Do you switch hands when you cast a baitcaster? 2024

diver_sniper reply :

I've been watching a lot of fishing videos lately, and now I'm watching old Classic highlight shows on ESPN Classic (turn it on if you're reading this on Friday night) and I've been paying close attention to how everyone casts. It's interesting how everyone does it a little bit different.

What I'm wondering is how many people do the switch? Just to be clear, an example of someone who switches would be someone who has their right thumb on the spool and holds the rod with their right hand during the cast, and then after the cast switches the whole thing so they're reeling with their right hand and holding the rod with their left.

Do you guys feel that switching is a bad habit? I had never thought about it before but you're spending a lot of extra time an energy and also not feeling much during that split second during the exchange from one hand to the other.

If you were with a new fisherman on their first day with a bait caster would you discourage them from falling into the habit of switching?

BrianinMD reply :

I switch, some people think its a bad thing especially with pitching and flipping. The thought is you will miss hooksets on quick bites. But watch a lot of the top pro's and other's who have fishing shows, a lot of them switch.

SoFlaBassAddict reply :

I switch. Most of the guys I've fished with switch also. I've tried to use a lefty casting reel before and just couldn't get used to it. Go figure though, I'm more than happy cranking a spinning reel from the left side. Probably goes back to my saltwater days where all of my conventional reels were cranked on the right and spinning reels were cranked on the left.

New River Fly reply :

I am glad someone brought this up because I argue with my buddies all the time about why they switch hands. I go with left handed baitcasters.

QUAKEnSHAKE reply :

I dont switch never have. Im left-handed throw with left reel with right hand on bc & spinning reels as well.

hookingem reply :

I switch I don't feel like its a big enough deal to re teach my self not to.

Fishmaster10 reply :

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I switch I don't feel like its a big enough deal to re teach my self not to.

I switch, and I would have to say I feel the same way

Hamby reply :

I switch, but i'm going to try to learn how to pitch and make shorter casts with my left hand. I'll still make long casts with my right. A lot more natural. I may just end up getting a left hand reel BC for flipping and pitching though.

Goose52 reply :

I voted switch for all types of casts. I'm right-handed and a product of the 60s when most BC reels had handles on the right, and most spinning reels had handles on the left. It's just how I learned.

When I started buying more modern BC reels a few years ago, I did buy a cheap LH BC reel on eBay to see if I liked it and it just flat didn't feel comfortable. So now I'm fully committed to RH BC reels and I "make the switch."

shimmy reply :

The switch has to be one of the dumbest things continued in bass fishing. In a sport where the smallest details matter and are discussed, why in the world would someone willingly learn this way. I understand if you started this way and don't feel comfortable switching. But for the newcomers, it hurts my brain. It serves no function. Absolutely none. I have played it out many times in my head...why would you intentionally make yourself switch? Preserve energy perhaps? That is the only option in my head and it sounds ridiculous.

CAdeltaLipRipper reply :

Yep i usually switch every cast lol

CAdeltaLipRipper reply :

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The switch has to be one of the dumbest things continued in bass fishing. In a sport where the smallest details matter and are discussed, why in the world would someone willingly learn this way. I understand if you started this way and don't feel comfortable switching. But for the newcomers, it hurts my brain. It serves no function. Absolutely none. I have played it out many times in my head...why would you intentionally make yourself switch? Preserve energy perhaps? That is the only option in my head and it sounds ridiculous.

Preserving energy?You can cast farther and more accurate with your "pimp" hand lol

Goose52 reply :

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The switch has to be one of the dumbest things continued in bass fishing. In a sport where the smallest details matter and are discussed, why in the world would someone willingly learn this way. I understand if you started this way and don't feel comfortable switching. But for the newcomers, it hurts my brain. It serves no function. Absolutely none. I have played it out many times in my head...why would you intentionally make yourself switch? Preserve energy perhaps? That is the only option in my head and it sounds ridiculous.

Hey Shimmy - I guess that's true in today's world with the equipment choices available. Still, as was mentioned earlier, we see some Pros, including young ones, making the switch - go figure.

Since I "palm" a reel - wouldn't I have to shift my hand anyway if I cast with my right hand and cranked with my left? I don't crank a reel with the same hand position as I cast a reel so it seems like I would have some hand motion either way. :-/

NorcalBassin reply :

Tried to teach myself to use a lefty BC but it just felt too weird after a couple times out... actually felt more natural to swicth for me. Maybe if the first time I ever used a BC it was a lefty then I'd feel more comfortable that way???

flippin and pitchin reply :

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I switch, but i'm going to try to learn how to pitch and make shorter casts with my left hand. I'll still make long casts with my right. A lot more natural. I may just end up getting a left hand reel BC for flipping and pitching though.

I made that adjustment last year and it's not that hard to get used to, even after 30 years of R/H only.

Sam reply :

Interesting query, Diver_Sniper.

I had a discussion with one of my fishing buddies last summer about switching hands after casting my baitcasters since my reel handles are on the right and I am right handed.

His reel handles are on the left, even though he is right handed, and he says it saves time.

I have never had a problem doing this and will continue to do so.

Thanks for the post. First time I have ever seen this question on the Forum.

Will be interesting to see who does what.

deep reply :

Like a lot of folks, I started with spinning reels (left hand retrieve). When I bought my first baitcaster, I saw no reason why I would need a right-hand retrieve reel just because most people use them. All my baitcasters are left-hand retrieves.

Apart from the matter of switching hands, I find working the lure and setting the hook much more natural with the rod in my my right hand. I'm a right-hander.

Goose 52, I palm my reels and have had no problems with that. I think the factors of working the lure, and setting the hook are more important than the switching of hands after casting.

EDIT: I fish a lot from the shore, and finding casting room is sometimes a problem. I have tried to cast with my left hand as a lark at times. Works out just fine for me. But working the lure with the rod in my left hand is a huge headache. No switch for me.

bryand82487 reply :

I switch. I use RH bait casters and change the handle on my spinning reels to the right side as well. I haven't came across anyone else who does this though?

