Left Handed Fishing

[Dangle]

I am left handed, and I am looking to purchase another baitcasting reel.  I currently have a Abu-Garcia Ambasseduer 5500 CL3, which has "handle" on the right side, unlike most which are on the left side.  The thing is, i got it as a gift, and I dont know where i can find another reel for left handed people.  I was looking for a abu-garcia black max, or a revo maybe.  Where can i find these reels for left handed people ?

[Grey Wolf]

Bass Pro or Cabelas

[Dangle]

Oh, are left handed reels made with most models???  Oh, i found it.  When it says left handed, when it says left handed, means for leftys (crank on right side) not the crank is on the left side ?

[ABC123]

Oh, are left handed reels made with most models??? Oh, i found it. When it says left handed, when it says left handed, means for leftys (crank on right side) not the crank is on the left side ?

Standard is the crank on the right side of the reel (standing behind it), to be operated with the right hand. Reels marked L or left or left handed, have the crank on the left side of the reel.

[islandbass]

Oh, are left handed reels made with most models??? Oh, i found it. When it says left handed, when it says left handed, means for leftys (crank on right side) not the crank is on the left side ?

It is very simple. A left handed is labeled as such because the angler's left hand, regardless of his or her hand dominance, will turn the crank and vice versa.

The first thing you should do is try each mounted on a rod and see which way feels most comfortable. If you come from a spinning background and have been using a spinning reel for a very long time with the handle on the left, I am willing to bet a floating Rapala minnow that you will have a strong preferce use baitcast reels with the same configuration. I can almost guarantee it.  

There was a pole not too long ago I started about preference that will give you a good demographic of the breakdown of what most folks here prefer.  Bottom line is that you will need to determine which is most comfortable to use.

Good luck!

[weknowhowtolive]

You currently have a left handed reel, and are wanting a right handed reel. Contrary to what you said, most reels make a right handed model while not always a left. Right handed baitcasters are easier to find and more common in my experience.

[Grey Wolf]

Oh, are left handed reels made with most models??? Oh, i found it. When it says left handed, when it says left handed, means for leftys (crank on right side) not the crank is on the left side ?

You've got it ***-backwards.

Left-handed has the crank on the left side.

[fishinfiend]

As a lefty, this is something that always confuses me about other anglers. Since I am left hand dominant I cast with my left and reel with my right with baitcasters and spinning reels. But I see rightys with a spinning reel handle on one side(L) and their baitcaster on the other®. When asked they say it is more comfortable, but why switch hands with the baitcaster and not the spinning reel. It seems to me that it would be easier for rightys to use a baitcaster with a handle on the left.

[weknowhowtolive]

As a lefty, this is something that always confuses me about other anglers. Since I am left hand dominant I cast with my left and reel with my right with baitcasters and spinning reels. But I see rightys with a spinning reel handle on one side(L) and their baitcaster on the other®. When asked they say it is more comfortable, but why switch hands with the baitcaster and not the spinning reel. It seems to me that it would be easier for rightys to use a baitcaster with a handle on the left.

I dont get it either. I'm a righty but I like reeling with my left because I have more dexterity and power in my right arm for rod control, while my left hand just has to reel. I've always used lefty spinning gear and when I switched to baitcasting they asked me if i wanted a left or right handed reel so I said right, figuring that was right. oops.

Now I have to find everything in a lefty model  :-/

[Gannoli]

Oh, are left handed reels made with most models???  Oh, i found it.  When it says left handed, when it says left handed, means for leftys (crank on right side) not the crank is on the left side ?

It is very simple. A left handed is labeled as such because the angler's left hand, regardless of his or her hand dominance, will turn the crank and vice versa.

The first thing you should do is try each mounted on a rod and see which way feels most comfortable. If you come from a spinning background and have been using a spinning reel for a very long time with the handle on the left, I am willing to bet a floating Rapala minnow that you will have a strong preferce use baitcast reels with the same configuration. I can almost guarantee it.  

There was a pole not too long ago I started about preference that will give you a good demographic of the breakdown of what most folks here prefer.  Bottom line is that you will need to determine which is most comfortable to use.

Good luck!

wheres my minnow? lol

i have always fished a spinner with the crank on the left. but when i started baitcasting i have the crank on the right. i tested out a caster with a left crank and it was weird. so i guess it just depends on the person

[lubina]

but why switch hands with the baitcaster and not the spinning reel.

That question will never be answer :-/

[niteowl]

After reading this all I can do is add to the confusion I grew up with spinning outfits left hand crank, picked up my first bait caster last summer, I preferred cranking it on the right.

So my philosophy reel under the rod crank on left,

reel on top crank on right. Whatever feels good :-?