 10 ft. on an anchor rod, and you'll need something, with enough backbone to cast at least 4 to 8 ounces in my opinion. Anything over 10 ft. is fine, just remember, make sure it will fit in your vehicle. Mine's 11 1/2 ft 1 piece..........sometimes I think I need a red flag on the end, for transporting, LOL
A Tip: Having your bait, the most distance away from the pier, doesn't mean you have a better chance at a King. Alot of times, a King will swim under the pier, or "Cut the corner" in search of bait around the structure. I've seen it happen more than once. Also, Cobia will hang around, under the pier, because they use it for shade. My largest Cobia, (64 lbs) was caught, with my bait, approx. 15 feet from the pier.
I also like to have my bait, by itself. Maybe sitting just off the corner, or short, in the front. away from all the other baits.

PD

I feel more comforftable throwing a 12ft rod rather then a 10'. 10' will work, but its all up to the caster. I use custom built rods, and I even use 12ft for them, nothing over nothing under. YOU use what makes you feel easy using, not someone else. But opinion wise? I like 12ft lol. Far as casting? I like to give myself a 2-3ft distance from the tip of my rod to the actual anchor, this is for whipping and getting a good feeling with my rod. My 12ft has plenty of handle space for me to get my grip in the whip it out there. I like distance, no matter if I fish deep or shallow with my baits. Sometimes its better to fish close to the pier, like PD mentioned. Sometimes farther out. Me? I fish 5yrds off the pier or 30-40yrds out. My main thing is how deep my bait is in the water, I don't like right on the top, nor real deel. So use your 10' once atleast, get a feel for it, then find someone with a 12ft rod, see how it feels. But nice to see a new kingfisherman and if im ever down and you fish too, I'd love to fish with ya and show ya some ropes i've learned over the many yrs I've done it

joebob255 said:

Thanks for the advice. I checked it out and it looks like I'm supposed to let the weight fly up a bit then turn and release. No offense, but is that such a good idea on a pier?

Also should I use a special knot to hold the weight or will an improved clinch do?

Click to expand...

I only surf/boat fish so I forgot about the dynamic of having alot of people around, but it still shows you the mechanics of casting to get you more distance. The momentum of the cast gives you more velocity and helps you load the rod up easier. Check out this video.. notice around 1:13 they start.

[nomedia="http://youtube.com/watch?v=QoCx9c3jkW4"]YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.[/nomedia]

Note how the cast is very similar yet much simpler than a true tournament cast however I bet these guys are throwing at distances that you want to be throwing. Not exactly sure if it matters if you get more distance if your on a pier as PD and RK have mentioned since your already 600-1000 ft out , but if you do practicing these casting techniques will help you achieve more distance. Few things for distance... thinner line, practice, conventional reel (magged preferably although the abu's and okuma's can cast really well without them), more practice and practice