Baitcasters

[iiTzChunky]

So I'm starting to look into getting a new caster. I'm right handed and have my spinning reel set up for a right hand retrieve. I'd like to be more efficient withy cast, so I'm wondering if I should force myself to be comfortable with a left handed retrieve by buying a left handed baitcasters. 

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

"Force" no. Worth a try? IMO yes. 

[new2BC4bass]

Most people prefer to work the rod with their dominate side.  Cranking is not hard to learn for both hands.  Casting with both can be a bit trickier.  The ability to cast and retrieve with both sides is a plus.  Try it.  Might feel kind of wired at first, but shouldn't take too long to become comfortable cranking with either hand.

[Evan K]

You're right handed but use a spinning reel set up for left handed? That's odd- a RH baitcaster should be second nature to you. There are so many more options available in RH that I think it's worth the effort to learn how.

[iiTzChunky]

I just tried to switch my spinner reel around nailed 5 fish but felt odd. I just see everyone saying that switching hands is waiting time. I'd just like to get as many casts while I can. 

My left wrist is kinda messed up, I can see this becoming a problem later on with how often I try to go fishing. I think I'll keep trying left handed while I fish this little pond that's full of little bass, but when I hit the lake where I could potentially hit much much bigger bass I think I'll stay righty

[fishnkamp]

Well I do it a little different. First I am a mechanic and have been for almost 35 years so to help avoid cramping and for other reasons I use both left and right hand reels.  Any lure I throw and basically just retrieve like a crankbait, ralltle trap, spinnerbait etc I use a right handed baitcaster. Any lure like a jig, carolina rig, jerkbaits,top waters, swimbaits, frogs etc. I use a left handed reel. The purpose is to keep my dominant hand (I am right handed) imparting the action and I can react immediately if the bait is hit upon entry. In these cases all the left hand is doing is slowly taking in line until the fight is on.

[lo n slo]

20 hours ago, iiTzChunky said:

I just tried to switch my spinner reel around nailed 5 fish but felt odd. I just see everyone saying that switching hands is waiting time. I'd just like to get as many casts while I can. 

My left wrist is kinda messed up, I can see this becoming a problem later on with how often I try to go fishing. I think I'll keep trying left handed while I fish this little pond that's full of little bass, but when I hit the lake where I could potentially hit much much bigger bass I think I'll stay righty

people are different. you do what feels comfortable to you and dont worry so much about things like "wasting time" or whatever. 

[crypt]

40 minutes ago, lo n slo said:

people are different. you do what feels comfortable to you and dont worry so much about things like "wasting time" or whatever. 

this

[iiTzChunky]

4 hours ago, lo n slo said:

people are different. you do what feels comfortable to you and dont worry so much about things like "wasting time" or whatever. 

I'm more worried about the long term effects on my left wrist, from setting the hook. I have a bad left wrist and I'm just worried it will start hurting more after long time use. 

[MPM IV]

I agree with doing what's comfortable. Oddly, I cast left handed and reel right handed for baitcasters, the opposite for spinning.

If your wrist is interfering with your fishing you may look into the elastic wrist wraps made for weight lifting. They just provide support for your wrist if you get to that point.

[fishnkamp]

Your left hand being your weak link is no different than me trying to avoid hand cramps thanks to 35+ years of abusing my hands making a living turning wrenches.  I suggest you go to a left handed reel so your right hand does most of the job of casting or flipping and your left hand just reels.  All of the work will be done with your right. i think you will find this more comfortable in the long run.  If you move the spinning reel handle to the left, than all of your rods will feel normal when casting with the rod in your right hand.  

[Fisher-O-men]

On 6/30/2016 at 5:28 PM, iiTzChunky said:

So I'm starting to look into getting a new caster. I'm right handed and have my spinning reel set up for a right hand retrieve. I'd like to be more efficient withy cast, so I'm wondering if I should force myself to be comfortable with a left handed retrieve by buying a left handed baitcasters. 

 

Most right handed people crank a spinning reel with their left hand.  Then they crank a baitcaster with their right.  That has always been quite common.  This is changing.  Right handed guys are trying lefty Baitcasters and liking it!  I only have a couple righty reels now.  I can crank faster with my right hand, but I can work lures better when cranking with my left, and I do not have to change hands after I cast.   Cranking with the left on baitcasters will feel odd at first.

[iiTzChunky]

6 hours ago, Fisher-O-men said:

Most right handed people crank a spinning reel with their left hand.  Then they crank a baitcaster with their right.  That has always been quite common.  This is changing.  Right handed guys are trying lefty Baitcasters and liking it!  I only have a couple righty reels now.  I can crank faster with my right hand, but I can work lures better when cranking with my left, and I do not have to change hands after I cast.   Cranking with the left on baitcasters will feel odd at first.

That's pretty much what I was thinking. I'll have to keep practicing cranking with my left hand on my spinning reel and hopefully by the time I can afford a baitcasters I'll feel comfortable with it. 

[OkobojiEagle]

iiTzChunky, Keep a bend in your rod when fighting a large bass.  Check your knots and line for abrasion often.  Service your reels at least once a year.

 

Now you've got three more important things to worry about when bass fishing...

 

oe

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

No idea what is wrong with your left wrist, but it seems to me that holding the rod with the right hand would remove more strain from the left.  The rod hand not only is holding the weight of the rod and reel, but has to work the rod during retrieves and hold the weight of the fish...and maybe 5 pounds of weeds....when fighting a fish.  Also fishing such lures as heavier spinnerbaits can tire out the rod hand and will put plenty of strain on the (rod) wrist.