Missouribassman95 reply :

Yupp I switch for just about every cast.

AndyPlaysDrums reply :

I'll be throwing my first B/C this year. I'm going to go LH as much due to the consistency of the hand I reel with, as with the consistency of using the same arm to control my rod and set the hook.

NBR reply :

I palm the reel during the retrieve so even if I cast righty and crank lefty I'll still need to move the right casting hand to palm the reel. I've done this for so many years I can switch the reel to my left hand while the lure is going out.

Maybe seem odd but I cast a spinning outfit righty and crank lefty.

Red reply :

I don't switch, I use left hand retrieve reels. The rod stays in my right hand.

A-Jay reply :

I started fishing Spinning back in the day. My first bc reel was right hand retrieve and so has every one since. I can see where when pitching/flipping the inability to be able to set the hook or detect a strike when changing hands could be a reason to miss fish.

Last year I picked up a mid level left hand retrieve casting reel specifically to see if I could adapt to it when flipping/pitching. I was too lazy/chicken to try it. This year I'm vowing to give it a go.

I may have to leave All the other rigs home though . . . . .

A-Jay

TourPT reply :

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I don't switch, I use left hand retrieve reels. The rod stays in my right hand.

Same here. I am right handed but use left handed Quantum reels and could not be happier. It saves time and gets you ready for the strike the instant the lure hits the water. Not to mention my fishing partner of whom does not take care of his gear at all, leaves my setups alone because he can't or refuses to learn how to fish with left handed reels.

The only draw back is that some companies still don't make left handed models, there loss though for luckily the big companies like Shimano, Daiwa and Quantum do.

Lund Explorer reply :

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I started fishing Spinning back in the day. My first bc reel was right hand retrieve and so has every one since. I can see where when pitching/flipping the inability to be able to set the hook or detect a strike when changing hands could be a reason to miss fish.
Last year I picked up a mid level left hand retrieve casting reel specifically to see if I could adapt to it when flipping/pitching. I was too lazy/chicken to try it. This year I'm vowing to give it a go.

I may have to leave All the other rigs home though . . . . .

A-Jay

No, you don't have to leave them at home, just give them to your wife. Tell her that every time you ask for one of them, she can get another puppy! ;D ;D

FishinDaddy reply :

I switch sometimes. I hurt my shoulder a few years ago and had to learn to cast with my left hand. Most of the time I cast with my right hand and make the switch just as the bait hits the water. Most of the time when I'm pitchin or flippin it is with my left hand.

boneil reply :

I was taught early on that you use your power hand to hold the rod. I'm right handed so I use a left hand retreive reel. No switching here. I couldn't see fighting a big fish, wether a bass or tuna, with my weaker arm.

A-Jay reply :

Quote

Quote
I started fishing Spinning back in the day. My first bc reel was right hand retrieve and so has every one since. I can see where when pitching/flipping the inability to be able to set the hook or detect a strike when changing hands could be a reason to miss fish.
Last year I picked up a mid level left hand retrieve casting reel specifically to see if I could adapt to it when flipping/pitching. I was too lazy/chicken to try it. This year I'm vowing to give it a go.

I may have to leave All the other rigs home though . . . . .

A-Jay

No, you don't have to leave them at home, just give them to your wife. Tell her that every time you ask for one of them, she can get another puppy! ;D ;D

Dude - we're at 6 now - but my wife is in love with your idea ~

A-Jay

bass or bass ? reply :

Yep, I switch with every cast. Not only that, but I converted my spinning and fly casting rigs over to right hand retrieve for consistancy. Now reeling with my left hand seems really awkward.

.dsaavedra. reply :

i cast a baitcaster using my right arm then switch to reel in with my right hand.

i cast a spinning rod with my right arm and don't switch, as i reel in with my left hand

South FLA reply :

For baitcasting gear I switch, but not if I am flipping or pitching, have a lefty baitcaster.

Its funny how if you ask people how they fish spinning gear most of the time they cast with their right arm and reel with the left hand. So its pretty easy to use a left baitcasting reel if you have been using righty spinning setups.

-nick- reply :

I switch and can't see it being a big deal. Flipping and pitching that's definitely understandable, but just casting it doesn't hurt anything. Usually by the time the lure hits the water the rod is already switched over anyways. And even with shorter softer casts, it's not a long enough time period to make a difference. I've had bass smash a lure as it hits water and still managed to catch them so there's really no need to "learn" a certain way. Just do what feels right I think.

Hamby reply :

Yeah, i also do the opposite with spinning reels. A spinning rod stays in the same hand the whole time, but the BC gets switched. If i wanted to be consistent, i'd change the BC not the spinning. There's too much stuff to do at the end of a cast with a spinning reel to be switching hands with it. Sometimes ya gotta stop the lure by grabbing the line, and then you have to close the bail. Some people close the bail by reeling, but i always do it by hand and give the line a tug.

georgiaken reply :

I'm right-handed. I only started last year and I started with spinning gear. I cast with my right hand and reel with my left.

When I bought my bait caster, I continued to do the same (all lefty reel bait casters).

One of the things I love to do with my bait caster is what I call "gun slinging." I'll pitch a spinner bait (not the inline type), right up to the bank, in about 4-6 inches of water and reel it as soon as it hits the water. The spinnerbait will land right up on the bank and never touch the bottom.

When the fish are on this pattern (double willow and real shallow), I can't tell you how much fun it is...just repeatedly whipping the lure out, while letting the wind push me down the bank.

I don't think I could do this quite as well if I was constantly switching hands...that would get old quick.

IntroC reply :

On the Bass Pros the other day KVD was doing some flipping and was doing the ole switcheroo. Suprised me a bit I must say. I do the switcheroo on power casts but taught myself to flip left handed because I think quick missing quick strikes could be a problem.

