If your hand does not fully wrap the handle, the first 30 minutes on a baitcaster feel worse than on a spinning reel. That is not a talent problem. It is a fit problem, and it is mostly fixable. Here is the direct answer: a smaller-diameter grip, a shortened handle, and a low-cast window let the majority of anglers with hands under 7.5 inches cast a baitcaster comfortably. Start with grip mods before you ever think about buying a different reel.
Most baitcasters are designed around an average male hand. Three things specifically hurt smaller hands:
Wrap the grip with thin EVA tape or a split-butt rod wrap (like the tape used on fly rods). Two to three turns reduce diameter enough to make a real difference without changing the reel's balance. Avoid wide electrical tape; it is bulky and slips when wet.
If the reel uses a replaceable grip (many mid-range models do), swap the stock grip for a narrow-handle adapter sold by third-party tackle makers. The narrower post diameter makes the whole handle easier to wrap.
A longer handle means your hand reaches farther from the reel body. On a small hand, the handle post can be shaved down slightly or swapped for a shorter one. Even half an inch of reduction lets the hand closer to the spool, improving braking control during the cast and the retrieve. The full picture of handle length, knob diameter, and which axle bore fits which brand is on baitcaster reel parts and handles.
Many reels ship with a flat plastic button that a small finger has to press flat against the side of the reel. Swap it for a ribbed or textured button. The rib texture gives a small finger mechanical grip and takes less force to trip the release. This single change reduces the "double-open" miss rate by a lot.
When the reel is mounted low on the rod blank (the window sits closer to the rod's centerline), the casting window is physically lower. This is the single biggest setup change for small hands. A low-cast mount plus a shorter grip means the window is within natural thumb and index finger reach without a big forearm extension.
A smaller-diameter spool brings the line closer to the rod, and the button/lever sits proportionally closer to the grip. This is not just about line capacity. It also means the spool itself is easier to turn by hand when you are spooling or backing off line.
On a smaller hand, you have less total braking force available at the spool. Set your magnetic or centrifugal brake slightly higher than a bigger-handed angler would, and compensate with a lighter lure. It feels counterintuitive, but on a small hand the brake is your friend, not the enemy of a clean cast.
A medium-heavy rod feels fine in a bigger hand and punishing in a small one. Reach for a light or medium baitcasting rod with a shorter length (6 foot 6 to 7 foot). The shorter rod is lighter, has a shorter casting window, and needs less total hand force to load and release the cast.
Small hands do not need a smaller baitcaster. They need a baitcaster with a thinner grip, a low-cast window mount, and a button you can actually press with one finger. Do the grip mods first; they are cheap, reversible, and the biggest single improvement. If the reel still does not fit after the mods, look for the next model down in size with the same features.