According to Tom Maker distance is not the most important element of casting, it is in fact accuracy, which he rates as the important aspect to master... 

So much is written about casting these days and, sadly, most people are obsessed with just the distance aspect. However, far more important for me, rather than how far you can cast, should be how accurately – not just with your fishing rods, but also with your baiting as well. Given the choice between fishing at 120 yards or 60 yards I’d take the latter every time. For a start, fishing at this range is far more accurate, whoever you are, and it also allows for any changes in the conditions, which is a point that so many angler neglect to consider. Let me give you an example. If somebody is fishing at the upper end of their casting ability, let’s say 100 yards for most anglers. If conditions change during the session, particularly if the wind that was on their backs is now into their faces, they will no longer be able to hit that same spot.

Above: Accuracy is far more important than distance in most angling situations...

They may have another 24 hours of their session left and are going to have to start all over again. All of the time spent fishing spots has been wasted and, on top of that, any bait they have put out becomes a free meal for the carp. I think that too often it’s a vanity thing, who can fish the furthest out, but I’ll come back to that towards the end of this piece. It’s far better to fish at a comfortable range which you can hit regardless of the conditions. Also, I know it is said very often, but you must try and give yourself a far-bank marker that you can still cast to at night. It’s all very well being able to cast accurately in the daylight hours, but you need to be able to hit the same spot on a recast in darkness as well.

Above: Tom likes to fish all three rods on the same spot.

As most people will know, I like to fish all three rods on the same spot, with my lines pointing directly at it, and all parallel to each other. This also helps when recasting at night as I can aim down the line of the other two rods. A head torch shone on the lines themselves helps a lot in this scenario.

Above: Tom uses a head torch to aid his nighttime accuracy.