Indecisive In Need Of Guidance

[Brennan C]

I recently won a new Quantum Smoke PT 6:3:1 in a left handed retrieve. The only problem is all of my other reels and setups are right handed. This is really foreign to me and I have no idea if I should keep it or not. 
 

Also, I was wondering what you guys think about buying a Okuma Helios combo for $200. Its only half of the price but I dont know if it would be better to get a more established brand.

 

Thanks,

Brennan

[Dogmatic]

Sell the reel, and Okuma IS an "established brand" and make quality equipment.

[yugrac]

I hold my rod In my right hand and crank with my left, and I am right handed, I have done that since I was a kid, and that was a long time ago. I found when fishing VERY shallow you can start cranking as soon as or even before the lure hits the water, greatly cutting down on hang ups.  Try it I think once you get used to it you will see the advantages of it, The Okuma rods are good rods, they feel as good as most of my St. Croix rods.  Too many people resist what they dont see as norm, and just because they dont like it does not mean you wont, give it a try.

[matuka]

I recently won a new Quantum Smoke PT 6:3:1 in a left handed retrieve. The only problem is all of my other reels and setups are right handed. This is really foreign to me and I have no idea if I should keep it or not. 

 

Also, I was wondering what you guys think about buying a Okuma Helios combo for $200. Its only half of the price but I dont know if it would be better to get a more established brand.

 

Thanks,

Brennan

I agree, Okuma is more than established. But is that combo really what you can use out the door? If not, go after what you want. And I'll take that useless, backward reelin Smoke off your hands for a twenty. Surely you wouldn't want to show it to your other reels, or they might start misbehaving

[Brennan C]

Tack a Zero on that twenty and you got a deal! lol

[Blues19]

The helios rods are super light and Ive heard very sensitive, however I have heard they break quite a bit.  Ive heard they have great customer service though, which is why I would be interested in a helios, even after hearing of some breaking.   As for the Smoke, I use all right handed reeling baitcasters. A buddy of mine has a lefty and I tried it.  It wasnt for me.

[Fisher-O-men]

I got a brand new reel as a gift once that was other handed.  It was a Revo, so I contacted Abu Garcia and they traded me straight across for the correct one.

[Cgrinder]

Left-hand retrieve is great, give it a shot.

[BassinLou]

Unless something physically has occurred that you have to switch hands then keep the reel. This is not the case with you. Sell the reel. Unless you are going to dedicate a month or so to retrain your brain then go for it. If not its not worth to keep imho. Sell it for a reel you are really going to use. Good luck.

[WIGuide]

You can always give it a shot. Some people like them, if not put it on the for sale board on here as many here seem to like them.  About the Okuma, I've heard nothing but good things about them. 

[Choporoz]

I'd suggest selling it.  However, in this case, you should be aware that you aren't going to get the $150 or $200 advertised MSRP.  These have been popping up at retailers fro $99 and on ebay for less over the past few months.  If you get $90 for it, I'd say that both you and the buyer have made out pretty nicely.

[travis23]

Just know that if you sell it...you won't get retail value. It's crazy how the value drops when it's brand new, , but it does. I won a huge contest with TW and I went to my local tackle shop and traded the reels I got for the ones I wanted. They charged me like a 5 or 10% restocking fee, which was a good deal in my opinion.

[travis23]

Didn't see the post above mine, and he's right. I won a revo rocket last year, that I ended up selling for $130. In my eyes, I gave it away lol I only used it a handful of times. Try you're local tackle shops!

[frogflogger]

I recently bought a lefty reel just for flipping and pitching heavy stuff - it wasn't that difficult to make the adjustment - not sure I would want to use it in other applications.

[new2BC4bass]

I am going to go against the majority view.  I say keep the reel.  Learn to use both hands.  It isn't all that hard for most people.  I grew up cranking spinning reels with the left hand.  Tried baitcast reels when I got back into fishing.  Love them.  Had a chance to buy an Alphas ito 103ai shortly after getting back into fishing.  Problem was it was a right hand.  Bought it anyway since it was out of production.  Now almost half my reels are right hand.  That way you never have to pass on a great deal. 

 

Also being able to switch hands gives the rod arm a break when needed.  At first I was concerned about switching hands after the cast.  That no longer concerns me even though I have had a few hits as soon as the lure hit the water.  Also teach yourself to cast with either arm....if you don't already do so.  It just takes practice.  My accuracy is still better on the right side, but I can cast as far with either arm now.

 

The Helios rod is one I want to acquire this year.  Hadn't heard about them breaking, but I will take my chances.  Never had a rod break yet that wasn't my fault.  Only rod I ever broke was due to falling face first into a pile of rocks.

[Penguino]

I would go with the Okuma combo. Honestly, the time and hassle you are going to put in to simply change hands is just not worth it. I have a Okuma rod, that is one step below the Helios, the c3-40x, that I am more than satisfied with. Go try out the helios and give us a review.

[Ratherbfishing]

Unless you are not like me (pray this is the case), you'll find that switching back and forth between left and right hand reels will be difficult.  My advice is this:  if your "right handed" reels are old or lousy, keep the "lefty" and just use lefty gear from here on out.  BUT if you have a lot of good right handed reels which you hate to part with, keep it and sell the new reel.

 

(I think that if/once you switch to "left-handed" reels, you'll be glad you did-unless you are already left-hand dominant).

[bassinnoobie]

This will take of your ploblem.

you give it me

[Crank Bait Nut]

I Guess I'm A Lucky One , I Have Both Left & Right Bait Casters , If You Have The Patience To Learn To Cast It , Keep It , If You Don't , Get Rid Of It.

 

Mike 

[CRANKENSTIEN]

Agree with the leftys i own both i would rather pitch with a left casting with left you can move faster give it a try

[WdyCrankbait]

I like the idea about contacting Quantum and see if they will swap it for what you normally use.  Personally, I would think Quantum would want to keep its product in a consumers hand.

 

Also, I just picked a Helios rod, I guess on clearance, normally $180 rod, I got for $140.  Mine is the 7' MH, and it is light!!!  Added to that a Lew's Tournament Lite @ 5.8 ounces, I have a combo under ten ounces.  

 

Okuma has been around awhile and recently seem to be getting some more traction on the forum here.  

 

To me, you have a win, win situation here.  You got something for free, and now need to determine how to employ it, or use it as a resource to get what you want.  Good luck and if you do get the Okuma combo, please let us know what you think about the rod.

 

Wdy