Do you switch hands when you cast a baitcaster?

[new2BC4bass]

I grew up cranking with left hand on spinning gear. When I switched to baitcasting gear last year I couldn't understand why anyone would want to switch hands. Controlling the rod with your dominant arm seemed the most logical. Cranking RH seemed odd.

During the winter I had a few reels cleaned and upgraded. One was a Procaster I bought for my eldest grandson. He is left handed. (Reels with right.) This spring I mounted it on the 6' rod I bought to go with it and tried some pitching off my back deck. Was surprised at how nice the reel felt. Was also surprised that I didn't mind switching hands. So I've used both hand reels the few times I got out fishing this year. No problems, except I always cast with right arm.

I bought several reels this year since using my grandson's reel. Sometimes I didn't remember which hand I bought until the reel arrived. If I found a reel I wanted at a good price, I bought it regardless of hand. I've come to appreciate that some people can't learn to switch.

I figured casting LH would be a no-no for me. While out with our very own Mike, I tried a few left-handed casts. No over-runs or backlashes even though my spool tension is set just tight enough to remove side-to-side movement regardless of what I throw. Looks like all I need now is some practice, and I'll be ambidextrous like a lot of you are.

[J Francho]

I use a two handed cast, for both lefty and righty reels. My palming hand is in place before the lure hits the water, if there's any movement at all.

[scbassin]

I am left-handed but cast with my right with shorter rods & with both hands with longer rods. I always crank with my left hand. I do not switch.

[johnnytoxin]

I cast with my right, reel with my left on both spinning and baitcasting gear. Also, with baitcasting gear, I palm the reel while I cast. I three fingers holding the reel in front of the rod trigger, pinky behind the trigger. My ring finger kinda grips the trigger too. Thumb is in the normal palming position. Thus there is no switching or adjusting of my right hand during the cast or retrieve. Some might argue that I could loose casting distance holding the rod that way, but I have not noticed any difference in casting distance. That being said, its all personal preference. The fish don't know or care which hands you are using for what.

[JigMe]

Most of us are out there fishing for fun or pleasure, 1-2 second delay when switchin hand is not a big conern for me. I have never missed any fish while doing it, on the other hand, my fishing buddy will grill me over it.

[endless]

I dont switch never have. Im left-handed throw with left reel with right hand on bc & spinning reels as well.

Same as me besides on spinning gear I reel with left.

[3dees]

I switched hands for many years until carpel tunnel in my left wrist forced me to change over to left hand retrieve. that was about fifteen years ago and I would never go back. just makes more sense to use the stronger arm and hand for hook setting. of course this is for righties. it took me less time to get used to it than I thought.

[Sam]

I do.

Drives my buddy Dave M. nuts as he says it wastes time and you could miss a bite.

But so far I have not had any problems and have landed some nice ones who hit the bait when it hits the water.

I cast right handed and place my finger coming off the reel over my right index finger when throwing plastics.

Just feels more natural to me.

[bigbassctchr101]

I switch. Most of my reels are actually set where I can switch mid cast though and be ready to reel by the time the lure hits the water. I am left handed, but I reel with my right hand. I can't fish a left hand retreive baitcaster because my fingers keep slipping off the handle when I'm reeling. I have 3 spinning reels. Two are set to left hand retrieve and one is set for a right hand. I can switch between all my reels with absolutely no problem. Seems weird to me lol

[James Yalem]

I've been bass fishing for over 40 years. Since I have not used spinning tackle that much, it has been 40 years of switching. When I use a buzzbait or want to wake a spinnerbait, I actually stop the cast right before it ends, switch hands and start the retrieve right when the lure hits the water. That is the extent of my coordination. I cannot stand and fish at the same time.

[new2BC4bass]

I cannot stand and fish at the same time.

Admittedly I don't chew bubble gum!

