Left-handed casting?

[Bass=Awesome]

As some of you know from one of my other threads, I've been looking to add a bait casting setup to my existing spinning arsenal. Since I have so much experience with spinning reels, I do have to wonder why it seems like there's not too many left hand retrieve bait casters out there? I know that it ultimately comes down to personal preference, but are there any pros and cons to left vs right hand retrieve bait casters? I've fished with a right hand retrieve and it seemed ok, but it just seems like a bit of a chore to switch the rod from my right hand to the left after each cast.

[Dan:]

lots and lots of baitcasters come in Left hand models. There is no difference from left and right hand retrieves. It is just personal preference. I use a leftie for the same reason you want one.

[SimonSays]

Yep, like Dan said, it's all personal preference, I'm a leftie also and I don't like to change hands.  I feel like I have more hooksetting power in my RIGHT arm than my left, but in the end it's whatever feels more confortable for you  

[The Rooster]

Well let me ask you guys a question.  After you make your cast do you continue to grip the rod in the casting position or do you move your hand up to grip the reel by palming it??  

Seems to me if you make the move then it's as much work as if you just switched hands.  I cast right handed and then switch to palm the reel with my left while retrieving right handed.  If I was to get a left hand retrieve reel so I don't have to switch then I just have to keep the rod held in the casting position after the cast, or go to the trouble to move my right hand up over the reel.  

Not trying to be difficult so don't think that.  I'm just curious of how much of an advantage it really is to get a left handed retrieve reel.  Occasionally I'll even cast mine left handed so I don't have to switch back.  I only do this so I can instantly engage the spool after my buzzbait splashes down before it has time to sink much.  And when I do I have to keep my hand in the casting position to make it work right.  

[roadwarrior]

"Wrong side" retrieve reels are readily available these days.

However, traditional retrieve is functionally much better:

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

8-)

[NBR]

I palm the reel which is the reason I cast right retrieve left. If I'm trying to keep a buzz bait or frog on top the water I might make the switch before the bait hits the water.

[The Rooster]

I might try that but I'll have to do it while still thumbing the spool which might prove to be a chore.

[skillet]

 I cast right-handed and then switch to retrieve:

1.Don't think I've ever had a fish hit the lure so soon after it hits the water that I couldn't set the hook.

2.Use both hands to set the hook so that isn't a problem.

3. Have a hard time scratching my butt with left hand :-[,so it's a lot better to work handle with right hand ;D...

skillet

[The Rooster]

What if the left cheek itches??  Can you reach it from the right?? ;D

I only want to engage as soon as a buzzbait hits water to keep it from sinking and making me use up 10 feet of my cast to get it back to the top again.

[A.Do?]

My left hand just sux. :'( It just feels more natural for me to work jerkbaits, frogs, and other lures that require movement of the rod with my right hand. If I tried to work a jerkbait with my left hand i'd end up in the water somehow That's my reason for using a LH caster.

Same reason i retrieve with my left with a spinning reel. Working shaky heads or twitchin any bait just feels better with the rod in my right hand.

All personal preference. If you're pretty good with both hands and can rub your head and pat your tummy, I don't see how it'd matter. just my opinion

[von]

What if the left cheek itches?? Can you reach it from the right?? ;D

;D

It took me a little while to get used to reeling with my right hand and learning to work baits with my left but well worth it!  Half the time you don't even notice you've switched hands.  If only I could cast with my left.

[fishfordollars]

I cast left handed and reel with the right.

[J Francho]

My pitching, flipping, and frog rods are lefty, all the rest are righty.  Its worth noting that my lefty reels are all TD-X HSDL with the clutch on the top.  It's just what I'm accustomed to.  With most of the newer lopro reels being extremely "lopro" and lots of access to the spool,  I could probably get away with all lefties, since its easy to engage the clutch with the heel of the palming hand.  

[skillet]

"What if the left cheek itches?? Can you reach it from the right??"

                                                  Rooster

 If I wear a long sleeved shirt, it needs to be a 36" sleeve length. You be the judge !!! All rationalizing aside, it's how I first learned and haven't had a situation that showed me I need to change. There are lots of other things I need to change.....Just ask my wife

[SirSnookalot]

I always felt the same way about conventional reels and stayed away from them.  I bought an Avet mxj (left hand crank) and wow did I ever do the right thing.  I use this reel off shore and when pulling larger fish, sails and kings I like having my power arm on the rod.  I pulled in 2 lemon shark this past summer in the 125 - 150 lb range back to back and I would never done in holding the rod in my left arm.

[The Rooster]

I learned to fish holding ALL rods in my left hand.  My buddy who got me into going fishing was left handed and I borrowed one of his spinning rods for a few trips until I got my own finally.  By then I was used to using it the way he had it set up so I always reverse the cranks on all my spinning reels to be on the right side now so I reel right and cast left.  I can cast either way and reel either way but it feels WAY more natural to hold and cast left while reeling right.  

