Advanced Baitcasting 2025
Hulkster reply :
So, does anyone else find themselves doing strange things while casting with a baitcaster after using one for years?
I, for example, will often cast and switch hands as normal (i learned the old school way back when lefties weren't common) but I will stop the spool with the hand that i switched to without even realizing it (rather than casting, stopping and then switching to reel). And then I think 'wow' lol
Also, how many of you raise your thumb mid cast (when the spool is spinning fastest) right off the spool? this is how i learned to cast, i was taught not to feather the spool until the end of the cast to stop.
is this common? or am i in the minority on this?
I am thinking about starting up a youtube channel to help people learn how to cast etc. I think it would be pretty cool to do.
Steve1357 reply :
Right on, boat partners look at me bumfuzzled when I swap "thumbs" during the cast. Too many times a bass will hit the jig or worm as it hits the water, I'm ready! lol
When I feel a backlash starting, I'll lift my thumb off and more times than not, it'll clear itself before the end. I think the spool tension cap has a lot to do with it, if it's adjusted properly.
J Francho reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 1:19 AM, Hulkster said:is this common?
Yes. It's second nature after years of fishing. I don't even think about it.
Mike L reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 1:34 AM, J Francho said:Yes. It's second nature after years of fishing. I don't even think about it.
Ditto
Mike
Mobasser reply :
Same for me s Mik L and J Franco. After so many years of casting its automatic. Don't even think about it
PAbasser927 reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 1:33 AM, Steve1357 said:Right on, boat partners look at me bumfuzzled when I swap "thumbs" during the cast. Too many times a bass will hit the jig or worm as it hits the water, I'm ready! lol
Queue the LH vs RH retrieve debate!
WRB reply :
I learned to cast using a Langley 330 casting reel, light weight aluminum rel and spool with holes during the mid fifties using Dacron braid. This small reel only held 50 yards of 12 lb braid and I could cast all 50 yards of line. No breaks, no free spool and no drag your thumb controlled everything. You don't need breaks only a well trained thumb to be an expert caster.
Combine a well trained thumb with state of the art bait casting reels today and everyone can become an expert caster.
Tom
Tennessee Boy reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 2:41 AM, PAbasser927 said:Queue the LH vs RH retrieve debate!
Why would anybody want to change hands after casting? ????
BaitFinesse reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 3:10 AM, Tennessee Boy said:Why would anybody want to change hands after casting? ????
So you can use your dominate hand to both cast the rod and turn the reels handle instead of suffering trying to cast or reel wrong handed.
BassNJake reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 3:18 AM, BaitFinesse said:So you can use your dominate hand to both cast the rod and turn the reels handle instead of suffering trying to cast or reel wrong handed.
Do you set the hook with the rod or the reel?
So you want your weak hand on the rod?
I'm just joking as some very good fisherman cast right handed and switch hands to retrieve with the same hand.
KVD and Greg Hackney come to mind.
Tennessee Boy reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 3:18 AM, BaitFinesse said:So you can use your dominate hand to both cast the rod and turn the reels handle instead of suffering trying to cast or reel wrong handed.
Yeah yeah I know. I actually do it both ways. My fast retrieve rods are right handed so I can crank with my dominate hand and my slow retrieve rods are left handed so I can work the bait and set the hook with dominate hand. I'm just trying to help @PAbasser927 start a good debate.
12poundbass reply :
My thumb rarely touches the spool while my lure is mid-flight unless I'm casting into the wind. Just before touchdown I'll stop the spool.
J Francho reply :
I learned to baitcast uphill, both ways, barefoot, in a snow storm, with a lump of coal, on a shovel, by candlelight. ????
Hulkster reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 3:35 AM, J Francho said:I learned to baitcast uphill, both ways, barefoot, in a snow storm, with a lump of coal, on a shovel, by candlelight. ????
and with a spinning reel to boot!
Catt reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 1:19 AM, Hulkster said:
I am thinking about starting up a youtube channel to help people learn how to cast etc
Just what the world needs! ????