[Alpster]

This has been bantered about over the years and you will get the vocal minority that is "absolutely sure" that switching hands "is inefficient, un-american and just plain crazy". The fact of the matter is, even though most reel makers offer a left hand version of their most popular baitcasters, the vast majority of right handed anglers stick with their technique. After 40+ years of fishing, I can honestly say that I have never missed a hook set or failed to land a single fish as a result of casting and retrieving with the same hand. I actually use both hands to cast because of my arthritis, so my left hand is in place (palming the reel) half way through the cast. I can cast almost any bait and be prepared to set the hook or begin retrieving before it hits the water. Pitching is the only place I actually change hands. Still, never lost a fish as a result. JMHO

Ronnie

[J Francho]

Watch KVD make a cast....

[EJVH3]

Yep. i tried left handed reels so i didn't have to. It just didn't feel right nor was a very good at it. So I stayed with right handed reels and stayed with the switching hands.

[Buckeye Bassin]

I'm more comfortable reeling w/left and casting w/right. And since I just started fishing seriously about 3 years ago, I had the choice of left-handed baitcasters when I started buying my equipment. So that's what I got, all lefty's.

[Clint C.]

I am glad someone brought this up because I argue with my buddies all the time about why they switch hands.  I go with left handed baitcasters.

Same! I use to switch and decided it was silly for me to do that. Some people are just more comfortable using their dominant hand, and it's hard to find a low gear ration left handed baitcaster.

[BASSHUNTER1961]

This is very interesting. I am in the market for a new baitcast reel, and was debating over which model I wanted to go with.

I have used spinning and conventional reels all my life, and have always thrown with my right and reeled with my left using sinning gear...... But when using conventional gear, I always throw with my right, switch and reel with my right. I'm considering a baitcast reel in the 150-200 range and I do not want to end up with a reel I will not like, but I really want to try a left hand baitcast.

[gar-tracker]

My 2 Cents

Growing up fishing spinning rods set up with a left hand retrieve I continued on using them for Bass fishing back in the 70s, in the 80s they started making flipping spinning rods and I would even pitch heavy cover with spinning equipment and still have an awesome Fenwick Flipping spinning rod. And had an a All Star up until a year ago.

The quality of spinning reels never kept up and I was forced to make the switch to baitcaster in the mid 80s.

Starting with right hand retrieve I had no coordination to walk the dog or snap my top waters with my left hand and missed fish left and right trying to set up with the rod left hand.

I immediately sold the right hand retrieve and switched to left and haven't looked back for the last 30 odd years or so. For the life of me I dont get why more right handed fisherman dont use left handed reels.

The reel never leaves the dominant hand, frogs and buzz baits are skimming across the top upon hitting the water, pitching misses no short strikes following it back to the boat, lean forward give her a bit and bam.

[OkobojiEagle]

no

oe

[logan9209]

To be honest, I cast and reel with right hand no matter what type of rod or reel I'm using. It seems more natural to me and it only takes a second to do. The exception is pitching and flipping. For some reason it seems more natural.

As far as I'm concerned, my left arm is weak because I'm right handed, so making those precise or long casts would be difficult. On the flip side, my hook set ratio is pretty good considering that I'm using my left hand to set the hook. Also, it builds up my left arm muscles, so that's an added bonus.

I've seen pros both old and new do it. Kevin Van Dam, Jimmy Houston, and Scott Martin are good examples. So I think it's a matter of comfortable rather than being a "bad habit".

[Dave P]

I switch. I've used LH and I have no problems, but I don't like it.

[steelslinger86]

I am left handed, so I do all of my casting, flipping, and pitching with my left, and I reel with my right. The rod never leaves my left hand, and it doesn't matter if it is baitcasting or spinning equipment.

[DrNip]

I'm right handed. I cast right and reel left with any setup.

[greyleg33]

There is no doubt that most switch. There is no doubt that you're ahead if you don't. Put your mind to it and you can learn.

[iabass8]

I do not switch. It feels more natural to cast right handed and reel left.