Hamby reply :

Quote
I'm right-handed. I only started last year and I started with spinning gear. I cast with my right hand and reel with my left.
When I bought my bait caster, I continued to do the same (all lefty reel bait casters).

One of the things I love to do with my bait caster is what I call "gun slinging." I'll pitch a spinner bait (not the inline type), right up to the bank, in about 4-6 inches of water and reel it as soon as it hits the water. The spinnerbait will land right up on the bank and never touch the bottom.

When the fish are on this pattern (double willow and real shallow), I can't tell you how much fun it is...just repeatedly whipping the lure out, while letting the wind push me down the bank.

I don't think I could do this quite as well if I was constantly switching hands...that would get old quick.

If i'm making fairly long casts, i usually switch hands mid cast. Or i raise my rod tip while i switch hands, then reel down.

Intrepid reply :

im right handed, and have reeled with my left hand all my life and held the rod in my right hand. i feel i have much more control fighting a fish if the rod is in my power hand, and in addition i feel i have much better grip on the rod. i bought my first baitcasting reel two weeks ago and went with the left hand reel, so no switching for me. ive tried right handed reels and they just didnt feel comfortable from holding the rod in my left hand and cranking the reel with my right hand...

backpain... reply :

I switch because I don't hold the rod and reel in my hand the same when casting as I do while I am retrieving the lure. It would be silly to not switch and have to double switch to get my hand up on the front of the reel where I can feel the line in my finger tips.

K_Mac reply :

No switching. I learned on an old lefty reel. Setting the hook and controlling the fish with my dominant hand seems natural to me. By the time I realized most other folks cast and reel with the right hand it was too late change. My wife used to have a couple of RH reels, but when we upgraded reels I talked her into trying LH. Now we don't have any right hand reels in our boat.

In a perfect world I would have some of each. It would be nice to be able to change up over the course of a long day or two of fishing. I just am one of those old dogs that doesn't learn anything new easily.

I also palm my reel a big part of the time. As I engage the reel with my left hand I can adjust my right hand on the reel as needed. It ain't no big thing after a few thousand casts. 8-)

fishingcreetour reply :

I switch. I've recently returned to "conventional" gear from a decade of fly fishing exclusively. During that time I used my left hand as the line hand so it is super educated to the feel of a strike. Now I palm a baitcaster and keep one finger in contact with the line. I'd be silly to waste that conditioning by merely reeling with that hand.

CSimon2 reply :

I do not switch. Even though I am right handed, I fish left handed. I cast with my left and reel with my right does not matter if I am using spinning or baitcasting.

Raider Nation Fisher reply :

If I'm casting righty then I switch hands. I taught myself to be sufficent casting with both hands so that's the only time I need to switch. Doesn't save me much movement because I palm my reels and have to move my hands anyway.

fishingkidPA reply :

nope, since i learned on a spinning reel i though it was supposed to be the same with it on the left, but i learned that people cast and reel w/ the same hand and i thought it was weird, so all i use i lefty baitcasters

MFBAB reply :

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I am glad someone brought this up because I argue with my buddies all the time about why they switch hands. I go with left handed baitcasters.

+1, I'm righty but I switched everything out about 6-7 years ago and never looked back. It was wierd for a couple of weeks but after that no big deal. It actually feels really odd now whenever I use a righty baitcaster, I troll for crappie in the summer and the line counter reels I use don't come in LH models

=Matt 5.0= reply :

I don't switch. I reel everything left handed. Like to have the rod in my dominant hand, everything else feels retarded.

mikeeasttn reply :

I do not switch hands as I am left handed and cast with left hand. I also put the cranking handle on spinning reels on the right hand side also.

roadwarrior reply :

Two handed casting, both spinning and baitcasting

tackle. My spinning reels are set up for left hand

retrieve, on the right for baitcasters.

8-)

intheweeds reply :

I am right handed and I cast with my right and reel with my left. That goes for both spinning and baitcasting.

John J. reply :

I found that I switch when I am casting, I'll use a right handed reel (reel on the right side), cast with my right hand, and then as soon as the lure hits the water I switch hands and engage the reel.

With flipping/pitching I have left handed reels and I don't switch hands with those. I just pitch/flip with the rod/reel in my right hand and then engage the reel with my left.

MaxumBass reply :

I am left handed to write...but right handed for almost everything else. I cast with my right and switch to the left hand to reel. The right is my power hand..I'm sure i could crank a lefty but it wouldn't feel good. Also don't think the hook set would be as good. Like I said..I'm screwed up but you gotta do what feels right. Its called enjoyment...

JigMe reply :

I cast with two hand while on casting gears, and retrive with my right hand. If I pitch, then I will cast use my right hand then switch hand. Never had any problems, YET.

NJBasstard reply :

I cast with right and reel with right. I do this on BC and spinning gear. It's something I've always done..

Hooligan reply :

I have both left and right reels, depends on which reel I pick up. Doesn't bother me at all to use right or left retrieve.

scrutch reply :

I switch with BC gear, Don't switch with spinning gear.

BC righty.

Spinning lefty.

I have NO idea why that is. I guess it's just more comfortable that way for me.

tholmes reply :

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I dont switch never have. Im left-handed throw with left reel with right hand on bc & spinning reels as well.

Me too.

Tom

brophog reply :

Quote

Quote
I dont switch never have. Im left-handed throw with left reel with right hand on bc & spinning reels as well.

Me too.

Tom

Right handed, cast left on all setups, reel right on all setups.

RoLo reply :

From all appearances, the first baitcasting reel was designed by a southpaw.

Either that, or the designer did not give much thought to fighting large fish.

Small fish can be winched with the reel, but powerful fish MUST be pumped with the rod.

I'm right-handed and all my casting reels are left-handed,

which in saltwater is called "conventional tackle". Since I use left-handed reels,

my dominant arm is used for both casting the lure and fighting the fish.

