Dumb question concerning Baitcasting reel

[YellowTJ]

I'm an occasional fisherman who has always used open face spinning reels. I just purchased my first baitcasting reel (Curado 200). This is a right hand model (I'm right handed) but the crank is on the wrong side it seem. Casting with my right hand would mean that I would need to transfer the rod to my left before cranking it in. Is this normal for baitcasting reels? If so it will take some getting used to.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Dumb question concerning Baitcasting reel

Excuse me if this sounds a bit simple YellowTJ but could you undo the handle and swap it over to the other side?<br />Ross

 

[Ross J]

Re: Dumb question concerning Baitcasting reel

Sorry sport, I just took a peek at the reel you named on another site and it obviously cannot be swapped over. It's either a right hander or it's on upside down!<br />Ross

 

[JB]

Re: Dumb question concerning Baitcasting reel

Howdy, YellowTJ.<br /><br />What you describe is normal operation of a right handed baitcaster by a right handed fisherman.<br /><br />Most guys need the strength of their right arm to cast and the coordination of their right hand to reel fast.<br /><br />The guide I fish with at LOTW is right handed but uses a left handed reel. He says it makes more semse. I tried it but had difficulty reeling smoothly. He said it takes a while to learn but is easier for him.<br /><br />

 

[495v]

Re: Dumb question concerning Baitcasting reel

Good choice there YellowTJ. You will be very pleased with that reel. That is the same one I started out with 2 years ago, and after getting used to it, I won't even pick up a spinning reel. Your right, this is the only way the reel comes.( cast with right hand with good thumb control, and switch rod to left hand to reel) It did take some getting used to, but then was very easy. Just remember to set your lure weight with the little wheel.( tighten all the way up, reel lure to tip of pole, hit the release button, the lure should not move because your adjustment is tight, then slowly loosen the adjustment until the lure slowly falls. As soon as the lure hits the ground or water you want the spool to stop. It's easy on backlashes to keep this adjustment a bit tighter, especially on windy day's. Good luck with your new Curado.

 

[Bill Hickey]

Re: Dumb question concerning Baitcasting reel

I would recommend trying a left handed reel (assuming you are right handed). If you can crank a spinning outfit why should a casting reel be that different? Then you don't have to keep switching hands. I will say that the only problem may be precise reeling when working a lure or bait, however that can be offset by better rod controll with your strong arm. In cases such as jigging you will find this a better method.

 

[Frusterated Ameture]

Re: Dumb question concerning Baitcasting reel

hello YellowTJ,<br /><br />I to just started using Baitcasting reels. Before I used baitcasteres I used spinning reels that I casted with my right and reeled with my left. On my baitcaster reel I cast with my left and reel with my right. It seems odd at first, but it is worth the time and effort to learn. If you cast with you right and then transfer the rod to you left hand to reel with your right hand, you may end up missin strikes often. If you cast a baitcaster correctly, pitching or flipping, you make a minimal amount of disturbance in the water, but enough to get a bass to notice your lure and bite it out of reaction. If you do the casting with the right and reel with the right method, your chances of missing that fish are really high and it's very frusterating. I would suggest that you either learn to cast with your left hand with the reel you have or get a left hand reel and learn to reel with your left while you cast with your right. Casting with my left seemed to work for me. Just a thought. Good fishing.<br /><br />MattL

 

[YellowTJ]

Re: Dumb question concerning Baitcasting reel

Thanks for all the replys and advice. After experimenting a little, I've decided to return the right-hand reel for the left-hand model. This just seemed to feel the most natural to me.

 

[steve forsythe]

Re: Dumb question concerning Baitcasting reel

you made the right choice. I am right handed and have a calcuta 251 (left handed model). I want the power of my right hand to SET HOOKS. Reeling in super fast rarely is needed and you can obtain that coordination over time but you will never have the power to set hooks in your left arm!

 

[Xenos]

Re: Dumb question concerning Baitcasting reel

Bait casting and spinning are not the same, if your right handed you could use a spinning real with your left hand when setting the hook since the handle is below the reel but not with bait caster. Try this out, hold the rod in front of you and pretend to set the hook. If you pull the rod to your right shoulder you picked the right one on the other hand if you pull the rod to you left shoulder you should consider a left reel since the handle will be in your face and you may have trouble reeling in a fish when fighting.

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Dumb question concerning Baitcasting reel

Yellow, I've been serious bass fishing for years and I'm right handed. I can use BOTH baitcasting configurations, but I prefer right handed cast and left handed retrieve, those big sows sometimes hit the lure as soon as it hits the water and I do not want to switching hands while this is going on.......

 

[Xenos]

Re: Dumb question concerning Baitcasting reel

For my self, I have my hands switched before the lure is even half way.

 

[bassndude]

Re: Dumb question concerning Baitcasting reel

I've done a few things that may make it easier but may also make things a little more confusing... I'm RH.<br /><br />Spinning reels I reel with my left hand and can not reel with my right. No problem.<br /><br />For baitcasting I have the same problem as you, cast with my right, bait hits transfer hands and crank with my right. No problem while fishing fast baits cranks and blades. The first thing you can do is practise casting with you left hand which I've done. It takes some time but is very effective. Problem eliminated. The easiest cast is the underhand wrist-flick. Very accurate, quiet entry but lacks some distance of the overhand...<br /><br />Now the other problem that I've come across is while flipping.<br /><br />What I did last year was bought 4 left handed Quantum Accurist reels. So I will flip the bait with my right hand I can engage the reel immediately (left hand) and also have the hook set from my strong arm. Since you are only pithcing a bait 20' to 30' at the most smooth cranking isn't as critical and you get used to it with time. I really don't like cranking all the time with my left hand with baitcasting reels it just doesnt feel right. hahaha<br /><br />Other thing which you've done - buy a LH reel and practise.<br /><br />Good luck.