Spinning Reel Question????

[jsragan]

I am thinking of purchasing a spinning rod for finesse fishing but I want to clear something up first.

Why do most spinning reels come with the handle on the left side?  From what I know, this model is technically a right hand reel and a left hand reel has the handle on the right side.  I am right handed and it seems that it would be better to have the handle on the right side.  I understand that it is an advantage when casting because with the handle on the left this keeps the rod in your strong hand.  In the past when I have used spinning gear it felt very awkward reeling with my left hand.  I know on some models you can switch the handle to either side.

Can someone shed some light on this and give me some suggestions/recommendations?

Thanks Yall!

[Guest DavidGreen]

Why do most spinning reels come with the handle on the left side?  From what I know, this model is technically a right hand reel and a left hand reel has the handle on the right side.

Because most quality spinning reels will allow interchangeable right or left hand retrieve. I don't know to many reel Mfg's that don't make an interchangeable handle on their spinning reels in all price points.

The argument about righty or leftie (Powerhand Casting) has been on going for a while. I cast right handed and crank left handed, just because that is the way I learned on spinning gear, and it stuck when I graduated to baitcasting. It is basically a personal preference thing.

Whatever feels good to you.

Tight Lines!!!

[burleytog]

Much like RM, I don't know if I've ever seen a spinning reel that didn't offer the option to switch from LH to RH (or vice-versa) retrieve.

[=Matt 5.0=]

I'm right handed and I reel with my left. In fact, one factor that kept me away from baitcasters was that I had to turn the rod over after the cast so I could reel in lefty. I'm aware that you can order them either way, but this was back in the day when my dad was on a baitcaster kick. I told him he could keep 'em  

[BassBeat101]

I've always thought that the side the handle was on was indicative of the function of the reel.  When using a spinning reel, the strong hand (in my case right hand) holds the rod so that the rod fights the fish, and I reel with my left hand after the fish has tired - with a baitcaster, I like to reel with my right hand, as the baitcaster is more of a winch design - I am fighting the fish with the reel instead of the rod - at least this was always my interpretation.

Daryl