Casting with both hands?

[TWBryan]

I'm afraid I have a dumb question. When you guys use those 7 or 8 foot long rods are you casting with both hands? Noticed on youtube some guy was casting with both hands on the rod. It looked like he gave it a sharp jerk left or right to cast. All the videos on youtube seem to cover one hand techniques. So can anyone explain the technique to me? If I can figure it out I would probably be able to use the Fuego rod that seems a bit long to me. Thanks for looking.

[caddyjoe77]

never a dumb question. 

generally speaking i use one hand- jigs, crank, jerk, spinner, chatter..etc 

However, when throwing something heavier like a glide bait or alabama rig -- i use the bottom of the handle as a lever.  It does two things IMO -- doesnt kill your shoulder and really can get some distance on heavier stuff sorta accurately.  by accurately i mean within a couple feet versus going way off to one side which can sometimes happen throwing heavier stuff

[zippyduck]

never a dumb question. 

generally speaking i use one hand- jigs, crank, jerk, spinner, chatter..etc 

However, when throwing something heavier like a glide bait or alabama rig -- i use the bottom of the handle as a lever.  It does two things IMO -- doesnt kill your shoulder and really can get some distance on heavier stuff sorta accurately.  by accurately i mean within a couple feet versus going way off to one side which can sometimes happen throwing heavier stuff

This! For once Joe knew what he was talking about. 

[TWBryan]

Caddyjoe77,thanks for that. I was thinking that if I used both hands I might be able to use the Fuego rod. How can I learn this? Are you levering the handle vertically or horizontally?

Zippyduck, Joe's all right.

[LgMouthGambler]

I use both. One on the grip, and one on the butt. Easier for me to roll and snap the rod. Plus, I'm not gonna cast my rig in the water if one hand slips. Lol

Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk

[Capt. BassinLou]

I use both. One on the grip, and one on the butt. Easier for me to roll and snap the rod. Plus, I'm not gonna cast my rig in the water if one hand slips. Lol

Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk

I cast the same way.

[njpaulc]

Two hands, why do you have all that butt end if you're not going to use it.  Hold the reel the way you would for a one handed cast, and put your other hand on the butt grip.  You don't need to heave, just a gentle cast.  Two hands is easier on the shoulders and less tiring.  I only use one hand when I'm pitching or flipping.

[FishinBuck07]

Usually use two hands when casting moving baits and trying to get them out there a ways!  One hand for T rig baits and jigs!

[Deadeye]

never a dumb question. 

generally speaking i use one hand- jigs, crank, jerk, spinner, chatter..etc 

However, when throwing something heavier like a glide bait or alabama rig -- i use the bottom of the handle as a lever.  It does two things IMO -- doesnt kill your shoulder and really can get some distance on heavier stuff sorta accurately.  by accurately i mean within a couple feet versus going way off to one side which can sometimes happen throwing heavier stuff

/\  THIS

I use just my right hand to cast for 98% or more of the time. But when tossing an Alabama Rig I use Two Hands and like said above allow the rod to Pivot to make long casts.

BTW, I've experimented with using Both for my normal casting, just don't see much difference in Distance and I'm much more accurate using One.  But I actually switch hands during the cast quite often so that before the bait hits the water the rod is now in My Left Hand and the Right I used to cast it with is ready to use the handle.

You must find what works best for you.

[caddyjoe77]

Caddyjoe77,thanks for that. I was thinking that if I used both hands I might be able to use the Fuego rod. How can I learn this? Are you levering the handle vertically or horizontally?

Zippyduck, Joe's all right.

when i am throwing heavier stuff, it's more like a 3/4 -- so not completely vertically or horizontally. 

and I guess, now that i think about it--i guess I do use two hands more often than i thought. 

[fishballer06]

Outside of pitching/flipping, I always use two hands to cast a rod. Doesn't matter if it's 6'6" or 8'.

[Smallie_Stalker]

Outside of pitching/flipping, I always use two hands to cast a rod. Doesn't matter if it's 6'6" or 8'.