Tennessee Boy reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 3:35 AM, J Francho said:I learned to baitcast uphill, both ways, barefoot, in a snow storm, with a lump of coal, on a shovel, by candlelight. ????
The best thing about being able to cast and retrieve without changing hands is that it allows you to feel superior to those that don't do it that way. ????
J Francho reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 3:40 AM, Tennessee Boy said:The best thing about being able to cast and retrieve without changing hands is that it allows you to feel superior to those that don't do it that way. ????
SOunds to me you are just too lazy to learn how cast with your left hand! 
Hulkster reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 3:40 AM, Catt said:
Just what the world needs! ????
lol the thing is i think there are a million videos like this already
Junger reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 3:33 AM, 12poundbass said:My thumb rarely touches the spool while my lure is mid-flight unless I'm casting into the wind. Just before touchdown I'll stop the spool.
Just curious, for bottom fishing jigs, do you thumb the spool to stop it on splashdown too? I'm getting into flipping and I've notice if I thumb the spool when the jig hits my target spot, since there's no slack it'll hit bottom closer than the intended target.
J Francho reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 4:05 AM, Junger said:Just curious, for bottom fishing jigs, do you thumb the spool to stop it on splashdown too? I'm getting into flipping and I've notice if I thumb the spool when the jig hits my target spot, since there's no slack it'll hit bottom closer than the intended target.
I stop the spool, and engage the reel. Finish the pitch with your rod tip high, and give the bait some slack to fall more vertical, following it down with your rod tip. You always want to be ready for the hookset. Many times, a bass takes the bait as it hits the water.
GReb reply :
This is probably horrible technique but I tend to not engage right away when flipping and pitching. I hold the spool down with my right thumb the first few seconds. I’ve set the hook on many a fish with just my thumb holding the line lol. I’m not even cognizant of it 95% of the time. I should prob just buy a left handed reel for my pitching needs
BaitFinesse reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 3:26 AM, BassNJake said:Do you set the hook with the rod or the reel?
So you want your weak hand on the rod?
I'm just joking as some very good fisherman cast right handed and switch hands to retrieve with the same hand.
KVD and Greg Hackney come to mind.
My hands and arms are of equal strength. Hookseting power is not a problem. What is a problem is swinging the thing around trying to cast or fumbling around trying to turn the reels handle. The dominate hand and arm with the most dexterity is best suited for those tasks.
Catt reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 4:30 AM, GReb said:This is probably horrible technique but I tend to not engage right away when flipping and pitching. I hold the spool down with my right thumb the first few seconds. I’ve set the hook on many a fish with just my thumb holding the line lol. I’m not even cognizant of it 95% of the time. I should prob just buy a left handed reel for my pitching needs
Watch Greg Hackney ????
12poundbass reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 4:05 AM, Junger said:Just curious, for bottom fishing jigs, do you thumb the spool to stop it on splashdown too? I'm getting into flipping and I've notice if I thumb the spool when the jig hits my target spot, since there's no slack it'll hit bottom closer than the intended target.
I'm just getting started bottom fishing so my input is worthless. @J Francho and others are better suited to answer.
islandbass reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 3:33 AM, 12poundbass said:My thumb rarely touches the spool while my lure is mid-flight unless I'm casting into the wind. Just before touchdown I'll stop the spool.
This, too.
Also, when every cast is a bomb cast and fishing is slow, I might play games... dumb games
1) You cannot put thumb onto spool until the instant the lure hits the water.
2) Make the long bomb cast. Look around, basically anywhere except at the spool, look cool, non-chalant, even yawn, and put thumb to the spool based solely on the sound of the spool (Old VBS brakes makes this a breeze). Can also be played in the dark in the cul de sac but minus a long bomb cast. Use the force and wield rod like a light saber.
What I'd like to try but since I am solo, toss something up in the air like a frisbee and try to nail it with a lead weight. Kind of like skeet shooting but with rod and reel. I am sure I can't be the first one to think of this.
Now if these aren't weird, I don't know what is.
