Any lefties here that can guide me towards my first baitcasting reel?

[tjc76]

Hi everybody.  I am interested in buying my first baitcasting setup.  I have never used a baitcaster, so I'm not looking to spend alot on it. 

My biggest issue is that I am left handed.  I have always fished spinning reels left hand retrieve.  I hold the rod in my left hand to cast, then switch the rod to my right hand for hookset and retrieve, and reel-in with my left hand. 

My question is, with a baitcaster, I think I have to thumb the line, and I want to cast with the rod in my left hand, and also want to retrieve with my left hand.  Will this be a problem with a baitcaster?  I seem to think that the reel arm will interfere with thumbing during the cast.  I don't want to switch to right hand retrieve, I tried it with a spinning reel, and was not comfortable at all. 

Thanks,  Tjc76

[Red]

I don't think it will be an issue. Sounds to me like your exactly the opposite of most people. Cast with their right hand then switch and reel with the right. So for you if you had a left hand retrieve baitcaster, you cast with your left, then switch and reel with your left.  However, for me, I cast with my right and reel with my left, no switching.

[SeanW]

Hi everybody. I am interested in buying my first baitcasting setup. I have never used a baitcaster, so I'm not looking to spend alot on it.

My biggest issue is that I am left handed. I have always fished spinning reels left hand retrieve. I hold the rod in my left hand to cast, then switch the rod to my right hand for hookset and retrieve, and reel-in with my left hand.

My question is, with a baitcaster, I think I have to thumb the line, and I want to cast with the rod in my left hand, and also want to retrieve with my left hand. Will this be a problem with a baitcaster? I seem to think that the reel arm will interfere with thumbing during the cast. I don't want to switch to right hand retrieve, I tried it with a spinning reel, and was not comfortable at all.

Thanks, Tjc76

Revo S

[BASSclary]

Revo S, Citica, Pro Qualifier just to name a few of the popular ones.

See if you have a friend that will let you borrow a right and left setup first, because I retrieve with my left on spinning, but retrieve and cast/thumb with my right on casting.

[dulouz]

I have left and right handed reels, and I cast with either hand regardless of which reel I use.  One thing I have noticed is that if I hold the rod in the same hand without changing my hand position my hand starts to cramp up.  It is nice to switch hands to prevent fatigue. 

[ChiCityBasser]

Cabeas Prodigy PRC201 made by Daiwa for Cabelas. Cast great down to 1/4 oz lures and weighs in at 8.6 oz.  I've had one for a couple of years now and its still nice and smooth and now they are on sale for $60 and normally $100

[Nick]

Citica by Shimano is a good bet either 101 or 201 as are several models by Okuma. You can probably find an Alumina, Nemesis, or Cayenne cheaper than $80 new, and often much less.(not sure about left hand) For the $20 range, check out lots of old Daiwa Procasters on ebay. It's a coin toss as to how long they may hold up, but for dirt cheap, they will help  you decide if you like baitcasters. And last, pawnshops may have a lefty or two in them.

[deep]

Shimano Citica, my first BC reel.

Solid little performer, comes in both right and left hand retrieves.

My take is that don't buy a cheapo reel. For one, you probably will not enjoy learning on it. And if you do buy a decent reel, and don't like it, you will almost certainly be able to sell it.

P.S. I'm right-handed. But I retrieve both BC and spinning reels with my left hand.

[webertime]

I started with baitcasters this spring and now have all of the reels mentioned above.

The Citica feels (to me) to be the most solid/quality of the group, it's also stone simple to set up and has a great feel in the hand. 

The Prodigy is a really nice reel though and for $60 it's a bargain. 

The BPS PQ is a good reel but it just feels loose compared to the others, it doesn't cast as well as either of the above reels.

[new2BC4bass]

Cabeas Prodigy PRC201 made by Daiwa for Cabelas. Cast great down to 1/4 oz lures and weighs in at 8.6 oz. I've had one for a couple of years now and its still nice and smooth and now they are on sale for $60 and normally $100

I bought one of the left hand Prodigy reels the last time they were on sale for $60. I personally think this is going to be the best value for your money, but have to admit to never using the Citica or Quantum. All my other reels are Daiwas with the exception of an '09 STX-L.

Some reviews of reels make note of having a larger handle. Or wishing the reel did have a larger handle. Well the handle on the Prodigy is larger than all my reels with the exception of my 50th Anniversary Zillion. It is the same size.

