Right Vs Left - Opinion?

[Scuba Steve]

Just curious guys...

 

I'm still in the camp of just not being able to reel a baitcast reel with my left hand. It feels awkward, looks awkward, and just isn't fluid. I don't like the rod crossing my body from 5 to 11 o'clock either. Then of course there are people online who are like "Ohhh silly right handers it makes no sense to switch hands" yadi yada. I am right handed, so i cast from the right side, or overhead, then I'm able to switch hands before my bait hits the water. I hold my spinning rods in my right hand and reel with my left. 

 

So to the guys and gals that reel traditionally, and haven't gotten on the left retrieve train, do you guys notice any decrease in sensitivity or bite detection? Do you feel like you're as confident holding the rod with your less dominant hand? 

 

For me, and if I'm being honest, I don't think the confidence is as high as it is with a spinning set up, but its very close. Very rarely do I feel like I would have had a better shot if I got that bite on a spinning rod. However to me, the trade off just isn't worth it. And the confidence will increase with time I'm sure. I'd rather be able to reel smoothly in a circle and feel comfortable in my approach than feel like I'm missing an occasional soft bite. Am I wording this right? Make sense?

 

What do you guys think? I'd rather build my last little bit of confidence reeling righty than try to learn to reel lefty. 

[EWREX]

it's all personal preference and to me it's the dumbest debate out there and i see neither having a distinct advantage over the other. i prefer having the rod in my dominant hand which is my right and reeling with my left.

[Junger]

It's just muscle memory, if you keep doing it eventually it will feel normal. 

 

What I did was take a rod and reel, with no line/lure and just retrieve it on the couch while watching TV. After a few weeks, it felt normal and I have no issues reeling left or right handed. 

 

Casting takes a while longer since it takes actual time outside.

[islandbass]

Why do you think you “have” to choose a lefty when it’s painfully clear you are not comfortable fishing that way? 

 

There is no shame which side you go with and what’s that to anyone else or why would it matter what they think? You’re spending your hard earned cash and not them. 

 

The sad thing that would happen is if you chose the whatever sided reel to please the masses.

 

As for those who switch hands, it’s normal for them and they’re accustomed to it. Vice versa for those who retrieve the other way. 

 

A smaller category are are those that fish left on spinning and fish right with casting.  Is this you? If so, no big deal. 

 

As already mentioned, you have to but what is comfortable and works for YOU. 

 

And in the words of Metallica, “and nothing else matters.” 

[jbsoonerfan]

I wonder if people who kick a football or soccer ball left footed also use their left foot to operate their gas and brake pedal? I am right handed and I also switch before my lure hits the water and feel very confident in it. Been doing it for 25 years though so I suppose I am just use to it.

[Hulkster]

when i learned to use a baitcasting rig 20 years ago there were very few lefties on the market.

 

so i learned to cast and switch. Now I'm so good at it 20 years later I catch myself casting and switching hands before the lure even hits the water. I do it subconsiously i guess. 

[Choporoz]

I use RH reels.  My wife uses LH.

What is the question?

[NYWayfarer]

My father never used a baitcaster so growing up I had no one to teach me.

 

When I wanted to learn to use one I went to a sporting goods store and picked out a reel. The clerk asked me "right or left handed" and I told him I was right handed. He handed me a right handed baitcaster. I brought it home and the first thing I noticed was the handle was on the opposite side when compared to my spinning reel. I thought this can't be right (no pun intended) I kept it. I cast and switch hands and over time it's become second nature like breathing.

 

Funny thing is when my son picked up a baitcaster for the first time he said to me, the handle is on the wrong side. Great minds...

[MIbassyaker]

The answer to every left vs. right "dilemma" is the same:  It doesn't matter, and you should use whatever you're comfortable with.

[Todd2]

There is no right or wrong but I'm very happy that I switched to a left hand retrieve about a decade ago. BTW, it took one full day of fishing to get used to it as I remember.

[Choporoz]

I think it's a Lefty revenge conspiracy....payback for decades of us being forced to use righthanded scissors, gun safety's, notebooks, can openers, knife sharpeners, etc.

Muwhahaha

[NHBull]

^^^^This.

 

I am getting back at all the nuns that tied my left hand behind my back and hit me with rulers......yup, #menholdgrudgestoo. ?

[BassNJake]

I grew up reeling left handed on a spinning reel

So for me it seemed like a natural thing to do when going to a baitcaster, until I tried it

 

Reeling a casting reel with my left hand almost seemed as if I suddenly became a newborn deer

It was awkward, unbalanced, didn't feel the same at all and was definitely not smooth

 

After a few trips that changed and it was just a smooth feeling as a spinning reel

 

Then I got tendonitis in my elbow - had to learn how to cast left and reel right

 

Now I miss fish with both hands!!

[Mike L]

16 minutes ago, NHBull said:

^^^^This.

