I've used spinning rods and saltwater boat poles for years and have done rather well and feel very proficiant.<br /><br />A buddy convinced me that I just had to have a baitcaster to improve my bass catch. So I ran down to the store and bought a Shimano Curado 200-B reel and a decent 7' medium heavy rod (I can't remember the rod brand, but it's one solid graphite blank)...<br /><br />I haven't even put the line on the reel when I thought they sold me a left handers reel.. I called Shimano and the tech support guy tells me that you cast with the rod in your right hand, then switch hands and reel with the right hand. This can't be right is it? It seems WAY too awkward.<br /><br />Can someone give me an anatomy of a cast and retrieve using a baitcaster?<br />Should the line guides be facing up or down on the retrieve?
, so no cheating & switching hands while the lure's in the air. Usually no problem except with a buzz bait or rattletrap over heavy grass, something you have to start retrieve right away. But it gets to feeling natural after awhile. <br /><br />Then there's pitching & flipping, whole subjects unto themselves.<br /><br />Lot of guys on my local fishing board are going to left-hand retrieve. I use spinning 1/2 the time & baitcasting the rest, and it don't make sense, but it just feels right to reel one with the one hand & the other with the other.<br /><br />On those days when they're really biting, it's good to switch off & give the other forearm a rest. Avoid carpel tunnel sydrome that way.
