Right Handed, But Considering A Left Handed Baitcaster.....anyone Heard Of This?

[sofarfrome]

I have 3 rigs. All have left hand reels. I am right handed. I cast right with great accuracy and feel. I reel left handed because I believe I have better setting power and over-all feel of the rod and its action when controlling with my right hand/arm. Reeling left just seems to come natural for me. However, when I flip baits I flip left handed and then change hands to reel left. Still feels totally natural.

 

Just my $2.57 worth.

[TheBigLebowski]

So, again having never owned or even casted a baitcasting rig, I know there is a pretty good learning curve on using these. I intended to buy one and a practice plug (and some cheap line) and spend time in the yard learning how to operate it properly before I take it on the water.

Is there a decent store where I could try one out and if I didn't like it take it back to trade in on another rig?

I have fished my whole life with spinners so I can make it just fine until I learn.........I just thought I would try one since everyone talks about how much better they are for certain applications.

Thanks again for all the input!

[new2BC4bass]

With a spinning setup the rod and drag play a major part in landing a fish. Hence the rod is controlled with the dominant hand. With a casting rod, not so much as it is effectively a winch.

 

Sorry, but I have to disagree with this statement.  Especially if your b/c drag is set at 3 pounds as it has been suggested it should be.  How much winching can you do with that amount of drag?  (Some say to set the drag about 1/3rd line strength.)  My last evening of fishing in Florida earlier this month saw me landing the biggest fish of the 2 weeks....a 6.2 pound Largemouth.  I didn't winch him in even though I set my drags higher than what is normally suggested.  The rod played an integral part in landing the fish.  Sure I could winch in a 2 pounder, but that isn't really much fun.  I fish for fun...not money.

 

EDIT:  If all that is done with a b/c reel is winching, then why is everyone so concerned about smooth drags?  Lock it down and reel that sucker in. 

[J Francho]

I use both. Try a lefty, see what you think. You should be able to at least try a floor model out at a store.

[I PLAY FOR KEEPS]

I too am right handed and reel with my left. I do have a couple right-handed reels that I'll use on occasion, but reeling on the left feels much better to me.  

[5fishlimit]

I'm a righty, and all my reels are left handed. I tried using my best friends RH, but it was just too awkward for me.

[Paul s]

I myself feel much better with a left hand reel even though I am a righty as well, I can use both but feel better with left handed reels.

[Mccallister25]

Do whatever feels natural. How's this for crazy; im a lefty. I throw a baseball/football with my left arm. I kick a ball with my right foot, punt a ball with my left foot. Shoot shotguns/rifles right handed and pistols left handed.

[MCS]

Sorry, but I have to disagree with this statement. Especially if your b/c drag is set at 3 pounds as it has been suggested it should be. How much winching can you do with that amount of drag? (Some say to set the drag about 1/3rd line strength.) My last evening of fishing in Florida earlier this month saw me landing the biggest fish of the 2 weeks....a 6.2 pound Largemouth. I didn't winch him in even though I set my drags higher than what is normally suggested. The rod played an integral part in landing the fish. Sure I could winch in a 2 pounder, but that isn't really much fun. I fish for fun...not money.

EDIT: If all that is done with a b/c reel is winching, then why is everyone so concerned about smooth drags? Lock it down and reel that sucker in.

Few counter points.

U fish for fun not money, same here. But I was speaking on the design intention of a b/c which why they were primarily designed right hand, to winch the fish in easy and probably as fishings *** wasnt for fun like us now it was food and later on competiton.

I tighten my drag like I do on my spinning rods a good firm pull, I too enjoy fighting a fish and dont horse them in. I never in my life heard of the three pound rule seems asinine considering everyone is blowing their load on the 13' fishing with 22 pounds max drag. Spinning reel drag tends to engage much easier than casting in my experience. And perhaps I set mine a little lighter due to me using lighter line.

[FishTank]

I am right handed and started out with a left handed baitcaster.  It just feels natural know.  One other thing I noticed, and it may just be me, I get a lot of bites on the fall.  If I had to switch hands, I feel I might miss something.

[Hattrick7]

Right here...righty that reels lefty with the exception of heavy saltwater tackle.

