Reel up, or reel down, or don't it matter?

[Plod]

Hi Guys, me again, on the sponge for some more free advice!!

I have finally got my new rod now, although not the one I originally ordered!

As an aside, I'd like to praise Harris Angling for an excellent service. They couldn't get the Daiwa rod I ordered, so they sent me an Abu as replacement for the same price, saving me about £30. It arrived the next day, which was great, but I opened it to find the tip had been snapped in transit. I rang them up, and they arranged a courier to deliver a new one the next day and pick up the old one. Brilliant stuff, that's how you keep your customers.

Anyway, back to my question. I have a rough idea about having the reel high or low on the handle, but don't understand the benifit/drawbakcs of either method. I'm left handed, but cast so my left hand is lowest on the handle. I don't know if this should have a bearing on where I put the reel.
Any ideas, comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm hoping to get out early part of next week and make a plonker of myself with my "unique" casting style!

Regards, Darren

[wellyfish]

reel up the rod for me , what ever you feel comfortable with i recon ....im sure there is a post on this somewhere on the forum its just a matter of finding it !! shouldnt be hard for a copper

[pingu]

if starting out would say up
i'm still learning that

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Go with what you like first and then once happy have a play

I have tried both methods and settled on reel up although once I get out shore fishing a go will deff give the reel down a better go

[geffski]

if i really want to give it some welly ill have it way down (multiplier almost on the butt with 5ins room for a hand grip) for a pendulum cast, but for the most part its up, as i just find it more comfy and user friendly just for a lob!
horses for courses i spos! its a personel thing.
wotever your happy with bruv! experiment down the park!
(actaly it might of been you that gave me a ticket for such shananigans)
SCUFFER! lol

[big guy]

get a pair of coasters first and see what you like.

the down the butt position originally come about on the tournament field, it effectively gives you a longer rod with a smoother bend during casting.

i sarted up the butt and then went down because all the good anglers seem to be having the reel down the butt. i find it awkward up now but then i'm used to it in the position i've had it in for years now.

try every position possible til you find somewhere that you like, them whack a screw winch there.

[devondave]

Originally Posted by big guy

get a pair of coasters first and see what you like.

the down the butt position originally come about on the tournament field, it effectively gives you a longer rod with a smoother bend during casting.

i sarted up the butt and then went down because all the good anglers seem to be having the reel down the butt. i find it awkward up now but then i'm used to it in the position i've had it in for years now.

try every position possible til you find somewhere that you like, them whack a screw winch there.

i have to agree i fish with the reel up the butt as i cant get to grips with using my left hand to control the reel..

i think the basic reasons for casting down the butt is the rod becomes longer and so you can compress it more because you have more leverage more compression should mean better distance .. however like i say i cant get used to controlling the reel down the butt so it equals less distance for me.. more practice needed i guess

[Plod]

Cheers for all of the advice guys.

just a matter of finding it !! shouldnt be hard for a copper

Wellyfish, I have trouble finding my way to work!!

actaly it might of been you that gave me a ticket for such shananigans

Geffski, I don't give out tickets, so it couldn't have been me!! That would involve doing some work.

Cheers, Darren

[andyg]

The reel is positioned low down the butt so that the hand that delivers the power (for right handed anglers, the right hand) does just that, leaving the left hand to release the spool and help control the balance of the rod and direction of the cast.

If you learn to cast with the reel down, it may be harder at first, but eventually it will become natural.

I learnt to cast with the reel up and can cast far enough, so I've never bothered moving it down.

[gullyworm]

Couldnt agree more Andy
It now feels totally alien to fish with the reel up although i do in certain conditions.
By the way Paul Kerry who knows a thing or two about casting and angling has always used his reel up the rod so maybe it doesnt make that much difference,just another angling gimmick??