 

I am getting back at all the nuns that tied my left hand behind my back and hit me with rulers......yup, #menholdgrudgestoo. ?

 

You Too??

I can still feel that ruler across my nuckles!!

 

 

 

Mike

[Khoa Vu]

I am right handed. I've only recently got into using baitcasting reels and tried a few of my dad's RH reels, it just did not feel natural to me. It feels natural to me to have the rod in my dominant hand for feeling bites and for hooksets and leave the easier task of reeling in line to my less dominant hand. It also didn't feel efficient having to switch hand after casting to me. Though with practice, like many other users have pointed out, it does become second nature after awhile.

 

Again, to reiterate the comments above, it really is a personal preference thing. Do what feels natural and gives you the most confident in catching fish. Try things out, don't just go with what people suggest is the best thing for you, for they are not you. 

[The Maestro]

I reel with my right (both baitcaster and spinning). I pitch with my left so no need to switch hands but actual casting I need to switch the rod in my hands. This works out since there's more hang time to switch hands before the bait hits the water on a cast vs. a short pitch. I never gave any of this stuff any thought. It's just what always felt natural to me.

[MN Fisher]

What's this...the third left/right thread this year so far?

 

Anyway...I'm a righty, but cast with my left. That leaves my right hand able to start retrieving immediately. I CAN cast with my right and retrieve left, as I had to with the now retired Pflueger 640, but as my left arm is stronger/steadier than my right, I'm happy the way it is now.

[Mobasser]

I've cast right handed, and switched the rod to my left hand for a very long time. I'll never see a need for a left hand baitcaster. Don't feel like I'm missing fish or lacking sensitivity. It's automatic for me now

[Rich in Co]

I'll add to what every one said do what the most comfortable for you. I cast my bait casters with my left hand and reel with my right, and with spinning I cast with the right and reel with my left. been doing it my whole life

[nascar2428]

I'm right handed and use both right and left hand Bait casters. No debate for me.

[moguy1973]

I used to only reel with my right hand when I was younger because all my spin cast reels weren't able to be swapped to  the left side, until I got a Zebco33 I guess.  I learned to use my left hand to reel when I started fly fishing.  I fly cast with my right and my left hand would always be the stripping or reeling hand.  Carried over to my baitcasters and spinning rods now.  I can't use a right handed rod to save my life anymore.

[Johnbt]

"when i learned to use a baitcasting rig 20 years ago there were very few lefties on the market."

 

I learned in the mid-50s. Now that the good reels are also available in lefty models that's all I buy.

 

Fwiw, my father was righthanded too, but he golfed and batted lefthanded. So I suppose I could be a little ambihanded, although I was a mediocre switchhitter.

[dodgeguy]

9 hours ago, Scuba Steve said:

Just curious guys...

 

I'm still in the camp of just not being able to reel a baitcast reel with my left hand. It feels awkward, looks awkward, and just isn't fluid. I don't like the rod crossing my body from 5 to 11 o'clock either. Then of course there are people online who are like "Ohhh silly right handers it makes no sense to switch hands" yadi yada. I am right handed, so i cast from the right side, or overhead, then I'm able to switch hands before my bait hits the water. I hold my spinning rods in my right hand and reel with my left. 

 

So to the guys and gals that reel traditionally, and haven't gotten on the left retrieve train, do you guys notice any decrease in sensitivity or bite detection? Do you feel like you're as confident holding the rod with your less dominant hand? 

 

For me, and if I'm being honest, I don't think the confidence is as high as it is with a spinning set up, but its very close. Very rarely do I feel like I would have had a better shot if I got that bite on a spinning rod. However to me, the trade off just isn't worth it. And the confidence will increase with time I'm sure. I'd rather be able to reel smoothly in a circle and feel comfortable in my approach than feel like I'm missing an occasional soft bite. Am I wording this right? Make sense?

 

What do you guys think? I'd rather build my last little bit of confidence reeling righty than try to learn to reel lefty. 

I agree with you 100 percent. I can't reel a baitcaster lefty. I'm right handed.switching hands happens fast. I don't think I ever miss bites from it. Do what feels right.

[Flatrock]

Funny this topic came up..   I went fishing with a buddy yesterday.. all he had was R/H BC's.  I cast with my right and reel with my left.  I had a hell of a time trying to adjust my fishing with my left hand.  Finally I had to use his spinning outfit which felt right at home with.  All my BC's are L/H reels if for nothing else than because I'm used to reeling with my left.   My r/h is my dominate hand and reacts quicker...  just is what it is.

 

Funny thing was at the end of the day we stopped at a small tackle shop and he bought a L/H BC to try out.  We also found some really nice hand made spinners as well. 

[CrankFate]

I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t just get the normal right handed baitcaster and just turn the rod over, with the guides down?

 

Just look at how much fun he’s having—this could be you: