What say you: How many of you use....

[smd]

How many of you use a left handed retrieve baitcast even though you are right handed? Those who do, do you find it easier and more smoother when transitioning after a cast? I have toyed with they idea but never tried it. I do reel left handed with spin cast so i just thought about why not with a baitcast. Is there any difference then? Discuss...

[TournyFish001]

I use left handed because before I used a baitcaster I used a spinning with my left hand retrieve- I found it to be an easy transition.  I read somewhere that if most pros were to start all over they would go with left hand retrieve- they are just used to it because back in the day right handed baitcasters were all that was available- I read this a while back just can't remember where.

[RoLo]

Since I am right-handed, I only use left-handed casting reels.

If a casting reel is not available in a left-hand version, I strike it off my list of candidates.

With a left-hand reel, the right-handed angler is able to cast the lure and fight the fish with his dominant arm.

Left-handed reels should really be called "right-handed" reels (I have no idea why they're not).

Roger

[roadwarrior]

Fighting a fish is fundamentally different with these two types of equipment.

Spinning gear relies on the "strong" arm to fight the fish and the "weak" hand to retrieve line when you can.

Baitcasting equipment is designed to "crank in" a fish with the "strong" hand while maintaining a firm and steady grip on the rod with the "weak" arm.

[justfishin]

I am right handed and have always used a lefty since day one. It is just the most comfortable to me. I guess if you are first starting out you try a R and L you will know. Its just  how I fish and is actually more  convieniant for me as well. Whatever floats your boat I say.

[Raul]

I am right handed, have always fished with righty baitcasters cuz back then in the age of the dinosaurs when I started fishing with BCs the only BCs available were righties. Once you have created the pattern of movement it doesn 't matter if you have to switch hands, even my spinning reels have the handle in the righty side.

Save yourself some trouble and time, you cast with the right, crank with the left get a lefty BC.

[flechero]

Fighting a fish is fundamentally different with these two types of equipment.

Spinning gear relies on the "strong" arm to fight the fish and the "weak" hand to retrieve line when you can.

Baitcasting equipment is designed to "crank in" a fish with the "strong" hand while maintaining a firm and steady grip on the rod with the "weak" arm.

Wow, we look at this totally different, Roadwarrior. In my case, I use my right (weak) hand to hold a spinning rod and my left (strong) for baitcast. I use the weak with spinning so I don't overpower it. (and since i use spinning with lighter line and lighter drag, I have no reason to use the strong hand on the rod, in fact when I do, I tend to pull trebles hooks out or apply too much rod pressure)

The weak hand retrieves the baitcast because I need the power and control with the rod... since I use my drag on a baitcaster, your spinning reel argument applies to my BC reels.  Anytime I horse a fish, I horse with the rod, not the reel so the stronger and more coordinated arm is preferred for me. (my strong arm

on the rod and left thumb on the spool, applying pressure to momentarily increase the drag for the "horsing")

I lucked into this way, my first several reels didn't give me a choice of right or left retrieve.

Oh yeah, ROLO- they are left or right "hand retrieve", not left and right "handed reels".  But it is confusing, I still hesitate when ordering one on line. ...lol

[Guest the_muddy_man]

I just switched from spinning to baitcasting, Im also right handed. I'm so used to the way I reel I bought 3 left hand retrieve bait casters. Some of the fellas using BC'S for years said at one time they only came with right hand retrieve so thats how most learned I got left hand retrieve b/c thats what Im used to and thats how Im learning

[.ghoti.]

I cast with my right arm. Can't cast worth a hoot with my left, and have found no reason to bother with learning. All my baitcasters are right hand retrieve. All my spinning reels are left hand retrieve. I was up in the air about the fly rods for a while but they are now all left hand retrieve. Yeah, I know, it's goofy.

I grew up with spinning reels. Mitchell 300's to be precise. My dad and grandad insisted that the cranks be on the left, so that's how I learned. When I got into baitcasters, all I could buy were right hand retrieve reels, so that's how I learned on those.

I did buy a left hand BC once to try, thinking I could eliminate that swap and gain some efficiency. What I discovered was that I could not cast with the reel in the palming position. So I still had a transition from casting grip to palming grip. That seemed even clumsier to me than swapping hands. I gave away the left hand reel and never bought another one.