The reel merely takes up the slack line during each downstroke.

If the fish is small (most freshwater fish), then it gets cranked to the boat with the reel,

but at no time is there any hand-switching.

Roger

OH-bass614 reply :

well all of equiptment was righty and it got stolen last year so when i replaced it i went lefty and now i dont have to switch and it wasnt a big transition either.

Fish Chris reply :

For myself, I'd have to switch bodies to use a bait caster LOL

Fish

A-Jay reply :

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For myself, I'd have to switch bodies to use a bait caster LOL
Fish

Now that's Funny !

A-Jay

JamesH reply :

no switch, i'm a lefty so it makes that easier.

senile1 reply :

Quote
Two handed casting, both spinning and baitcasting
tackle. My spinning reels are set up for left hand

retrieve, on the right for baitcasters.

8-)

I used a two-hand cast as well. However, for pitching and flipping I'm holding the rod in my right hand and then switching so I can reel with the right as well. I plan to purchase a left hand reel to try out these techniques without the switch.

Mudwalker reply :

I don't switch. I am right handed but have not been able to comfortably use a right hand retrieve reel.. All my reels are left hand retrieve.

trevor reply :

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I switch. Most of the guys I've fished with switch also. I've tried to use a lefty casting reel before and just couldn't get used to it. Go figure though, I'm more than happy cranking a spinning reel from the left side. Probably goes back to my saltwater days where all of my conventional reels were cranked on the right and spinning reels were cranked on the left.

SlateTundra reply :

I'm right handed, all my reels are lefties, so no switch here.

I just never understood why most right handed anglers use right handed reels. Basically using their dominate hand/arm for casting & reeling. Their non-dominate arm/hand, on the other hand is doing most if not all the action and hook setting. Then flip/flops when it comes down to spinning gear setups.

Personal preference, I suppose.

Simp reply :

I switch for every thing except flipping. I went with a left handed real for that and now it feels normal.

okiefisher8 reply :

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no switch, i'm a lefty so it makes that easier.

Fish with RH reels and have the rod in my left hand on both cast and retrieve.

Luke at Gouldsboro reply :

I prefer to cast right handed then switch it to my left hand and reel right handed. I can cast with either hand on spinning gear, but only my right with baitcast. I have tried to reel left handed, but it feels really awkward.

J_Pearson reply :

I grew up with a rod in my left hand, and all my baitcasting AND spinning setups are held in my left, cast with my left, while turning the handle with my right.

Love being a Lefty

Pa Angler reply :

No, When I was using a casting reel I only had left handed crank models as I'm right handed it just made sense to me all my spinning reels are left handed cranks as well. Cast with my right retrieve with my left a natural motion for me.

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

K.Fox reply :

Im a righty... But for example.. If I am trolling north and have a weed line to the west of me I cast lefty so there is no switch. If I turn the boat around and head south I would be casting righty with a switch..I played lacrosse and have been trained to always keep my stick to the outside. Kinda weird.. If I am flipping I am using a lefty reel.

JDF reply :

I am a righty and i switch hands when i cast everytime. It just comes naturally. When I pitch and flip, I hold the rod in my right hand and lure/line in my left

farmpond1 reply :

Not since I changed to "left-handed" reels. I wouldn't go back.

BassAssassin726 reply :

I never understood the hand switch. Im a righty and crank with my left hand on spinning and baitcast reels. Wouldnt you want the rod in your dominant hand to have better feel? I do. Plus i crank just the same left or right handed.

NBR reply :

I like to palm the reel so I'd have to switch regardless. Some times I cast with the reel palmed in my left hand but not for long casts.Often I'll make the switch while the lures in the air.

new2BC4bass reply :

I grew up cranking with left hand on spinning gear. When I switched to baitcasting gear last year I couldn't understand why anyone would want to switch hands. Controlling the rod with your dominant arm seemed the most logical. Cranking RH seemed odd.

During the winter I had a few reels cleaned and upgraded. One was a Procaster I bought for my eldest grandson. He is left handed. (Reels with right.) This spring I mounted it on the 6' rod I bought to go with it and tried some pitching off my back deck. Was surprised at how nice the reel felt. Was also surprised that I didn't mind switching hands. So I've used both hand reels the few times I got out fishing this year. No problems, except I always cast with right arm.

I bought several reels this year since using my grandson's reel. Sometimes I didn't remember which hand I bought until the reel arrived. If I found a reel I wanted at a good price, I bought it regardless of hand. I've come to appreciate that some people can't learn to switch.

I figured casting LH would be a no-no for me. While out with our very own Mike, I tried a few left-handed casts. No over-runs or backlashes even though my spool tension is set just tight enough to remove side-to-side movement regardless of what I throw. Looks like all I need now is some practice, and I'll be ambidextrous like a lot of you are. :lol:

J Francho reply :

I use a two handed cast, for both lefty and righty reels. My palming hand is in place before the lure hits the water, if there's any movement at all.

scbassin reply :

I am left-handed but cast with my right with shorter rods & with both hands with longer rods. I always crank with my left hand. I do not switch.

johnnytoxin reply :

I cast with my right, reel with my left on both spinning and baitcasting gear. Also, with baitcasting gear, I palm the reel while I cast. I three fingers holding the reel in front of the rod trigger, pinky behind the trigger. My ring finger kinda grips the trigger too. Thumb is in the normal palming position. Thus there is no switching or adjusting of my right hand during the cast or retrieve. Some might argue that I could loose casting distance holding the rod that way, but I have not noticed any difference in casting distance. That being said, its all personal preference. The fish don't know or care which hands you are using for what.

JigMe reply :

Most of us are out there fishing for fun or pleasure, 1-2 second delay when switchin hand is not a big conern for me. I have never missed any fish while doing it, on the other hand, my fishing buddy will grill me over it.

endless reply :

On 2/26/2011 at 11:12 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

I dont switch never have. Im left-handed throw with left reel with right hand on bc & spinning reels as well.

