Stan Fagerstrom
03-14-2003, 06:48 AM
The Easy Way To Cast Left-Handed
By Stan Fagerstrom
Part 2
In my last column I provided the basics for a method a right hander can use to cast left-handed. Here are a few additional points about the technique.
If you've used a level wind free spool reel much I don't have to tell you how important it is to train your thumb to control the reel spool. The only way you'll ever cast as easily as you should or could is by loosening your reel's spool tension and anti-backlash control mechanisms. A trained thumb becomes increasingly important as tension is lessened.
http://www.ifish.net/sflc03.jpg
Here's how you'll position your hands to use my method in casting left handed. Your left thumb controls the spool of the reel. You'll reach across your body and grasp the lower part of the rod handle with the right hand.
http://www.ifish.net/sflc01.jpg
The rod comes back over your left shoulder as you cast. The right hand grips the end of the rod handle. That little bit of extra control from the right hand is all that's needed to make it easy for a right hander to fire a lure out there from the port side.
If you are an experienced caster, comfortable using your right thumb on a level wind reel, you should be able to learn to use the left thumb with a minimum of difficulty. You already know what you've been doing with your right thumb when you cast right-handed. If you're that not uncommon natural right hander who has one headache after another trying to use a level wind reel, forget even trying this technique. If you aren't happy with your right hand casting because you haven't "educated" your right thumb, it's a cinch you won't do any better from the port side.
The majority of serious bass fishermen won't fall into that category. Most right handers do learn to cast reasonably well with a level wind reel. When it comes to casting from the port side, it's another matter. Then they often find themselves up that well-known tributary with no means of propulsion!
The procedure I outlined last week is a truly simple method of firing a lure out there with a minimum of effort as far the right shoulder, elbow and wrist are concerned. Again as I covered last week, all the right hand and forearm do with my method is provide a tad more control. But just that little bit of control from the right hand is ever so important. You're going to be pleasantly surprised at what it enables you to do.
All too often successful bass fishing entails daylong effort. I've always maintained there's a direct relationship between the amount of elbow grease expended to the number of fish that wind up in the boat. Having the ability to cast from the port side as well as the right can make a tremendous difference in a full day of fishing.
I do at least half of my bass fishing casting left-handed and using the procedure I've detailed. I may go back to the right side when I need pinpoint accuracy, but the control I get left-handed with the method I've detailed is darn near always acceptable.
I worked out this method way back when most bass rods were usually a foot or two shorter than they are now. The extra length of the handles on today's bass rods makes it even easier to learn the two handed cast. But don't be dismayed if you still use short handled rods for some of your fishing. So do I. What you'll find if you do is that you can still use the two handed grip to cast from the left side even with rods that have a pistol grip. Just grasp the last inch or two of the rod handle that's available below your left hand. As I said before, you'll be both surprised and pleased at the additional control and stability that little bit of guidance from the right hand provides.
I know darn well my fishing partner who complained about his shoulder that morning I mentioned in my last column didn't believe me when I told him I could teach him to cast left-handed. He does now. Today when we fish together I watch him wham a cast out there from either side with a minimum of effort.
It's going to take you a few minutes to get the "feel" of things, but you can do the same. I say that with confidence because I've shared the technique I'm writing about in the countless casting demonstrations around the country over the past half-century. Those who took the time to listen, then practice, usually tell me the same thing if I run into them again. "Stan," they'll say, "you knew what you were talking about where that left-handed casting is concerned. I've been using your technique since you showed me how to do it. I love it."
So will you.
[ 03-14-2003, 07:49 AM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]
By Stan Fagerstrom
Part 2
In my last column I provided the basics for a method a right hander can use to cast left-handed. Here are a few additional points about the technique.
If you've used a level wind free spool reel much I don't have to tell you how important it is to train your thumb to control the reel spool. The only way you'll ever cast as easily as you should or could is by loosening your reel's spool tension and anti-backlash control mechanisms. A trained thumb becomes increasingly important as tension is lessened.
http://www.ifish.net/sflc03.jpg
Here's how you'll position your hands to use my method in casting left handed. Your left thumb controls the spool of the reel. You'll reach across your body and grasp the lower part of the rod handle with the right hand.
http://www.ifish.net/sflc01.jpg
The rod comes back over your left shoulder as you cast. The right hand grips the end of the rod handle. That little bit of extra control from the right hand is all that's needed to make it easy for a right hander to fire a lure out there from the port side.
If you are an experienced caster, comfortable using your right thumb on a level wind reel, you should be able to learn to use the left thumb with a minimum of difficulty. You already know what you've been doing with your right thumb when you cast right-handed. If you're that not uncommon natural right hander who has one headache after another trying to use a level wind reel, forget even trying this technique. If you aren't happy with your right hand casting because you haven't "educated" your right thumb, it's a cinch you won't do any better from the port side.
The majority of serious bass fishermen won't fall into that category. Most right handers do learn to cast reasonably well with a level wind reel. When it comes to casting from the port side, it's another matter. Then they often find themselves up that well-known tributary with no means of propulsion!
The procedure I outlined last week is a truly simple method of firing a lure out there with a minimum of effort as far the right shoulder, elbow and wrist are concerned. Again as I covered last week, all the right hand and forearm do with my method is provide a tad more control. But just that little bit of control from the right hand is ever so important. You're going to be pleasantly surprised at what it enables you to do.
All too often successful bass fishing entails daylong effort. I've always maintained there's a direct relationship between the amount of elbow grease expended to the number of fish that wind up in the boat. Having the ability to cast from the port side as well as the right can make a tremendous difference in a full day of fishing.
I do at least half of my bass fishing casting left-handed and using the procedure I've detailed. I may go back to the right side when I need pinpoint accuracy, but the control I get left-handed with the method I've detailed is darn near always acceptable.
I worked out this method way back when most bass rods were usually a foot or two shorter than they are now. The extra length of the handles on today's bass rods makes it even easier to learn the two handed cast. But don't be dismayed if you still use short handled rods for some of your fishing. So do I. What you'll find if you do is that you can still use the two handed grip to cast from the left side even with rods that have a pistol grip. Just grasp the last inch or two of the rod handle that's available below your left hand. As I said before, you'll be both surprised and pleased at the additional control and stability that little bit of guidance from the right hand provides.
I know darn well my fishing partner who complained about his shoulder that morning I mentioned in my last column didn't believe me when I told him I could teach him to cast left-handed. He does now. Today when we fish together I watch him wham a cast out there from either side with a minimum of effort.
It's going to take you a few minutes to get the "feel" of things, but you can do the same. I say that with confidence because I've shared the technique I'm writing about in the countless casting demonstrations around the country over the past half-century. Those who took the time to listen, then practice, usually tell me the same thing if I run into them again. "Stan," they'll say, "you knew what you were talking about where that left-handed casting is concerned. I've been using your technique since you showed me how to do it. I love it."
So will you.
[ 03-14-2003, 07:49 AM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]