Righty Using Lefty.

[Ratherbfishing]

I'm a righty and switched all of mine to LH about 10 years ago and no regrets. 

 

If I am right handed, why would I ever want to hold the rod w my left hand while playing a fish? 

Not to mention having to switch hands every time you cast, etc. 

 

It took 1 trip to get used to it, now I feel a little wierd if I ever have to use someone else's RH reels

More or less my story.  When my old RH Abu Garcia reel quit on me I switched to two "lefty" reels and haven't looked back since.  A friend later gave me a RH reel and, feeling compelled to at least TRY it, I lost a nice bass cause I reached for the handle on the wrong side.  I put that rod/reel down and haven't used a RH reel since.

 

The debate rages on but it's kind of like arguing over which is superior-chopsticks or forks and spoons.  It's all in what you get used to.  I think that since you are just starting out and haven't formed a "habit" yet, I'd stay with the "left-handed" reel.  (To me the term should be "left-handled" reel and not left-handed).

[bigtattoo79]

I'm right handed and hold spinning/casting rods in my left hand. I find my retrieve is smoother when I reel with my right hand. Also I like to lift the fish from the water with my right hand.

[d-camarena]

A couple years ago when i got my first baitcasters i bought 4 brand new right hand reels and after the first trip i realized i had messed up. Had to sell them and get lefties

[poisonokie]

Putting the preference for what feels better aside, I've never found a way to palm a LH reel, casting with my right hand, without having to add in an extra movement, which makes it the same and I would say worse, than the RH model. 

 

Now, if ones hand never moves from the casting position between casts, I could see it as an advantage. 

 

I cast two handed, so it's easy to make the small transition to retrieval mode because my left hand is holding the rod butt. My right never realm leaves the reel. And if you happen to be using a t3 you can easily reengage the reel in one fluid motion.

[poisonokie]

*really, not realm

[contium]

Putting the preference for what feels better aside, I've never found a way to palm a LH reel, casting with my right hand, without having to add in an extra movement, which makes it the same and I would say worse, than the RH model. 

 

Now, if ones hand never moves from the casting position between casts, I could see it as an advantage. 

 

This. When I cast, my index finger is on the trigger. When I retrieve, I prefer to palm a reel with the trigger between my pinky and ring finger. That would require more movement with a left handed reel. I transfer the rod to my left hand during the cast so no time is lost. I do use a left handed reel for pitching. I also find always holding a rod in my right hand causes more fatigue in my right arm. Casting with the rod with the right hand and retrieving with the rod in the left hand spreads the fatigue out.

[Fun4Me]

I cast two handed, so it's easy to make the small transition to retrieval mode because my left hand is holding the rod butt. My right never realm leaves the reel. And if you happen to be using a t3 you can easily reengage the reel in one fluid motion.

 

 

To me, the only way a two hand cast works is if you have both hands on the rod throughout the entire cast, and maybe even past it.

 

LH reel, casting with right hand or both:

 

Right hand in casting position, thumb on the spool.

Cast with right hand or both.

Hold both hands on the rod until the bait hits the water or until thumb pressure is no longer needed.

In two hand scenario, take right hand off first and place on the reel then take left hand off of rod and grab the handle

In scenario other than that, one would have to either grab the handle with their left hand, and hold onto the handle only to get their right hand into the palming position, or grab some other way so that one could palm the reel with the right hand then go to the handle after that with their left ( an extra step, basically double grabbing it )

 

RH reel casting with right hand or both

 

Right hand in casting position, thumb on the spool

Cast with right hand or both.

No need to hold both hands on the rod because I'm moving my left to the palming position at any point during the cast while the bait is in the air.

All I have to do is transfer my right hand to the reel handle.

 

Unless one is reeling with their hand in the casting position, having not moved from when the cast was made, I think a RH casting with the right and reeling with the right, or Lh casting with the left and reeling with the left seems more efficient.

 

I'm not sure if that makes sense or not LOL!!

It sounded good in my mind. 

[poisonokie]

To me, the only way a two hand cast works is if you have both hands on the rod throughout the entire cast, and maybe even past it.

 

LH reel, casting with right hand or both:

 

Right hand in casting position, thumb on the spool.

Cast with right hand or both.

Hold both hands on the rod until the bait hits the water or until thumb pressure is no longer needed.