Same as me besides on spinning gear I reel with left.

3dees reply :

I switched hands for many years until carpel tunnel in my left wrist forced me to change over to left hand retrieve. that was about fifteen years ago and I would never go back. just makes more sense to use the stronger arm and hand for hook setting. of course this is for righties. it took me less time to get used to it than I thought.

Sam reply :

I do.

Drives my buddy Dave M. nuts as he says it wastes time and you could miss a bite.

But so far I have not had any problems and have landed some nice ones who hit the bait when it hits the water.

I cast right handed and place my finger coming off the reel over my right index finger when throwing plastics.

Just feels more natural to me.

bigbassctchr101 reply :

I switch. Most of my reels are actually set where I can switch mid cast though and be ready to reel by the time the lure hits the water. I am left handed, but I reel with my right hand. I can't fish a left hand retreive baitcaster because my fingers keep slipping off the handle when I'm reeling. I have 3 spinning reels. Two are set to left hand retrieve and one is set for a right hand. I can switch between all my reels with absolutely no problem. Seems weird to me lol

James Yalem reply :

I've been bass fishing for over 40 years. Since I have not used spinning tackle that much, it has been 40 years of switching. When I use a buzzbait or want to wake a spinnerbait, I actually stop the cast right before it ends, switch hands and start the retrieve right when the lure hits the water. That is the extent of my coordination. I cannot stand and fish at the same time.

new2BC4bass reply :

On 11/3/2011 at 12:02 AM, James Yalem said:

I cannot stand and fish at the same time.

Admittedly I don't chew bubble gum!

Alpster reply :

This has been bantered about over the years and you will get the vocal minority that is "absolutely sure" that switching hands "is inefficient, un-american and just plain crazy". The fact of the matter is, even though most reel makers offer a left hand version of their most popular baitcasters, the vast majority of right handed anglers stick with their technique. After 40+ years of fishing, I can honestly say that I have never missed a hook set or failed to land a single fish as a result of casting and retrieving with the same hand. I actually use both hands to cast because of my arthritis, so my left hand is in place (palming the reel) half way through the cast. I can cast almost any bait and be prepared to set the hook or begin retrieving before it hits the water. Pitching is the only place I actually change hands. Still, never lost a fish as a result. JMHO

Ronnie

J Francho reply :

Watch KVD make a cast....

EJVH3 reply :

Yep. i tried left handed reels so i didn't have to. It just didn't feel right nor was a very good at it. So I stayed with right handed reels and stayed with the switching hands.

Buckeye Bassin reply :

I'm more comfortable reeling w/left and casting w/right. And since I just started fishing seriously about 3 years ago, I had the choice of left-handed baitcasters when I started buying my equipment. So that's what I got, all lefty's.

Clint C. reply :

On 2/26/2011 at 11:09 AM, New River Fly said:

I am glad someone brought this up because I argue with my buddies all the time about why they switch hands. I go with left handed baitcasters.

Same! I use to switch and decided it was silly for me to do that. Some people are just more comfortable using their dominant hand, and it's hard to find a low gear ration left handed baitcaster.

BASSHUNTER1961 reply :

This is very interesting. I am in the market for a new baitcast reel, and was debating over which model I wanted to go with.

I have used spinning and conventional reels all my life, and have always thrown with my right and reeled with my left using sinning gear...... But when using conventional gear, I always throw with my right, switch and reel with my right. I'm considering a baitcast reel in the 150-200 range and I do not want to end up with a reel I will not like, but I really want to try a left hand baitcast.

gar-tracker reply :

My 2 Cents

Growing up fishing spinning rods set up with a left hand retrieve I continued on using them for Bass fishing back in the 70s, in the 80s they started making flipping spinning rods and I would even pitch heavy cover with spinning equipment and still have an awesome Fenwick Flipping spinning rod. And had an a All Star up until a year ago.

The quality of spinning reels never kept up and I was forced to make the switch to baitcaster in the mid 80s.

Starting with right hand retrieve I had no coordination to walk the dog or snap my top waters with my left hand and missed fish left and right trying to set up with the rod left hand.

I immediately sold the right hand retrieve and switched to left and haven't looked back for the last 30 odd years or so. For the life of me I dont get why more right handed fisherman dont use left handed reels.

The reel never leaves the dominant hand, frogs and buzz baits are skimming across the top upon hitting the water, pitching misses no short strikes following it back to the boat, lean forward give her a bit and bam.

OkobojiEagle reply :

logan9209 reply :

To be honest, I cast and reel with right hand no matter what type of rod or reel I'm using. It seems more natural to me and it only takes a second to do. The exception is pitching and flipping. For some reason it seems more natural.

As far as I'm concerned, my left arm is weak because I'm right handed, so making those precise or long casts would be difficult. On the flip side, my hook set ratio is pretty good considering that I'm using my left hand to set the hook. Also, it builds up my left arm muscles, so that's an added bonus.

I've seen pros both old and new do it. Kevin Van Dam, Jimmy Houston, and Scott Martin are good examples. So I think it's a matter of comfortable rather than being a "bad habit".

Dave P reply :

I switch. I've used LH and I have no problems, but I don't like it.

steelslinger86 reply :

I am left handed, so I do all of my casting, flipping, and pitching with my left, and I reel with my right. The rod never leaves my left hand, and it doesn't matter if it is baitcasting or spinning equipment.

DrNip reply :

I'm right handed. I cast right and reel left with any setup.

greyleg33 reply :

There is no doubt that most switch. There is no doubt that you're ahead if you don't. Put your mind to it and you can learn.

iabass8 reply :

I do not switch. It feels more natural to cast right handed and reel left.

"Lunker Hunter" reply :

I have both right hand and left hand baitcasters, and do switch when using a right handed one. I bought the left hand retreive in order to make my transition from spinning reels which I have set up as left hand retrieves. I feel that I have better touch or feel with my right hand on the rod and or line when fishing. I also think someone new should do what feels right for them as well.

