A few main factors impacting casting distance:
1. Rod length: Most of 9ft rods should be able to meet the needs for coho and pinks for our local beaches
2. Line diameter: thinner line makes longer casts, power pro 15lb braid is the most commonly used here for spinning setup
3. Spinning reel: try to have a full spool, that gives you less friction between the main line and the spool, making it easier for the line to come off. Also need to find the reel that balances your rod well, not the lighter the better.
4: Number of guides on your rod: less guides means less friction, and thus longer casting distance
5: Lure weight: need to find the right weight for your rod action, I haven’t tried a whole bunch of rods but I find that 2/5oz - 1/2oz is kind of the sweet spot range for most salmon spinning rods here on our market. Also the shape of the lure is key, I find that the Kastmaster by ACME tackle is the best casting lure, gives longer distance than any other spoons.
6: Rod action: I personally prefer medium fast or medium action rod that bends well with a good backbone, Gloomis E6X 9ft 4-10lb is a perfect example and is the most easily accessible rod here on our local market, easy 100ft cast with 2/5 - 1/2oz spoons. It can cast 3/4oz but just doesn’t have that power to launch for further distances.
7: Casting form: side cast with low trajectory when casting against headwind
My setup for effortless 200ft+ casting:
Rod: 2022Shimano Exsence Infiniti 10ft (with 8 guides)
Reel: 2022 Shimano Stella 3000MHG
Line: 20lb Seaguar 8x braid (about the same diameter with 5lb power pro)
Lure: 3/4 oz Kastmaster spoon with hoochie
All that said, distance doesn’t always give your more fish, where you stand on the beach is way more important 😅