Then when I got a baitcaster for Christmas that year, as most will guess, ALL Walmart had was right handed retrieve reels, that was in the days before it was common to see left handed retrieve reels available.  They only had reels with the crank on the right, and I was used to that anyway so I got that.  I can also cast with either hand on a baitcaster, but for that particular reel, it feels better to cast right and then switch hands to hold it left while reeling right.  

I guess I'm all mixed up on what's normal for me fishing.  I hear that most people will reel right handed with a baitcaster, and also cast right handed and then switch so in that part I guess I'm normal, or at least with the majority crowd (normal for me is questionable).  But for spinning rods, I'm the reverse of most people since I reel on the right.  Most that I see reel with the left on a spinning rod.

[bassnleo]

All my reels are left handed.

Someone mentioned they have never had a fish hit so quickly after they casted that they couldn't have switched hands and hooked the fish.

You must not flip and pitch much I've had fish swim 5 feet with the bait a split second after it hit the water after a flip or pitch.

Using a left handed baitcaster allows me to instantly set the hook without having to switch hands.

[The Rooster]

I once had a fish blow up on a spinnerbait the second it hit the water.  Fortunately I landed it.  Was casting on a spinning rod and when he hit I cranked the bail shut (sinful I know) and hauled back on him and landed him.  He was a keeper too at 15" long.  

[dman]

I think in the beginning its just how they made them but they are much more easily available now in left hand retrieve....I think guys do it this way because they couldnt find lefties and got used to it or they just see the pros switching hands and think they have to do it this way in order to look like a pro    To me it just doesnt make any sense, if you left crank a spinning rod it shouldnt be any different.  Why should it be different?  your still doing the same thing, fishing.

[roadwarrior]

Why should it be different?

I guess you didn't bother to read through the referenced

thread I posted on page 1:

Re: Why is the reel handle on the right

Reply #15 - Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:37:12

By George Welcome

Let's get technical, as there are in fact reasons, not just some lame holdover from days past that put the handles where they are.

What will move the fish during retrieval is placed to the strong hand!

A baitcast is designed to be used as a winch, so it is the reel that retrieves the fish. Hence if you are right handed the handle is in your right hand.

A spinning reel is designed to pick up unloaded or loose line, not retrieve the fish. Hence it is the rod that does the retrieval, so it is the rod that is in your strong hand. If you are right handed then the pole goes to the right hand.

[SirSnookalot]

I once had a fish blow up on a spinnerbait the second it hit the water

If blowing up means the fish hitting the moment the lure touches the water, that's not uncommon down here in Florida. Jacks do it all the time in saltwater, in fact 2 fish hitting at the same time is not uncommon either.

Jack Crevelles are awesome, my #1 favorite.

[dman]

Why should it be different?

I guess you didn't bother to read through the referenced

thread I posted on page 1:

Re: Why is the reel handle on the right

Reply #15 - Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:37:12

By George Welcome

Let's get technical, as there are in fact reasons, not just some lame holdover from days past that put the handles where they are.

What will move the fish during retrieval is placed to the strong hand!

A baitcast is designed to be used as a winch, so it is the reel that retrieves the fish. Hence if you are right handed the handle is in your right hand.

A spinning reel is designed to pick up unloaded or loose line, not retrieve the fish. Hence it is the rod that does the retrieval, so it is the rod that is in your strong hand. If you are right handed then the pole goes to the right hand.

eh.....To me it sounds like they are just trying to justify a bad habit....I want the hook setting power in my stronger, faster arm with more coordination...Could I do it with my left, sure - most people do so im sure i could...But with all the money we spend on the best tackle and all the websites and books and mags we read for tips all to get that slightly better advantage,  im not gonna go and put the rod in my weaker arm....Im not trying to argue here either I just really believe that this is the best way to do it  :-X

[roadwarrior]

We have lots of members that feel the same way you do and it seems

to be a trend that the industry has addressed. Most baitcasting reels,

or at least mid-range and high-end reels, are offered in both left and

right retrieve models.

I copied George Welcome's post just to note that there is some basis

for the way reels have traditionally been built. However, the other

option is now readily available on many models and most brands.

8-)

[dman]

However, the other

option is now readily available on many models and most brands.

8-)

Exactly,  i can find any reel i want to try in left hand anymore....Years back it was very difficult though

[lubina]

Why should it be different?

I guess you didn't bother to read through the referenced

thread I posted on page 1:

Re: Why is the reel handle on the right

Reply #15 - Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:37:12

By George Welcome

Let's get technical, as there are in fact reasons, not just some lame holdover from days past that put the handles where they are.

What will move the fish during retrieval is placed to the strong hand!

A baitcast is designed to be used as a winch, so it is the reel that retrieves the fish. Hence if you are right handed the handle is in your right hand.

A spinning reel is designed to pick up unloaded or loose line, not retrieve the fish. Hence it is the rod that does the retrieval, so it is the rod that is in your strong hand. If you are right handed then the pole goes to the right hand.

eh.....To me it sounds like they are just trying to justify a bad habit....

;D ;D

Totally with you.....love the Scranton area