New At Baitcasting 2025
FibWi reply :
Hey everyone,
I've been Bass fishing for a while and became accustomed to using spinning reels. I've decided to upgrade and I noticed an odd issue I was having while casting my friend's baitcaster (LH retrieve, which is most comfortable for me). I wanted to ask the question whether or not it would cause any issues when casting a baitcaster with the handle facing down rather than up.
I attempted to cast it the correct way, but I found my casting ability to be extremely off since it wasn't what I was accustomed to. Is this something everyone has to deal with? Should I go ahead and get a LH retrive and learn to cast in a different way? Or vice versa?
Thanks for taking the time to read my complicated question and I hope to hear from y'all soon.
FibWi reply :
Just realized this was in the wrong section. My apologies.
Packard reply :
There isn't a problem with casting it that way. With practice you will become a better caster.
flipin4bass reply :
Tackle Warehouse use to have a program where you could try a reel out and then either purchase it or return it depending on whether or not it was what you were looking for. I'm not sure if they still have this promotion, but you might give them a try.
FibWi reply :
Thanks for the replies. I think I'll just go ahead and purchase the left hand retrieve, but cast it the unusual way. Unless there's something else I should be aware of... thank you!
roadwarrior reply :
Why not just learn how to cast properly instead of looking like a fool?
It's not magic, casting a baitcaster just takes a little practice. Start with
the proper settings:
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/92295-how-to-set-up-a-baitcaster/
Nitrofreak reply :
If you are right handed the crank should be on the left side of the reel,the same applies for left handers the crank should be on the opposite side.
This keeps you from having to switch hands after a cast, the more you practice with one the better you will get just don't forget how to use your spinner once you get good with the bait caster.
roadwarrior reply :
On 1/2/2012 at 8:20 PM, Nitrofreak said:If you are right handed the crank should be on the left side of the reel,the same applies for left handers the crank should be on the opposite side.
This keeps you from having to switch hands after a cast, the more you practice with one the better you will get just don't forget how to use your spinner once you get good with the bait caster.
I don't think so:
Let's get technical, as there are in fact reasons, not just some lame holdover from days past that put the handles where they are.
What will move the fish during retrieval is placed to the strong hand!
A baitcast is designed to be used as a winch, so it is the reel that retrieves the fish. Hence if you are right handed the handle is in your right hand.
A spinning reel is designed to pick up unloaded or loose line, not retrieve the fish. Hence it is the rod that does the retrieval, so it is the rod that is in your strong hand. If you are right handed then the pole goes to the right hand.
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George Welcome Sebastian Florida
Red reply :
When I first started baitcasting, I tried using right hand retrieve reels, because that is what was readily available. I am right handed and could just not get the hang of it. I like having the rod in my "good hand." I can work my bait better, get better, stronger hooksets, and more accurate casts. Additionally, I don't have to switch hands after the cast. Meanwhile, more stupid, uncoordinated left, hand, just has to turn the handle, that isn't as important of a job, IMO.
Cliff
Boogey Man reply :
On 1/2/2012 at 8:19 PM, roadwarrior said:Why not just learn how to cast properly instead of looking like a fool?
It's not magic, casting a baitcaster just takes a little practice. Start with
the proper settings:
http://www.bassresou...p-a-baitcaster/
Where in the original post did he say he felt or looked like a "fool"?
Anyway, get your buddy who let you try his reel to give you a few pointers. Or check out YouTube and search "how to cast a baitcasting reel". It does take some patience and practice but you can do it.
I
Intruder 150 reply :
On 1/2/2012 at 9:05 PM, Red said:When I first started baitcasting, I tried using right hand retrieve reels, because that is what was readily available. I am right handed and could just not get the hang of it. I like having the rod in my "good hand." I can work my bait better, get better, stronger hooksets, and more accurate casts. Additionally, I don't have to switch hands after the cast. Meanwhile, more stupid, uncoordinated left, hand, just has to turn the handle, that isn't as important of a job, IMO.
Cliff
Nitrofreak reply :
On 1/2/2012 at 8:33 PM, roadwarrior said:I don't think so:
Let's get technical, as there are in fact reasons, not just some lame holdover from days past that put the handles where they are.
What will move the fish during retrieval is placed to the strong hand!
A baitcast is designed to be used as a winch, so it is the reel that retrieves the fish. Hence if you are right handed the handle is in your right hand.
