ohioyaker
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Post by ohioyaker on Nov 21, 2007 17:01:18 GMT -5
Hey guys quick question, If you are a baitcaster reel user, what retrieve do you prefer right hand or left hand. I spent the 2007 season using a baitcaster for larger lures and LOVED it....but it felt akward because I am right handed and used a right hand baitcaster, but had to keep switching hands to cast and retrieve...throw with my right, retrieve with my right. Since I cast right handed and normally retieve left handed with spinning reels, would'nt it be better to use a left handed baitcaster?
I need to figure this out before I drop $300 on a new Shimano calcutta conquest GT50(right handed) or GT51(left handed)
Scott
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Post by kokofisher on Nov 22, 2007 0:48:32 GMT -5
I agree with you but being left handed I do it backwards. I cast left handed and retrieve right. I was on Erie this Spring and tried reeling in someone else's line. It was left hand retrieve it was really awkward to do.
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Post by ecoangler on Nov 22, 2007 13:25:55 GMT -5
The baitcaster is still my weak spot. I love the flyrod and spinning.
Just haven't the confidence in my baitcasting ability. Baitcasting is better for the BIG baits. I have throw things like #9 Skitterpops for smallie and musky on spinning. Its not always the most efficient.
Rick
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ohioyaker
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Post by ohioyaker on Nov 22, 2007 13:54:59 GMT -5
Yea, I love my UL & Light action spinning rods, but for larger baits , its hard to beat the baitcaster. I bought an Abu Garcia baitcasting outfit MANY years ago thinking it would be great for wading...it was a BlackMaxx 1600 reel and 5'6" rod...man was I let down after trying to throw light lures on light line with it. It did'nt see much action until for whatever reason this year I decided to spool it up with 8 lb. test dia. Power Pro and toss a few spinnerbaits with it. Very first trip with this combo and a spinnerbait I decided that if I caught atleast ONE smallie on it I would be happy..then I would switch bait to my spinning rod and go to crankbait . Very first smallie ever on a spinnerbait (only mins. into my 4 mile float) was 19 1/4"..needless to say I have not put the baitcaster down...and am sold 100% on spinnerbaits. I also landed lots of smallie on that trip from 15-18"...was a good day. But as I've said until this year I was a die-hard spinning rod guy and have grown so used to fishing with them...cast with my right, retrieve with my left. It was very hard at first getting used to the baitcastr because its right hand retieve..cast with my right, switch the rod to my left hand and then retrieve with my right...seemd awkward and sily to keep switching hands. I have started to pay atention to guys like the Linders on their TV show and they all do the same with spinning rods...but when they use baitcasters they do the "switch" like I do...so this must be the norm? I just think I could save time and hassel, plus work the lure much better if I used a baitcaster like a spinning rod and hold the rod in my dominate hand and retrieve with my left. I know i'm going to upgrade my baitcasting combo...I already switched from the 5'6" Abu Garcia to a 6' St. Croix...but I want a NICER reel and dont like the low profile baitcasters, so round style it is. I have read numerous reviews on the internet on baitcasters and was pleased to see GREAT reviews on the little Calcutta...as I am already a die-hard calcutta fan...own many American and Japanese 700 calcuttas. So the Japanese calcutta conquest gets the thumbs up. Here is the review on this reel: www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanoconquest.htmlThey only had one bad thing to say about the reel which that it has a light drag...which I know is easily fixed by adding Extreme smoothie drag washers to replace the stock ones....all my calcuttas have them. A few pics. of the little gem: I will more than likely be purchasing a custom rod for this reel from duanerichards.proboards23.com/index.cgi?board=customrods , which will be made from a 6' St. Croix Elite rod blank of course.. ;D Now to just figure out if I want a right or left hand retrieve reel before I spend $300 on the conquest. Scott
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Post by rarevos on Nov 26, 2007 13:55:04 GMT -5
I must be the only person who is right handed and retrieves right handed. I have always flipped the handles on my spinning reels and every baitcaster I've owned is right hand retrieve. Must come from learning to fish on Zebco 33's.
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ohioyaker
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Post by ohioyaker on Nov 26, 2007 14:10:04 GMT -5
I gues from using spinning tackle for so many years, I have just become so used to casting with my right, retrieve with my left?
