Fools question

[Whatever]

We have all heard the comment "there is no such thing as a stupid question", and we all know that is nonsense--so, here goes---

I got my first spinning rod in 1965. I got my first fly rod in 1969. Consequently, my right hand is my "rod hand" (as I am right handed). I have fished extensively since then, using a variety of gear, but 99% of my fishing has been spin or fly gear.

Now I am considering my first bait casting reel, and am skeptical of "reeling" with my right hand, and using my left for rod control. Have any of you "righties" bought a left hand bait castling reel to confront this problem? After 55 years of primarily doing using my right hand to control my rod, it just seems completely foreign to reverse that concept of ingrained muscle memory. If nothing else, it would eliminate switching the rod from right hand to left to begin the retrieve.

Do you guys have any valid thoughts on this?

[mrpao]

I would say just test it out to see which you prefer. Right or left retrieve.

I hold my baitcast rods with my left hand but spinning rods with my right. 

Also keeps my arms from getting too tired after fishing for hours, because i can switch between baitcasting and spinning combos.

[jimmyjoe]

   Do whatever feels right to you and don't look back.  ?   jj

[Mike L]

Contrary to a lot of opinions Switching hands is a non factor for a lot of people including me. 
My switch is done before the lure hits the water. 
Yes, I tried reeling with my left hand once which lasted almost 30 seconds. 

There are about a dozen threads on here about left handed reels for right handed people and right handed reels 
for left handed people. 
It always comes down to the same conclusion...Try them both and use what is most comfortable for you. 
 

 

 

 

Mike 
 

[BrianMDTX]

I have baitcasters that reel left...and right. I use both equally well. The only difference is I switch rod hands after casting with a right-hand retrieve, which takes no time at all. 

[papajoe222]

I was in a similar situation. I grew up using spinning gear and didn't purchase a baitcaster for over 25 years.  My line of thinking was the same as yours. The problem was there were no left handed baitcasters for bass fishing back then and I found that the switch was almost instinctive.  I still use spinning gear occasionally, reeling with my left hand, but for the life of me, I can't use a left hand casting reel.  Go figure.

[WRB]

I hold my fly and spinning rod with my right hand and cast my baitcasting rod/reels with my right hand and switch the rod over to my left hand and reel right handed. Why? That is normal during 50's to 70's, very few left hand bait casting reels during that era.

If you are conditioned holding and casting right handed learning to turn a reel handle left handed should be easy.

Just curious, are you right eye dominate?

Tom

 

[Whatever]

Since birth, I am all but blind in my left eye (lazy eye). I have poor depth perception as a result, and am incredibly clumsy doing anything left handed. (please don't tell the Army- they might call me back to punish me for lying)

[islandbass]

2 hours ago, Whatever said:

We have all heard the comment "there is no such thing as a stupid question", and we all know that is nonsense--so, here goes---

I got my first spinning rod in 1965. I got my first fly rod in 1969. Consequently, my right hand is my "rod hand" (as I am right handed). I have fished extensively since then, using a variety of gear, but 99% of my fishing has been spin or fly gear.

Now I am considering my first bait casting reel, and am skeptical of "reeling" with my right hand, and using my left for rod control. Have any of you "righties" bought a left hand bait castling reel to confront this problem? After 55 years of primarily doing using my right hand to control my rod, it just seems completely foreign to reverse that concept of ingrained muscle memory. If nothing else, it would eliminate switching the rod from right hand to left to begin the retrieve.

Do you guys have any valid thoughts on this?

I am willing to bet a floating rapala Minnow that you will feel 1000 times better with a bc reel with its handle on the same side as your spinning reel(s).

 

I guarantee it and because you’re somewhat in my neck of the woods we have traditionally gone against the “traditional” RH casting as is done/standard practice in other parts of the country. You will find most silver torpedo hunting anglers using casting gear that are RH dominant use LH reels. 
 

we (the Pacific Northwest) probably account for 85% of Shimano’s LH sales, lol 

if you retrieve with your LH, then get a bc reel in the same fashion. 

Sure, try both LH and RH. I will repeat my guarantee. You will instantly choose the former. If not, send me your address. The Minnow will be on its way.  
 

Ending this debate/discussion now and in the words mentioned at the end of every iron chef battle, “It’s ovah!”

 

’nuff said ??

 

 

[Whatever]

That is a fair proposition, Sir! I will put up a half dozen salmon flies on my end. I have access to a RH retrieve reel to try out, but it might be a while before I can locate a LH reel (without having to buy one).

Regardless, I appreciate your input!

[Hammer 4]

3 minutes ago, Whatever said:

That is a fair proposition, Sir! I will put up a half dozen salmon flies on my end. I have access to a RH retrieve reel to try out, but it might be a while before I can locate a LH reel (without having to buy one).

Regardless, I appreciate your input!

If you have a spinning reel, most will allow you to flip the handle to either side, I know it's not the same, but might give you an idea which side you prefer.

 

I'm a righty, I cast with my right, and reel with my left, has worked for me for many, many years. But, everyone is different.

[Derek1]

Reel with the same hand you always have. Hold the rod in the same hand you always have. It will be fine. They didn’t have a choice before. When I switched to casting gear, I got it to be used the same same way I used my spinning gear. I didn’t know people switched hands until I started reading here. 

[Captain Phil]

Over the years, I have experimented with both left and right handed reels.  I'm right handed, so I normally fish a spinning reel by holding the rod with my right hand and reeling with my left.  I switch hands when using a casting outfit.   There was a time when I felt I had more control by using a left handed casting reel for worm fishing.   My hook sets were firmer and I could feel the worm better.  I had to training myself to reel with my left hand.   When I got older, I started to have arthritis in my hands and arms. Not bad enough to keep me from fishing, just bad enough so I felt it.  Alternating hands during the day helped to keep the pain down.  