A spinning reel is designed to pick up unloaded or loose line, not retrieve the fish. Hence it is the rod that does the retrieval, so it is the rod that is in your strong hand. If you are right handed then the pole goes to the right hand.
- Like This
George Welcome Sebastian Florida
I have tried this in the past, for me being right handed, all of my casting is done with the right arm and then the rod would have to be changed over to the left to perform all of the various tasks and would leave my hook sets to be late or weak and my techniques inconsistant to say the least no matter how much they were practiced.
I have to disagree here at least for me, you stated the bait caster is like a winch, which I feel also is true BUT I also feel you do not need a stronger hand to work the winch since the winch is the componant that is really providing 90% of the work.
For me it is much much easier to keep all of my tasks in the right hand and crank with the left.
As far as technicalities are concerned the crank can be put on either side for what ever reason you choose or whatever reason someone wants you to believe is true I just know for me it works best on the opposite side.
Your statement about what or how the rods and reels are "supposed" to be used makes sence but is it not up to the fisherman to be able to fish with what him or her is most confident with?
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
On 1/2/2012 at 11:56 AM, FibWi said:Hey everyone,
I wanted to ask the question whether or not it would cause any issues when casting a baitcaster with the handle facing down rather than up.
Well I would think the actual casting of a baitcaster upsidedown makes it difficult to thumb the spool.
NBR reply :
The reason to have the crank pointed up for a right handed caster is to have the correct wrist motion. If you are a righty caster and lefty cranker the handles should be down. When I started there were no left handed cranking bait caster so you either cast with the left hand and cranked righty or you cast righty and switched. Strange but I cast a spinning outfit righty and crank lefty but my mind won't let me do that with a bait caster. I like to lefthand palm my baitcaster during the retrieve so I cast righty and retrieve the same. I often switch the reel from my right hand to my left before the cast is complete so there is no delay.
Just thinking about lefthanded cranking a baitcaster is awkward to me!
BasskingKeith reply :
Handle facing down rather than up? Not going to work if it's what I am thinking. You won't be able to control the cast and the line, since it's upside down and you can't stop/slow it down with your thumb. Therefore, you'll get rat's nest and all that. It just takes some getting used to, that's all.
Nitrofreak reply :
On 1/3/2012 at 12:23 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:Well I would think the actual casting of a baitcaster upsidedown makes it difficult to thumb the spool.
He did not say anything about having it upside down did he?
The question is should the handle be up or down when casting a bait caster?
B@ssCrzy reply :
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
On 1/3/2012 at 1:37 AM, Nitrofreak said:He did not say anything about having it upside down did he?
The question is should the handle be up or down when casting a bait caster?
IDK I took it as meaning this
handle up to reel correctly
Handle down to reel with left hand puts reel upsidedown
Ive seen people reel spinning reels with the reel on top of the rod.
FibWi reply :
Thank you for all your replies, they gave me a lot more insight. It's just that both of them have something very uncomfortable with them, whether it is retrieving or casting. It's leading me to be unsure which to use. I retrieve with my left hand on a spinning reel, and that has been the most comfortable for me.
Which led me to ask if it would be an issue if I casted right handed with a left hand reel.
Sorry for the confusion.
Nitrofreak reply :
On 1/3/2012 at 6:11 AM, FibWi said:Thank you for all your replies, they gave me a lot more insight. It's just that both of them have something very uncomfortable with them, whether it is retrieving or casting. It's leading me to be unsure which to use. I retrieve with my left hand on a spinning reel, and that has been the most comfortable for me.
Which led me to ask if it would be an issue if I casted right handed with a left hand reel.
Sorry for the confusion.
See if your friend will loan you one, try it out, if you don't like it then you know it is not for you, just do yourself a favor and give it a fair chance I can promise you this that in the begining you will absolutely get frustrated, after you learn from it for a while you wont want to put it down.
Good luck and be safe!!!
Nitrofreak reply :
QuoteIDK I took it as meaning this
handle up to reel correctly
Handle down to reel with left hand puts reel upsidedown
Ive seen people reel spinning reels with the reel on top of the rod.
No he is refering to the crank handle being up or down not the reel itself.
But I understand why you were thinking like that now, thanx for the pics... nice set up by the way.
I have seen people with the spinners on top too but when talking to them they did not know any better, some were raised with this method and were very confident using them in that manner...go figure but it works for them so how can you argue with that?
