Great video...learned a lot...just got back into Musky fishing after my raising a family hiatus..have upgraded all my rods and reels. Now I need to learn the new techniques from you young guys!!! Again great lesson...Thanks
Doug, it is amazing how important these small casting details actually are and how they impact the success of anglers. As a guide, it is incredible how important these often overlooked fundamental skills are.
I throw a small change either left or right in direction on the straight retrieve roughly 10-12 ft prior to my figure 8 and it has increased follows and hook ups significantly.
Sound advice! I would suggest though that right-handed anglers who are new to baitcasting or new to fishing in general, learn to use left-handed reels. Most right-handed people have a stronger right arm, and that's where you want the power to cast AND to land a fish. Left-handed reels are way more common than they were 20 years ago. I have always thought that switching hands was cumbersome.
Chris good points for sure. And I think it is good to have differing view points on these topics - and to of course discuss them. I do not disagree with you that left-handed reels and casting can be beneficial for new anglers. But I would still argue that anyone who puts some time into mastering the "switch" it can be equally as effective. Really is a case by case basis in my guide boat. Everyone is different and as we would agree - depends on when they started fishing.
Awesome tips! I am a righty but use a LHR on all my baitcasters. Strong hand and arm are in control of the spool and rod. Left does the cranking. Feels better too. Learning on a spinning rod as a kid, I feel most of us started there and had LHR. Seems more natural for a righty. I appreciate your suggestion to gun it right away, thats great advice.
missed the drop cause was fishing really nice set of tips here thumbing spool straightens out the lure too so i get less hook tangle. keep em coming great information. thanks for the great education
@@MuskyMastery been decent went up to park falls at a lake house and caught some crappie, bass, and big bluegill. Also went to the st croix customer appreciation day and got a legend tournament walleye rod for 100 bucks off
Great video but I have a comment about the tip about the rod tip pointing towards the lure on the retrieve. For context, I’m a bass guy and noob musky guy and I do this for bass fishing baits so maybe musky is different so I could be ignorant to that but anyways, I find it better to have your rod 90 degrees or sideways to the line (like in ur presentation about the cheese curds basically) when you are using a straight retrieve bait because when a fish hits, u can immediately hookset away from the fish in a comfortable motion, whereas if you’re pointing directly at the lure, u can’t really comfortably swing left or right to hookset. You’d need to move ur rod all the way to the right or left or up and in that time u could miss him. Thoughts?
I really appreciate your comment. If the rod is pointed at the lure, and the fish hits or "eats" the lure, any movement away from the neutral position will result in pulling the hook(s) into the fish's mouth. The more you are able to rotate the body and rod, the more line you can pull and more torque you can apply. I believe that if the rod is already at a 90* angle at the moment of the hit you will have reduced the amount of power you can apply to the hooks and lure. Let's discuss...
I'm just curious if you cast with the rod in your right hand and figure 8 with your right as well is it awkward for you all to wind with your left? I never understood this concept. Please enlighten me.
I think it’s important to remember that casting and retrieving is a personal preference. If an angler is able to make the movements and correct lure placements using their preferred techniques, then they are doing it right. Take a look at pro golf swings. They are vastly different but they do things that allow the club face to make square contact with the ball. This is the enlightening moment you’re looking for. No, I do not prefer to crank with my left hand, unless I’m using a spinning reel. This video is created to assist the large amount of clients I have taught who cast righty but struggle with proper synchronization.
@@MuskyMastery thank you for clarification. I was just curious because I see almost 90% of people doing it this way (switching hands) and same guys wind spinning reels left. My rod is always in my right. I was just wondering if there was any particular reason behind it because it is a bit difficult for me to comprehend the reasoning behind it.
Hi Chas! Hey, what was the rod and reel setup for the 500 blade bait throwing. Medium heavy........ I talked to Joe at the St Croix appreciation day. He mentioned for the smaller baits he used a 9 foot medium light fast action. With a 300 reel. As always, nice video teacher.😊
Bob, I would look for a spinning rod that is at least 7’6” to 8’0” in length. Medium-heavy power and fast action. Perhaps take a look at St Croix rod for a few ideas. Let me know if you have any other questions! Thanks
How many casters out there are ambidextrous? Do you ever use your right hand at the bottom of the rod so you don’t have to do the “switch” mid cast? I like to mix up my casting helps with fatigue.
