How many of you are Right handed but use a Left hand retrieve Bait cast reel?

[haveme1]

[MaineBassMan]

i've brought up the subject many times on my show and on other forums and have yet to hear a good argument as to why a righty should use a right handed retrieve baitcaster.

Here ya go:

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.

Makes sense, but even though I'm right hand, reeling with my strong hand is like trying to throw a baseball with your weak hand to me. Different strokes for different folkes. 8-)

[ww2farmer]

I am right handed, use LH casting reels, as well as having my spinning reel handles on the left side.

[MaineBassMan]

Yeah ! And when you go for the net or the lip .........

you'll use your strong hand. 8-)

[Smallie4130]

i've brought up the subject many times on my show and on other forums and have yet to hear a good argument as to why a righty should use a right handed retrieve baitcaster.

Here ya go:

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.

8-)

That statement makes it seem like the rod is non existent in a baitcaster setup.  I would contend that if the hand is just a crank for a winch, then you dont need a specific hand.  I think I could winch about as hard with my left as with right so I would still rather have the rod in my dominant hand for feeling the fish and lure.  

Admittedly, I fish a spinning setup for lmb and smb.  But because of that I would also hardly agree that the reel only picks up loose line and I pull the fish in with the rod.  Its a mixture of both.  I know it isnt your quote so Im not attacking you  Just sounds like someone fishing for a reason.

[DawsonH]

Ive perfected the art casting with right arm and switching before the bait hits the water.

[Mike D from Lunkerville]

i've brought up the subject many times on my show and on other forums and have yet to hear a good argument as to why a righty should use a right handed retrieve baitcaster.

Here ya go:

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.

8-)

yes, i've heard this argument, but to me it only holds water for saltwater fishing, where you really need strength in your hands when reeling.  my left hand is more than strong enough to reel/winch a largemouth bass.

[sean0920]

i just started using BC's this year and here is my take.  i am right handed and to me, the rod in my right hand just feels right. for sensitivity and more over, setting the hook.  i cant imagine trying to set a hook with my left hand

[roadwarrior]

C'mon....

You never had an answer, but now you have one.

Don't agree?

Fine, but you still have THE answer to

your question and we have resolved the issue.

Right-hand retrieve is "correct", "wrong-hand "

is not.

;D ;D ;D

[DerekB]

I also think it's how you learned to fish.  I'm right-handed, use a RH retrieve BC, but cast with my left hand.  I also palm the reel.

When using a spinning rig, I cast with my right hand and use a LH retrieve.  It just feels right to me...go figure.

[bigfruits]

use whatever feels right to you. there is no wrong way.

i recently started using left hand retrieve and i like it alot more. especially for pitching jigs. i have better feel of what the bait is doing, find it easier detect bites, and have better lure control holding the rod with my right hand. i still have a few right handed reels that i use for spinnerbaits and cranks but i would not mind replacing them with left hand retrieve.

[Mike D from Lunkerville]

C'mon....

You never had an answer, but now you have one.

Don't agree?

Fine, but you still have THE answer to

your question and we have resolved the issue.

Right-hand retrieve is "correct", "wrong-hand "

is not.

;D ;D ;D

;D there's obviously no absolute "right or wrong answer" here, because it's subjective: what you feel most comfortable with works for you... but i believe right handed baitcasters became popular for freshwater fishing because lefty reels weren't available for such a long while. these days, left handed reels are easy to get, and you can see, by the many responses in this thread, that it is the preferred method for righties.

case dismissed: there's no good reason to use a right handed retrieve baitcaster if you're a righty, unless that's what you're familiar with. the winch argument isn't a good one for freshwater fishing, unless you have weak hands ;D

[greatoutdoors]

C'mon....

You never had an answer, but now you have one.

Don't agree?

Fine, but you still have THE answer to

your question and we have resolved the issue.

Right-hand retrieve is "correct", "wrong-hand "

is not.

;D ;D ;D

I would have to believe "correct" is what feels right to the individual angler.

[Vyron]

For bass fishing I use a LHR reel. For big fish trolling when its required to apply lots of power when fighting the fish  I use a RHR.

[roadwarrior]

Joking aside, it doesn't make any difference whether

you retrieve left or right. I fish spinning tackle with

left hand retrieve and baitcasters with right retrieve.

Most reel models are offered these days with a choice.

Choose whichever you like.

8-)

[Bassnajr]

I learned to fish with a spinning reel with the reel handle on the left hand side even though I am right handed. When I learned to use a baitcaster, muscle memory took over and I had a hard time with the handle on the right side. I now have five baitcast reels, all "left handed" and that's what I prefer. I can use a "right handed" baitcaster...I don't prefer it.

PS

A few of the Elite series anglers use the "wrong" handed baitcasters. I started to notice after this question came up a few times.

ajr

[Izzy3374]

same here.  Part of the reason of ownnig a baitcaster is for the ability to cover more water faster and easier.  For us right handers we cast with our right hand leaving our left open.  Why would you cast with your right hand then hand the rod to your left hand to free your right so you can reel.

[Izzy3374]

I also think it's how you learned to fish. I'm right-handed, use a RH retrieve BC, but cast with my left hand. I also palm the reel.

When using a spinning rig, I cast with my right hand and use a LH retrieve. It just feels right to me...go figure.

My buddy is the same way.  I don't get it.  :-?