Right or Left

[river_rogue]

I have been looking at replacing some of my older "budget" baitcast reels and I am going to pick up some better quality gear. One thing I was considering doing was switching to left-hand reels as I have heard that many right-handed anglers prefer them. My question is does anyone here fish with a left handed reel? (or lefties with RH reels) Just curious and looking for some input.

[delmuts]

Best advice is to go to a shop/store where you can try both on a rod. That is the only way YOU will know if it feels good to you.

[skocsuhs]

the only way to truly know is to get one & put in the necessary time, effort & practice on the water...when i got my first lefty bc it felt really odd to reel & fight fish at first with the rod & reel in my right arm etc...but i went out and only used that reel for several outings and then used it every outing from then on along with my righties...now it feels perfectly normal & definitely prefer it...now i have 50/50 righties & lefties...

also nice to be ambidextrous with them on those long days to be able to switch off to lessen fatigue...

i'm right handed but switched to lefties...its so much better to cast with my right arm & not have to switch hands, especially when it comes to pitchin...

wish i would of switched years ago

[river_rogue]

Thanks skocsuhs,I'm glad to hear first hand from someone who has made the switch. I grew up with spinning rods and it seemed strange at first switching hands after a cast. Although I have gotten used to it over the years I can't help but feel that I would prefer a left handed reel.

[RawHog]

Right-handers may tell you that as a righty, you can turn your hand faster and more naturally with your right hand. Although it is probably true for most right-handers, the facts above remain that keeping your rod in your hand thus not switching hands especially when fishing tight cover is important. Most moderately coordinated people that are right handed and fish with lefty baitcasters have no issue with turning the handle, even tho it may feel more herky-jerky.

[Juan Grande]

I'm right handed and had always fished with spinning gear. When I got my first righty baitcaster, I had trouble because I was so used to holding the rod with my right and reeling with my left. Started buying lefty baitcasters and never looked back. It is nice to not have to switch hands mid cast before I start reeling.

[PerchJerker]

I have a pretty equal mix of RH and LH retrieve reels. I prefer the LH reels because of not having to switch hands after every cast ...... but I like having the RH reels to mix it up and not get as tired out from holding the rod in one hand all day long. And having a few RH reels is a good way to get in some practice casting left-handed too.

[BTL]

I'm right-handed and only use LH baitcasters. Working lures, setting the hook, and fighting fish are the main reasons I want the rod in my stronger, more dexterous hand. Not having to switch hands is also a plus.

[Cecil]

I think you are better off learning to flip with your left hand than trying to reel with your left. I know a guy who tried using a left handed reel this year and decided it was a bad idea.

As for the cast, I usually switch hands when the lure is in the air so being ready when it hits the water isn't an issue.

[bassfshin24]

Or you can just learn to cast left handed. I have been working on that one for awhile haha.

[bemidjibasser]

Lucky me my dad was a lefty, so I got used to reeling right handed with both spinning and casting reels... I tried a lefty reel a couple years ago and hated it. I agree with Cecil that pitching left handed is far easier than reeling with your left hand.

[BTL]

I don't understand...if a person is right-handed, why would it be easier for them to learn to pitch with their left hand than to "teach" themselves to turn a handle with it? That's something that they probably already do with a spinning reel anyway.

Pitching requires accuracy, coordination, and dexterity. Reeling requires moving your hand in a circle.

[Cecil]

For me, reeling with my left hand could not be more awkward. Its easy when rod is in same position, but on hookset, whole different deal...

[gritsnham]

I gotta agree with cecil on this one also.

Im kinda weird in that im right handed but play hockey left handed and use spinning reels with left hand.

Decided to try the baitcast out this year in a LH model and was suprised how tough it was after getting used to RH. Going to keep at it but I absolutely cant pitch or flip with it as im too comfortable doing it with RH reels. Casting is also more awkward then I thought and I usually use that reel just for dragging jigs or carolinas now.

Gonna keep at it cause it would be a great skill but if your used to one be ready for some trials!

[Basschaser]

I'm right handed and use left handed casting and spinning reels. I want my stronger, more coordinated hand/arm doing the casting and setting the hook etc. I wouldn't consider swinging a tennis racquet with my left hand so to me it makes more sense to use your dominant arm for casting and your other hand for reeling. Not having to switch hands after casting is also a bonus. It took me about one day to get used to reeling with my left hand with a baitcaster. I will never go back to right handed reels.

[DrJuice1980]

Im a righty. Spinning reels I use my left to reel, baitcasters I reel with my right. I shoot pool left handed and shoot a gun left handed as well. Maybe Im just messed up because everything else I do as a righty.

[gritsnham]

HAHAHAHA ill be messed up with you juice forgot to add that I also shoot left handed! Took a little getting used to but thats my dominant eye so it was worth the extra effort...just need to put it in on that left handed bailtcaster this summer.

[BPBOB]

I'm a lefty-I reel with my right hand spinning or baitcasting.I cast with my left hand for both spinning and baitcasting.Most right-handed people I know reel with their left hand-I switch the reel handle over for them when they're using my gear.

[MN BassFisher]

I'm right handed, on my spinning set ups I reel with my left hand. When I started into the Baitcaster outfits 4 years ago my buddy told me if I didn't have a preference to get used to the Right handed baitcasters because they are standard and are usually easier to find and offered in more models. It took me a little bit to get used to but it wasn't long before I didn't even have to think about my casting methods or hook setting.

[delmuts]

I learned to cast both right and left handed also.Saves on the arms, plus i can switch sides of the boat.

[Comit 2]

I like left handed spinning and right handed casting gear. On a long day of fishing it is nice to change arms once and awhile. Especially when they are biting.

[slipperybob]

It's all personal preference. For myself, lipping a bass is gonna be a right hand thing so I've gotta go with a right side baitcasting reel.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

my buddy told me if I didn't have a preference to get used to the Right handed baitcasters because they are standard and are usually easier to find and offered in more models. It took me a little bit to get used to but it wasn't long before I didn't even have to think about my casting methods or hook setting.

Ive got a friend who is lefty and I told him the same thing and gave him one of my old baitcasters. He picked it up just fine but then again he didnt have any baitcast experience to start with.

[Superduty]

Regardless of which hand you reel with, you ARE missing fish if you have to switch hands when flippin/pitchin!

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I agree. I overhand cast with the rod in my right hand but when pitching and flipping the rod never leaves my left hand. But like Cecil pointed out, when casting baits overhand I usually switch hands mid cast.