RH/LH Baitcasting Reels

[OrlandoFisherman]

Hey guys, new to the forums and had a quick question.

Ive been fishing for about 4 years and have always used a spinning reel so I have been reeling with my left hand while holding the rod with my right hand. Well me and my friend decided to switch to baitcasters so we bought a couple of rods and reels at Bass Pro Shops but the reel is right handed and I just cant get used to it and it makes fishing wierd to me.

Do you think I will get used to it and should stick with a right handed reel or should I try find a left handed baitcasting reel as left handed is what im used to with my spinning reel?

Any suggestions on a good baitcasting reel?

Thanks for any tips/advice

[new2BC4bass]

Hey guys, new to the forums and had a quick question.

Ive been fishing for about 4 years and have always used a spinning reel so I have been reeling with my left hand while holding the rod with my right hand. Well me and my friend decided to switch to baitcasters so we bought a couple of rods and reels at Bass Pro Shops but the reel is right handed and I just cant get used to it and it makes fishing wierd to me.

Do you think I will get used to it and should stick with a right handed reel or should I try find a left handed baitcasting reel as left handed is what im used to with my spinning reel?

Any suggestions on a good baitcasting reel?

Thanks for any tips/advice

Read the thread "Best" baitcast real for $100. Or the one asking for the best $200 baitcasting reel. They should give you a starting point. Also there is another forum that tests bass fishing equipment. Don't know if mentioning it is taboo, so I won't. There are plenty of good reels out there. It is my opinion from what I've been reading (have done a lot of research cuz I've just got into baitcasting) that it is hard to buy a bad reel nowadays if you stick with one of the better known manufacturers. I think it is basically a matter of picking a company you like and plopping your money down. ;D

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I grew up on spinning equipment. I buy left hand reels as it is more comfortable for me to handle the rod with the right arm, and reel with the left. Whenever possible, I will stick with left hand baitcasters. However I did buy a right hand Alphas ito. I've cast it a bit it the back yard, but haven't fished with it yet. I don't think it will be too big a problem, but only actual time on the water will tell for sure. I learned to use my left arm when the right arm was in a cast for 8 weeks when I was 12. The cast went from the wrist to halfway between the elbow and shoulder.

It seems you have been using the reel, and can't get use to it. Probably should switch to a left hand reel if that is the case. Some people never can learn to switch. Others have no problem at all. Supposedly no two people are alike. Go with what is comfortable for you. Otherwise you may wind up giving up on baitcasting. I think that would be a mistake. Good luck.

[K_Mac]

Orlando you can run a search of this topic and find it comes up very regularly. The short answer is use whatever you're comfortable with. Many right handed anglers use LH reels and vise versa. Some use both.

As for reel recomendations, the sky is the limit on a good baitcast reel. I think the Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier reel is a very good value, and very user friendly for a novice. They retail for $ 100, and can be found on sale for as low as $70. Good luck.

[bass or bass ?]

You'll get used to it. I spent many years using only left hand crank spinning reels before starting to use baitcast.(right hand crank). Now I've converted all my spinning reels to right hand crank just for consistancy.  You might want to try that also, or just buy left hand crank baitcast reels.

[Red]

When I made the switch to BC I gave the righty an honest effort, couldn't get it.  So now I use leftys and it is way better.  I was like you having always used spinning gear cranking with my left. 

[rookiesmallmouther]

i feel you man definately.... i use right hand for holding the rod as well since its my dominate hand i can power fish better and when i switched to baitcasters i baught a Quantum response baitcaster with the left hand retrieve model in your case id say buy a left had retriever or else keep fishing and you should become amberdexerous being able to use both left and right hand to fish with

[LAO162]

Unless you WANT to change to RH retrieve, stick with LH retrieve.  I grew up with spinning gear.  THe first time I tried BC I was always so distracted by my discomfort that I didn't concentrate on casting technique or fishing.  I sold the RH reel.  The next year I tried LH, and now I enjoy baitcasting gear.  The only disadvantage I have is that there is still a smaller selection of reels with LH retrieve.

Leon

[bigfruits]

i am right handed.

ive been using RH baitcasters since the early 90's. last year i upgraded all of my gear and bought LH reels. it didnt take long for me to realize i had better lure control and feel with my right hand on the rod.

depending on budget id suggest:

citica - curado - core

[roadwarrior]

Use what you like.

Here is one of many threads on the topic:

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

8-)

[OrlandoFisherman]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the responses and suggestions on reels. I think I will go out and get a LH reel so I can enjoy using a baitcaster because its something I really want to get into.

Thanks again 

[guitarkid]

In my opinion a left handed baitcaster makes the transition easier.

  -gk

[tennwalkinghorse]

In my opinion a left handed baitcaster makes the transition easier.

2X I like lefty's better JMHO

[SausageFingers23]

I used spinning gear for the longest time. I  still do when the conditions dictate.  That said, both of my baitcast reels are left handed.  Im just more comfortable reeling with my left.  Use whatever feels most natural.

[Chris W.]

When i switched to baitcast i tried righties in the shop but they seemed like i would be unproductive. So i bought a lefty quantum accurist pt , along with a 6'6" one piece ugly stik. Love that setup.

[OrlandoFisherman]

Well I already have a quantum 6'6 or close to that height fishing rod with a RH baitcasting (also quantum) so I went to bass pro today and picked up a LH curado. Now to go use it and see how it works

I was gonna post a picture but I havent made 10 posts yet 

[RoLo]

Have you ever tried winching a heavyweight fish to the boat using the reel without pumping the rod?

If you're not expecting anything over 9 lbs, a right-hand reel might be okay for right-handed angler.

But if you're expecting a bass over 9 lbs or might be using this reel in saltwater, get the left-hand reel.

Roger

[Jake.]

The design of baitcasters intends for you to crank with your weaker hand and hold the rod in your dominant hand. But all fishermen don't do it this way. Use whatever you are comfortable with.

[J Francho]

I use both. I've had no trouble with fish over 9 lbs. using my right hand to crank or my left hand. Granted, those fish were trout and salmon, some approaching 25 lbs., and not bass. I haven't too many guys pick up a 20# box with both hands, and suddenly their "weak hand" lets go.

Makes no difference, its all what you are willing to train your muscles to do.

[titelines]

I think as long as you cast with your right arm, you can learn to adjust to reeling with either hand.  I have both RH & LH bait casters, I cast them both with my right arm then reel with which side the handle is on.  Casting with my left arm ain't happening.

[Big Bait Fishing]

whatever hand you work the rod with , you crank with the other hand . i work the rod with my right hand so i use only left hand retrieve reels . it doesn't matter which hand is stronger or if your right or left handed  :

[owl]

I have 2 LH Quantum and 2 RH BP tournament reels.

I switch back and forth .

On a long day of casting Its less tiresome.

[OrlandoFisherman]

Well thanks for all the comments guys, i went with the LH curado and now that Ive made 10 posts I can post a picture of it

Picked it up at Bass Pro Shops the other day. It feels great, just gotta get used to casting it as I have had a few birds nests already  ;D

[RoLo]

Way to go, Bro

[new2BC4bass]

Congratulations.  You done good!