How many of you are Right handed but use a Left hand retrieve Bait cast reel? 2024
MaineBassMan reply :
I learned how to fish on a spinning reel where if you are right handed you cast right hand and reel with your left hand. Four years ago I decided I wanted to start using a Bait cast reel and so I tried my Grandfather's bait cast, which was a right hand retrieve. I couldn't stand it, it felt so foreign to me. Then I went fishing with my Great Uncle, whom happens to be left handed and uses a Left hand retrieve. I tried his reel out and loved it and it felt natural.
So my question is, why is a right handed bait cast reel retrieved with the Right hand? It doesn't make since to me to cast with your strong arm then switch over to your weak arm and retrieve with your strong hand, and fight the fish with your weak arm.
It makes more since to me to cast with your strong arm, keep the rod in your strong hand, retrieve with the weak hand and fight the fish with your strong arm.
Sorry for my ramblings, I've been fishing with a left hand retrieve for the last three years and was just wondering how many of you are in the same boat as me?
TRYTOFISH reply :
I use both l & r bait casters. i never figured it out either why most all spinners are left handed and bc's are right. my fishin buddy gives me grief all the time about my lh's, says he cant use them but he throws a left handed spinner alot.
Mike D from Lunkerville reply :
me too! i use a left retrieve, but i'm a righty. i'm seeing more and more anglers doing the same.
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. the only arguments i've heard is "that's how i learned" or "that's the only way baitcasters were made back in the day" or "it comes from saltwater fishing, where you need the strength of your right hand to reel"
it makes no sense to me to switch hands after a cast, leaving a second or 2 to miss a strike, and controlling the rod with your weak arm.
Stevie b reply :
I have gone through this debate with my fishing buddies as well. To me that makes perfect sense. Keep the rod in your strong and sensitive hand for casting and retrieving.
The reason you see more lh retrieve spinners out there is because on 99.9% of spinning reals, the handles are reversible. Baitcasters not so much, but yet some manufactures don't even make lh retrieve baitcasters. My first couple bait casters where rh retrieve and I'm right handed...it felt downright wrong. I have since switched over all my baitcasters to lh retrieve.
I think one huge overlooked item in this whole thing is how you learned how to fish. For example I learned how to fish by going after walleye. We where always in a tiller boat. So think about it, your left hand is always on the tiller handle, and your rod is in your right hand. How much sense would it make to switch hands when you get a bite? Hence keeping your spinning reel handle on the lh retrieve side.
BassinBoy reply :
I do the same thing, and you're right it does make more sense to use your strong arm for setting the hook and fighting fish. Also you don't have to switch over after casting
Triton21 reply :
I switched LH retrieve several years ago when I was Tournament fishing. I figured out I could get many more casts than the other competitors by not having to switch hands. I now only fish with LH reels.
sal669 reply :
Fished for about 30 years with spinning reels only. Than I bought my first BC combo; the reel was a RH. Used it for about half hour and never touched it again. It felt terribely wrong .After 2 years I had a chance to fish with a friend's BC that was an LH. Now this felt ok. Went out and bought a lefty reel ( Daiwa TD-S) , it feels natural and I think I should've started using BCs earlier.
This was about 10 years ago, and my first TD-S is still going strong.
Nitro-bass reply :
I am a righty and use the LH retrieve on my bait casters. It just feels more natural to me. If it is more comfortable and I have better control by doing it this way then that is how I am going to do it.
GonzoFishing reply :
I also grew up fishing with a spinning reel and I just bought my first baitcaster in LH retrieve. Just felt right 
I.rar reply :
ive always used spinning reels.
recently bought a citica 201d becuase the thought of switching hands after every cast seemed to be a PITA more than anything. im still very new to the whole BC scene , but it feels much more natural than a right hand retrieve.
basser89 reply :
I've always been a lefty with my spinning gear. When I first started using baitbasters, I started off with righties. Now, depending on the application, I'll use left or right handed baitcasters.
=Matt 5.0= reply :
That would be me. I cannot reel with my right hand... it feels retarded..
LAO162 reply :
QuoteI also grew up fishing with a spinning reel. Just felt right
x2
adclem reply :
Same here, right handed but use a left handed retrieve. Right handed retrieves just feel completely awkward to me.
