Left Handed Baitcasting 2024
Fishhook12 reply :
I am new to baitcasting, and I recenty bought a new baitcaster. I am used to the tradition spinning reels, so i figured a left handed baitcaster would be the best choice for new reel. But after trying it, it seems more awkward than anything. My question is how many of you use left handed bait casters? And does it work better for you?
Not_Here reply :
i used righties for 32 years and switched last year to my first lefty...practice and it'll be as natural as anything, too many people give up in the initial small window of time trying...i fished that first lefty almost exclusively for the first few outings, now its totally normal/natural for me...i wish i would of switched many years ago... especially when it comes to pitchin...
i still have righties & will keep x amount to switch off with to lessen fatigue on those long days, nice being able to be ambidextrous...
Diggy reply :
Im RH and prerfer LH baitcasting reels. Many people feel the same as I do, but many others don't. You have to either get used to it or see if you like RH retrieve better. Its def a slight change coming from spinning to either retrieve.
rippin-lips reply :
I prefer left handed and I'm right handed. I think it's due to using spinning rods with the handle on the left so it feels more natural to me. Secondly I like having my dominant hand control the rod/bait/fish ect. That just makes sense to me. Like taking a leak with your left hand. Just doesn't feel right haha.
ww2farmer reply :
I have always used LH casting reels. 20 years ago the choices were slim, but they were around.
hooah212002 reply :
My next BC will probably be a lefty because I have heard, from people who catch in a day what I have caught my entire life, that the time spent switching hands after a cast is crucial and potential missed bites. Learning curve, shmearning curve.
BubbaDirt reply :
All LH here.
flyfisher reply :
LH retrieve here for everything for me which includes baitcasters, spinning and fly reels. Never made sense to me to switch hands like everyone else does. The option for ratios is somewhat limited but they are out there with the BPS pro qualifier having pretty much every ratio under the sun.
Felix77 reply :
All LH here too.
nocluefisher reply :
Does anyone have both left and right handed reels in there arsenal?
Doubled Over reply :
All left handed here, and i'm a righty. No doubt it saves time casting. I broke my left elbow and ever since then it pops whenever I move it past a certain point. When I would use right handed reels and set the hook with my left arm it put a lot of stress on my elbow and didn't feel good. Using a lefty keeps most of the pressure on my right elbow. Only problem is some reel companies only make reels with right hand retrieve in some models and gear ratios. 
Not_Here reply :
On 4/13/2013 at 9:57 AM, nocluefisher said:Does anyone have both left and right handed reels in there arsenal?
i use both & will continue to...walking baits i prefer to use a righty...also as it helps me switching off with fatigue due to an old upper shoulder blade injury...
Ken Browning reply :
I'm left handed and prefer a RH retrieve. My rod stays in my left hand. Cast left, retrieve right. Is that a LH or a RH Bait casting reel?
I.rar reply :
Right handed left hand retrieve for me.
rippin-lips reply :
On 4/13/2013 at 10:28 AM, Ken Browning said:I'm left handed and prefer a RH retrieve. My rod stays in my left hand. Cast left, retrieve right. Is that a LH or a RH Bait casting reel?
That would be a RH reel. When looking down from the top at the spool the handle is on he right.
jignfule reply :
RH but fish w/LH b/c much more natural & comfortable for me.
mjseverson24 reply :
I use all right handed reels, cast usually with the right, and switch over to the left durring the retreive. I have learned to do it very smoothly and efficiently, looking at it you would never know a switch happens unless you look for it. I dont believe I have ever missed a fish in the first 1/2 second while the rod is in both hands at once making the exchange. I have tought myself to be able to cast effectively with both hands so I can disect cover more efficiently. just personal reference but using a lefty baitcaster is kind of like watching a lefty golf something just aint right. lol
Mitch
mtaag3 reply :
I fish LH
deep reply :
100% LH retrieve, spinning or casting.
ClackerBuzz reply :
I went with lefty b/c of ur exact reasoning...but they feel natural to me. don't force it...take it back for a righty.
i wouldn't attribute 'lost fish' to righty or lefty (if bite detection is the issue..probably too much slack in the line).
new2BC4bass reply :
On 4/13/2013 at 9:57 AM, nocluefisher said:Does anyone have both left and right handed reels in there arsenal?
