Pitchin' and flippin' techniques

[BLUESKY]

Rooster wrote on oct 10th

Was outside in back yard practicing just a bit ago. I'm still using the 6'6" rod I already have here so far but it seems to be working. I had several targets laid out anywhere from 15 feet out to about 30. I was surprised to see that I can actually hit these targets or fall within only inches from them with as little practice as I've had. I just started last Saturday and today was only the second time I attempted it, the first with a target.

I quoted the above comment though cause I wanted to talk about which hand I use for what. I'm right handed naturally but I'm all messed up apparently when it comes to casting and retrieving. I cast a baitcaster mostly right handed (but am at least 2/3 as good left handed as well), then switch hands to retrieve right handed with rod in left hand. That's how a lot do it as I understand it. But for spinning rods I cast left handed, not right, and I retrieve them using my right hand. That's backwards compared to most.

Well, when it comes to pitching and flipping, I thought being a baitcaster that I would have to do it right handed. I do for flipping, otherwise the line gets hung up on the crank as I let it come back to the rod, so for flipping I'm a right handed flipper. But as with spinning gear, for some reason when it comes to pitching so far I seem to be much better at it when doing it left handed. That's a good thing from what I hear since I already have right handed retrieve reels, I can pitch left handed, not have to switch hands to crank so I'll be ready to crank and set a hook in a second's time. All I have to do is learn to be good at it, use the stuff I already have (except get a new longer rod), and all is good. So it seems to me when it comes to how I cast and retrieve, I'm sort of all over the place, no hard set rules. I'd like to get good at doing all techniques with both hands though cause depending on how the boat is facing when I fish from the back, sometimes it's easier to cast with one hand as opposed to the other so I don't hit the boat motor. The only one hard set rule I seem to have is I retrieve with my right hand always. I tried left handed cranking for spinning reels once and didn't like it at all. Never tried it with a baitcaster but I'm sure it would be the same, but I don't necessarily want to buy a reel to find out that I wouldn't like it. So I may never get good at pitching right handed, or flipping left handed either, but at least it seems I'll be able to learn to do these two techniques in time for next season, one way or the other.

As For the left handed retrieve reel, it is just like any piece of gear that we buy, it is a tool. Wether you want to learn to use it or not is up to you. I got one because it seemed to me the way to go as i am right handed. it felt very awkard at first, but I stuck with it and would now not use any thing else. I also find that when pitchin , when the lure hits the target that I can instantly engage the spool with my right thumb after stopping the spool, and as I am mooving my other hand toward the crank. Not preaching just explaining what works for me as you will figure out what works best for you. As for the line getting caught up on the crank when flippin, try grabbing it between the 1st and 2cnd guide instead of between the reel and the 1st guide, not only will this prevent the line from catching on the crank but you will find that if you want to, it will allow you to let out more line for more distance on your flips. Hope this helps.

[6pointbuck2003]

I have heard fliping with one hand and then switching to the other hand to real cuts down on fatigue of the wrists. I dont know how much truth there is to it. I did that before i heard about it. I am able to flip all day without my wrists getting tired.

[BLUESKY]

I have heard fliping with one hand and then switching to the other hand to real cuts down on fatigue of the wrists. I dont know how much truth there is to it. I did that before i heard about it. I am able to flip all day without my wrists getting tired.

Out of curiousity, what happens if a fish hits while you are changing hands?

[chromedog]

Bluesky and Simp,

Thanks for the heads up.  It is a fairly new technique and I have only used casting reels for one season now.  I have 6lb and 4lb fluro that I use for dropshotting so I just used what I had, I will pick up some 15 as you guys suggested.  Sadly my season has wound down.  Got one more trip to fish for smallies and then done for the year, dog gone northeast weather. So I will be doing a lot of practicing and painting lures over the winter.