Baitcasting Set Up

[JustinFromPA]

Guys, I've just gotten back into bass fishing and I've had a AG Revo on a st croix rod just sitting around. I'm right handed and crank with my left hand on spinning rigs. This is pretty new to me and I'm thinking I should have a left handed BCR. Should I stick with this right handed rig, or give up and sell this one for a lefty?

[Michael DiNardo]

There are quite a few posts regarding this subject if you want to read many different opinions. I started like you and switched to reeling with my left hand on my bc. I do have both left and right bc reels and use both. One reason I use both is that I like to have my "reeling hand" on the downstream side when fishing a river or stream. I feel it gives more power and dexterity to my rod hand. That is what feels right for me, You won't know until you try one though.

Mike

[new2BC4bass]

Welcome Justin! I live not far away in Bethlehem Township. Like you, I was strictly a spinning reel guy until I got back into fishing 3 years ago. At first I thought I had to reel with the left hand. Now I'll pick up a rod/reel combo without paying attention to which hand reel is on the rod. I'm a lot older than you, too, so it should be easier for you to learn to use the right hand for cranking. I'm even casting with the left arm on occasion. Not with much accuracy, tho.

The truth is only you can determine what feels right for you. Try it. Give it some time, tho, as no doubt it will feel uncomfortable at first. I assume your casting ability is satisfactory? Took me a while to get my timing down. Then it took more time to get the thumb working somewhere near like it should. Still have along way to go.

BTW, know of any good fishing spots locally? This area pretty much sucks as far as I'm concerned. I came from an area with quite a few good ponds/lakes nearby. Lack of decent fishing spots is why I gave up fishing 2 years after moving into this area. I'm trying to stick with it this time, but it is hard when many times I go without catching one fish and often without a single bite.

[JustinFromPA]

I live in Macungie and found the alburtis nimrod lake. Most people fish for trout there, but I've pulled 12 baby bass out of there in the last 2 days. Momma has to be around somewhere.

[Rangerphil]

I am left handed. But I fish with spinning gear wind with left hand hold rod with right. Now bc gear I wind with right hand hold rod with left. What this has done for me is when I flip or pitch with bc gear I can quickly engage the reel without switching hands. Also when I skip with spinning gear I can skip backhand with my left arm just as good as with my right. I think if you can learn to use bc gear with a right handed setup it will benefit you later on!

[johnnytoxin]

If you have a very limited budget like I do, I would learn to use a right hand baitcaster. They come up for sale used more frequently than left handers. All of mine were lightly used and I got some incredible deals on them. The fish don't care what hand you use anyway. just my 2 cents

[new2BC4bass]

I live in Macungie and found the alburtis nimrod lake. Most people fish for trout there, but I've pulled 12 baby bass out of there in the last 2 days. Momma has to be around somewhere.

Can't find any such lake. Found Lake Underwood Nimrod Club, Wayne County, PA. Found Nimrod Lake, Arkansas. Found the Nimrod Fish and Wildlife of Clarksville, MD. No Alburtis Nimrod Lake in PA. Is it known by another name?

[Tmmytomato]

A few years a go I switched to left handed bc reels exclusively although I had both for many years. So many people crank a spinning reel with their left hand but seem confused when trying to do the same with a bait caster. That never made sense to me. But the primary reasons I switched to left hand crank bc were 1) on a short pitch under overhanging cover I couldn't switch as fast in mid air for the sake of control and I lost two very large fish on two consecutive days as my jig hit the water and 2) my rotator cuffs are shot as is my right elbow (I've had many years of abuse on my body over my 65 years) and after a day of cranking, my right elbow was begging to be cut off.

Casting with your right and NOT having to switch is so natrual and so many bait casters are made nowadays with left handed cranks. I do a pro staff at the Bass Pro Shops Spring Classic for one of the major reel/rod manufacturers and it is amazing how many experienced and novice fisherman request left handed bait casters even for less expensive reels.

[endless]

Best advice I think ever given was go to the store place reel on a rod and see what is more comfortable for you. You won't know till you try it out and why drop down some money before knowing for sure? Good luck to you in your search and please do let us know what you end up going with!!

[NBR]

I crtank spinning reels with my left hand. I cast more accurately right handed so I cast both spinning and BC's righty but I like to palm the BC's in my left hand. I often make the switch before the lure hits the water.