Absolutely! Doesn't take long to become second nature once you put in a little practice.
OP, what feels awkward to you? I grew up with spinning reels, and cranking a b/c reel feels different than a spinning reel. Not quite as smooth and effortless. Can't quite put my finger on it, but the length and balance of the handle probably play a lot into the difference in feel while reeling....as does the location of the reel and the difference in how the rods are held Try a right hand reel. It may also feel awkward. However, practice will soon have you feeling much more comfortable reeling regardless of the hand you choose to reel with.
MarkH024 reply :
I bc right and spinning retrieve right. The loss of time/feel on switch is hogwash. I've never had issues catching fish.
Lazz reply :
HAHAHA...On 4/13/2013 at 8:30 AM, rippin-lips said:I prefer left handed and I'm right handed. I think it's due to using spinning rods with the handle on the left so it feels more natural to me. Secondly I like having my dominant hand control the rod/bait/fish ect. That just makes sense to me. Like taking a leak with your left hand. Just doesn't feel right haha.
The rod in my dominant right hand is absolute...which is the reason righties using righty reels confuses the hell outta me....
There is NO way i could work the rod, IMO the harder/more important part, with my left hand...
Im righthanded....
Fishwhittler reply :
I am right-hand dominant and prefer LH reels. My left hand simply doesn't have the coordination to work soft plastics, topwaters, anything other than hold a crankbait rod. I can use RH reels for crankbaits, but anything else and I need a lefty reel. I'm trying to learn to work baits with my left hand so as to have more reel options, but it's a slow process. I'll probably always prefer LH reels regardless.
Ken Browning reply :
Thanks. I guess I should have known that but I wasn't sure. 
.RM. reply :
On 4/13/2013 at 10:28 AM, Ken Browning said:I'm left handed and prefer a RH retrieve. My rod stays in my left hand. Cast left, retrieve right. Is that a LH or a RH Bait casting reel?
Thats called "Power Hand Casting" left hand hard rod work done with the strong arm/hand, light work cranking done with the right.
Im right handed and use the right arm/hand for the rod work, and the light crank work for the left. 
flyfisher reply :
On 4/13/2013 at 11:47 PM, MarkH024 said:I bc right and spinning retrieve right. The loss of time/feel on switch is hogwash. I've never had issues catching fish.
The real question is how would you know if you are missing if they hit during the switch.....
It seems that those fishing for a pretty long time use RH retrieve reels because there were more available back in the day and you get used to it and most likely they learned on older gear that was RH Retrieve too.
Whatever feels comfortable....go with it.
TNBassin' reply :
I'm a righty but uae all left hand reels. I like to keep the rod in my dominant hand.
MarkH024 reply :
Easy. I make the switch while the lure is in flight. I normally have my hand on the crank before the entrance in the water. I have tried lefty reels but im more comfortable working the rod in my left hand.On 4/15/2013 at 3:24 AM, flyfisher said:The real question is how would you know if you are missing if they hit during the switch.....
It seems that those fishing for a pretty long time use RH retrieve reels because there were more available back in the day and you get used to it and most likely they learned on older gear that was RH Retrieve too.
Whatever feels comfortable....go with it.
200racing reply :
i really like a lh for my dedicated flipping/pitching setup.
bass1980 reply :
My right hand is so much more dominant so I use LH baitcasters. My first BC was a RH because I was told people just use more RH even though spinning reels they use LH. I did fine RH but after I found that I love to pitch I didn't see any point to needing to switch hands. I couldn't pitch with my left for the life of me. So before I went all out buying my setups I switched to LH.
I cast and pitch with right, fight fish with right which is my strong hand. I'm glad I made the move before my investments dictate what hand I should use. The only disadvantage with LH is availability and if your like me, buying used gears will be limited.
Sodus Bay Scooter reply :
Same here, right handed and left retrieve. Typical reasons like stronger right handed and no switching hands.
But even more so, just doing the subtle things like slow dragging and short quick twitching is much more easily achieved with my right (dominant) hand. Make sure you think about things like that and not just retrieval speed which will be as fast as you can muster with practice with your left hand.