BassThumb reply :

I switch hands and use righty reels with many of my rigs, but use lefty reels on my jig/T-rig/flip/pitch setups. Wouldn't have it any other way. I hate switching handing while pitching in particular. I prefer keeping my dominant right hand on the rod with all spinning rigs or finesse/bottom contact presentations, probably because I grew up river fishing smallies with spinning tackle and lefty reels. Any avid pitcher who's right handed should give a lefty reel a shot. I bet you'll never go back.

tnriverluver reply :

I am left handed so luckily not necessary for me to switch

200racing reply :

i palm any baitcaster so i would stil be moving my hands after the cast if i had a lefthand retrieve.

MemphisFF reply :

On 2/27/2011 at 8:36 PM, mikeeasttn said:

I do not switch hands as I am left handed and cast with left hand. I also put the cranking handle on spinning reels on the right hand side also.

This is also what I do, I learned throwing on the old ambassadors also. I'm lefty throwing righty reeling just feels natural, I'm kinda confused should I be using a left handled reel?

Highhawk1948 reply :

I purchased a left handed baitcaster for flipping. Handles got in the way so I went back to switching. The left handed reel makes a great pitching reel for me though. I have set the hook with my thumb holding down the line before engaging the handles!

Busy reply :

I cast right-handed and reel right-handed on both spinning and casting set-ups. Sometimes I switch hands before the bait hits the water but it's not something I think about. I too will set the hook before or while engaging the handle with jigs and weighted soft plastics by thumbing the spool because I usually don't engage the handle until I hit the bottom.

Scooter1 reply :

Cast open face rods with my right hand and reel with my left hand. Cast a free-spool with my left hand and reel with my right hand. No need to switch hands. Taught myself many years ago and is comfortable for me.

logan9209 reply :

I'm not knocking those who don't switch. I do want you to think about something though. Let's say I make a long cast. The chances of a bass jumping out of the water to get my lure is very slim. Meaning, I have time to switch. With a short cast, I'm so using to switching that I actually can switch right as the lure hits the water.

Now, if I was striper fishing chances are good that I would attempt to learn to either cast with my left hand or get used to reeling with my left hand. I've seen a couple of people fishing around here with spinning reels. They will make their casts and the turn the rod over so that they are using it like a spin cast or a bait cast reel. As weird as that is I don't fuss at them or bug them about it.

10 times outta 10 I lose fish due to either getting excited and setting the hook way too early or I had the hook buried a little too deep on a tex posed soft plastic. Oh, once in a blue moon I will lose one cause it had the part of the worm or whatever that doesn't have the hook. But with that scenario I refer you to the first reason I lose fish.

Like I said before, I've seen too many pros do it. Pros who have won major tourneys and also gotten angler of the year. Point being is that fishing only has a few small hard set rules. The rest is left up to the angler. Don't be afraid to experiment, but also don't be afraid to fish what feels most natural to you. Heck, the swim jig came about because someone realized that fish could be caught on a jig that's being swam back to them. I'm sure a lot of people said "That's not how you use a jig!" or "You can't catch fish that way!". But it did and it does.

It takes me less than 5 seconds to switch. If I am missing bass in that short of time, then I'm thinking they don't really want that lure. I'm more likely to miss a bass by making a cast, tightening the line a bit, and setting the rod down to roll me a cigarette. Which I have been known to do (I can't ever think to do it before hand). I am actually more likely to watch my line as it hits the water when I switch. The reason being is I'm waiting for that 10 pounder or bigger to try to take the rod from my hand. Which at that point I would probably keep the rod in my right hand long enough to set the hook and then quickly change hands.

Having said all that, I would love to get my left arm accustomed to making side casts and under handed side casts. Because with a bait cast reel I am limited (in some scenarios) to casting in a 120 degree area and I am missing those fish in the 40 degree area. Especially when I am bank fishing and my buddy wants to fish on the left side of me. At that point I'm limited to just a 40 degree area if there are trees near me. At least with pitching and flipping I have up to 40 feet. Still, I would miss out on some bass. With the spinning and spin cast I can make those casts because I can lift my rod over my left shoulder and cast. I've done that countless times.

Oh, on a side note......We finally got rain last night. 2-3 hours of it! Woot!

bknap reply :

I switch when I flip or pitch, I cant get it down pitching with my left hand but I really need to try and learn not to switch. but i can cast with my left hand kinda wierd !

Brandon

new2BC4bass reply :

Logan, several times I have had fish hit a lure just as it touches down. It is like they were waiting there saying "Come to Poppa." I don't switch until after the lure lands in case I have to feather the spool or need to stop it quickly. I use either hand to reel with. About half my reels are right handed. At first it was uncomfortable reeling right handed since I grew up cranking spinning reels with the left hand. Now I'll grab one of my rods without giving a thought to which hand reel is on it.

Casting from the off shoulder is much harder (for me anyway) than it is on the casting arm side. However, I am getting better at it. When I fish in Florida with my brother-in-law, I have to make a lot of casts over the off shoulder, unlike when in my own boat at home. All it takes is practice. I can zing it out there quite a ways on the off side, but extra care must be taken to avoid major league backlashes.

When I first started with baitcasting reels, I would ocassionally sit in front of the TV practicing thumb control. I tried the left hand. I seem to have a much more delicate touch with the left hand. I usually just mash down with the right thumb, but can actually feather the spool with the left hand. Problem is I haven't made many casts with the left hand. Acurracy is really bad with the left hand, but at least I don't backlash anymore on the left than the right side.