It just "feels" funny with the rod in my left hand...like i'm doing everything backwards or something. I also feel I could work the lure much better with the rod in my right hand..just like a spinning combo.
I dont know, I guess I need to find someone with a left hand baitcaster and cast it some to see how it feels?
Scott
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Post by Dave Stephens on Nov 29, 2007 9:29:50 GMT -5
i use them all the time. im right handed and will only buy lefties. its just more natural.
ds
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ohioyaker
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Post by ohioyaker on Dec 3, 2007 0:58:41 GMT -5
Thanks Dave, I have ordered my Conquest 51....and I have contacted DR in VA. about building me a custom rod for it. Now I just got to figure out what blank I want...thinking of going with a St. Croix Legend Elite blank so far...now to figure out the rest.
Scott
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Post by Dave Stephens on Dec 4, 2007 21:40:10 GMT -5
dude you are so gonna like that setup. i am jealous. bring the whole setup to a meeting id love to check it out.
nice job
ds
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ohioyaker
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Post by ohioyaker on Dec 5, 2007 7:50:19 GMT -5
Thanks Dave, I have some things to figure out still but my plan is to have DR build two custom rods for me.
#1 - Baitcasting rod, Legend Elite blank (brown blank), black and gold guides, spilt cork handle..still not sure which cork, but it will be a darker brown color. Also gold wippings around the guide seats and trigger reel seat with gold hoods.
Only issue so far is that the only 6' blank they offer is the 5C60MF, which is a bit heavier than I originally wanted. Its rated for 10-17 line , 1/4-3/4 oz. lures and is med. action. I really wish they made a med./light model, but they dont. I throw a med./light 6' Premier now and really like the softer action for spinnerbaits...I need to find the EC60MF rod in a store so I hand handle it in person before I comitt to this blank. They completely changed their Avid series and the only 6' baitcasting rod they offer is basically rated the same. It might be ok as I want this combo for throwing heavier baits like topwaters, buzzbaits and spinnerbaits..we'll see.
#2 - Spining rod, Legend Elite blank model 5S60MLF, again same brown blank, black/gold guides, split cork handle, same cork as above baitcasting rod, ect, ect. I want a 6' matching pair basically. On this rod I will be putting either a new Stradic FI or Sustain FI reel on it.
I hope to have them built by the end of March, I will be gathering the cash in Feb. (Tax Time) and getting the Duane R. then.
I will gladly bring them to any meeting after I get them for you guys to see.
Scott
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shwookie
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Post by shwookie on Dec 6, 2007 21:52:39 GMT -5
Scott, maybe i missed it, but are you getting the guides spiraled?
I'd love to see this set up as well when you get it. I'd love to get a custom rod, but then dave would have no one to retrieve his shitty Rapalas out of the trees......
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ohioyaker
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Post by ohioyaker on Dec 7, 2007 1:10:24 GMT -5
Brock, I have thought about getting the spiraled guide set-up....but still not sure if its what I want. I still have mixed feelings about it really giving any real edge over traditional straight lined guides. I certainly will bring it to a meeting after they are complete..no problem. As for your comment about Dave's "shitty Rapalas "..OUCH..hey man I love Rapalas too... . Just remember this....you can give a great angler shitty tackle and he will still catch, but you can give a bad angler the best tackle in the world and he will still catch dinks....the cost of the tackle does NOT make the angler...lol. Scott
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shwookie
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Post by shwookie on Dec 7, 2007 7:15:23 GMT -5
Obviously you have never fished with me, lol.
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ohioyaker
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Post by ohioyaker on Dec 7, 2007 8:45:34 GMT -5
LMAO....... ;D Just messin with a bit, Scott
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Post by Kyle Kochheiser on Dec 20, 2007 16:28:54 GMT -5
I must be the only person who is right handed and retrieves right handed. I have always flipped the handles on my spinning reels and every baitcaster I've owned is right hand retrieve. Must come from learning to fish on Zebco 33's. No you are not. When I was 13 I went from a Zebco33 and bought my own spinning reel and taught myself how to fish with it - left handed. Though, I am a right handed person. CG
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