Bass fishing requires a variety of casting skills because of the diversity of habitats in which the fish live and their ever-changing disposition and activity level. There are five basic casts most used in bass fishing. The most common is the two-handed over-head cast. Then come the pitch, flip, skip, and roll casts.

When bass are actively feeding...that is, when they're flushing and chasing forage species in open, relatively clear, deep water....long casts are more important than accurate ones. But, when inactive bass are suspended beside shallow cover, accuracy is critical to reaching in their shrunken strike zone.

The two-handed overhead cast is relatively inaccurate, but it gets the most distance. When extra-long casts are necessary, experienced anglers normally use 6 1/2 to 7-foot, medium-action rods with long handles.

But, when bass are relating to shallow cov...