[MCS]

I am right handed and started out with a left handed baitcaster. It just feels natural know. One other thing I noticed, and it may just be me, I get a lot of bites on the fall. If I had to switch hands, I feel I might miss something.

Just to give u the idea, not arguing, U switch while the lure is in the air. Even pitching....kinda like turning a double play, except opposite right to left vs left to right.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Like most of you I used left handed spinning reels and right handed spin casting reels growing up.

I'm right handed.

But For the life of me I just cant get comfortable reeling a baitcaster left handed.

I tried too many times and finally gave up. Don't know why, cant explain it.

Now I can pitch left handed quite effectively, which is an advantage.

Strange Huh...

Mike

Same here. I bought and tried left handed casting reels. Just wasn't comfortable for me. For the life of me I can't understand why. I'm very ambidextrous. Probably was just a comfort level thing.

[new2BC4bass]

I'm very right handed, but am considering buying my first baitcaster in a LH model. I grew up fishing spinning set ups with the rod in my right and cranking with my left. In fact as a kid I would fish a spincast by flipping it upside down (reel down) and cranking backwards (clockwise). Now I have a couple of spincast set up with the crank on the left side. I cast right handed......Palm the reel in my right hand and crank with my left.

Anyone else heard of this before? Or am I just so screwed up I should forget it and learn to switch hands?

 

As you can see lots of people have considerd this. 

 

I grew up cranking spinning reels with the left hand.  I prefer left hand for baitcasters, but mine are split about half and half out of about 41 reels.  Also  practiced enough casting with my left arm to achieve the same distance as my dominant arm...although not with the same accuracy yet.  Being able to use either hand has more than one advantage...not the least of which is not caring what hand the reel is when a good deal comes up. 

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Hand that palms the reel: controls rod, sets hook, holds rod/reel, pulls against fish

Hand that is on the handle knobs: turns the handle

I think it's pretty obvious why you would want your dominant hand/arm palming the reel.. I vote that you should get a lefty reel if you are right handed.

[Hyrule Bass]

So, again having never owned or even casted a baitcasting rig, I know there is a pretty good learning curve on using these. I intended to buy one and a practice plug (and some cheap line) and spend time in the yard learning how to operate it properly before I take it on the water.

Is there a decent store where I could try one out and if I didn't like it take it back to trade in on another rig?

I have fished my whole life with spinners so I can make it just fine until I learn.........I just thought I would try one since everyone talks about how much better they are for certain applications.

Thanks again for all the input!

 

fact is, baitcasters are no better for certain applications. you can do everything with a spinning combo that you can a baitcast combo, and probably more, especially when it comes to light baits or lures.

 

 

 

Few counter points.

U fish for fun not money, same here. But I was speaking on the design intention of a b/c which why they were primarily designed right hand, to winch the fish in easy and probably as fishings *** wasnt for fun like us now it was food and later on competiton.

I tighten my drag like I do on my spinning rods a good firm pull, I too enjoy fighting a fish and dont horse them in. I never in my life heard of the three pound rule seems asinine considering everyone is blowing their load on the 13' fishing with 22 pounds max drag. Spinning reel drag tends to engage much easier than casting in my experience. And perhaps I set mine a little lighter due to me using lighter line.

 

and all of these means nothing when it comes to being comfortable while fishing, or what hand you reel with. this debate has more to do with what hand people feel comfortable turning the crank with and what hand they feel comfortable controlling the rod with, also throw in what arm they feel more comfortable setting the hook with. everyone is different and has their own opinions or reasoning for why the choose left vs right, drag setting has nothing to do with it. also, by your logic a right handed baitcaster is more powerful than a left handed one, which is totally false, its the same reel flipped around for user preference, doesnt matter if they were made RH first and its more historically popular. i can horse in fish fast and hard with a spinning reel too, so really your entire point is moot...

[new2BC4bass]

Few counter points.

U fish for fun not money, same here. But I was speaking on the design intention of a b/c which why they were primarily designed right hand, to winch the fish in easy and probably as fishings *** wasnt for fun like us now it was food and later on competiton.

I tighten my drag like I do on my spinning rods a good firm pull, I too enjoy fighting a fish and dont horse them in. I never in my life heard of the three pound rule seems asinine considering everyone is blowing their load on the 13' fishing with 22 pounds max drag. Spinning reel drag tends to engage much easier than casting in my experience. And perhaps I set mine a little lighter due to me using lighter line.