Later,
bpm2000 reply :
QuoteQuoteI also grew up fishing with a spinning reel. Just felt rightx2
x3
PondHunter reply :
Right handed Left retrieve here also. Like many others I started out with Spinning equipment with the handle on the left. The main reason I stick with it though is because I learned all of the rod actions like twitching and popping with my right hand. If I had to hold and manipulate the rod with my left hand it would be like learning to fish all over again.
Primus reply :
I'm righthanded, use a left handed reel for jigs & soft plastics. I use a righthanded reel for cranks & spinnerbaits.
uicdent11 reply :
x4
DINK WHISPERER reply :
I am right handed and only use LH reels for flippin' and pitchin'. Left hand retrieve feels wrong to me! So, i agree that its all in how you grew up fishing.
haveme1 reply :
I have never owned a spin cast. No one I have ever know used them for anything but a toy to add to the fight of brim and smaller type fish. :-?
We all grew up on Zebco's 202's and such. (closed face) Thus right side reel. 8-)
Now after a bad motorcycle wreck my right wrist does not work so good and I've taught myself to throw a bait cast left handed assisted with my right on the very end of the rod. Thank goodness for the longer handles now on rods.
The short pistol grip was all there was back 30 yrs ago.
Now I can throw with either when needed.
I throw with the left and start the real and when I set a hook I catch the rod on the cork just above the reel with my right and jerk that sob inside out !! ;D
I bought my first spin cast a month ago .... :-/ It's so much trouble, -take the string in this finger and flip this thing over hold the string while you sling it toward the spot, turn the crank to make this wire flip back over- ..........auggggg ... :'(
I'm gonna put a closed face on that tiny rod and spend more time fishing than trying to fish. lol !
Not really, cause it does throw without interference from the spool. That's the only thing good about the reel.
Now the little rod that makes a small fish fun and a big fish more fun ... That's another thread ! 
bugman reply :
I'm right handed and only use a right handed bait casting reel. The reason is that I palm my reel with my left hand as soon as I cast. I tried this with a left handed reel and it is more difficult. With the right handed reel I cast with my right hand, palm with my left hand then crank with my right hand. With a left handed reel I would have to cast with my right hand, crank the handle to stop the spool, grip the rod so that I can palm the reel with my right hand then go back and crank with left hand. This may sound confusing but give it a try if you like to palm the reel. I do this because I can control the rod better when palming than holding the rod by the trigger grip.
With a spinning outfit I don't palm the reel, so I cast and grip the rod with my right hand and crank with my left hand.
roadwarrior reply :
Quotei'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-)
Ima Bass Ninja reply :
even though it opposite of the original post i have to say i am left handed but use a Rh bait caster.
21farms reply :
QuoteI'm right handed and only use a right handed bait casting reel. The reason is that I palm my reel with my left hand as soon as I cast. I tried this with a left handed reel and it is more difficult. With the right handed reel I cast with my right hand, palm with my left hand then crank with my right hand. With a left handed reel I would have to cast with my right hand, crank the handle to stop the spool, grip the rod so that I can palm the reel with my right hand then go back and crank with left hand. This may sound confusing but give it a try if you like to palm the reel. I do this because I can control the rod better when palming than holding the rod by the trigger grip.With a spinning outfit I don't palm the reel, so I cast and grip the rod with my right hand and crank with my left hand.
bugman hit it right on the nose for me too. if you hold the rod by the handle with your index finger on the trigger, it makes sense to retrieve with the same hand you cast with. however, if you palm your reel, switching hands puts the reel right into your palm without having to reposition.
Big Mike in Fl reply :
Quoteeven though it opposite of the original post i have to say i am left handed but use a Rh bait caster.
X2
haveme1 reply :
MaineBassMan reply :
QuoteQuotei'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 reply :
I am right handed, use LH casting reels, as well as having my spinning reel handles on the left side.
MaineBassMan reply :
Yeah ! And when you go for the net or the lip .........
you'll use your strong hand. 8-)
Smallie4130 reply :
QuoteQuotei'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 reply :
Ive perfected the art casting with right arm and switching before the bait hits the water.
Mike D from Lunkerville reply :
QuoteQuotei'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 reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
QuoteC'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 reply :
QuoteC'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 reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
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 reply :
QuoteI 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. :-?
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