Left vs Right Handed Reels

[PhishLI]

https://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=specials

 

The Tackle Trap has a special deal on the Daiwa Catalina TW JDM reel in two gear ratios. 4:9 and 7:3 lefties. It's basically a scaled back Zillion HD, but with Magforce Z and a drag clicker. I have the 7:3. Awesome reel. Unbelievably tight and smooth. Just a touch wider than a Fuego CT.  It's a monster long caster too. $175 and free shipping.

[MassYak85]

1 hour ago, PhishLI said:

https://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=specials

 

The Tackle Trap has a special deal on the Daiwa Catalina TW JDM reel in two gear ratios. 4:9 and 7:3 lefties. It's basically a scaled back Zillion HD, but with Magforce Z and a drag clicker. I have the 7:3. Awesome reel. Unbelievably tight and smooth. Just a touch wider than a Fuego CT.  It's a monster long caster too. $175 and free shipping.

Thank God that's a lefty or I might have needed to start building a new cranking setup. Sweet deal though. 

[RichF]

57 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

Thank God that's a lefty or I might have needed to start building a new cranking setup. Sweet deal though. 

I'm right there with you. Been wanting to replace my E5 on my deep crank setup. This sucker would've been to my door already if wasn't for that silly left handle.

[HenryPF]

5 hours ago, PhishLI said:

https://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=specials

 

The Tackle Trap has a special deal on the Daiwa Catalina TW JDM reel in two gear ratios. 4:9 and 7:3 lefties. It's basically a scaled back Zillion HD, but with Magforce Z and a drag clicker. I have the 7:3. Awesome reel. Unbelievably tight and smooth. Just a touch wider than a Fuego CT.  It's a monster long caster too. $175 and free shipping.

 

Just bought one - glad I reel with my left hand cause so used to spinning reels as a kid.

[Michigander]

2 minutes ago, HenryPF said:

 

Just bought one - glad I reel with my left hand cause so used to spinning reels as a kid.

Other than for true flipping because the line would get caught on the handle, I just don't understand what a right handed baitcaster does for someone who is right handed other than the fact that that is what they first learned so it seems normal.

[clemsondds]

Please forgive my ignorance, but what's the advantages of a reel like this over a dc reel (eg slx dc or curado dc)? I am always up for buying higher quality, but have just been really impressed with the dc technology.  I have never used a high end reel...so looking to learn. thanks

[NorthernBasser]

52 minutes ago, Michigander said:

Other than for true flipping because the line would get caught on the handle, I just don't understand what a right handed baitcaster does for someone who is right handed other than the fact that that is what they first learned so it seems normal.

I'm right handed and that's all I knew growing up. Left hand reel for spinning and right hand for casting. I can't even imagine using a left-handed baitcaster. 

[PhishLI]

4 hours ago, clemsondds said:

Please forgive my ignorance, but what's the advantages of a reel like this over a dc reel (eg slx dc or curado dc)? I am always up for buying higher quality, but have just been really impressed with the dc technology.  I have never used a high end reel...so looking to learn. thanks

This is an imperfect analogy: Think of DC as almost an automatic transmission vs non DC as a manual transmission. With either you still need to drive the car, just a bit less with the DC reel.

 

If you step up the line in Shimano you can find features like the core solid metal bodies of the Bantam and Metanium, and more advanced DC braking systems. Less flex under load and generally tighter tolerances of machined parts is what you get. The Daiwa I linked has a mostly metal frame. Just the non handle side plate is composite, but the set plate inside it that carries the magnets and spool bearing is metal. It's the same idea here. Rigid materials keep moving the parts in check. By feel alone I can say that this thing has tight tolerances. I can detect no gear lash. There's no lateral movement of the main shaft either. That's what more $ buys you ultimately. You typically get a more robust package. I wanted this reel for it's benign braking profile. I already have a SV reel, so I wanted a less restrictive experience. Your thumb needs to be on point when the brakes are run near the redline on this one, but the Magforce Z does it's thing well midcast. I watched it fluff slightly while overhand bombing a 12 gram lure and it sorted itself out quickly, a few times. I'm very happy with this purchase at this stupid low price, so I shared the link.

 

In the end the higher end reels are simply luxury items. Reels in the $100-$200 price range are perfectly fine and can do nearly anything the higher end reels can during an actual day of bass fishing. If you appreciate a greater degree of tactile refinement, and are willing to fork over your bucks, the manufacturers present options. It's nothing more than that in actuality.

