Feeling Bites W/ Baitcaster

[OleManHiggins]

Hear me out guys,

 

I've been fishing spinning reels retrieving left handed since I was introduced to fishing.  Last year, I purchased my first baitcaster (BPS Megacast Combo) but they only came in right hand retrieve.  I figured it would not be too bad as I was just learning w/ a baitcaster and I was trying to save money.  Not so!  Since, I've had it I haven't caught a single fish but have missed tons.  But, I can tie the same lure on my spinning combos and catch fish w/ no problem.  For some reason, holding the rod with my left (baitcaster) I can't feel the bites/strikes as I do holding it with my right (spinning).  Any advice on how to correct this?  If not I'll have to buy a new left handed baitcast reel for the rod. 

 

For the Record: I'm somewhat ambidextrous.  I write, eat, and box lefty.  I cast, throw a football/baseball, shoot a basketball, kick a ball, and reach for things righty.  

 

[John G]

Can you reverse the handle on your spinning reel so that you reel it with your right hand (same as your baitcaster)? Try that and see if you are still feeling the strikes with your spinning reel. If not, you might want to buy a lefty retrieve baitcaster.

[Glenn]

Here's how to feel bites:  http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/feel-bite.html

[Hogsticker]

I do believe the only way to resolve this would be buying a left handed casting reel. I shoot hoops better with my left hand than I do fighting a fish with a rod in my left hand. And that's saying a lot.

[EmersonFish]

Some people just prefer to have the rod in their right hand. I am one of those people (I'm right handed). Holding a rod in my left hand feels awkward, and I assume I would not be able to pick up on a lot of the subtle feelings I can pick up when holding it in my right hand.

Having said that, there is also a bit of a learning curve for your senses when you start using a baitcaster, regardless of which hand you use, because the reel is on the top of the rod, and the balance point changes. You are using the muscles in your hand and forearm differently. That just takes some getting use to.

[fishballer06]

If you have a friend with a left handed baitcaster, give that a try. Or if you can afford to buy another reel, buy a lefty and give it a whirl. I'm ambidextrous, but I feel most comfortable with my handles in my left hand (spinning and bait). 

[masterbass]

Do you palm your reel?  I use lefties but I find palming the reel and placing my index finger under the line helps a lot.

[Jrob78]

What side of the reel the handle is on shouldn't make any difference in sensitivity or bite detection.  Make sure you're working baits with the rod and not the reel.  I can see bites being harder to detect if you're reeling when the bite happens.   Find a comfortable position for your hand and don't squeeze the rod too tight.  Your rod might not be very sensitive but changing reels isn't going to help that.  You might do better with a left handed reel but it won't make your set up anymore sensitive.     

[KayakBasser]

     Practice!

[adam lancia]

You're definitely noticing the difference in balance and sensitivity of your two hands. I'm the same way in that I couldn't even coordinate switching hands after the cast with a RH baitcaster. Since picking up a leftie I'm all sorted out. I will say that since you need to use more effort to hold a baitcaster due to the reel being on top, your ability to sense bites will decrease because of the higher muscle tension on your forearm, it dampens the hands proprioception. KayakBasser's comment of "practice" is absolutely bang on, until your forearm gets stronger allowing you to hold the rod and reel with less effort, you'll have a decreased sense of what's going on at the end of the line.

 

No one mentioned the increase in concentration that it takes to cast a baitcaster when learning. This can also contribute to you not being able to concentrate as much on sensing bites, especially on splash down and the initial fall.

[OleManHiggins]

You're definitely noticing the difference in balance and sensitivity of your two hands. I'm the same way in that I couldn't even coordinate switching hands after the cast with a RH baitcaster. Since picking up a leftie I'm all sorted out. I will say that since you need to use more effort to hold a baitcaster due to the reel being on top, your ability to sense bites will decrease because of the higher muscle tension on your forearm, it dampens the hands proprioception. KayakBasser's comment of "practice" is absolutely bang on, until your forearm gets stronger allowing you to hold the rod and reel with less effort, you'll have a decreased sense of what's going on at the end of the line.