My casting routine has been an evolution. First, since most of my experience was with spinning tackle, I was a dedicated left hand cranker. As I got into baitcasting tackle I learned to switch hands like Chas showed. Got pretty comfortable with that. Eventually learned to cast "lefty" so I wouldn't have to switch hands and became pretty good at that. Then a "left handed" reel found it's way into the stable. I found that much more comfortable, no switching hands, crank as I had for years. Kept both rights and lefts in the boat which allowed me to switch sides if I got a little weary of cast/crank ad infinitum. The final chapter was written when I found it was far easier (for me) to work hard baits (minnow and jerk baits) with the rod in my right hand. I still have a few right handers laying around but all my A-team reels are lefties.
@@michaelotto8696 If it wasn't so expensive I could probably switch all to left handed too. I will however do what you did and get one left handed reel for walk the dog and glide baits.
I always palm the reel with my left, and cast “righty.” It’s just what feels comfortable for me. I’ll prob not ever cast lefty. Not against it. Just what I am comfortable with.
As long as the lure is started correctly I don’t see why there would be only “one” way to do it. That’s like saying there’s only one way to hit a golf ball straight. There are a number of ways to fish a bucktail property. I showcased my method. You have yours. I am curious though, how does a left handed reel make this better??
Hey Cory. There is more than one way to do everything. What works for one person may not work for another. Thanks for the watch. Just leave a link for your casting tips video here. I’d love to check it out.
Great video...learned a lot...just got back into Musky fishing after my raising a family hiatus..have upgraded all my rods and reels. Now I need to learn the new techniques from you young guys!!! Again great lesson...Thanks
Doug, it is amazing how important these small casting details actually are and how they impact the success of anglers. As a guide, it is incredible how important these often overlooked fundamental skills are.
I throw a small change either left or right in direction on the straight retrieve roughly 10-12 ft prior to my figure 8 and it has increased follows and hook ups significantly.
That’s a cool trick man! I like it!!
Sound advice! I would suggest though that right-handed anglers who are new to baitcasting or new to fishing in general, learn to use left-handed reels. Most right-handed people have a stronger right arm, and that's where you want the power to cast AND to land a fish. Left-handed reels are way more common than they were 20 years ago. I have always thought that switching hands was cumbersome.
Chris good points for sure. And I think it is good to have differing view points on these topics - and to of course discuss them. I do not disagree with you that left-handed reels and casting can be beneficial for new anglers. But I would still argue that anyone who puts some time into mastering the "switch" it can be equally as effective. Really is a case by case basis in my guide boat. Everyone is different and as we would agree - depends on when they started fishing.
Awesome tips! I am a righty but use a LHR on all my baitcasters. Strong hand and arm are in control of the spool and rod. Left does the cranking. Feels better too. Learning on a spinning rod as a kid, I feel most of us started there and had LHR. Seems more natural for a righty. I appreciate your suggestion to gun it right away, thats great advice.
you got it DJ!! Thanks for the watch and comment! More on the say dude
Excellent information. I’m new to musky fishing and bait casters. Thanks
Thanks Kevin! Please check out our content and ask any questions you might have! Tight lines!
I’m a righty but fish and shoot lefty reels and bolt action rifles same with my spinning reels too. Always have
I have my spinning reel crank on the left side. I guess its just a preference thing...
Great tips Chas
Thanks David! Much appreciated dude
missed the drop cause was fishing really nice set of tips here thumbing spool straightens out the lure too so i get less hook tangle. keep em coming great information. thanks for the great education
Gotta be on the water….not the couch!
Excellent mechanics sir!
Thanks Bill!
Great tips
Thanks Adem! How’s your season so far?
@@MuskyMastery been decent went up to park falls at a lake house and caught some crappie, bass, and big bluegill. Also went to the st croix customer appreciation day and got a legend tournament walleye rod for 100 bucks off
Good stuff, thanks Chas.
Thanks as always Dean!
Great video but I have a comment about the tip about the rod tip pointing towards the lure on the retrieve. For context, I’m a bass guy and noob musky guy and I do this for bass fishing baits so maybe musky is different so I could be ignorant to that but anyways, I find it better to have your rod 90 degrees or sideways to the line (like in ur presentation about the cheese curds basically) when you are using a straight retrieve bait because when a fish hits, u can immediately hookset away from the fish in a comfortable motion, whereas if you’re pointing directly at the lure, u can’t really comfortably swing left or right to hookset. You’d need to move ur rod all the way to the right or left or up and in that time u could miss him. Thoughts?
I really appreciate your comment. If the rod is pointed at the lure, and the fish hits or "eats" the lure, any movement away from the neutral position will result in pulling the hook(s) into the fish's mouth. The more you are able to rotate the body and rod, the more line you can pull and more torque you can apply. I believe that if the rod is already at a 90* angle at the moment of the hit you will have reduced the amount of power you can apply to the hooks and lure. Let's discuss...
Good Arnold.