In two hand scenario, take right hand off first and place on the reel then take left hand off of rod and grab the handle

In scenario other than that, one would have to either grab the handle with their left hand, and hold onto the handle only to get their right hand into the palming position, or grab some other way so that one could palm the reel with the right hand then go to the handle after that with their left ( an extra step, basically double grabbing it )

 

RH reel casting with right hand or both

 

Right hand in casting position, thumb on the spool

Cast with right hand or both.

No need to hold both hands on the rod because I'm moving my left to the palming position at any point during the cast while the bait is in the air.

All I have to do is transfer my right hand to the reel handle.

 

Unless one is reeling with their hand in the casting position, having not moved from when the cast was made, I think a RH casting with the right and reeling with the right, or Lh casting with the left and reeling with the left seems more efficient.

 

I'm not sure if that makes sense or not LOL!!

It sounded good in my mind. 

 

Lol, time to stop and grease those gears in your head. There must be smoke pouring out your ears. You are way overcomplicating this.

[Fun4Me]

LOL!! That wheel was squeaking.

 

I only went into such detail because I often hear people say casting with your right hand on a RH reel is odd, because you have to move your hand and switch the rod. They claim that the LH reel solves this problem, and I would agree, If they don't palm the reel or any other way of holding it besides the casting grip. Other than that, it's just as many, if not more steps to accomplish the same thing. 

 

I have thought about a LH for Flipping/Pitching. I can definitely see the advantage there 

[poisonokie]

LOL!! That wheel was squeaking.

 

I only went into such detail because I often hear people say casting with your right hand on a RH reel is odd, because you have to move your hand and switch the rod. They claim that the LH reel solves this problem, and I would agree, If they don't palm the reel or any other way of holding it besides the casting grip. Other than that, it's just as many, if not more steps to accomplish the same thing. 

 

I have thought about a LH for Flipping/Pitching. I can definitely see the advantage there 

 

Well, while flipping that way you run into the issue of the handle, knob, and drag star snagging your line unless you pay complete attention to the way your left hand is holding the line, which is really a challenge when you get a bite, plus I think it detracts from your ability to pay attention to the business end of the line. That's why I don't really flip. I feel like I can get the Jo done with short pitches just fine, and if I really felt I needed to flip, I'd get a dedicated RH reel.

 

As far as general pitching and casting is concerned, you have to change your grip either way. That's not why I reel left handed, though. The reel is just more comfortable in my right and I can steer fish around easier that way.

[Fun4Me]

Well, while flipping that way you run into the issue of the handle, knob, and drag star snagging your line unless you pay complete attention to the way your left hand is holding the line, which is really a challenge when you get a bite, plus I think it detracts from your ability to pay attention to the business end of the line. That's why I don't really flip. I feel like I can get the Jo done with short pitches just fine, and if I really felt I needed to flip, I'd get a dedicated RH reel.

 

As far as general pitching and casting is concerned, you have to change your grip either way. That's not why I reel left handed, though. The reel is just more comfortable in my right and I can steer fish around easier that way.

 You have me thinking about the line snagging now LOL!!

 

I guess the good thing is we have choices now, where we didn't not to long ago 

[poisonokie]

I know, it's awesome. There's a rod/reel/line combo for every possible taste or technique.

[ClackerBuzz]

most guys i know that fish righty were 'taught' that way as a kid.

[Jaw1]

I write right handed but couldn't cast a rod with my right arm to save my life. It's just awkward to me. I cast left reel right, never switch hands. I also throw left handed so I guess I'm just odd that way. I believe I'm a natural southpaw but was taught to write right handed because the world's a right hand dominant place. Pay attention to most of your power tools locking switches if operated with your left hand you are more likely to disengage them. When I was in grade school the teachers would take your pencil out of your left hand and make you write right handed. I remember them taking my fork out of my left hand and making me eat right handed

[hummbug]

I ended up using both.

My right hand is my feeling hand, so all presentations like worms etc would be run on a lefty reel.

Cranks, top waters  or running presentations I would operate on a righty, I don´t need that much feeling in my hand for a reaction-strike and it works fine for me.... Special benny: Switching rod hands let my wrists get some rest. And at my age you take all the relieves you can find

[JOBU1967]

I'm a righty but I use both righty & lefty reels. I cast, pitch, & flip with both hands to reduce fatigue on both arms. Here is a tip to all the righties that flip with lefty reels, keep the handle pointed straight down so the line won't tangle in your handle.