[HenryPF]

7 hours ago, clemsondds said:

Please forgive my ignorance, but what's the advantages of a reel like this over a dc reel (eg slx dc or curado dc)? I am always up for buying higher quality, but have just been really impressed with the dc technology.  I have never used a high end reel...so looking to learn. thanks

Some say it is the time you spend swapping the rod between hands can lead to a missed fish - i have never seen this happen.

 

My reasoning? I'm a righty and all my action in either spinning or baitcasting is delivered through the rod and my dumb hand (left) just spins a handle in a circle. Downfall - I can't use RH reels anymore, just feels odd.

[clemsondds]

8 hours ago, PhishLI said:

This is an imperfect analogy: Think of DC as almost an automatic transmission vs non DC as a manual transmission. With either you still need to drive the car, just a bit less with the DC reel.

 

If you step up the line in Shimano you can find features like the core solid metal bodies of the Bantam and Metanium, and more advanced DC braking systems. Less flex under load and generally tighter tolerances of machined parts is what you get. The Daiwa I linked has a mostly metal frame. Just the non handle side plate is composite, but the set plate inside it that carries the magnets and spool bearing is metal. It's the same idea here. Rigid materials keep moving the parts in check. By feel alone I can say that this thing has tight tolerances. I can detect no gear lash. There's no lateral movement of the main shaft either. That's what more $ buys you ultimately. You typically get a more robust package. I wanted this reel for it's benign braking profile. I already have a SV reel, so I wanted a less restrictive experience. Your thumb needs to be on point when the brakes are run near the redline on this one, but the Magforce Z does it's thing well midcast. I watched it fluff slightly while overhand bombing a 12 gram lure and it sorted itself out quickly, a few times. I'm very happy with this purchase at this stupid low price, so I shared the link.

 

In the end the higher end reels are simply luxury items. Reels in the $100-$200 price range are perfectly fine and can do nearly anything the higher end reels can during an actual day of bass fishing. If you appreciate a greater degree of tactile refinement, and are willing to fork over your bucks, the manufacturers present options. It's nothing more than that in actuality.

Thank you for that great explanation!  I know exactly what you mean.  Unfortunately, at this stage, I just don't get out enough to perfect my cast enough to where I don't worry about backlash.  With the dc reels, I haven't had to worry about it and provides a much more enjoyable experience and am able to do more fishing.  Hopefully down the road, I'll be able to have more days of fishing where I can have time to appreciate a beautiful piece with such tight tolerances...

It kills me to pass up on a good deal...

Thanks again!  

[Michigander]

10 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

I'm right handed and that's all I knew growing up. Left hand reel for spinning and right hand for casting. I can't even imagine using a left-handed baitcaster. 

And that's in line with what I was saying, you grew up with right handed baitcaster reels so that is your reality now which is fine. But if you look at it without the historical part, what sense does it make compared to a left handed retrieve? 

[rtwvumtneer6]

40 minutes ago, Michigander said:

And that's in line with what I was saying, you grew up with right handed baitcaster reels so that is your reality now which is fine. But if you look at it without the historical part, what sense does it make compared to a left handed retrieve? 

I should try to become efficient with both.  My fishing buddy throws left handed reels and there are times, especially in a partner tournament, that it would be beneficial to pick up one of his rigs or vice versa.  Physically, I can do it, but the mental block that happens must look something like Charles Barkley's golf swing ?

[NorthernBasser]

1 hour ago, Michigander said:

And that's in line with what I was saying, you grew up with right handed baitcaster reels so that is your reality now which is fine. But if you look at it without the historical part, what sense does it make compared to a left handed retrieve? 

Oh, I get it. But I just can't do left hand retrieve on baitcasters. I've tried and it feels so odd. Which is weird because I', complete opposite with spinning reels. 

[Brett's_daddy]

1 hour ago, NorthernBasser said:

Oh, I get it. But I just can't do left hand retrieve on baitcasters. I've tried and it feels so odd. Which is weird because I', complete opposite with spinning reels. 

I'm the opposite...to me all I knew was spinning reels growing up so I became so proficient using my dominant right arm to work the rod and my non-dominant left to reel that when I got into baitcasters just a few years ago trying to reel with my right hand felt so alien to me (even though I'm right-handed)...I could do it but it felt completely unnatural to me and I'm 100% more comfortable using a lefty casting reel and reeling with my left hand. Me personally, I want to use my stronger dominant arm/hand to work the rod and get powerful hook sets and such and my weaker arm/hand to reel.

[Quarry Man]

I believe that right handed people should use left hand retrieve reels. I personally fish spinning reels on the left and casters on the left as well. I feel more comfortable this way. When I am fishing heavy cover, I want my stronger hand in the rod. Does swapping rods after every cast reduce time spent with your bait in the water? Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t. But why switch if you don’t have to? IMO, working the rod requires more fine motor skill than reeling does. It’s just like writing, a lefty can write with their right hand and vice versa, but not well. Why not take every advantage you can get?

