Do you switch hands when you cast a baitcaster?

[diver_sniper]

I've been watching a lot of fishing videos lately, and now I'm watching old Classic highlight shows on ESPN Classic (turn it on if you're reading this on Friday night) and I've been paying close attention to how everyone casts. It's interesting how everyone does it a little bit different.

What I'm wondering is how many people do the switch? Just to be clear, an example of someone who switches would be someone who has their right thumb on the spool and holds the rod with their right hand during the cast, and then after the cast switches the whole thing so they're reeling with their right hand and holding the rod with their left.

Do you guys feel that switching is a bad habit? I had never thought about it before but you're spending a lot of extra time an energy and also not feeling much during that split second during the exchange from one hand to the other.

If you were with a new fisherman on their first day with a bait caster would you discourage them from falling into the habit of switching?

[BrianinMD]

I switch, some people think its a bad thing especially with pitching and flipping. The thought is you will miss hooksets on quick bites. But watch a lot of the top pro's and other's who have fishing shows, a lot of them switch.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I switch.  Most of the guys I've fished with switch also.  I've tried to use a lefty casting reel before and just couldn't get used to it.  Go figure though, I'm more than happy cranking a spinning reel from the left side.  Probably goes back to my saltwater days where all of my conventional reels were cranked on the right and spinning reels were cranked on the left.

[New River Fly]

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.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

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

[hookingem]

I switch I don't feel like its a big enough deal to re teach my self not to.

[Fishmaster10]

I switch I don't feel like its a big enough deal to re teach my self not to.

I switch, and I would have to say I feel the same way

[Hamby]

I switch, but i'm going to try to learn how to pitch and make shorter casts with my left hand. I'll still make long casts with my right. A lot more natural. I may just end up getting a left hand reel BC for flipping and pitching though.

[Goose52]

I voted switch for all types of casts. I'm right-handed and a product of the 60s when most BC reels had handles on the right, and most spinning reels had handles on the left. It's just how I learned.

When I started buying more modern BC reels a few years ago, I did buy a cheap LH BC reel on eBay to see if I liked it and it just flat didn't feel comfortable. So now I'm fully committed to RH BC reels and I "make the switch."

[shimmy]

The switch has to be one of the dumbest things continued in bass fishing. In a sport where the smallest details matter and are discussed, why in the world would someone willingly learn this way. I understand if you started this way and don't feel comfortable switching. But for the newcomers, it hurts my brain. It serves no function. Absolutely none. I have played it out many times in my head...why would you intentionally make yourself switch? Preserve energy perhaps? That is the only option in my head and it sounds ridiculous.

[CAdeltaLipRipper]

Yep i usually switch every cast lol

[CAdeltaLipRipper]

The switch has to be one of the dumbest things continued in bass fishing. In a sport where the smallest details matter and are discussed, why in the world would someone willingly learn this way. I understand if you started this way and don't feel comfortable switching. But for the newcomers, it hurts my brain. It serves no function. Absolutely none. I have played it out many times in my head...why would you intentionally make yourself switch? Preserve energy perhaps? That is the only option in my head and it sounds ridiculous.

Preserving energy?You can cast farther and more accurate with your "pimp" hand lol

[Goose52]

The switch has to be one of the dumbest things continued in bass fishing. In a sport where the smallest details matter and are discussed, why in the world would someone willingly learn this way. I understand if you started this way and don't feel comfortable switching. But for the newcomers, it hurts my brain. It serves no function. Absolutely none. I have played it out many times in my head...why would you intentionally make yourself switch? Preserve energy perhaps? That is the only option in my head and it sounds ridiculous.

Hey Shimmy - I guess that's true in today's world with the equipment choices available. Still, as was mentioned earlier, we see some Pros, including young ones, making the switch - go figure.