 

Check this thread out.  http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/137445-what-do-you-have-your-drag-set-at/?hl=%2Bdrag+%2Bpressure#entry1530117

 

Read post #2.  Roadwarrior has tons more experience than I, but I just can't agree with him on this topic.  I set my drags like you.  Heavier the line, the heavier I set the drag.  I don't set hard, but too low of a drag setting has the spool slipping.  I don't like that.  I need to train myself to use the thumb on the spool when setting the hook.

 

Notice I made the same comment about the heavier drags on Lews and Abu reels.

[K_Mac]

I use both. Try a lefty, see what you think. You should be able to at least try a floor model out at a store.

That is the only right answer. I am right handed and use only lefty reels. They work best for me. Use what is most comfortable for you. That is the "way it should be."

[dam0007]

I was just wondering if muscle memory is the comfort thing people including myself experienced. Many years holding the rod in the right hand and reeling left, then the jump to baitcasters later on,your body needs to readjust all over again... Its what works for me as I said before, using lefty reeels. But I'm sure given enough time anyone can do either combination and be efficient.

[Jrob78]

It seems to largely boil down to what you learned on, which seems to be a regional thing.  In the north and east, people use spinning reels as kids and get accustom to reeling with the left hand.  They don't use baitcasters until later in life, (on average.)  In the south it's the exact opposite.  Most of us learned on spincasters until we were old enough to use baitcasters.  In those days, that meant reeling with your right hand.   Many southerners don't pick up spinning gear until later in life.  There isn't a right or wrong answer but when you get used to doing something a certain way, it can be hard to change.  This also explains why people get so heated when the spinning vs. baitcasting debate comes up.  The people who grew up with baitcasters CAN do anything the spinning people can do and vice versa.

[jignfule]

one more , righty with left handed reel. Just feels more comfortable.

[MCS]

So for the righties using lefties where are your hands when u cast and then palm? Since I cast right I have index finger on the trigger, swap hands to palm with hand around handle and thumb on spool. When I palm I have my little finger against the trigger and hand around the reel. So do y'all cast from a palm or have to adjust to a palm position once finished casting?

[J Francho]

When I cast a lefty, my right is palming the reel. When I cast a righty, my left is either palming the reel, or I move it to the butt grip for a two handed cast, while my right is on the trigger.

[MCS]

Ok gotcha. Thanks.

[TheBigLebowski]

Well, I was down south today with a couple of hours to kill so I went by a Cabella's then by a Bass Pro Shop. Both of these stores are a couple of hours from my home. There's a Dick's here in town and a Gander Mountain about 30 miles away but both of these places were pretty useless for me.

Both Cabella's and BPS were great! There was a gentleman at BPS that was great to work with and when I told him that I was investigating whether I wanted a lefty or a righty, he said let's set a couple up and go outside and give it a go. So we spent some time looking at baitcasters and picked two identical rod and reels and outside we went. I got a lesson in how to set them up and how to cast them.

Turns out I think I like the right handed model better. It felt better "palming" the reel in my left hand than my right. In fact I kept my left hand on the reel when I was casting. For you golfers out there I had almost a Vardon overlap thing going on with my index and little finger. I know I had a lot more accuracy when I was doing it this way.

So, anyway I spent close to 2 hours with this guy and when I described my price range etc, he tells me he could sell me several reels there........but for my money he suggested a Lew's Speedcaster SS1.......that normally is out of the price range I wanted to spend but he tells me that Lew's has a $20 rebate right now. So, here's the catch.........BPS doesn't sell Lew's. He said they are normally a $100 reel but the rebate was a really good deal.

He said if you need it today, go back to Cabelas and pay $99.........if not then go online to tackle warehouse......that they have them for $89 and with a $20 rebate I was at my number of $70 for a reel. I told him this didn't seem right, he said don't worry about it........it's not like I work on commission. He said just stop in the next time I was on my way to my parents house and let him know how it's working out.

You gotta be kidding me! So i bought $20 worth of plastics.......I bought him a pop....I got a BPS customer rewards card and I was out of there.

Anyway, that's my story.