 

to each their own, but in the future I will be attempting to learn to cast with my left hand and retrieve with my right. Casting ampidextrous will help up shallow skipping cover from different parts of the boat. Reeling both sides helps in team tourneys like said above bc you can pick up a partners rod. Hope this helps

[suzuki2903]

ordered that reel today! seems like a great deal. im right handed but use left hand reels, tried a right hand reel once and felt very odd to me. im really surprised left hand reels arent more popular.

[MassYak85]

I fish righty reels and I'm right handed. It's how I grew up doing it. We're fishing for bass people, "stronger arm" doesn't matter unless you have twigs for arms. The fine motor skills you develop are what define your "dominant" hand. To me, something like turning a reel handle in a smooth circle fall in that category, to others, maybe twitching a bait falls more into that. It doesn't matter, do whatever is more comfortable. 

[Tizi]

I started with baitcasting gear and a right handed reel.  It’s what’s comfortable to me.  I am somewhat ambidextrous anyway.  On spinning gear I use a left handed retrieve.

[schplurg]

6 hours ago, Michigander said:

And that's in line with what I was saying, you grew up with right handed baitcaster reels so that is your reality now which is fine. But if you look at it without the historical part, what sense does it make compared to a left handed retrieve? 

I don't get it either. I was gifted a right handed baitcaster (my only one so far) and I use that, but I don't understand why people prefer it if their right arm is dominant.

 

I only use it that way because of tendinitis in my right arm, and I've never tried a lefty BC. I could use either I'm sure. I do it with spinners.

 

I cast right handed with my spinning gear because left handed casting feels weird, but the reel is set to righty. I can cast lefty with it but I just don't. How complicated are most casting motions anyways? You may find you have better control with your off-hand as you won't try and power it so much.

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, suzuki2903 said:

ordered that reel today! seems like a great deal. im right handed but use left hand reels, tried a right hand reel once and felt very odd to me. im really surprised left hand reels arent more popular.

Cool! Report back and share your impressions.

[Deeare]

On 2/14/2020 at 7:31 PM, PhishLI said:

https://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=specials

 

The Tackle Trap has a special deal on the Daiwa Catalina TW JDM reel in two gear ratios. 4:9 and 7:3 lefties. It's basically a scaled back Zillion HD, but with Magforce Z and a drag clicker. I have the 7:3. Awesome reel. Unbelievably tight and smooth. Just a touch wider than a Fuego CT.  It's a monster long caster too. $175 and free shipping.

I bought one also.  Mine was delivered on Friday.   Looks like a great reel.    If you use code BBC10 you’ll get an extra 10% off sale price.  

[Corey T]

Would this  make sense for a 3/8 Chatterbait set up? I need to do some research!

 

Update: definitely does not look like what I am after. Too bad though. That is a great deal. 

[PhishLI]

4 hours ago, Deeare said:

I bought one also.  Mine was delivered on Friday.   Looks like a great reel.    If you use code BBC10 you’ll get an extra 10% off sale price.  

Nice. I was able to get some time on mine Friday. It was windy and freezing. I had no problem throwing a less than aerodynamic 12 gram total boot tail swimmer for very good distance. I didn't expect that. The WP75 just kept going! I'll put some good time on it tomorrow with a range of baits, but it's already a winner as far as I can tell.

[Dens228]

I bought one when they were first offered and had right handed available too.  I used it for the first time a couple weeks ago and absolutely love it. 

 

[dodgeguy]

On 2/15/2020 at 12:41 AM, Michigander said:

Other than for true flipping because the line would get caught on the handle, I just don't understand what a right handed baitcaster does for someone who is right handed other than the fact that that is what they first learned so it seems normal.

Because some of us right handed people feel stupid and awkward reeling lefty. What's the big deal. Even lefties have to change their grip from the handle to palming when casting.

16 hours ago, schplurg said:

I don't get it either. I was gifted a right handed baitcaster (my only one so far) and I use that, but I don't understand why people prefer it if their right arm is dominant.

 

I only use it that way because of tendinitis in my right arm, and I've never tried a lefty BC. I could use either I'm sure. I do it with spinners.

 

I cast right handed with my spinning gear because left handed casting feels weird, but the reel is set to righty. I can cast lefty with it but I just don't. How complicated are most casting motions anyways? You may find you have better control with your off-hand as you won't try and power it so much.

Because we can cast righty better than lefty by far and we can reel smoother righty also.