Is this common?

[Scorcher214]

I'm currently using a spinning rod and reel and i use my right hand for rod and left for retrieving. I wanna buy a Daiwa Procaster but i think it only comes in right hand retrieve. I it weird that I don't use my dominant hand for retrieve?

[Certified Public Angler]

Most people use their left hand to retrieve spinning gear and their right to retreive baitcasting gear.

I'm right handed and do this^

[daviscw]

I use my right hand for casting and retrieving. This goes for both spinning and casting reels. Some people switch according to casting or spinning. It's all about preference.

[firefightn15]

Here's a thread from a while back. Just others opinions. Somewhere along the line, someone explained the theory as to why bait casters were originally set up as right hand retrieve only, but I can't find it.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1224286235/0

Here.  I just found that other thread.  George Welcome and Catt have good posts in this thread.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1187794805/0

[bassmaster2009]

I have always used spinning equip. and casted right retrieved left and just in the past couple of years started fishing casting and this past year i bought a quantum pt tour edition left hand retrieve thinking that would be better and i hate it casting reels are alot better right hand retrieve but hey thats my opinion

[Triton20x3pro]

I fish left handed retrieve on both methods and used to have trouble finding baitcasters that were "lefty's". Now almost all manufacturers make left handed baitcasters and they are readily available online. It is a matter of comfort, I've been doing it so long that if I pick up my buddies right hand retrieve, I can't even operate the darn thing.

FYI - Left handed baitcasters come up on internet auctions sites for very cheap quite often.

[roadwarrior]

By George Welcome, professional guide

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.

[burleytog]

No one is perfect...

[Sam]

I am right handed and all of my baitcaster reels have the handle on my right hand side and I use my right hand to reel.  

My spinning reels have the handle on the left side so I can use my right hand to direct the rod.

I had not idea of the philosophy behind the two reel's handles.

Thanks for sharing.  

[Rangerjoe]

Good Information RW, after all these years, I never knew.

[Raul]

There 's no wrong and no right, forget about all that dominant hand junk and all it 's reasoning, for me it 's simple:

a ) I learned to cast right, switch hands and reel right

b ) the most coordinated motion I can ask my left hand to do is to scratch my rear end ( and it don 't always scratch where I want it to ), needless to say I can 't ask it to perform such a coordinated motion as turning the reel handle, it 's good for:

1.- holding the rod

2.- twitching or jerking a bait ( and now as I 'm getting older it seems to do it better  :-[  )

3.- setting the hook

4.- fighting the fish.

So there is no right or wrong, the only weird I 've ever seen is watching a guy with a spinning oufit turned upside down and reeling in backwards, now that 's what I call weird.  :-?