NBR reply :
Like I said handle up for right handed casting with a right hand craqnk reel and if you cast the same rig left handewd handle down.
weezy109 reply :
Funny story along these lines, I was fishing with a friend of mine for the first time and he apparently had just got his first baitcaster. I was runnin the trolling motor just flippin around pretty close to the bank makin little soft pitches and things. Now I have been fishing for so long I have no memories of my first fishing trips, apparently i went as soon as i could walk, so casting is something effortless to me and i take it for granted. Newho im mindin my own buisness like i said and i suddenly became aware of this massive whoosh sound. I turn and he is making these monster KVD whip casts to the bank not more than 20 yards in front of us. I said what is wrong with your reel? He grins a little and hands it to me and i swear he had the spool locked down so tight it was almost like pullin on a weak drag when in free spool. Obviously he did this to prevent backlashes and in hindsight that was clever. It was hilarious though and he was worn out about an hour in hahaha
Hyrule Bass reply :
On 1/3/2012 at 6:11 AM, FibWi said:Thank you for all your replies, they gave me a lot more insight. It's just that both of them have something very uncomfortable with them, whether it is retrieving or casting. It's leading me to be unsure which to use. I retrieve with my left hand on a spinning reel, and that has been the most comfortable for me.
Which led me to ask if it would be an issue if I casted right handed with a left hand reel.
Sorry for the confusion.
to actually answer your question, it would not be a problem to cast a left handed reel with your right hand. its actually a benefit if you ask me. i got my first two baitcasters last year(2011), both of them i made sure to get a left handed retrieve and im a right handed person. for me its natural to hold the rod in my right/power hand and turn the reel handle with my left hand. i cast right handed. you dont have to turn the reel upside down or anything odd like that, and i dont have to switch hands after i cast. with that said, you could actually cast it left handed too if you wanted, just depends on what youre comfortable with. the only difference from a spinning reel that you reel with your left hand and a baitcaster that you reel with your left hand is the spinning reel is gonna be face down and the baitcaster is gonna face up...
J Francho reply :
I cast "right handed" with both left and right hand retrieve. I've been told I look foolish, but not for fishing, LOL.
The first 20 seconds shows a right handed cast with a right handed reel.
FibWi reply :
Thank you all for the help. I'll go ahead and go with the left hand retrieve.
I have yet, another question, and since I would rather not post a new thread, I'll ask here.
I plan to use some PP with my future baitcaster, but I understand that it would be adequate to spool on a good amount of mono before spooling on the braid. May someone guide me to the light on how this would be good for the braid? What exactly is "slipping" when spooling on the braid without a mono spool?
Thank you!
redboat reply :
On 1/3/2012 at 12:26 AM, NBR said:The reason to have the crank pointed up for a right handed caster is to have the correct wrist motion.
It works better this way: The top of the reel is pointed to the left for a right handed caster, so the spool is vertical with the handle up. This was not natural for me, I had to learn it, but for some reason you get fewer backlashes this way.
A couple of comments: Right handed reels versus left handed, you will find a better selection of baitcasters with the handle on the right and unlike spinning reels they cannot easily be switched. This was the reason I went with right hand reels.
Also, after several hundred backlashes, short casts "thumbing", etc, etc, I bought a BPS Johnny Morris baitcaster (made by Pfluger but much less expensive) which has both centrifugal and magnetic drags. Good instructions in it about how to set both, I won't repeat here; but if it's set correctly I can cast heavy crankbaits and C-rigs a mile without thumbing or backlashes. I also spray the line on the spool with silicone (I use Reel Magic) before the first cast and occasionally afterwards.
Of course when it DOES backlash it can be a long process to pick it out; the silicone helps there also.
I was used to spooling about 50 yards of line only, since a long cast is usually less than that. A guide told me if I'd fill the reel almost full I'd get fewer backlashes. This didn't make sense (still doesn't) to me but once I tried it I found out he was correct.
I don't know why anyone would use a 6:1 baitcaster, seems like a compromise to me. I use 5:1 for cranking, Texas and Carolina rigs, since I have a bad habit of retrieving too fast; and a 7:1 for buzzbaits and frogs.
Good luck, hopefully you won't get frustrated when it backlashes and throw the whole thing in the lake!
Colton Neal reply :
Just do whatever you're most comfortable doing and work on it.
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