Noticed Something Interesting About Baitcasters Just Now.

[Roadblock]

This was just an observation.

 

So I was trying to look up some info on Shimano Curado 200I and I happened upon a Facebook page for Shimano Malaysia and I was looking threw all the cool fishing photo's which are mostly from Malaysia. There are tons of photo's and one thing I noticed almost ALL of them had in common was that all of the baitcasters are LEFT handed.

 

I literally could hardly find anyone fishing with a right handed caster.

 

To me the right handed caster seems backwards as I've just come from right handed spinning reel.

 

I would have bought a left hand caster if I could have found one in-stock somewhere locally. NO ONE has 2014 Shimano Curado 201I's around here. I've been on a waiting list for a month and I finally ended up buying a right hand model.

 

Anyway I just found it interesting that all of these guys and gals in Malaysia seem to be rocking left hand casters. Are right hand casters more of an American thing?

 

 

[Roadblock]

Here was the page I was looking at.

 

You can count on one hand the amount of right handed baitcasters in the photo's. Everything is what we could call "left" handed.

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/753853527990078/

[rippin-lips]

Because Americans are backwards.

[Jeff H]

Because Americans are backwards.

 

  We drive on the wrong side of the road too.

[John G]

There are plenty of used right handed Shimano's on eBay right now that were used by Japanese anglers so to answer your question, No, a right handed baitcaster is not just an American thing.

[Diggy]

If you go on tackle tour, you'll see a thread asking which hand you reel with and LH is ahead in the poll. People aren't forced to use RH reels as much now.

[WIGuide]

There was a post on here not too long ago that was about RH and LH baitcasters. A lot of what it boils down to is how you hold your rod. I palm the reel, as that is what it was designed for. When I do that, my thumb would not be in position to thumb the spool. In order for me to cast a lefty, I'd have to move my hand from a casting position at the end of the cast hold the reel or the rod to re-position my hand to palm the reel and then start my retrieve.If you have your hand behind the reel it might seem easier to use a left handed model. 

 

When it all comes down to it there's no right or wrong, only what works for you. 

[J Francho]

I use both.

[Fisher-O-men]

There are plenty of used right handed Shimano's on eBay right now that were used by Japanese anglers so to answer your question, No, a right handed baitcaster is not just an American thing.

Which would lead me to believe that there is change in the wind.  I have been switch-hitting for a couple years now and am leaning toward going 100% lefty.  Right now I use both to give my wrist a break.  A lot of guys are changing over and not going back.  Reel manufacturers should take notice. 

[buzzed bait]

i have both LH and RH baitcasters that i use on every trip

[Raul]

I learned to fish with baitcasters when they were only manufactured righty, which is a good thing for me taking in consideration that my left hand is good for holding things and scratching my butt, asking it to perform something much more complicated like turning the handle is asking too much. Another good thing is tha I don't have any problem with reel versions, they are all available in righty.

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

 

The brief history of why the handle is traditionally on the right hand side of a baitcaster is thus:

 

Back in the day when reels were beginning to evolve, the idea was that it was logical to put a reel under the rod so that it was properly balanced.

 

An under-rod reel was difficult to cast unless you consider fly fishing, and then you don't really cast with the reel, right?

 

Well, you were supposed to cast the proto-baitcaster by thumbing the spool as we do now.  However, when you were ready to start reeling, you were supposed to turn the rod so the reel was on the bottom before you began cranking.

 

Come to find out that it was just easier to border shift the rod and reel that way instead.

 

The design persisted until the Europeans came up with the spinning reel.  Folks here started buying them, and as they were designed to have the reel in the same position reeling as when casting, the handle was on the left side for the right-handers.

 

Baitcaster manufacturers figured this out and started putting the handles on the wrong sides of the baitcasters.

 

Being a lefty, I prefer to work the rod and lure action with my left hand, so the traditional right-side reel handle has always fitted me well.

 

Josh

[new2BC4bass]

I use both.

 

X2.  That way you never have to pass up a good deal.    I'll also cast either hand reel with either hand depending on the situation.

[Roadblock]

So let me ask you guys this. 

 

I know it's really a whatever works best for you type of thing but what would you say it more important with a baitcaster? Rod control or reel control?

 

I ask because like myself for example. I'm completely new to baitcasters. I'm right handed and I've come over from right handed spinning reels.

 

I bought a 2014 Curadio 200I a couple months ago. I definitely can crank good with my right hand but I can NOT control the rod with my left hand. I mean obviously I cast with my right hand but when I switch the rod over to my left hand I just can't pop and snap my top waters the way I would on a right hand held rod. Same with any plastics or any cranks for that matter. I just can't move them with my left hand the way I would with my right hand.

 

So yesterday I picked up a 2014 Curado 201I (left hand  model) to test with.bI definitely have way better control over my rod holding it in my right hand but I can't crank the thing very well at all. I think a longer crank such at the Hawgtech MIGHT help but I don't know. I definitely wore my wrist out winding the left hand reel with my left hand but I do NOT do that with say my Shimano or Quantum spinning reels but the crank turning radius is larger on those spinning reels than this Curado.

 

Which seems more important? Rod control or cranking control?

[rippin-lips]

You work the bait with the rod and you also set the hook with the rod. I'd rather be using the rod with my dominant hand. For me that's the right. The more you use the lh reel the better you'll get at it.

[new2BC4bass]

You work the bait with the rod and you also set the hook with the rod. I'd rather be using the rod with my dominant hand. For me that's the right. The more you use the lh reel the better you'll get at it.

X2  However, all it takes is practice and you will be cranking with the left hand like a pro.  Practice working the rod with the left hand may take longer to master than cranking with the left, but if can be done.  Very few people have 2 thumbs or more on one hand. 

[J Francho]

I don't have a "dominant hand." I write with my right, but otherwise I do many things with my left. Playing drums for over 30 years has probably had an effect. My left is definitely stronger than my right. Like was mentioned, with time you can retrain yourself to use either. I like right ret. for moving baits, and left for contact baits, though either works in a pinch. One thing I cannot do is pitch with my left, hence my preference for a lefty reel or flipping switch.