Switch from right to left hand reels?

[Gera]

I just can't find any benefit of switching to LH retrieve (the engineer in my sees the movement waste operation on the rod switching hands but the capital investment in all new gear to LH retrieve does not justify the 2 seconds it takes to switch hands) . I also feel that while right arm is physically stronger, muscle memory is much stronger in the LH. You can teach your left arm to do any operation no matter the complexity. if you play guitar (or any other instrument) you will get the idea. 

Last year I started using spinning gear and I do retrieve it with my left hand. it is fantastic to balance workload between both arms trough the day, so another point for RH retrieve baitcasters. 

[bx.versatile]

I switched to using both two years ago and have no regrets. I've noticed I tend to need to adjust positioning and angle when I switch retrieves.

 

Switching to left hand retrieve makes it easier for me to use rod dominant techniques like flipping and jerkbaits.

 

I use right hand retrieve when I need more cranking power. Examples, horsing a fish out of grass mats on a long cast on frog or deep cranking.

 

I do feel less fatigue throughout the day and haven't noticed any downsides besides figuring out if I need a LH/RH on my next bait caster purchase.

 

 

[RDB]

IMO, you are better off just learning to cast from both sides.  If you are getting tired, there should be some good deals on gym memberships after the new year…or just have your wife reel ?.

[Dash Riprock]

I tried this last year after reading all the posts about the advantages of LH baitcasters and just could not get comfortable with it.

 

It makes no sense why LH spinning reels feel natural to me but LH baitcasters don't, but they don't. I guess it's what I grew up with and my muscle memory is too old to change. I don't know. It just didn't work for me. My cranking was choppy and I hated having to rethink which way the drag/tension knob etc. turned every time I made an adjustment. 

 

One thing you could do before investing in a LH baitcaster is go to Bass Pro or some place similar and try reeling one of the LH displays they have. I did that and it was awkward. Of course I didn't listen to what my brain and my arm were telling me, and bought a LH baitcaster anyway because I was determined to do this. 

 

I would also advise getting a cheapie LH baitcaster if you're going to try this. I bought a really sweet LH Curado off the Flea Market here and I'm still sick about giving it up. I ended up reselling it to another user but the Monkey has been on my back ever since about replacing it with a RH Curado. 

[Tatulatard]

It's a dexterity thing for me.  I'm right handed so I prefer to to use my right hand for cranking the reel handle with moving baits and jigging with the rod when working worms and jigs with the left being used for slack line pick up.  The exception is when using a small watercraft that needs my right hand to paddle and land fish by the boat.  I need the rod in my left hand then.  I can't lip land and unhook left handed.

[Skunkmaster-k]

I reel with my right hand on casting and spinning reels. Sometimes I turn my rod upside down and reel backwards just for fun. 

[Deleted account]

I would say "Forgive them father, for they know knot what they do" but I've been asked knot to...

Cast both with right arm, crank BCs with right hand, crank spinning with left, like a human, Happy New Year!

[contium]

3 hours ago, Dash Riprock said:

It makes no sense why LH spinning reels feel natural to me but LH baitcasters don't, but they don't.

 

I could never figure this out either but I feel the same way.

[ironbjorn]

I would either sell the RH reels or use the RH reels for chuck and wind baits and use the LH reels for baits you move with the rod.

[Tatulatard]

2 hours ago, contium said:

I could never figure this out either but I feel the same way.

Because you don't switch grips between casting and holding the rod with a spinning reel maybe?

[Dash Riprock]

19 hours ago, Tatulatard said:

Because you don't switch grips between casting and holding the rod with a spinning reel maybe?

I don't know, maybe. For me it's more a matter of my left hand not being able to crank a baitcaster smoothly - it's kind of a jerky motion that I couldn't overcome. Plus my right hand could never find a natural "landing place". I constantly had to force myself to reposition my right hand up over the reel, whereby my left hand naturally lands in the palming position after casting. I have neither problem with a spinning reel. It makes no sense.

[Darth-Baiter]

this is not "one-size" fits all.  when i grab a combo from my friend who switched to all lefty stuff for medical reasons.  he blew out an elbow or something. it feels so weird cranking a baitcaster with my left hand.  it's like the handle is oblong or something.  i crank with (i like your description @Dash Riprock) the same jerky motion.  hahha..it takes a minute but i get it down.  

 

this is on topic i'll do it my way.  cuz it's my way.  there is no right/wrong here.  i couldnt stomach the $$ to swap now anyways.  

23 hours ago, contium said:

I could never figure this out either but I feel the same way.

i have never swapped sides on a spinning reel.  easy enough to do.  i bet it still feels awkward. 

[Tatulatard]

1 hour ago, Dash Riprock said:

I don't know, maybe. For me it's more a matter of my left hand not being able to crank a baitcaster smoothly - it's kind of a jerky motion that I couldn't overcome. Plus my right hand could never find a natural "landing place". I constantly had to force myself to reposition my right hand up over the reel, whereby my left hand naturally lands in the palming position after casting. I have neither problem with a spinning reel. It makes no sense.

I think that probably has to do with the spinning reel being below the rod and the baitcast reel being on top.  I feel like when I use a baitcaster I use only my hand to turn the handle.  I use my whole arm when using a left hand spinning reel.  I had to retrain my left hand when using my 1st lefty baitcast reel.  It wanted to do a jerky turn on the handle like you describe.  

