left hander-LH or RH baitcaster reel?

[kllrbee]

I got my first baitcaster about a month ago and I thought the same thing. 

"Wait a minute, Ive been fishing all this time with spinning gear and reeling with my left.  How is this gonna work with switching hands?  Is this gonna be awkward?  Am I gonna lose fish cuz Im not holding with my dominant arm/hand?"

It took all of about 5 casts to get used to the "switch".  I dont even think about it.  For the most part, Im in the process of switching just as the lure hits the water. 

And this is coming from a newbie.  Not someone who says "Ive done it this way for 25 years, cuz they didnt have LH retrieve when I started". 

I did try my buddys LH retrieve and I didnt like it.  It was okay, but it felt a little weird.  I think its cuz its so high up where on spinning gear, its lower.  That probly doesnt make sense, but I cant really explain it.  Just doesnt feel right to me.

Whatever you decide, just try it out and see what feels right for you.  Good luck.

[K_Mac]

Uncle Leo I wish I had enough coordination to use either hand for casting. It would save wear and tear on the right arm/wrist.

There are some who easily use both RH and LH reels. I think that is very useful thing. I just don't have the ability to do it.

[flippin and pitchin]

You know I have tried a LH reel but could not get use to it. When I learned to cast, baitcaster first as that was the only thing my father had, there was no such thing as LH. I just could never adjust. By the way I am RH but cast with either hand. I switch when the right gets tired.

Same here.  When I started, RH reels were all we had.  You switched hands.  I am determined to use left hand reels on my pitching rods however and it's taking time to get the reeling part smoothed out.  It's still awkward.

[kickin bass14]

For spinning reels, I use a LH reel.  For baitcaster, RH reel.  I don't know why.  A LH baitcast reel just feels really awkward but a LH spinning reel doesn't.  Same motion though.  Thats just how I started fishing.

[kikstand454]

i pitch and flip and work most "bootom" lures with a lh reel. in fact when i got my first baitcaster, i got a lh reel with the thought process that i had been using spinning reels for so long now that reeling left wouldnt be a problem, and it seemed silly to change hands.

however most of us first started out fishing with spincasters (zebco 33 etc.) and they were rh retreive. so lh reels feel weird.

i use right handed reels for "moving" lures such as spinnerbaits and cranks etc.  i feel that my actual REELING is more smooth and consistant with my rigtht hand. these presentations tend to benifit from that.

t-riggin and flipping a jig tend to benifit more form being able to engage the reel immediately and by having your dominate hand on the rod for more poweful hooksets.

those are my reasons for having both.

p.s.  not to mention LH reels are routinely much much cheaper on sale and esp on close out. i saw last night a LH revo winch on sale on ebay nib for 110 dollars. the right hand ones were 180 something.

[Ultralight Maniac]

p.s. not to mention LH reels are routinely much much cheaper on sale and esp on close out. i saw last night a LH revo winch on sale on ebay nib for 110 dollars. the right hand ones were 180 something.

Yep, I've gotten some really good deals on closeout LH reels.

[Ultralight Maniac]

I can switch and have my hand on the handle before that bait even hits the water. I have 100% control just like you do.

I can too... I still use an RH Shimano Calcutta that I got as a Christmas gift back around 90-91 as a crankbait reel.... Still casts as good as the day I got it and it has the long and short reel handle so I can change my retrieve rates.

[21farms]

if you never take your finger off the trigger after casting, then it makes sense to cast and hold the rod with the same hand and reel with the other hand. however, i palm my reels and switching hands after the cast actually saves me a step (try it yourself and see).

ideally for me (i'm right-handed), i'd like to go with a LH reel for pitchin' and flippin' but stay RH all other times. however, i've tried LH on several different occasions and just cannot get the hang of it.

[baluga]

I'm a right hander and  use the RH baitcaster for swimbait,  hard bait/jerkbait  but I prefer   using LH baitcaster for walk-the-dog and drop shot.

[roadwarrior]

There is actually good reason for the way fishing equipment is designed and it's not just "old school":

(Note: George Welcome's explanation)

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

[rubba bubba]

George has yet to provide any actual historical evidence that his theory actually was a part of the designer's consideration. His winch theory is a valid theory, however that does not mean that it is why baitcasters were created in that manner.  There is a distinct difference.

[dulouz]

I started with a LH because that is what I was used to on spinning reels.  Then I picked up a couple of RH reels that were a good price.  I have found that if I do all my casting and reeling with the same hand my hand gets cramped and numb.  Now I cast with my right or left hand, depending on where I want the lure to go, regardless of what reel I am using.  The only exception is pitching/flipping, which I do only with my right arm using a LH reel. 

[tholmes]

I'm left-handed, so I naturally cast with my left arm and use right-handed baitcasting reels.

When I graduated from a cane pole to a spincast reel, they were all right-hand retrieve so that's how I learned. It seemed odd to me to see people casting with their right hand and switching the rod to their left hand to retrieve.

Tom

[Ronbaby]

Well I am right handed and have both left and right retrieving reels. My baitcasters are right handed and spinning left. If it was my choice they would all be left handed, it just happens that my wife bought the first baitcaster for me without asking what my preference was. The second was a revo-stx that I got a really good deal on and could not pass up. As was mentioned earlier if you reel on the same side as your dominant hand (right for me in this case) you have to waste a motion by switching hands after you cast. If you get a strike right when you hit the water, this could be a problem.  So for me, I prefer a left hand retrieve.

[00 mod]

I'm right handed and my bc are right handed and my spin is lh.  Just how I learned to fish.... and as others have said, I cast with my right and switch before the bait has even hit the water!  Caught my last 5lb+ last Sunday and the fish hit it as soon as it hit the water!  Doesn't seem to hurt to much......

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I'll just reiterate whats already been said before:  Use what you're comfortable with.  All of my casting reels are RH retrieve.  I tried a LH and just could not get comfortable with it.  I'm sure if I spent some more time using one I'd get the hang of it.  I crank my spinning reels with the left hand with no problems.  I must just be strange or something.

[NorcalBassin]

I've only been using BC's a couple years now and just went traditional with RH to go along with all of my LH spinning reels. It seems like it would be more normal for me to use a LH BC reel, so I just picked up the Curado to to see if I should switch over to LH for the BC's before I buy too many RH reels. I haven't had it on the water yet but have to admit that it feels a little awkward with a couple false casts in the garage.

[RussBert]

I'm right handed and crank all reels with my left hand

[piscicidal]

I'll just reiterate whats already been said before: Use what you're comfortable with. All of my casting reels are RH retrieve. I tried a LH and just could not get comfortable with it. I'm sure if I spent some more time using one I'd get the hang of it. I crank my spinning reels with the left hand with no problems. I must just be strange or something.

I don't think that's strange. I'd bet +90% of right-handed pro fishermen use a RH baitcaster.

It is a personal preference to be sure. Personally, I prefer the RH crank with the BC and left handed crank with the spinning reel.  The ergonomics just work better for me.

I have recently started playing with a left handed crank on a flipping rod.  When I started flipping I learned to use either hand (to get different angles). And flipping heavy mats you are not casting/cranking alot, so the reel side doesn't matter too much to me. Having a left-handed and a right handed flipping rod seems to help with fatique- which can be an issue flipping with 8' rods with 2oz weights for hours on end.

[BASSclary]

I'll just reiterate whats already been said before: Use what you're comfortable with. All of my casting reels are RH retrieve. I tried a LH and just could not get comfortable with it. I'm sure if I spent some more time using one I'd get the hang of it. I crank my spinning reels with the left hand with no problems. I must just be strange or something.

I must be strange too