Left handed vs right handed Baitcasters

[Reel_Kaotic]

Never made sense to me to use a spinning reel with left hand retrieve and switch using a BC with the right. I cast with the right hand and reel with the left on both reels. Rare breed!

[Traveler2586]

I took a tip from an old timer years ago and never regreted it yet. If your right handed all your fine motor control is in your right hand and forearm, etc... For a fisherman that translates into "rod control" and "thumb control" of the spool. You need to have both when casting until the bait hits the water. If your switching hands you don't have control for the whole cast (followthrough) and if your bait gets interrupted in flight (wind gust, or hits something) you don't have "thumb control" of the spool, which translates into a more severe back lash.

Whichever way you go insure you can maintain rod and spool control throught the baits flight - that is the most inportant point.

Then you can decide how sharp your reflexes are, and can you afford to hand off control of the rod to the other hand while the bait is dropping in the strike zone.

Think this through, go to a tackle shop and play with the reels on the same rod (LH reel on one rod, RH reel on a second rod) then go with what feels right to you.

Really, it's no big deal, you can always change later. If you get a chance try a friends setup to see how it feels.

Cheers, Eric

[new2BC4bass]

Curious. Which hand reel did you go with? Which reel did you get?

[Wild Bill [NY]]

I am 'right-handed'.

My right hand and arm are FAR stronger than my left.

BY having my rod in my right hand as I cast and retrieve, I can set the hook with that much more force.

My right hand is far more sensitive than my left hand.

Because of that, I can sense bites through my rod and line with my right hand, than if I was holding the rod in my left hand.

I can reel with my left hand just fine.

By examining those three things is how I decided which hand of reel to use in baitcasting.

I am right handed, and crank on the left side; that is what is best FOR ME.

[BASSclary]

The whole saving time thing is wish-wash if your casting (Not pitching) and you palm your baitcasters. It takes the same amount of time to switch hands that it does to go from the casting grip to the comfortable palming grip. the only advantage would be pitching.

Go with what feels right in your hands. Make sure to go to the store, put it on a rod and play with it. I like my spinning reels left and my casting reels right, witht he exception of flipping/pitching.

[The one that got away]

I'll probably get bashed for this, but I never got the whole switching hands thing. For example, when I use a fork to eat with my right hand, I don't switch it to my left after it leaves my plate and before it gets to my mouth. I suppose I could switch hands, but what's the point.

For fishing, I cast with my right hand, hold the rod in my right hand, and reel with my left. No switching hands for me, but to each his own.

[Traveler2586]

Have you ever noticed how many fishermen use the crank on the left side of their open-faced reels??

I went with LH on all my reels. By the time I transfer the power of the cast from the rod tip to the bait, my thumb is on the spool and my LH is in position to crank. I have full control of the process; I may not hit my target all the time, but that's another matter to deal with

Like most here have said, it's a matter of personal choice.

Cheers, Eric

[Roach87]

I echo what a lot of guys have already stated..just feels more comfortable holding the rod in my right hand and reeling with the left. Growing up whenever I went out it was with a spinning reel, and the first time I picked up a right handed casting reel, it didn't "feel right". Switched over to a left handed and haven't looked back.

[SausageFingers]

Left hand for me. Just feels more natural.

[Ridi620]

What is the benefit of using a left handed vs right handed bait caster, or is it preference? I use a left handed bait caster, even though im righty and find it so much easier. I feel like I have to keep switching my hands and positions with the right handed baitcaster. thoughts?

[lecisnith]

It pretty much comes down to personal preference.  Same as the difference in spinning reels.  The only actual difference I can think of is speed in transitioning from cast to reeling.

[Steveo-1969]

You said it, personal preference!  Whatever is most comfortable FOR YOU is the reel you should be using.  I'm right-handed.  I use a right-handed baitcaster but reel with my left-hand with a spinning reel.  If I try to reel with the other hand in either case it looks and feels like I've never used a fishing rod before...

[ethan-333]

i use left handed so i dont have to switch. but i have a couple of righties. in the end its personal preference along with a few seconds. those few seconds could catch you a winner on tourney day tho! (if your that worried about it)

[Ratherbfishing]

Before I "knew better", I fished with the handle on the right side of the reel (I'm right handed).  I did fine for the most part. HOWEVER, now that I've switched, I will not go back. It's odd to me that very few of the right handed fishermen I know place the handle on their spinning reels on the right hand side but they habitually purchase bait casting reels this way-even though most reel makers now offer a "left-hand" version for most of their products.

But...different strokes for different folks.

[Buckeye Ron]

I get it. I'm about to buy my first LH baitcaster after 45 years of righties. I'm sure it will feel odd for a while but it really does make sense to switch,especially for fast retrieve lures.

 

[MIbassyaker]

When I was shopping around for my first baitcaster, it took about 10 seconds to learn that a lefty was what I wanted despite being right-handed. Everything about right-handed casters feels wrong to me.

[Lendiesel22]

14 hours ago, MIbassyaker said:

When I was shopping around for my first baitcaster, it took about 10 seconds to learn that a lefty was what I wanted despite being right-handed. Everything about right-handed casters feels wrong to me.

X2 it feels bad and makes no sense to me

[Raul]

I am right handed and all my reels have the handle on the right side, I dare anybody to prove me I'm "wrong".

[Deleted account]

Guys should be made to watch videos of KVD before posting this question. If you palm the reel while fishing, its righty for righty and lefty for lefty, on the other hand if you fish like your hand was superglued to the trigger, then opposite side makes sense (but fishing this way doesn't) But like others have mentioned, whatever works for YOU is the right choice.

[BrianinMD]

Its personal preference 100%, fish what feels good to you. Not everyone will be the same. The only thing proven by someone trying to tell you it has to be done a specific way is they are someone to ignore advise from.

[Catt]

Personal preference!

I'm right handed & use righted reels!

I switch hands while my lure is in the air!

[roadwarrior]

George Welcome

• I love bass fishing!
•  
• 
• Members
• 15
• 1,811 posts
• Location Sebastian, Florida
• My PB: Please Choose
• Favorite Bass: Largemouth
• Favorite Lake or River: Stick Marsh/Farm 13

(IP: 67.35.112.245) ·

Posted 22 Aug 2007 · Report post

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.

You like this

---

 

George Welcome Sebastian Florida

[Lendiesel22]

Not buying that either 

[ww2farmer]

100% personal preference. I grew up using spinning reels, with the crank on the LH side, and holding the rod in my right hand. When I bought my first bait caster 25 or so years ago, I didn't pay any attention to what side the handle was on and bought a RH reel. I disliked it very much...............ever since then I have only bought LH casting reels. I have tried many times over the years to re-train myself to use a RH reel by using/ borrowing reels that are RH from buddies, but it just feels odd to me, and since there are plenty of LH reels, I won't be trying RH again anytime soon.

I am right handed, do everything right handed, and the weird sensation to me was not turning the reel handle with my right hand, but holding the rod in my left hand.

[Ridi620]

23 hours ago, Steveo-1969 said:

You said it, personal preference!  Whatever is most comfortable FOR YOU is the reel you should be using.  I'm right-handed.  I use a right-handed baitcaster but reel with my left-hand with a spinning reel.  If I try to reel with the other hand in either case it looks and feels like I've never used a fishing rod before...

hahaha @Steveo-1969 that's exactly how I felt

Awesome feedback. Thank you all. I'm going to stick with the LH Reels.