 

I have seen people who used a spinning reel upside down.  It's very awkward to watch. I say you should use whatever you are comfortable with.  The fish don't care how you hold your rod.  

[new2BC4bass]

Buy LH, but learn to use a RH reel.  You can thank me later.  Cranking certain lures on a tip heavy rod can wear out your rod arm.  Having the ability to crank with both hands can be a blessing.  I always carry both LH & RH reels when I know I will be out all day.  Although an all day excursion is not required for me to carry both. 

 

A side benefit is you can purchase any reel that interests you regardless of which side the handle is on.  Not all reels come in either hand.  Remember....the Bait Monkey is your friend.  Learn to work with him. 

[Fin S]

I'm right handed but use a lefty baitcaster. I just prefer reeling with my left hand and steering with my right.

[Hower08]

I will put it simple. I am left hand "incompetent".I cannot reel a spinning reel with my right hand or a casting reel with my left hand. I have tried and it just doesn't work that way for me. 

[Fishnski48]

I've been a fly fisherman for over 40 years and spin fishing since I'm about 5 (a looong  time ago) and so a left handed reel has been very familiar to me.  When I started using baitcasters (about 15 years ago I immediately purchased Left handed reels and it feels very comfortable.  

I have been on trips where the guides had R/H reels and I could use them but it showed me how much more comfortable L/H reels are for me.

Go what is comfortable and works for you.  If you watch some of the FLW or MLF shows there are pros using a L/H reel.

 

[islandbass]

19 hours ago, Whatever said:

That is a fair proposition, Sir! I will put up a half dozen salmon flies on my end. I have access to a RH retrieve reel to try out, but it might be a while before I can locate a LH reel (without having to buy one).

Regardless, I appreciate your input!

I’m speaking from experience and trying to save you the surprise discovery of finding out a RH reel felt awkward. 
 

Then it dawned on me. It is called a RH or LH reel because that hand, regardless of the angler’s hand dominance will turn the handle. 
 

The first casting reel I bought was an RH because I was right handed and therefore should use a “right-handed” reel, lol. 
 

if you played baseball in your youth, you most likely used your dominant hand to throw the ball and the other to catch. So, if we use our right hand to throw the bait, it makes sense that we should choose a LH casting reel because our throwing/casting hand is our right. 
 

with that said, there are exceptions however bass akward our angling breathren here who actually take the take to switch hands while the lure is in mid-air (just rubbing some, said lovingly and jokingly). And, I will bet a rapala dt6 you won’t be one of them, lol. 
 

There once was a guy driving to the airport to catch a flight ✈️. He saw a sign that read “Airport Left,” so he turned around and went home. 

[JediAmoeba]

A couple years ago I got a really good deal on 2 Daiwa Zillions.  They were left handed reels and I thought I could make the switch.  I was wrong and quickly sold them.  

[Whatever]

" Remember....the Bait Monkey is your friend.  Learn to work with him"

 

I have to confess, I am unsure on what exactly a "bait monkey" is---Do they eat much? Can they adapt to cold weather?

Dee

[BrianMDTX]

11 minutes ago, Whatever said:

" Remember....the Bait Monkey is your friend.  Learn to work with him"

 

I have to confess, I am unsure on what exactly a "bait monkey" is---Do they eat much? Can they adapt to cold weather?

Dee

I’m finding out the BM has a voracious appetite, no matter the temps!

[Whatever]

20 hours ago, Hammer 4 said:

If you have a spinning reel, most will allow you to flip the handle to either side, I know it's not the same, but might give you an idea which side you prefer.

 

I'm a righty, I cast with my right, and reel with my left, has worked for me for many, many years. But, everyone is different.

That is the crux of the issue. I have always used RH spinning reels and fly gear, and cannot fathom using my Left hand for rod control. It just strikes me as extremely awkward. Granted, I am an old dog.

[BrianMDTX]

islandbass, I think there is a lot of truth in what you say. Months ago I started a thread about LH vs RH baitcasters, and why most RH anglers will cast a spinning rod with their right hand and reel with the left, vs casting right, switching rod hands and reeling right with a BC. After all the replies, I regretted buying a LH Black Max and went out and bought a RH reel. 

 

But before I could return it, I decided to buy a MHF rod for Texas rigs (the RH reel was on a MF rod), and opted to try the LH baitcaster. It works fine. I can reel a baitcaster with my left hand as easily as I can a spinning reel. Go figure!

 

Now, if you ever saw me try to throw a baseball left-handed, or switch hit, well, that’s a total disaster! 

[Whatever]

2 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

islandbass, I think there is a lot of truth in what you say. Months ago I started a thread about LH vs RH baitcasters, and why most RH anglers will cast a spinning rod with their right hand and reel with the left, vs casting right, switching rod hands and reeling right with a BC. After all the replies, I regretted buying a LH Black Max and went out and bought a RH reel. 

 

But before I could return it, I decided to buy a MHF rod for Texas rigs (the RH reel was on a MF rod), and opted to try the LH baitcaster. It works fine. I can reel a baitcaster with my left hand as easily as I can a spinning reel. Go figure!

 

Now, if you ever saw me try to throw a baseball left-handed, or switch hit, well, that’s a total disaster! 

We are sharing a boat! Being pretty well blind in my left eye, I am hopeless doing anything left handed. Years ago, I shot completive pistol, and when the match required "Weak hand engagements", it was Clear the decks! 

[LCG]

Right handed and use left handed reels. Just seems more comfortable for me. Rod in the right hand reel handle in my left.