Busy reply :

On 7/2/2012 at 9:05 PM, logan9209 said:

Having said all that, I would love to get my left arm accustomed to making side casts and under handed side casts. Because with a bait cast reel I am limited (in some scenarios) to casting in a 120 degree area and I am missing those fish in the 40 degree area. Especially when I am bank fishing and my buddy wants to fish on the left side of me. At that point I'm limited to just a 40 degree area if there are trees near me. At least with pitching and flipping I have up to 40 feet. Still, I would miss out on some bass. With the spinning and spin cast I can make those casts because I can lift my rod over my left shoulder and cast. I've done that countless times.

I do this more often when fishing from the shore but also if I sight fish from a boat and you gotta cast quickly to hit that fish. I cast like I'm hitting a backhand shot on the tennis court, still with rod tip down.

That said I've been hit a lot just as soon as the bait hits the top of the water. I've never pitched but I'm going to work on that and I'd imagine that I'd prefer to hold the rod with my left hand and throw the bait with my right and reel with my right and keep using all RH retrieve reels.

unionman reply :

Never understood switching... Im right handed. So I use a Left Handed BC. Its common sense. You dont wear a baseball glove on your right hand to catch with and then take it off to throw with do you??

I was at a local tackle shop a while back and I was talking to the clerk about left handed BC'S, and he tells me he hates them. I said "Why is that"? He says "Cause Im Left-Handed". We both had a good laugh because we both know how bass ackwards they are. A right-handed model simply means the crank is on the right. Therefore it is for Leftys. You ought to be casting, imparting action on the lure and setting the hook with your dominant hand.

Of course some of you guys were taught to do the switch saw people on T.V. do it when you were learning. Thats all fine, but would you recommend the "switch" to a person just learning to use a BC? I highly doubt it. In my humble opinion, its inefficient and something that people just think is "normal" because so many do it...

NBR reply :

I am more accurate with my right hand so bait casters, spinning rigs and fly gear is a right hand operation unless for some reason a left handed cast is neessary. I palm the bait caster reel during the retrieve and while bringing in a fish so I would need to move my hand position on the reel regardless. At times I will make the next cast while palming the reel but only when I'm not trying to thread the needle with a real accurate cast. I often switch hands while the cast is going out so the time delay is not a factor. I think you have better of the lure and the fish when you don't hold the rod by the pistol grip.

In the final analysis it doesn't make much difference, do what works for you. There must be hundreds if not thousands of comments on this topic in the archives and this will be my last post on the topic.

new2BC4bass reply :

On 7/2/2012 at 10:09 PM, NBR said:

I am more accurate with my right hand so bait casters, spinning rigs and fly gear is a right hand operation unless for some reason a left handed cast is neessary. I palm the bait caster reel during the retrieve and while bringing in a fish so I would need to move my hand position on the reel regardless. At times I will make the next cast while palming the reel but only when I'm not trying to thread the needle with a real accurate cast. I often switch hands while the cast is going out so the time delay is not a factor. I think you have better of the lure and the fish when you don't hold the rod by the pistol grip.

In the final analysis it doesn't make much difference, do what works for you. There must be hundreds if not thousands of comments on this topic in the archives and this will be my last post on the topic.

I don't disagree with any of this. My only concern is that switching hands while the lure is still in the air means I have no control over the spool during that time. Many times I have had the line "fluffing" during the middle of a cast. Personally I prefer to have my thumb on the spool until the lure hits. Probably because I am not that great a caster.

J Francho reply :

You won't have "fluffing" line if the reel is set up properly. Spool tension for the weight of the lure, and brakes for casting conditions. You can cast just about any of my reels without having to touch the spool until the bait hit the water.

Jig Meister reply :

I have always cranked with my left hand. I am right handed. I generally will use both hands to cast long casts, but never take my right hand off the reel/rod.

I me, switching hands seems like one too many steps in a process.

logan9209 reply :

This is a fun and interesting topic and it's great to see so many different points of view on this . Just remember, there's no Fishing Police gonna stop by and ticket you for not doing it the normal way. Some like to fish for multiple species. I like to fish just for bass (even those pesky rock bass). Some don't switch. I do. Some like to use their favorite lures in the most traditional ways. I don't. Some don't find Angelina Jolie hot.......really? Tomato tomauto.

There is quite a bit of merit to not switching hands. However, even though I'm right handed, I believe I would rather learn to cast with my left hand and still reel with my right. I just feel that after the cast everything is done better with my left hand. Does it help to tell you that I can bat both left and right handed. Most often I would actually bat left handed. But, since I don't want to take the fun out of this topic I digress.

new2BC4bass reply :

On 7/2/2012 at 10:25 PM, J Francho said:

You won't have "fluffing" line if the reel is set up properly. Spool tension for the weight of the lure, and brakes for casting conditions. You can cast just about any of my reels without having to touch the spool until the bait hit the water.

I had my spool tension too tight the first year I used baitcasting gear in order to keep backlashes down. During the winter an Internet friend cleaned a few of my reels and upgraded the drags and bearings in a couple. He said I had the spool tension way too tight, and could damage reels such as my Daiwas. Said he couldn't cast a 1/4 oz lure with my Fuego as set up. He adjusted with just enough tension to remove side-to-side play, and the 1/4 oz lure cast normal.

His advice to me was to set up spool tension like he did and to completely fill the spool if I wanted to achieve as much casting distance as the reel was capable of, and to take full advantage of the drag. I did, and it required me to almost have to learn to cast again. However, I now can cast as far under hand as I was before side arm.

This type of set up is not for everyone. My fishing buddy throws his Shimanos like you do...without touching the spool most of the time. He doesn't like using one of my rods without first adjusting spool tension.

No doubt I could lower the number of backlashes I have if I tightened up the tension a bit more. I am trying to learn being a good caster without doing that. My ex-Internet friend also said to learn pitching if I wanted to get good with a baitcasting reel. I haven't practiced pitching since that first year after getting the reels back from him because it isn't a technique I have used on the water yet.

logan9209 reply :

new2BC4bass, I am stuck fishing from the bank right now. I didn't think pitching would a useful skill. But, I've recently learned that pitching has opened a whole new area for me. It allows me to get lures under tree limbs without getting hung up as much and it will be really good next spawn season because the bass like to bed within 5-10 feet from the bank. Also, pitching to open water hitting on the outside (furthest from the bank) edge of weed lines can be beneficial.

