Thumbing Baitcaster...

[Tsiaram]

Is there a specific way to thumb a baitcaster? or is it just personal preference? I always find myself using just the tip of my thumb, but i see a lot of videos of people putting almost their entire thumb on the spool.. am I doing it wrong? or is there no specific way

[David D.]

Just whatever works and gives you the most control of it. Most people just use the pad of their thumb, but some use the tip.

[Glenn]

I never thought about that before.  I guess I figured everyone did it the same way.

 

I suppose there isn't a right or wrong way, as long as you're using the pad of your thumb. 

[OkobojiEagle]

Any way you can control the spool is the "right way".  I under-fill my spools with line and prefer to thumb the spool edge for control.

 

 

oe

[WIGuide]

From what I've seen, most people use the pad of their thumb, but if you can make your way work, it isn't wrong.

[Felix77]

It doesn't matter as long as you get the job done.  I think I still suck at it but I am getting better.  

[Chris9999]

I personally use the pad of my thumb but its all about preference 

[F14A-B]

I never thought about that before. I guess I figured everyone did it the same way.

I suppose there isn't a right or wrong way, as long as you're using the pad of your thumb.

Thanks for the hard laugh!... I needed that this morning!.... Good stuff!

[Capt.Bob]

Verdict is in we all agree like Frank said I did it my way, I use the thumb bar and the edge of the frame to help stabilize and  control the pad of my thumb. whatever you do make it comfortable to you and like shoot a bow always the same way, repetition is what matters.

[CDMeyer]

I belie it is a comfort thing, that being said you are also going to want to have a way that works, here is what I do

I cover the entire spool with my thumb, but only lightly place the bottom of my thumb on the spool, the tip of my thumb acts as a guide to any loose line that comes flying out the front

[Hogsticker]

Use your thumb nail. Should make for an interesting time....or a real short day. I use the pad just where my thumb starts to curve up. Man. Looking at my thumbs, I got some funky ones!

[RB 77]

I use the pad of my thumb. For conventional gear I always try to thumb the side of the spool. With baitcaters I do this if its a long day and the spool is getting a little low. Its all about preference. If you are comfortable with what you are currently doing, keep on keeping on.

[hatrix]

It depends on how heavy the lure is and how I'm casting. Smaller lures don't have much force behind them. I guess I just feather it out with the tip section of my finger. But as they weight increase you need to start using a bigger part of your finger. When throwing something like big swimbaits you really need to get a bunch of thumb on there to control that force behind it. You need to totally thumb big baits right from the start to even be able to cast them.

[Mccallister25]

If it aint broke dont fix it. Whatever is comfortable and works for you is what you should continue to do. I do like most of the others. I use the pad of my thumb.

[FrankW]

I think the way you hold your rod/reel will influence the way you thumb your reel. The size of the reel will also make a difference of how you lay your thumb on the line or spool. When I first got my Tatula I was tripping the clutch when I thumbed the reel and had to adjust my grip in order to place my thumb higher on the spool.

Frank