Bait casting setup

[bassinmike]

yes they should cast the same, ie a right hand person will still cast with right hand. Hard to explain in writing especially if you have never used a bait cast. but try to picture casting with your right hand & using thumb to slow / stop the spool then with a right hand reel you need switch hands & crank with right hand. with a LH same casting but now no need to switch hands just crank with your left, that was more comfortable for me as that is the way most spinning reels worked so one less thing to get used too.
granted it is hard (maybe impossible) to find cheaper units in LH, but for me it made a huge difference....

[woody]

Once you get the feel for a bait caster, there is nothing like it. I am right handed, and I use a left handed reel. This allows me to hold the rod in my right hand, cast and reel with my left. This ensures I can go all day long with the stronger arm fronting the load of a million casts, and also affords me the speed to get down to business when I get a strike as the luher hits the water (flipping).

Find a system to try, and see if you have the coordination in your hand to cast and tame the line of a bait caster. some people do not have it, and end up spending a large chunk of change for something they are VERY unhappy with.

I use an assortment. I have Diawas, a couple Abu Garcias, and a new one that is a Bass pro brand. They all have their strengths, but if you are looking for durability , I recommend one of the Abu Garcia (metal frame) reels.

Pay attention to the sped of the reel, some have slow retrieves, others are burners.

god luck, and be patient with the setup.....you will eventually get the feel for where your reel should be setup with certain baits.....its almost an art form, but when it clicks, man, its like throwing a base ball...you can hit almost anything you want to. Next to a stump, in a hole in the weeds, behind a rock...

Good luck

[Ben]

Can anyone recommend a gear ratio that will perform well with most lures? 6.6:1 I heard was good for about everything, that true?

[woody]

That's a good all round gear ratio. I have a few at that size.