Wilmington Angler World's Top Long-caster

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(PRWEB) January 3, 2005 -- When his friends and rivals say Tommy Farmer of Wilmington can cast a country mile, they arent exaggerating. During the Sportcast USA World Long Casting Championship at Crisfield, Md., Farmer showed his skill by pacing the event with a cast of 819 feet.

Farmer, who is an avid fisherman, has been competing in distance-casting events for years. While still excited about his accomplishment, he said he had two goals at the beginning of 2004. One of my goals was to beat 12-time champion ‘Big Lou McEachern of Texas, and the other was to break the American distance-casting record,” he said. Farmer achieved one of his goals and barely missed the other.

To win the title, Farmer had to beat McEachern, his rival and occasional training partner. The American distance-casting record of 821 feet, held by McEachern, was just out of Farmers reach when the event ended. Farmers 150-gram-class winning cast of 819 feet was the second-best American cast in the events history. He said he will try again to claim the world record during the 2005 tournament. On his way to the 2004 championship, Farmer advanced through the Southeast Regional competition at Wilmington and the U.S. national competition at Crisfield, Md. He competes in the Masters Division, the top level of distance-casting events.

In distance casting, there are two weight classes. In the 125-grams (about 4 1/2 ounces) class, competitors use 8-pound test or .28-mm monofilament line, plus a shock leader of 30 feet of 60 pounds or .75-mm mono is used between the end of the fishing line and the weight. The second class is 150 grams or about 5 1/4 ounces. In this class, competitors use 10-pound test or .31-mm monofilament line with the same shock leader.

Farmer said the heavier shock leader is necessary to absorb the power and whip of the cast. Farmer said his rod of choice is the Pendulum Cast, which originated in Great Britain. With it, I begin with my back to the target and start swinging the sinker to begin loading the rod,” he said. After working the rod to a fair bend with the swinging weight, I swing it all the way back and whip the rod over my head as I spin around. This final motion fully loads the rod and multiplies the strength I can put into it. If my timing and angle are correct, it will be a long cast.” If Farmer continues to improve, its possible he could repeat his 2004 championship this year.

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By Jerry Dilsaver

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