Maybe I’ll try again soon and really act it out. LOL
Starting hot helps too when you get those fish that hit your bait as soon as it hits the water. Right?
Julie, yes!!! You are absolutely right on this. Especially during the summer period when temps are warmer.
Hay Chas is the a high speed reel Diawa as in 7.5 HP ? Or what would you recommend??
Frank, I like the 6.3:1 ratio but the higher speeds will work too
I'm just curious if you cast with the rod in your right hand and figure 8 with your right as well is it awkward for you all to wind with your left? I never understood this concept. Please enlighten me.
I think it’s important to remember that casting and retrieving is a personal preference. If an angler is able to make the movements and correct lure placements using their preferred techniques, then they are doing it right. Take a look at pro golf swings. They are vastly different but they do things that allow the club face to make square contact with the ball. This is the enlightening moment you’re looking for. No, I do not prefer to crank with my left hand, unless I’m using a spinning reel. This video is created to assist the large amount of clients I have taught who cast righty but struggle with proper synchronization.
@@MuskyMastery thank you for clarification. I was just curious because I see almost 90% of people doing it this way (switching hands) and same guys wind spinning reels left. My rod is always in my right. I was just wondering if there was any particular reason behind it because it is a bit difficult for me to comprehend the reasoning behind it.
Hi Chas! Hey, what was the rod and reel setup for the 500 blade bait throwing. Medium heavy........ I talked to Joe at the St Croix appreciation day. He mentioned for the smaller baits he used a 9 foot medium light fast action. With a 300 reel. As always, nice video teacher.😊
My setup is the LEM90MHF and a Daiwa Lexa 400H. 80 lb JBO Beast Braid
@@MuskyMastery Thanks Chas! And that works great for you throwing the smaller baits? JB rattler, baby shallow raider and the 500?
@@tonys1641 absolutely dude! Dream setup!
@@MuskyMastery Thanks Dude! :)
could you tell me what size spinning rod and reel and line I would need to cast 2 -8 oz spinners and bucktails? thanks bob
Bob, I would look for a spinning rod that is at least 7’6” to 8’0” in length. Medium-heavy power and fast action. Perhaps take a look at St Croix rod for a few ideas. Let me know if you have any other questions! Thanks
@@MuskyMastery THANKS FOR THE INFO . BOB
@@MuskyMastery Thanks very much,i wil do that .
Thumb and gun for sure, dude!
Yes sir! Let’s go! Tight lines Greg!
Shout out to “the last person casting in the back of the boat” (me)
Dude. That was a fun trip. Let’s do that again soon!!!
What’s that reel you’re using?
Daiwa LEXA 400H
How many casters out there are ambidextrous? Do you ever use your right hand at the bottom of the rod so you don’t have to do the “switch” mid cast? I like to mix up my casting helps with fatigue.
My casting routine has been an evolution. First, since most of my experience was with spinning tackle, I was a dedicated left hand cranker. As I got into baitcasting tackle I learned to switch hands like Chas showed. Got pretty comfortable with that. Eventually learned to cast "lefty" so I wouldn't have to switch hands and became pretty good at that.
Then a "left handed" reel found it's way into the stable. I found that much more comfortable, no switching hands, crank as I had for years. Kept both rights and lefts in the boat which allowed me to switch sides if I got a little weary of cast/crank ad infinitum.
The final chapter was written when I found it was far easier (for me) to work hard baits (minnow and jerk baits) with the rod in my right hand. I still have a few right handers laying around but all my A-team reels are lefties.
@@michaelotto8696 If it wasn't so expensive I could probably switch all to left handed too. I will however do what you did and get one left handed reel for walk the dog and glide baits.
@@michaelotto8696 that is so awesome man! Really enjoyed reading this man.
I always palm the reel with my left, and cast “righty.” It’s just what feels comfortable for me. I’ll prob not ever cast lefty. Not against it. Just what I am comfortable with.
HOT TIPS" MONEY! IMHO
Ugh buy left handed reels, you’re teaching this incorrectly
As long as the lure is started correctly I don’t see why there would be only “one” way to do it. That’s like saying there’s only one way to hit a golf ball straight. There are a number of ways to fish a bucktail property. I showcased my method. You have yours. I am curious though, how does a left handed reel make this better??
I agree. But if it works for him it works for him, I just cast with my left handed rod how you should 😭
I agree. But if it works for him it works for him, I just cast with my left handed rod how you should 😭
I'm a hybrid caster too
hard to take casting tips from someone that switches hands mid cast.
Hey Cory. There is more than one way to do everything. What works for one person may not work for another. Thanks for the watch. Just leave a link for your casting tips video here. I’d love to check it out.