This is just my opinion but I think somebody long ago screwed it up when they made bait casters right handed and got people to become comfortable with that ( don't flame me people).
But think about it. Imagine I'd the first bait casters were left handed instead if right. I bet there would be a lot less topics about this issue.
Anyway, do whatever you're comfortabe with. In the end that's all that matters and not what the majority does.
Nick49 reply :
I fish with left handed reels. Like many, I began early fishing with spinning reels. Because of that, with baitcasting reels it is alot easier to maintain deliberate cadence with my retrieves when holding the rod in my right hand and reeling with my left (a direct carryover from using spinning reels). It really is not much more efficient (except for flipping) because I still adjust my grip on the rod after making a cast and before beginning the retrieve.
cbass12 reply :
On 4/13/2013 at 9:57 AM, nocluefisher said:Does anyone have both left and right handed reels in there arsenal?
I use LH for flipping and pitching, jerkbaits, and topwater. RH for moving baits like spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and swimbaits.
flippin and pitchin reply :
35 years with R/H reels. I tried lefties on my pitchin sticks for one year. They now sit on my partner's rods. It's not for me.
CRANKSTER reply :
I too am going to try LH baitcasters this year. Had a traumatic injury to my left hand/arm recently and how I don't have enough wrist rotation to palm my reels, so my left hand is left to reel with. Really hope it works.
BassThumb reply :
On 4/13/2013 at 9:57 AM, nocluefisher said:Does anyone have both left and right handed reels in there arsenal?
I'm right-handed; I use lefty baitcasters for all of my jig/worm/pitch/flip rods, and righty baitcasters for moving baits.
The biggest advantage of a right-hander using lefty reels is not having to shift hands while flipping/pitching.
Arv reply :
I use lh. Thats me though. Go with what is comfortable for you.
tylerwyp reply :
All LH here. Being right handed with everything, Id rather have my dominant hand working the rod and my off hand spinning because its a lot less complex technique
Got1Fishing reply :
Interesting to see how many people are right hand dominant, but use their left hand for fishing. I'm the same way, I never heard of anyone else being the same way. I think it just comes natural to cast with your right hand, use your dominant hand for spool control, and using it again to set the hook. I feel like you lose so much time switching a hands any other way.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 4/13/2013 at 8:30 AM, rippin-lips said:I prefer left handed and I'm right handed. I think it's due to using spinning rods with the handle on the left so it feels more natural to me. Secondly I like having my dominant hand control the rod/bait/fish ect. That just makes sense to me. Like taking a leak with your left hand. Just doesn't feel right haha.
If switching hands to pee doesn't feel right, you should try wiping yourself with the opposite hand. Now that is awkward! 
Tim Cianciola reply :
im right handed and only use left handed baitcasters. so i can throw with my right and not have to switch hands to reel.
gr8outdoorz reply :
I'm right handed and reel with left. I grew up slinging Fly Rods and spinning rods so when I took up bass fishing it was natural to me. I tried reeling with my right hand once and hated it! I like to work the rod with my dominate hand.
trailer reply :
I guess I'm in the minority, but no lefties for me. As soon as the bait hits the water I have what I perceive to be a quick, natural switch of hands. All it takes is slight click on the reel handle. I tried lefty. I felt like Forrest Gump.
dodgeguy reply :
the reason it feels awkward is the baitcaster handle has a smaller turning radius than the spinning reel.i cannot get used to it either.i use spinning lefty and baitcaster righty.this theory that you miss fish switching hands is garbage.i switch before the bait hits the water.
flyfisher reply :
On 5/7/2013 at 8:08 AM, dodgeguy said:the reason it feels awkward is the baitcaster handle has a smaller turning radius than the spinning reel.i cannot get used to it either.i use spinning lefty and baitcaster righty.this theory that you miss fish switching hands is garbage.i switch before the bait hits the water.
Not total garbage. Any time you add in additiona lsteps to any process you increase the chances for failure. So while switching hands may create minimal fail points you still have more than someone who doesn't switch hands.
Most of my fishing friends use LH retrieve for spinning and RH retrieve for baitcasting.
Kabar reply :
I'm left handed and prefer right hand retrieve.
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