Baitcasters

[Arv]

+1 for whatever is comfortable. I'm right handed but reel left handed. I can use right handed but prefer not to. I feel like I can reel in a fish just as well with my left hand as the right but holding the rod in my right hand is way more comfortable. Bottom line, if you're catching fish, keep doing it.

[NBR]

It is seldom that I disagree with Road Warrior but this time I go with DVT. That said I cast righty and retrieve righty maybe just from habit but years ago when I was really fishing a lot I often cast lefty so I could get under bushes etc. Those skills are not as sharp as they once were so now I cast righty and retrieve righty and don't see that it makes much difference. However, if you watch the Elite and FLW pros they mostly cast righty and retrieve righty with BC's and righty lefty with spinning gear! I don't know if there is a reason or not.

Switching hands is not an issue. If I need to get the bait started back I switch during the cast.

[Basswhippa]

Response from George Welcome, Professional Guide:

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.

That is the best explanation that I have ever seen regarding why right handed people use right handed reels and left reeling spinning reels. Excellent post.

I threw a 3/4 ounce booya spinnerbait all day yesterday........ I needed a winch. LOL

[guitarkid]

I use lefty baitcasters, and "standard" spinning reels.

-gk