Does the Fishing Rod Handle Hinder Casts with Your Baitcast Reel?

Reel is too high on the handle. This rod is for a spinning reel. 

Left position is best for baitcast reel.

If you are using a long, telescopic casting rod designed for both a baitcast or spinning reel, the reel seat position is probably too high on the handle. This does not enhance your casts. If you are using a spinning reel rod instead of a bait rod with a baitcast reel, the long handle will hinder your casts. If the reel seat is 20 inches or more above the bottom end of the rod, it is difficult to deliver well balanced long distance casts launched with a bait basket. This position is better suited for a spinning reel. Having the reel seat about 14 inches or less from the bottom makes casting with a baitcast reel much easier.

Thumbing control of baitcast reel.

I use a rod which has five sections and extends well over 17 feet. I launch my casts with a bait basket loaded with shrimp, a customized rig, and a hand-made fishing floater which add a little over four ounces of weight to my total setup. It is impossible for me to cast this with one hand. Although I am right-handed, my left hand controls my baitcast reel and performs the thumbing to master the main line, while the right hand merely supports the rod above the reel during the cast. Dealing with a long handle results in an occasional bump to the rib cage, or a temptation to follow through with the handle going under the left armpit. This leads to trouble because of rough line release off the reel. That is why I began to lower the reel seat position on my rod.

Reel Seat lowered and fishing rod handle customized.

Removing the original reel seat is not part my procedure. I purchase a basic, set the reel in place and snap down to lock seat and attach it below the first one, on the opposite side. If I want to hide the original seat, I cover it with a long rod handle protector and grip. Because it is normally heat adhesive, the only thing that will be noticeable later is the slight protrusion of the original seat. The reason for placing the new reel seat on the opposite side is to avoid any possibility of line contact from the reel to this protruding area.

The basic reel seat has a lowered area on each end which is at least an inch long. This is where the seat is attached to the rod by tightly winding sturdy, thin cord and tying a small, tight knot resting below the raised section of the seat. A moderate amount of strong bonding glue may be placed on the lowered seat area first before winding the cord, but it will be necessary to apply the glue over the entire cord area after tying the knot. Naturally, this is to be done on both ends of the reel seat. If the reel seat is black and the cord is a different color, paint can be applied on the cord before gluing for a neat appearance.

Placing a reel seat on a lower position of a rod with a long handle is not difficult to do. It takes a bit of time and effort at first, but easier casting with the baitcast reel makes it all worthwhile.

If your favorite fishing spot is free from obstacles such as electrical and phone lines, trees, and branches, you may consider using a longer rod which may give you greater casting distances and make fishing even more enjoyable. There are long telescopic bait rods with optimal guides and reel seat position specially designed for use with baitcast reels available, but they are quite expensive. Before making the investment, it could be fun to customize the rod you are using, especially if it is a long telescopic type.                                 

Check out http://www.baitcastfishing.com for some useful ideas and suggestions. Happy fishing, always!