Baitcaster, Right or left?

[MaxumBass]

Hi all, Im new to bait casters as this is my second year of having them. This is really my first year because I didn't use them much last year. Finally got a couple nice setups , (Curado's) and been using them exclusively. Here's my problem. I'm left handed to write but thats it. Every thing else is pretty much right. My right is my strongest arm and wrist. I pretty much have to switch hands to get a good hook set. Now I'm thinking left handed would be better. I guess I better find a cheap reel just to try. Any one else with this problem?

Maxum

[.RM.]

I't not a problem, it is called "Power Hand Casting". There is a book by Rich Forhan on the subject.

I personally cast with my right hand and set the hook with my right hand, and crank ALL my reels with the left hand.

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

[Jeff H]

There is a book by Rich Forhan on the subject.

Really?  A book?  I would have never guessed there would be enough info on this to fill a book.  It would just seem the answer lies in whatever you are comfortable with.  You either crank right or left, done deal.  I do the "switch" with baitcasters (throw right crank right) but I crank left with spinning.  It's just what has always felt "right" to me.

[thetr20one]

I't not a problem, it is called "Power Hand Casting". There is a book by Rich Forhan on the subject.

I personally cast with my right hand and set the hook with my right hand, and crank ALL my reels with the left hand.

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

X2

I am a lefty and all my reels have the handle on the left. Spinning and baitcasting. I hold the rod and set the hook with my right hand.

[Bassackward]

Lefty here.  Tried my buddy's right hander for a day and hated it! It's going to be hard to find a cheap left hander though.  Most cheap reels dont come in lefty

[.RM.]

There is a book by Rich Forhan on the subject.

Really?  A book?  I would have never guessed there would be enough info on this to fill a book.  It would just seem the answer lies in whatever you are comfortable with.  You either crank right or left, done deal.  I do the "switch" with baitcasters (throw right crank right) but I crank left with spinning.  It's just what has always felt "right" to me.

Yup here is the link to his bio...Rich Forhan Bio

and the link to the Book Review Excerpts ..

Tight Lines!!!!

[Tucson]

Ditto what Reelmech says.

[Red]

i am a righty, i cast with my right and crank with my left, i like to have the rod in my good hand i guess.

[fishfordollars]

I cast with my left and crank with my right. I am left handed though.

[Hooked_On_Bass]

Hi all, Im new to bait casters as this is my second year of having them. This is really my first year because I didn't use them much last year. Finally got a couple nice setups , (Curado's) and been using them exclusively. Here's my problem. I'm left handed to write but thats it. Every thing else is pretty much right. My right is my strongest arm and wrist. I pretty much have to switch hands to get a good hook set. Now I'm thinking left handed would be better. I guess I better find a cheap reel just to try. Any one else with this problem?

Maxum

That's exactly how I am. I write with my left hand but do everything else with my right (right handed hockey stick, throw right, etc.). I use all left handed reels.

[LAO162]

Last year I like my RH reel, but found cranking with my right hand too distracting.  Was going to replace it with another spinning rig, but decided to give Baitcasting another chance with a LH model.  So far, I'm only worrying about my thumb and not being distracted by cranking with the "wrong" hand.  Cheers

[MaxumBass]

OK, went fishing yesterday morning. (It was beautiful out! ) Tried some things different.  Instead of changing hands to set the hook, I just kept it in left till I felt the bite, then lower the rod tip, take up slack, and set the hook with my left weak hand, keeping my right on the crank. Worked ok as I caught 3 decent bass and missed a few. I kept my thumb on the spool and that didn't work to good. I tended to push the release on the hook set. > So i use the drag to set the hook, just tighten it up a tad...  I still think Ill try to pick up a used lefty of some kind and see how it feels.

Maxum

[low_pro]

I grew up throwing baitcasters when left handed models were rare...  now it just feels akward to reel a bc with my left hand.  

Spinning - Lefty

Casting - Righty

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

What hand do you write with?  Put the rod in that hand.

[islandbass]

What hand do you write with? Put the rod in that hand.

x2 That needs an "Amen!"  

There are always exceptions to the rule, but all things being equal, I believe by default, if we all started that way, most of us would probably follow that convention. But since LH reels were so rare, many have had to reprogram/get accustom to fishing the "other way" that it is now ingrained and normal.

Does anyone know if the person who invented the baitcaster was left hand dominant? I'd bet a floating Rapala Minnow on that.  

[Pond Hopper]

What hand do you write with?  Put the rod in that hand.

Have to disagree there, whatever hand has more coordination is the one to crank with, I have a hell of a time trying to fight a fish cranking with my left hand(right handed guy).  

Go with whatever feels right.  

[brgbassmaster]

i cast with my right reel with my left. on all my spinning or baitcasters.

[roadwarrior]

Here are some more comments from a prior thread:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1187794805

8-)

[TruflShufl]

I've always used RH reels until I started pitching, now I have a LH reel for pitching and still use RH for most other stuff. I don't have many problems going back and forth.

Just try both and see what's comfortable for you!  8-)

[Mike-in-WV]

Here is another article to consider from the "Wikipedia Encyclopedia":

Bait casting reel:

Bait casting reels are reels in which line is stored on a bearing supported revolving spool. The bait casting reel is mounted above the rod, hence its other name, the overhead reel. The bait casting reel dates from at least the mid-1600s, but came into wide use by amateur anglers during the 1870s. Early bait casting reels were often constructed with brass or iron gears, with casings and spools made of brass, German silver, or hard rubber. Early reels were often operated by inverting the reel and using back winding to retrieve line. For this reason, the reel crank handle was positioned on the right side of the reel.[2] As a result, the right-hand crank position for bait casting reels has become customary over the years, though models with left-hand retrieve are now gaining in popularity.

Personally I like the right handed reel and hold (palming) the reel and rod in my left hand. Never had a problem setting the hook or landing large fish. One thing I fail to understand is why some of you feel it takes forever to change hands and that you can miss a hit because of it. By the time that lure hits the water I am already palming that reel and ready to set the hook and retrieve. Casting with both hands makes that very fast and natural , just slide my left hand up around the reel. My rod never leaves either hand except to place my right hand on the handle and ready to reel in. I really feel that I have good control and feel with the rod and reel in my left hand . That's just me!   Mike