I can do an under cast with a spin cast reel, but for some reason I have yet to be able to do it with a bait casting reel.

new2BC4bass reply :

Logan, I fished from shore exclusively the first year I got back into fishing. Well, with the exception of when visiting Florida. I bought a 12'6" Porta-Bote the next year. It is all I could afford. Plus I have no place to put a bass boat except in the yard. Quite sure the wife wouldn't appreciate that. I've been meaning to get my pitchin' rod out and do a little practice because one lake I fish has plenty of lily pads. I'm sure it would be beneficial to my success if I could quietly drop a bait in openings.

However, thanks to the economy I was forced to take a part-time job....again. Had hoped at my age to avoid that. I've gotten out less since buying the boat than I did that first year. Actually I didn't used the boat the 2-3 times I got out locally this year. Kind of sucks.

logan9209 reply :

This economy has gotten rough. I'm not going to bother with the blame game, though. That's a can of worms I don't want to open. I will say that it's sad that the gov is willing to pay trillions for a ship with rail guns (seen it on yahoo) when most americans are suffering. Also what's sad is that there are people who will only apply for jobs in order to keep their unemployment when there are others who really need the jobs. And those ones who apply just to keep the unemployment somehow end up getting the job. There was a guy who lived across from me just like that. He had 4 job opportunities in a month and screwed up all 4 within 24 hours. Anyways.....

I wish my landlord would let us get out on little jon boats. BPS has a 10' for $600. I'd even settle with fishing from tubes.

J Francho reply :

Quote
My fishing buddy throws his Shimanos like you do...without touching the spool most of the time.

Get a Daiwa...backlashes are gone, and you can still run a free spool.

Bassn Blvd reply :

I don't switch hands. My left stays on the left and my right stays on the right.

redboat reply :

I don't have any arms or legs; I hafta hold the rod in my mouth and thumb the reel with my nose. I learnt to work the crank with my eyebrows. I switch from left eyebrow when I cast to right when I reel in.

You should see me drivin' my boat at 85 MPH down the lake, everybody gets outta my way...

new2BC4bass reply :

On 7/3/2012 at 1:33 AM, J Francho said:

Get a Daiwa...backlashes are gone, and you can still run a free spool.

Have a previous model Prodigy, Procaster (was for my grandson, but he hasn't used it yet), 50th Anniversary Zillion, Alphas ito, TD-S 103HL, TD-Z 103HL Type R, 3 Fuegos and a TD-X 100HSDF on the way. Think that is it. I can 'fluff' any of them.

EDIT: Although now spooled and on a rod, I haven't used the Prodigy yet. It is one I had cleaned and drag/bearings upgraded. Received the TD-S and TD-X about a month ago. Neither are spooled yet so I can't truthfully say I can 'fluff' them all.

EDIT2: Oops. Forgot my Sol. That little puppy gave me fits with anything below 1/4 oz. the only time I had it out on the water. Looks like it might be spooled with 6 lb mono. Have it on a Falcon Expert Light. Rod loaded fine, but spool backlashed on about every cast until I went to the 1/4 oz weight. Backlashed on the first cast with that weight, but then I stopped babying the cast and was fine after that.

Yinzyaker reply :

No switching. Last year I changed from a right handed baitcaster to a lefty. At first I thought it was going to be tough to get used to, but it felt really natural and I took to it right away. Best decision I have ever made. I have since replaced all of my baitcasters with left handed versions, and will never go back.

Coosa reply :

Yes/no. Most of the time I cast with my right hand, and then switch. Sometimes though I just do a gentle cast with my left hand.

CalebWVU reply :

For someone who is planning on buying a baitcaster, what's the consensus here? I've always fished spinning reels with a left hand retrieve, so I assumed I'd buy a LH retrieve baitcaster. Apparently that's not very common, and some companies don't even make them that way. Would it be right saying if you are just learning to use a baitcaster then to start with a LH retrieve? I understand it's personal preference, but I'd rather not spend $100 to find out I liked it better the other way.

M-D reply :

In my youth I learned to operate a baitcaster by switching. When I got out of the military and a fairly long absence from fishing, I decided to quit the switching habit. My biggest reason was to be ready for a instant hookset as soon as the lure hit the water. The only advantage I can see to switching is to give your arm a break. My right arm gets tired sometimes during a long day on the water depending on the type of fishing I'm doing. I do still use a right hand reel when carolina rigging so I guess you could say I do both.

Busy reply :

I don't buy that switching is a 'bad' habit. I think the 'common sense' notion that RH reels are for lefties and LH reels are for righties is anything but. If that were the case there'd be more LH reels on the market than RH reels, which clearly isn't the case. The reel companies aren't catering to lefties, who are a minority. Doesn't make sense at all.

Do what you are comfortable with and you will catch more fish than doing what you aren't comfortable with.

My left hand is retarded, if I could teach myself to reel and cast with it I'd bowl with it, throw a baseball and football with it, and write with it but that ain't happening But I CAN hold a rod with it work a bait. That's why I switch. It is a lot like baseball, you don't see a lot of guys that throw right-handed and bat left-handed or vice versa do you? I don't think thats too much different than casting with one and reeling with the other.

skeetercraig reply :

nope i cast right and reel with the left ,easy sense i came off spinning gear , only thing now when i do use spinning gear it feels funny cause the turning radius is alot bigger

countryfried reply :

yes i switch. i cast with my right, hold with my left and rell with my right on a baitcaster

A-Jay reply :

On 7/4/2012 at 3:49 AM, Busy said:

My left hand is retarded,

That's Funny.

A-Jay

9908

Do you switch hands when you cast a baitcaster? 2024

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