Anyone start using a left-handed baitcaster after years of using righties?

[Junk Fisherman]

So how did it go?  I am thinking about getting a left-handed reel for my jerkbait rod.  It still feels awkward snapping my rod downward with my left arm while it feels normal with my right arm.  I am not going to swap over all baitcaster reels and I reel my spinning rods with my left hand.  Just something I've been thinking about.  

[Crankin4Bass]

I bought lefty reels for topwater, jerkbaits and frogs. It's so much better for me. I never felt like I could work baits properly with my left (non dominant hand) and reeling always felt clumsy. I still have plenty of right handed reels I use for everything else.

 

A left handed reel is just a click away. The Bait Monkey says do it!

[new2BC4bass]

No, but I started using right handed after using left handed. 

[Happybeerbuzz]

It only took m a couple of trips to get accustom to it.  By the end of the year, it became perfectly natural.  Now, I use both left and right handed baitcasters.  I mainly crank with right handed baitcasters.  

[dodgeguy]

I bought one by accident. I didn't return it because a lot of guys who are righty pitch with a lefty. I tried it and at first it was awkward. Now I'm in the process of converting all of my reels. Right now the lefties are for pitching and bottom contact baits and worms.

Edited December 13, 2021 by dodgeguy

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

I’m one of those that has converted from right- to left-handed reels.  Motivation for this came from an incident involving a long-handled rod, a sit-in kayak, s bulky life vest, and my own innate lack of coordination.  While said incident was certainly entertaining to those who witnessed it, I did manage to break a rod and litter the bottom of a local lake with a number of soft baits.  It took awhile to become comfortable with the change but now I feel secure casting, retrieving, setting the hook, and playing the fish with my dominant hand/arm.  The change has benefited me, but it does take some “getting used to”.   (Bystanders have commented that I’m not nearly as much fun to watch as I used to be though.)

[PhishLI]

2 hours ago, Junk Fisherman said:

So how did it go?

I'm a righty that uses left handed reels. No hand switching for me. However, I bought a righty reel to teach myself to cast lefty and reel righty mostly for solving boat position issues. I figured it out and can use either type now and have plenty of righty reels, but I still prefer right handed casting and left handed reeling except for one technique. For whatever the reason it turns out that I prefer jerking a minner holding the rod in my left hand. I wouldn't have predicted this, but I'm glad I tried. Anything's worth a shot.

[BrianMDTX]

I use both equally well. Rod action and reeling. Which is funny as I can’t fish a spinning rig with the rod in my left hand and reeling right. 

[fishhugger]

I learned bait casting maybe in September, and I'm a rightie.  I decided it made sense too buy leftie reels (lh works the reel handle).  I'm used too spinning reels, which for me, and I guess most, are left hand reeling.

never looked back, at least for bait casters. Now learning to cast my bc leftie... Sucks to have to switch hands too reel...... Idk How people are ok with it. But I'm a newbie.  

[CrankFate]

No, but if I fly fish, I fish with the rod in my left hand.

[RDB]

I am right handed and have no issues working a bait with my left but I do a lot of things (i.e. shoot a bow) lefty.  As far as switching hands, I believe serious fishermen would do themselves a favor learning to cast, skip and pitch from both sides.  I am just as accurate left or right and it is amazing how often it makes a big difference.  Plus, I often let co-anglers fish from the front deck and always have to adjust to their style.

[Scott F]

I bought a left handed baitcaster by accident. It took no time at all to get used to it. I already cast holding spinning rods in my right hand and turning the handle with my left. This is the same thing. It didn’t feel unnatural at all. 

[GRiver]

My first baitcaster was a lefty, I didn’t like they idea of switching hands, tried it with a spinning rig. Just didn’t like it. 

[cyclops2]

I can pickup & eat right or left handed ?Drink ? steer a car ?

 

 NO  NO NO

[Jaderose]

Watching me try to reel with my left hand is like watching a gorilla try to solve a Rubik's Cube.  It's just sad

[FishinBuck07]

When I first got into baitcasters my buddy sold me a right handed Abu for cheap to get started.  I fished that way for a season, then realized it didn't feel natural.  The reason being is I have always had the handle on my spinning reels for as long as I have been fishing, so why not the baitcasters.  Best decision I have ever made switching to left hand retrieve on my casting reels, better hooksets for sure.  He says I am weird but I believe he is the weird one since he uses his spinning reels the exact same way as I do!!!  haha  

[Deephaven]

Don't do it.  Once you buy one you will want to replace them all.  Luckily I bought my first before my collection was as big as it is now.

[dodgeguy]

9 minutes ago, Deephaven said:

Don't do it.  Once you buy one you will want to replace them all.  Luckily I bought my first before my collection was as big as it is now.

Yeah I fought it for years but that's what's happening.

[Deleted account]

No.

[Hulkster]

never! cast and switch like Roland Martin baby!! when I learned in the late 90s the odd lefty was starting to appear on the market. I looked at one and farted on it immediately!

 

Righty's forever!

[Kev-mo]

I decided to try a lefty reel whenever they closed out the Curado E's (10 years ago?). Never looked back.

[Darth-Baiter]

I can cast with either hand.  Flip/pitch I’m better with my left.  
 

cranking the handle on a baitcast with my left?  The wheels come off the wagon.  Makes no sense!!  I crank a spinning with my left!!  Argh. 
 

i want to have a mix of reels. If I buy into BFS, I think it will be a lefty reel. 

[NavyToad]

Cranked spinning reels with my left hand for 30 years and then bought a right handed baitcaster. I couldn’t get used to it and bought a left handed baitcaster. Sold the right handed baitcaster and never looked back. That was 20 years ago and now I have 2 spinning setups and a dozen baitcasters. Holding the rod in my left hand will never work for me.

[new2BC4bass]

7 hours ago, Deephaven said:

Don't do it.  Once you buy one you will want to replace them all.  Luckily I bought my first before my collection was as big as it is now.

Why?  Use both hands.  Keep them all.  Have twice as many reels. 

[redmeansdistortion]

6 hours ago, Jaderose said:

Watching me try to reel with my left hand is like watching a gorilla try to solve a Rubik's Cube.  It's just sad

I hear you loud and clear.  I tried lefties for a season and never got the hang of it, just didn't feel right.