If you're new to baitcasting, why not try both. You'll soon discover which you prefer. You may end up like Avid, who uses both, if memory serves. Just buy the best you can afford. A cheap baitcaster will frustrate the heck out of you in either hand.

Good luck,

GK

[R Tilson]

I started out using right hand retrieve reels but found I was very ineffect and tried a left hand retrieve much to my liking. I relate it to the "goofy foot" you hear about in surfing or stakeboarding. With my right hand working the crank I could not effectively work the bait with the rod in my left hand. Just like riding a board I'm more comfortable with my right foot forward even though I'm righty. At least back when I was of boarding age.

[sodaksker]

Since I am right-handed, I only use left-handed casting reels.

If a casting reel is not available in a left-hand version, I strike it off my list of candidates.

With a left-hand reel, the right-handed angler is able to cast the lure and fight the fish with his dominant arm.

Left-handed reels should really be called "right-handed" reels (I have no idea why they're not).

Roger

My sentiments exactly.

[Lightninrod]

I'm lucky with baitcaters(that's all that I use) in that I'm left-handed and that's one of the few times being left-handed has an advantage .

IMO, your dominate arm should handle the more difficult task;  casting and fighting the fish................

Dan

[Captain Cali]

I'm a righty and use a lefty. Wouldn't have it any other way.

[Alpster]

I am hopelessly right handed and I have caught a lot of fish with a spinning reel that I crank with my left hand and a a baitcaster cranking with my right hand. Never once have I been confused or felt awkward. In 40+ years of fishing with both, my mind has never had to think about it. It's as natural as riding a bicycle. Don't think too hard about this, just do what's comfortable for you. JMHO

Ronnie

[Cigarlover 1]

I am lefthanded. I cast with my left and reel with my right for both BC and spinning. I was brought up on a Zeb33 spincast. For baitcasting it's great but spinning reels are another story.

[FishTank]

I am right handed and I have used spinning gear for years. Late last year I tried to learn how to use a right handed baitcaster.  I had no luck.  I tried again at the begining of this year and still no luck.  I borrowed a left handed baitcaster from a fishing buddy and the problem was solved.  I now would have it no other way.  It has to be a left handed baitcaster.  It just feels natural, so why fight it.

[RoLo]

Baitcasting equipment is designed to "crank in" a fish with the "strong" hand while maintaining a firm and steady grip on the rod with the "weak" arm.

I've caught fish in the ocean that weighed more than I do, using conventional tackle (baitcasting),

and the only task assigned to the left arm (weak arm) was to wind in the slack line that was gained by the strong arm.

            Little fish can be cranked with the reel, but whenever power is needed to fight a big fish,

it's a matter of pumping the fish with the ROD (right-hand), and winding in the slack line with the weak arm,

during each downstroke of the rod.

Roger

[LrgMouthCatcha]

I am right handed... With a baitcaster, I cast with my right, reel with my right. With a spinning reel, i cast with my right, and reel with my left.  I sounds complicated, but that is what is natural/comfortable for me.  As far as saving time... i think that is overdone - theres not much difference in the time it takes.

Another point... if you get "exhausted" from fighting a bass - no matter which hand you're fighting him with you need to take more vitamins  

[Papa_Tom]

First, I never have subscribed to the efficiency theory of the time lost while changing hands.  Plenty of time for that while the lure is in the air...possible exception being some flip applications.  BC  I use both r/h and l/h retrieve reels.  I flip righthanded (LH retrieve), but I cast and pitch with my left hand, crank righty.  Spinning, cast right crank left.  Hard to believe how ugly it gets when I try to change that one.

[fishbear]

I am of the same opinion of several above.... I want my strong, ie. right arm hanging onto the rod at all times...   Like it was said above, you ever hook into a monster fish that weighs more than you do that reel will not bring it in,, muscle will...

That being said my bc reels are split about 50/50 because sometimes I have no choice,,, ie.. gifts, deals etc.....

[HPBB]

I am right handed and  most of my BC are right handed. the only LH I have are on my F/P rigs.  a few years ago I decided to try using LH reels when I was F/P and I just like it better. It did take some getting use to setting the hook with theright arm, but that's old news now. that switching from hand to hand all day while F/P gets old. also I was noticeing that I was missing fish when I would switch hands. Most of my bites would come on the first fall. I would flip the bait in there. hurry up and switch hands , and they would hit while I was switching