Bait Caster, Why Is The Handle The Opposite Of Spinning Reels?

[BrianSnat]

I'm considering picking up a bait casting outfit or two to add to my arsenal of spinning gear. When looking at the various catalogs I realized that they are set up the opposite of spinning reels with the handle for righties on the right side.

After 40 some years of using spinning rods and cranking with my left hand and holding the rod in my right I can't envision switching. What exactly are the advantages of holding the pole in the left hand during the retreive for a righty?

First, does anybody who went from spinning to casting, or who switches periodically between the two have any problems adjusting?

Does anybody see any reason why I shouldn't buy a lefty casting reel for the sake of consistency between the two types?

[j.bruno]

Nope just get a lefty and dont look back. I did, no regrets its just what works for me.

[Bassn Blvd]

Fishing with spinning and baitacasting gear are totaly different from one another. I use both and have no problems switching from one to the other.

Just curious. Why are you switching after 40 years of using spinning gear?

[The American]

Just buy a LH baitcaster, pretty much all of them come in LH models.

[Long Mike]

I wish I could help, but I'm left-handed. I cast left-handed and retrieve left-handed. My reel handles, whether baitcaster or spincaster are always on the right. I kinda feel sorry for the right-handers who make their casts and then have to switch hands for the retrieve.

[LgMouthGambler]

Whatever feels right. Its weird the way it works, but it works.

[North Ga Hillbilly]

I felt the same way, I just got a LH baitcaster and went with it. I couldnt get use to the switching hands thing, I also like setting the hook with my strong arm. To each his own.

NGaHB

[BrianSnat]

Fishing with spinning and baitacasting gear are totaly different from one another. I use both and have no problems switching from one to the other.

Just curious. Why are you switching after 40 years of using spinning gear?

Not switching, just adding.

[dwtaylor]

I have some left handed baitcasters, but the majority of my baitcasters are right handed. I currently have left handed reels on my frog rod, flippin stick, and spook rod. All of those techniques require more rod movement than other rods and I can work the rod better with my right arm than my left. However, I feel that reeling in on the left side makes me feel like I have less leverage than reeling in with my right hand.

BTW, I use the handle on the left side with my spinning rods. It feels more natural when the reel is under the rod to reel like that I guess.

[outdoorsman110]

I reel only with my right hand. No matter what reel. Which is funny because I can pitch/bat with both handnesses, with accuracy. But I can't use both hands reeling.

[Bassn Blvd]

I reel right handed.

I don't understand why some of you people can't cast with both hands. I flip/pitch equally with both hands. I primarily cast right handed and switch hands while my bait is in flight, but I also can accrutely cast left handed.

It's not difficult, just practice.

[SirSnookalot]

If I were to buy a b/c it would have a left hand crank, for me it's doubtful that will ever happen, although I have thought about only from the standpoint of just doing something different. Not to start a debate b/c vs spinning, but there isn't much that can't be done with spinning gear. As DVT has mentioned the blanks are identical, except casting rods are available in a wider and heavier range of sizes. Only time I jump up in size of my rod is if I'm throwing heavier baits or having to pull fish out of thick cover, if my 2000 reel lacks horsepower I use a 4000.

[Diggy]

It's easier to crank with your left than to use your left for things that take control and timing if you are right handed. LH felt way more natural after starting out with rh baitcasters. I can now use both but I prefer the rod in my dominant hand.

[DrNip]

I just purchased a right hand bait caster last month after using left hand spinning gear and I regret it. Wish I would have bought a left hand bait caster instead. I don't mind the switching of hands but my problem is my left forearm gets warn out from using different techniques on the rod. Yeah I could probably get use to it over time but I am going to purchase a left handed reel before then. Left hand reeling and right hand rod controlling just feels more natural to me. My 2 cents.

[Hot n Tot]

I am right handed and always use RH baitcasters. I purchased a LH Curado two years ago for my frog rod, and just couldn't do it. I immediately returned it for a RH reel. The place I purchased it thought it was the dumbest thing in the world to be right handed and try a LH reel. They obviously don't see it happen very often, and couldn't understand why anyone would try it. I got the idea from reading these message boards and realizing lots of guys here do it that way, but it didn't work for me. With spinning rods, I only reel LH and couldn't imaging doing it any other way. I guess its all in whay you get used to, I'm over 60 and have fished for many years this way.

[roadwarrior]

Posted by George Welcome

Let's get technical, as there are in fact reasons, not just some lame holdover from days past that put the handles where they are.

What will move the fish during retrieval is placed to the strong hand!

A baitcast is designed to be used as a winch, so it is the reel that retrieves the fish. Hence if you are right handed the handle is in your right hand.

A spinning reel is designed to pick up unloaded or loose line, not retrieve the fish. Hence it is the rod that does the retrieval, so it is the rod that is in your strong hand. If you are right handed then the pole goes to the right hand.

[Bill16]

I had the same problem, and just got lefty bait casters. I can't fish with a right hand retrieve reel without a risk of loosing the fish. Lol

[SirSnookalot]

Seems more like old tradition rather than a technical reason for having the handle on the right side. I prefer having my more coordinated arm working my lures, I also want my stronger arm handling the rod when the fish is fighting, I'm right handed so my rod is always in my right hand.

When I have a fish on spinning gear the line is not loose, it's taut with he fishing pulling line out, the reel is retrieving the fish in coordination with the rod. If a spinning spool was mounted on the side the perception of a winch would be similar to that of a b/c, with the exception of a revolving drum. Both reels gather up line, fish on or not.

IMO if people had started off using a left hand crank from the git go, they would never understand the why anyone would use a right hand handle. Tradition does seem to be changing, more and more reels are offered both ways now.

[Osprey39]

Maybe it's just because of the equipment I was introduced to when I started using each but I use left handles on spinning reels and right handles on baitcasters. Whenever I try to use a reel that has the handle on the other side, it feels incredibly awkward to me and it's not the act of reeling that feels weird, it's working the baits with the rod.

Bottom line is that once you get used to something, it will feel normal to you.

[BrokenReels]

Right hander here. I cast right when I need distance or to be extra accurate (It's a darn creek for pete's sake. Nothing hard here.) but usually I just cast left to keep my right arm from getting fatigued. My friend who always goes with me is a lefty. He casts righty on spinning gear but left on baitcast. Opposite that for me. It's just whatever feels good to you. It's not that I can't. It's just not advantageous, at all, for me to "learn" or "practice" it. I'll catch just as many either way.