Since I "palm" a reel - wouldn't I have to shift my hand anyway if I cast with my right hand and cranked with my left? I don't crank a reel with the same hand position as I cast a reel so it seems like I would have some hand motion either way. :-/

[NorcalBassin]

Tried to teach myself to use a lefty BC but it just felt too weird after a couple times out... actually felt more natural to swicth for me. Maybe if the first time I ever used a BC it was a lefty then I'd feel more comfortable that way???

[flippin and pitchin]

I switch, but i'm going to try to learn how to pitch and make shorter casts with my left hand. I'll still make long casts with my right. A lot more natural. I may just end up getting a left hand reel BC for flipping and pitching though.

I made that adjustment last year and it's not that hard to get used to, even after 30 years of R/H only.

[Sam]

Interesting query, Diver_Sniper.

I had a discussion with one of my fishing buddies last summer about switching hands after casting my baitcasters since my reel handles are on the right and I am right handed.

His reel handles are on the left, even though he is right handed, and he says it saves time.

I have never had a problem doing this and will continue to do so.

Thanks for the post. First time I have ever seen this question on the Forum.

Will be interesting to see who does what. 

[deep]

Like a lot of folks, I started with spinning reels (left hand retrieve). When I bought my first baitcaster, I saw no reason why I would need a right-hand retrieve reel just because most people use them. All my baitcasters are left-hand retrieves.

Apart from the matter of switching hands, I find working the lure and setting the hook much more natural with the rod in my my right hand. I'm a right-hander.

Goose 52, I palm my reels and have had no problems with that. I think the factors of working the lure, and setting the hook are more important than the switching of hands after casting.

EDIT: I fish a lot from the shore, and finding casting room is sometimes a problem. I have tried to cast with my left hand as a lark at times. Works out just fine for me. But working the lure with the rod in my left hand is a huge headache. No switch for me.

[bryand82487]

I switch.  I use RH bait casters and change the handle on my spinning reels to the right side as well.  I haven't came across anyone else who does this though?

[Missouribassman95]

Yupp I switch for just about every cast.

[AndyPlaysDrums]

I'll be throwing my first B/C this year. I'm going to go LH as much due to the consistency of the hand I reel with, as with the consistency of using the same arm to control my rod and set the hook.

[NBR]

I palm the reel during the retrieve so even if I cast righty and crank lefty I'll still need to move the right casting hand to palm the reel. I've done this for so many years I can switch the reel to my left hand while the lure is going out.

Maybe seem odd but I cast a spinning outfit righty and crank lefty.

[Red]

I don't switch, I use left hand retrieve reels.  The rod stays in my right hand.

[A-Jay]

I started fishing Spinning back in the day. My first bc reel was right hand retrieve and so has every one since. I can see where when pitching/flipping the inability to be able to set the hook or detect a strike when changing hands could be a reason to miss fish.

Last year I picked up a mid level left hand retrieve casting reel specifically to see if I could adapt to it when flipping/pitching. I was too lazy/chicken to try it. This year I'm vowing to give it a go.

I may have to leave All the other rigs home though . . . . .

A-Jay

[TourPT]

I don't switch, I use left hand retrieve reels. The rod stays in my right hand.

Same here. I am right handed but use left handed Quantum reels and could not be happier. It saves time and gets you ready for the strike the instant the lure hits the water. Not to mention my fishing partner of whom does not take care of his gear at all, leaves my setups alone because he can't or refuses to learn how to fish with left handed reels.

The only draw back is that some companies still don't make left handed models, there loss though for luckily the big companies like Shimano, Daiwa and Quantum do.

[Lund Explorer]

I started fishing Spinning back in the day. My first bc reel was right hand retrieve and so has every one since. I can see where when pitching/flipping the inability to be able to set the hook or detect a strike when changing hands could be a reason to miss fish.

Last year I picked up a mid level left hand retrieve casting reel specifically to see if I could adapt to it when flipping/pitching. I was too lazy/chicken to try it. This year I'm vowing to give it a go.

I may have to leave All the other rigs home though . . . . .

A-Jay

No, you don't have to leave them at home, just give them to your wife.  Tell her that every time you ask for one of them, she can get another puppy!   ;D ;D