[Bankc]

I prefer RH casting and LH spinning.  That way my right hand is always cranking.  When pitching and flipping, I use my left hand, which took some getting used to, so I'd always have my right hand ready to engage the spool.  But after a month or two of practice, it feels natural to me either way.  Otherwise, I typically cast right-handed.  But again, I'll do it left-handed in situations where I need to.  And I am severely right-handed.  

 

It's whatever you feel most comfortable doing.  There's no serious advantage to doing it one way or the other.  Fishing doesn't require the fine motor skills of something like playing a musical instrument or drawing.  Even accurate casts rely more on timing that coordination.  

 

As for what to do with your old reels?  I'd say keep them and make the transition slowly.  You've already learned how to use them, so you won't be at a disadvantage while you slowly switch over.  You won't become a left-handed reeler.  You'll become an ambidextrous reeler who prefers using their left.  

[Big Hands]

I do it the "normal way" ? and haven't felt any need to change BECAUSE I'M NOT A DEGENERATE FREAK!

 

Just kidding. I am actually a degenerate (Definition: an immoral or corrupt person) freak, but I don't think it impacts the method I use to hold a rod or turn the crank on a reel enough for me to feel the need to experiment.

 

I see it as a solution looking for a problem I'm not aware that I have. If someone else is doing it different, no skin on my undercarriage will require medical intervention. . . unless they try to marry into my family. Then we have a problem.

[Catt]

Watch videos of KVD 

 

He casts with either hand but all his reels are right handed. 

 

Many of the Pros do the same

[Deleted account]

On 11/29/2022 at 2:36 PM, Tatulatard said:

Because you don't switch grips between casting and holding the rod with a spinning reel maybe?

21 hours ago, Dash Riprock said:

For me it's more a matter of my left hand not being able to crank a baitcaster smoothly 

 

Winners, winners!...

[PhishLI]

I'm not a spaz, so I do what I like, and that's use both equally well, but there's a reason why I can so easily. I was cranking dials using both hands on Bridgeport milling machines and Hardinge tool room lathes starting when I was 12. I needed to use both hands for cranking at a controlled speed, and precisely. Coming from that, and with left and right handed reels being available, the idea of switching hands while casting never even entered my mind. I'm sane, so why would it? On top of that, I was using bait casters before I'd ever thought of looking at a fishing forum, so who knew that certain kooks took a hardened position on the matter? ? Had I known there was a debate beforehand, my mind wouldn't have changed anyway. It's a trivial matter, so...

 

Eh, do whatever you like and be happy, just like me.

[FrnkNsteen]

4 hours ago, PhishLI said:

I'm not a spaz, so I do what I like, and that's use both equally well, but there's a reason why I can so easily. I was cranking dials using both hands on Bridgeport milling machines and Hardinge tool room lathes starting when I was 12. I needed to use both hands for cranking at a controlled speed, and precisely. Coming from that, and with left and right handed reels being available, the idea of switching hands while casting never even entered my mind. I'm sane, so why would it? On top of that, I was using bait casters before I'd ever thought of looking at a fishing forum, so who knew that certain kooks took a hardened position on the matter? ? Had I known there was a debate beforehand, my mind wouldn't have changed anyway. It's a trivial matter, so...

 

Eh, do whatever you like and be happy, just like me.

So you're saying you can manually mill a diagonal slot? ? You probably do pretty well on an old etch and sketch too! ? Mine look like a set of stairs when I've tried it!

 

Hadn't thought about how that could be of help as I am comfortable with either direction as well and I've spent my fair share of time on a Bridgeport mill or a Lathe

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, FrnkNsteen said:

So you're saying you can manually mill a diagonal slot? ? You probably do pretty well on an old etch and sketch too! ? Mine look like a set of stairs when I've tried it!

?

1 hour ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Hadn't thought about how that could be of help as I am comfortable with either direction as well and I've spent my fair share of time on a Bridgeport mill or a Lathe

So, we're an army of two then. I'm thinking it couldn't have hurt.

[Deleted account]

5 hours ago, PhishLI said:

I'm not a spaz, so I do what I like, and that's use both equally well, but there's a reason why I can so easily. I was cranking dials using both hands on Bridgeport milling machines and Hardinge tool room lathes starting when I was 12. I needed to use both hands for cranking at a controlled speed, and precisely. Coming from that, and with left and right handed reels being available, the idea of switching hands while casting never even entered my mind. I'm sane, so why would it? On top of that, I was using bait casters before I'd ever thought of looking at a fishing forum, so who knew that certain kooks took a hardened position on the matter? ? Had I known there was a debate beforehand, my mind wouldn't have changed anyway. It's a trivial matter, so...

 

Eh, do whatever you like and be happy, just like me.

Huffing cutting oil, see now that explains a lot...  

[PhishLI]

52 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

Huffing cutting oil, see now that explains a lot...

Yeah, and then came my psychedelic phase, so add that.

[Deleted account]

16 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Yeah, and then came my psychedelic phase, so add that.

Took a while for parents to figure out that the only reason I was into model planes was for the Duco cement...