Baitcaster Question

[koolerb]

I see some good post Christmas sales out there and I'm going to bite the bullet and try out a baitcatser. I noticed all the right-handed baitcasting reels have the handle on the right side of the reel, while right-handed spinning reels have the handle on the left side of the reel. Why the difference?

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Baitcaster Question

I've never thougth about that, I don't think there is a real reason on spinning reel. On baitcaster, it's really awkward to use a left handed real if you're right handed, not so much with spinning reel. Some spinning reel, you can change the side of the handle some are fixed. To me, it all personal preference on which side is the handle on spinning reel, I like it better on the right side.

 

[JB]

Re: Baitcaster Question

My favorite LOTW guide is right handed and uses a left handed baitcaster.<br /><br />His reason is that he can cast with his right arm and start a retrieve with his left hand without shifting the rod butt to his left hand. He demonstrated to me that there is a 1/4 to 3/4 second period as the cast lands when I am unable to strike and/or begin a retrieve while making this switch. He says if moby strikes immediately I wouldn't be ready.<br /><br />Excellent logic, but it didn't make me change my reels.

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: Baitcaster Question

you can buy baitcaster reels in rh. or lh.just like most spinning reeels you can change from rh to lh.

 

[koolerb]

Re: Baitcaster Question

OK, correction. All (or most) spinning reels have the handle on the left side new from the store, but as far as I know you can swap any of them to the right if you want to. I just left all of mine on the left hand side. JB, I like your guides logic, and I'm already used to having the handle on the left, so I think I'm going to keep it consistent and get a left handled baitcaster. Thanks for the help guys, I've got a Diawa already picked out, I'm ordering tonight.

 

[MRS]

Re: Baitcaster Question

Koolerb, if you never used a casting reel you will love it once you get used to it . For big fish the drag is so much smoother than spinners nothing wrong with spinners but the differents you will feel right now if you have not used one before do not buy one of the little low profile reels first. Buy a round type casting much easyier to hold and cast with at first once you learn with this type of reel you will be able to cast any of them. Just my personal input good luck and happy shopping for your reel P.S. if you are right handed with the handel on right you will have more control of the lure action because you can reel and do rod/lure movment and reel at the same time at least thats what I do with mine.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Baitcaster Question

I use my left hand on spinning while using my right hand with a baitcaster. This does mean that I have to switch hands but its so automatic now, I mostly do it while the bait is still in the air. You will find that you should Palm your real so you will have to move your hand after casting no matter what. You dont hold the rod the same while retreiving with a baitcaster. They are actually designed to be held in the palm of your hand with your thumb on top.

 

[koolerb]

Re: Baitcaster Question

I'm left handed, so keeping the handle on the left hand side of the reel should work. I'll know for sure next week when my new reel and pole show up. My neighbors are going to think I'm nuts fishing in the back yard in the snow.

 

[koolerb]

Re: Baitcaster Question

What kind of line should I put on this thing, the same stuff I put on my spinning reels? I'm probably going to use it for Bass and panfish.

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: Baitcaster Question

if this is your 1st time with a baitcaster buy cheap line first.cause talking from experince your going to get some backlash until you get the hang of it.cause im the backlash king.good luck.i use 12lb xt trilene line.

 

[JB]

Re: Baitcaster Question

Well, I don't agree.<br /><br />Get a high quality reel and load it with Power Pro or other coated braid. Read the Owner's Manual and follow the instructions for avoiding backlash.<br /><br />DO NOT select a reel for pretty. The best reels are round, with great drags and great anti backlash friction adjustments. Not the only measure, but the ball bearing count is one way to seperate the best from the wanna-be.

 

[koolerb]

Re: Baitcaster Question

I've got a Daiwa Advantage reel, and a Medium action, 6ft Ugly Stick on the way. If I'm lucky they'll show up Thursday. If I'm not, UPS will break the pole, loose the reel, and I won't see anything until mid January. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Baitcaster Question

Im with JB here. I use the 30# Power Pro then tie on about 6 ft florocarbon or florocarbon coated leader, 14 to 20# test. The Power Pro will let you throw farther and less backlashing than Mono line. But it aint cheap.

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: Baitcaster Question

would you guys come show me how to use a baitcaster without getting backlash went fishing with a professional guide at lake fork that guides 7 days a week all year around rain or shine and he still gets backlash.so you guys are full of it by the way what kind of reels do you use?

 

[JB]

Re: Baitcaster Question

I use Garcia Pro Max and Morrum reels loaded with various sizes of Power Pro.<br /><br />If I get more than one backlash a year it is because the wind shifted on me and I didn't adjust for it.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Baitcaster Question

I have mostly 4600 ambasadeurs plus a couple of Daiwas and quantums. Im like JB, I sometimes go weeks without ever having a backlash.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Baitcaster Question

Originally posted by racer 15:<br /> would you guys come show me how to use a baitcaster without getting backlash <br /><br /> by the way what kind of reels do you use?

Cant come show you, but I will tell you this, Keep your thumb off the line, thump the bell of the spool. With your thump on the line it tries to ball up under your thumb, and Practice, Practice, Practice.<br /><br />I use a Shimano Curado 200 SF (super free) on a Falcon Coastal rod. Dont really remember the last backlash. But like JB it is usually contributed to wind or lure change (from something heavy to something considerably lighter). This real can actually be thrown without touching the spoolbell at all, all you have to do is stop the spool from spinning when the lure hits the water.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Baitcaster Question

You guys might not backlash much these days but I bet the day you picked up your first baitcaster (as koolerb is about to) you made quite a few birdnests. I'd save the braid until later. that stuff backlashes easy and is hard to pick out once it does not to mention it amplifies any mistakes you might make. Use the cheap line until you get more familiar with the reel and then spool up some good stuff when you go fishing.<br /><br />spots

 

[koolerb]

Re: Baitcaster Question

The only water up here that isn't frozen is moving. As soon as the new rod and reel show up I'm going to do some stream fishing on my lunch hour. I'll keep you posted on the backlash.

 

[MRS]

Re: Baitcaster Question

koolerb, 1st thing if you do use mono that is all I use personal choice for me is wet your line before that first cast. I let line out in the water then do a few short easy cast then I am ready to go I fish with and old style Diawas and a lew childer speed spool both round. When I do get a nest they are usally when I get to excited seeing fish on the surface but the nest usally are miner ones now. Good luck......