 

No one mentioned the increase in concentration that it takes to cast a baitcaster when learning. This can also contribute to you not being able to concentrate as much on sensing bites, especially on splash down and the initial fall.

 

This is exactly what I feel.  I definitely think my left forearm is weaker and prevents me from having control/feel and limits my concentration. I'm considering not taking my spinning rod with me during a couple trips to force me to practice until I feel better with it. Thanks Adam!

[OleManHiggins]

Do you palm your reel?  I use lefties but I find palming the reel and placing my index finger under the line helps a lot.

 

I've never heard of palming the reel.  I usually hold my hand lower with my index finger around the trigger grip.  I'll definitely try to be aware of this. Thanks! 

[masterbass]

If you are using any slack or semi-slack line techniques like weightless plastics, t rigs or jigs you are going to miss bites by holding the rod only like you are.  Palming (holding the reel) and using your finger under the line makes a big difference in detecting bites. 

[deep]

This is how I feel bites on bottom bumpers. I hardly ever palm the reel. One more reason I don't like spinning gear- difficult to keep a finger on/ hold the line.

 

[FryDog62]

Ole Man, interesting thread.  I've been through the transformation to both spinning and baitcasting reels myself.  After a couple wrist surgeries I had to switch from holding a spinning reel in my right hand, to a baitcaster I hold in my left.  Now I freely switch back and forth...

 

Two things mentioned above are spot on.  First, don't put your index finger on the trigger (unless you are actually casting).  The rod will feel top heavy and tip heavy and very awkward when feeling bites, setting the hook, and reeling in a fish.  Learn to "palm" the reel.  You may even want to place your index finger just under the front of the reel to really be able to set the hook well (Check out video or the TV Show "Facts of Fishing" - host Dave Mercer holds his baitcaster this way almost exclusively).  Experiment with the feel.  Palming/gripping the reel this way will create not only a better grip but much better balance in terms of center of gravity, tip weight, etc.  

 

Second, practice....  time on the water is key.  After my injury and surgery I had to switch not only exclusively to a baitcaster for awhile, but to use my left hand for the mouse on my computer, left handed to brush my teeth, etc.  It was out of necessity but forced me to change.  Yes, it took time - about 60 days of every day use on my mouse alone!  But it can be done.  Force yourself to become a more versatile fisherman and it will pay off.  

[OleManHiggins]

Ole Man, interesting thread.  I've been through the transformation to both spinning and baitcasting reels myself.  After a couple wrist surgeries I had to switch from holding a spinning reel in my right hand, to a baitcaster I hold in my left.  Now I freely switch back and forth...

 

Two things mentioned above are spot on.  First, don't put your index finger on the trigger (unless you are actually casting).  The rod will feel top heavy and tip heavy and very awkward when feeling bites, setting the hook, and reeling in a fish.  Learn to "palm" the reel.  You may even want to place your index finger just under the front of the reel to really be able to set the hook well (Check out video or the TV Show "Facts of Fishing" - host Dave Mercer holds his baitcaster this way almost exclusively).  Experiment with the feel.  Palming/gripping the reel this way will create not only a better grip but much better balance in terms of center of gravity, tip weight, etc.  

 

Second, practice....  time on the water is key.  After my injury and surgery I had to switch not only exclusively to a baitcaster for awhile, but to use my left hand for the mouse on my computer, left handed to brush my teeth, etc.  It was out of necessity but forced me to change.  Yes, it took time - about 60 days of every day use on my mouse alone!  But it can be done.  Force yourself to become a more versatile fisherman and it will pay off.  

 

Fry Dog, thanks for the info about the video.  I just checked it out and I definitely need to switch to palming the reel like this with my finger under the line.  I watched a video and just thought, that looks much more comfortable/controlled compared to what I'm doing.  I'll be using this technique from now on!

[chelboed]

Another thing not mentioned...the spinning rod may be really sensitive...yet the casting rod could be a cheap thuddy stick.