On 7/26/2018 at 4:05 AM, Junger said:Just curious, for bottom fishing jigs, do you thumb the spool to stop it on splashdown too? I'm getting into flipping and I've notice if I thumb the spool when the jig hits my target spot, since there's no slack it'll hit bottom closer than the intended target.
Yup. That has led me to believe there are two targets. The "intended" target where you want your bait to be at the lake bottom and the "projected" target, which is the spot you want to cast so that your lure lands at the intended location. The projected target is a bit passed the intended target. You might have to pull off some line with the spool disengaged to compensate and adjust when needed. Something incidentally that a spinning reel doesn't suffer from.
Steve1357 reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 2:41 AM, PAbasser927 said:Queue the LH vs RH retrieve debate!
I use old Abu reels almost extensively, I have a few 5501 LH reels I use from time to time with my regulars. I did it for carpal tunnel and arthritis issues more than getting ready for the hit though...
Junger reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 7:11 AM, islandbass said:Something incidentally that a spinning reel doesn't suffer from.
I'm guessing why most people drop shot with a spinning reel, along with finesse line. Also another technique I'm just getting into this summer.
On 7/26/2018 at 4:18 AM, J Francho said:I stop the spool, and engage the reel. Finish the pitch with your rod tip high, and give the bait some slack to fall more vertical, following it down with your rod tip. You always want to be ready for the hookset. Many times, a bass takes the bait as it hits the water.
So I think that technique would work in water about as deep as your rod, +/- a few feet. There are a couple spots in my local reservoir that go to 15 ft real quick. To get the proper presentation, I'm thinking I'll need to launch it high up in the air so there's a lot of slack in the line and finish with a high rod tip. New to deep t-rigs, and maybe a drop shot would be a better presentation.
Edit: just found this video:
islandbass reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 10:50 AM, Junger said:I'm guessing why most people drop shot with a spinning reel, along with finesse line. Also another technique I'm just getting into this summer.
So I think that technique would work in water about as deep as your rod, +/- a few feet. There are a couple spots in my local reservoir that go to 15 ft real quick. To get the proper presentation, I'm thinking I'll need to launch it high up in the air so there's a lot of slack in the line and finish with a high rod tip. New to deep t-rigs, and maybe a drop shot would be a better presentation.
Edit: just found this video:
Indeed. However, if my ds rig is on a casting rod, I won’t hesitate to use it.
I think it’s great you had the observation skills to notice what you did. It’s the mark and trait the benefits any angler a lot.
J.Vincent reply :
To answer your question. Yes, Ive also been doing strange things while casting for a long long time. I've actually started casting with my feet while blindfolded. This way I don't have to switch hands and I can use my powers to guide the lure where I want it to go. Plus I can avoid the debate about LH vs RH. It's second nature now but requires many years of tedious and grueling training on the planet of Dagobah. It's not cheap either, I had to pay some green goblin creature with hairy ears to teach me the true powers I hold within. But it was the best money I've ever spent in this Galaxy.
J Francho reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 10:50 AM, Junger said:Edit: just found this video:
Exactly this! Nice example.
scbassin reply :
I cast with my right hand & reel with my left. I always cast past the target when fishing with a short rod when fishing in & around tree's. (5 1/2 & 6 Ft. rods) On the flats & in the grass & stumps using longer rods I cast with both hands & reel with my left. Again casting past my target & working it back.
Choporoz reply :
On 7/26/2018 at 4:30 AM, GReb said:This is probably horrible technique but I tend to not engage right away when flipping and pitching. I hold the spool down with my right thumb the first few seconds. I’ve set the hook on many a fish with just my thumb holding the line lol. I’m not even cognizant of it 95% of the time. I should prob just buy a left handed reel for my pitching needs
I don't do it all the time, but often - and always subconsciously. Usually on a perfect flip/pitch to a very specific spot that I'm confident holds a fish. I believe my brain prevents me from interrupting my concentration....even the routine act of engaging the reel is enough sound and movement to distract from bite detection sometimes.
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