^ This. Sometimes I will use one hand on a roll cast to a close target as well but otherwise I'm the same.

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[TNDiver]

I am the same as Fishballer and Jim, I only use one hand if I am flipping or pitching a bait and usually because the other hand is holding the bait.  I use my right forearm for extra leverage.

I use two hands on pretty much everything else.  If it is a shorter cast, I may one hand it or in a hurry.

[Princeton_Man]

I only flip,pitch, and skip with one hand all the time. When I want power behind my cast I use two hands.

[Bud Kennedy]

My casts are mostly target oriented and not down range bombs.  Usually a one hand deal.  On occasion I do grip it and rip it with two hands but usually for heavy baits.  Frog fishing is almost always a two handed deal as the casts tend to be a lot longer.  Truth is that with the quality of today's rods and reels it does not take all that much to make longer casts, just the right smooth technique.

[Oldfart9999]

Flip/pitch one hand , everything else 2 hands for better control and more distance on long casts. One hand on the butt the other by the reel or in front of it.
rodney

[caddyjoe77]

This! For once Joe knew what he was talking about. 

if you keep guessing you are bound to be right some time 

[TWBryan]

Thanks guys, the technique itself is a jedi mind trick? I guess I need to keep searching,somewhere there has to be a clip of someone demonstrating how it's done. The long rods are just very awkward for me to cast one handed..

[Pipepro]

Thanks guys, the technique itself is a jedi mind trick? I guess I need to keep searching,somewhere there has to be a clip of someone demonstrating how it's done. The long rods are just very awkward for me to cast one handed..

You are probably overthinking it.

Youtube this video: KVD: Here's How to Make Extra Long Casts

around 2:45 he demonstrates

[fishballer06]

I guess I need to keep searching,somewhere there has to be a clip of someone demonstrating how it's done.

Here's a picture of some guy named "Skeet" making a cast. Rumor has it he knows what he's doing.



One hand at the reel, thumb over the spool ready to apply pressure to the spool when needed. The other hand on the bottom of the rod butt, give himself extra power for long casts.

[merc1997]

I use both. One on the grip, and one on the butt. Easier for me to roll and snap the rod. Plus, I'm not gonna cast my rig in the water if one hand slips. Lol

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bingo.  more power in a cast with less effort, and takes away the need to use a throwing motion.

bo

[TWBryan]

Thanks Pipepro,that shows me how it is done,and why I probably can't manage it. What I'm seeing is the cast is executed by swinging rod tip to the right and then releasing the spool on it's return to it's starting position. The problem I see with doing that is he mentions a 'full-body' motion. Which seems to rely on foot position,and hip and back movement. Even without that he is standing with both feet planted firmly. The issue is due to fubarred discs I can't put much wait on my left side. Time to try casting from a sitting position.

Fishballer,I'll check youtube for him.

Thanks again guys,I'll try a few more things when the weather get's warmer.

[Pipepro]

It was just the first video where it showed the basic technique. KVD was showing maximum casting distance, its a full body coil up and cast. You dont have to do all that to be effective.

I like the 2 handed cast because by using the pivot between your 2 hands you can generate a powerful cast without the shoulder wind up and throwing motion. Trying to keep the elbows in and your shoulders in a neutral relaxed position will help to minimize injury and stresses on your joints, back, hips, knees, etc.

[TWBryan]

I'm just trying to find something I can manage that will get me closer to what I want, which is casting accurately. These days the emphasis seems to be on distance,which to me is nothing without accuracy. I'd rather be limited to 20 foot casts with pin-point accuracy then 100 yards in a 'general' direction. The more I look into bass fishing the less I seemed to have known.. Thanks

[Dink Dawg]

I two hand longer rods for distance casts.  It saves the wrist.  Think of swing a baseball bat with your strong hand only.  Now add the off hand.  More control, rod speed and power with less effort. Your hands are just separated.