My suggestion is to buy a left hand reel. If you are use to handling the rod with your right arm with spinning gear, than you will be more comfortable ( and confident) fishing a baitcasting rod/reel the same way. I know I am. I feel that I can reel equally well with either hand, but feel most comfortable handling the rod with the same arm I used for all those years I used spinning gear. However, that is me. You may belong in that low percentage group that are truly ambidextrous.

[roadwarrior]

Shimano Citica

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocitica200e.html

8-)

[Raul]

Hi everybody. I am interested in buying my first baitcasting setup. I have never used a baitcaster, so I'm not looking to spend alot on it.

My biggest issue is that I am left handed. I have always fished spinning reels left hand retrieve. I hold the rod in my left hand to cast, then switch the rod to my right hand for hookset and retrieve, and reel-in with my left hand.

My question is, with a baitcaster, I think I have to thumb the line, and I want to cast with the rod in my left hand, and also want to retrieve with my left hand. Will this be a problem with a baitcaster? I seem to think that the reel arm will interfere with thumbing during the cast. I don't want to switch to right hand retrieve, I tried it with a spinning reel, and was not comfortable at all.

Thanks, Tjc76

LOL, you do excatly what we right handers with lefty reels do but in the opposite way, no issues, it 's only a matter of getting used to.

[tjc76]

Thanks to everyone for the advice.  I took the plunge today after visiting my local tackle shop. 

After holding and pretending to cast several reels, I purchased a Team Daiwa Tierra 153 reel, and paired it with a St. Croix Mojo Bass Crankbait rod, 7 ft Med Heavy power Moderate action. 

Now off to practice. 8-)

[BASSclary]

Nice combo, I bet you'll love it!

And yes, there will be alot of practice to get it down 

[skey44]

If you're pitchin, skippin, or flippin it will be best to learn to cast right or reel right... you'll miss less fish. I am a righty (luckily have a lot of practice spinning with the left hand) and plan to buy a lefty casting reel soon just for these situations.

I have the mojo rod and it is a good crank action, but those guides are cheap. Don't be disappointed if you have a hard time with light baits or don't get a lot of distance with heavier baits (compared to better guides).

For cranking you made the right choice, but when you get your flippin stick consider reeling righty even if its uncomfortable at first.

[ChiCityBasser]

Nice combo and yes it will take some practice and all my baitcasters are left handed models. Good luck with your new purchase.

[scbassin]

You might look at a Shimano Caenan It has a lot of features & sells for $89.99

[tjc76]

Okay, so I practiced a bit yesterday. I removed the hooks from a half ounce rattle trap and casted in my yard.

It already feels second nature to me. I went to a local pond today for some more practice. I started off with a magnetic brake setting of 10, or maximum. I only backlashed twice, and both were minimal. Both backlashes happened when I really tried to whip it. When I let the rod do the work, I did pretty well and got decent distance on it. I ended the day with the brake setting at 5, and am feeling very comfortable with the casting reel.

My first and only fish of the day was a monster carp, which I fought for what seemed like half an hour, only to have it spit out the hook five feet from shore :'(

[Red Bear]

when i get into casting reels(possibly in the coming spring) im gonna have to get a left hand reel as well. i cast with my right hand and reel with my left hand, always have. im right handed. i always feel more comfortable if im working/holding the rod with my 'stronger' hand. there will be no need to switch hands

[Lcomfort]

Cabeas Prodigy PRC201 made by Daiwa for Cabelas. Cast great down to 1/4 oz lures and weighs in at 8.6 oz. I've had one for a couple of years now and its still nice and smooth and now they are on sale for $60 and normally $100

Awesome reel, I have a lot of them that are reels for guests on my boat. They fish very close to a Advantage HSTA just not quite as good. They are based on the Daiwa Advantage and are a steal at 60 bucks and a fair deal at 100.

[The Bassinator]

Ive always fished with lefty reels and I'm thinking about getting the citica because of the price point and the quality.  By the way where are you from in Jersey?

[Teal101]

Lefty reels all the way!

I grew up fishing a spinning rod in my right hand and reeling with my left.  Being right handed it worked perfectly.  When I switched over to baitcasters I just used the same formula.  I have two Shimano Curados and am adding a Revo SX here soon.  Love my Curados ;D