Left-handed casting? 2024
Bass=Awesome reply :
As some of you know from one of my other threads, I've been looking to add a bait casting setup to my existing spinning arsenal. Since I have so much experience with spinning reels, I do have to wonder why it seems like there's not too many left hand retrieve bait casters out there? I know that it ultimately comes down to personal preference, but are there any pros and cons to left vs right hand retrieve bait casters? I've fished with a right hand retrieve and it seemed ok, but it just seems like a bit of a chore to switch the rod from my right hand to the left after each cast. 
Dan: reply :
lots and lots of baitcasters come in Left hand models. There is no difference from left and right hand retrieves. It is just personal preference. I use a leftie for the same reason you want one.
SimonSays reply :
Yep, like Dan said, it's all personal preference, I'm a leftie also and I don't like to change hands. I feel like I have more hooksetting power in my RIGHT arm than my left, but in the end it's whatever feels more confortable for you
The Rooster reply :
Well let me ask you guys a question. After you make your cast do you continue to grip the rod in the casting position or do you move your hand up to grip the reel by palming it??
Seems to me if you make the move then it's as much work as if you just switched hands. I cast right handed and then switch to palm the reel with my left while retrieving right handed. If I was to get a left hand retrieve reel so I don't have to switch then I just have to keep the rod held in the casting position after the cast, or go to the trouble to move my right hand up over the reel.
Not trying to be difficult so don't think that. I'm just curious of how much of an advantage it really is to get a left handed retrieve reel. Occasionally I'll even cast mine left handed so I don't have to switch back. I only do this so I can instantly engage the spool after my buzzbait splashes down before it has time to sink much. And when I do I have to keep my hand in the casting position to make it work right.
roadwarrior reply :
"Wrong side" retrieve reels are readily available these days.
However, traditional retrieve is functionally much better:
http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1187794805
8-)
NBR reply :
I palm the reel which is the reason I cast right retrieve left. If I'm trying to keep a buzz bait or frog on top the water I might make the switch before the bait hits the water.
The Rooster reply :
I might try that but I'll have to do it while still thumbing the spool which might prove to be a chore.
skillet reply :
I cast right-handed and then switch to retrieve:
1.Don't think I've ever had a fish hit the lure so soon after it hits the water that I couldn't set the hook.
2.Use both hands to set the hook so that isn't a problem.
3. Have a hard time scratching my butt with left hand :-[,so it's a lot better to work handle with right hand ;D...
skillet
The Rooster reply :
What if the left cheek itches?? Can you reach it from the right?? ;D
I only want to engage as soon as a buzzbait hits water to keep it from sinking and making me use up 10 feet of my cast to get it back to the top again.
A.Do? reply :
My left hand just sux. :'( It just feels more natural for me to work jerkbaits, frogs, and other lures that require movement of the rod with my right hand. If I tried to work a jerkbait with my left hand i'd end up in the water somehow That's my reason for using a LH caster.
Same reason i retrieve with my left with a spinning reel. Working shaky heads or twitchin any bait just feels better with the rod in my right hand.
All personal preference. If you're pretty good with both hands and can rub your head and pat your tummy, I don't see how it'd matter. just my opinion 
von reply :
QuoteWhat if the left cheek itches?? Can you reach it from the right?? ;D
;D
It took me a little while to get used to reeling with my right hand and learning to work baits with my left but well worth it! Half the time you don't even notice you've switched hands. If only I could cast with my left.
fishfordollars reply :
I cast left handed and reel with the right.
J Francho reply :
My pitching, flipping, and frog rods are lefty, all the rest are righty. Its worth noting that my lefty reels are all TD-X HSDL with the clutch on the top. It's just what I'm accustomed to. With most of the newer lopro reels being extremely "lopro" and lots of access to the spool, I could probably get away with all lefties, since its easy to engage the clutch with the heel of the palming hand.
skillet reply :
"What if the left cheek itches?? Can you reach it from the right??"
Rooster
If I wear a long sleeved shirt, it needs to be a 36" sleeve length. You be the judge !!! All rationalizing aside, it's how I first learned and haven't had a situation that showed me I need to change. There are lots of other things I need to change.....Just ask my wife
SirSnookalot reply :
I always felt the same way about conventional reels and stayed away from them. I bought an Avet mxj (left hand crank) and wow did I ever do the right thing. I use this reel off shore and when pulling larger fish, sails and kings I like having my power arm on the rod. I pulled in 2 lemon shark this past summer in the 125 - 150 lb range back to back and I would never done in holding the rod in my left arm.
The Rooster reply :
I learned to fish holding ALL rods in my left hand. My buddy who got me into going fishing was left handed and I borrowed one of his spinning rods for a few trips until I got my own finally. By then I was used to using it the way he had it set up so I always reverse the cranks on all my spinning reels to be on the right side now so I reel right and cast left. I can cast either way and reel either way but it feels WAY more natural to hold and cast left while reeling right.
Then when I got a baitcaster for Christmas that year, as most will guess, ALL Walmart had was right handed retrieve reels, that was in the days before it was common to see left handed retrieve reels available. They only had reels with the crank on the right, and I was used to that anyway so I got that. I can also cast with either hand on a baitcaster, but for that particular reel, it feels better to cast right and then switch hands to hold it left while reeling right.
I guess I'm all mixed up on what's normal for me fishing. I hear that most people will reel right handed with a baitcaster, and also cast right handed and then switch so in that part I guess I'm normal, or at least with the majority crowd (normal for me is questionable). But for spinning rods, I'm the reverse of most people since I reel on the right. Most that I see reel with the left on a spinning rod.
bassnleo reply :
All my reels are left handed.
Someone mentioned they have never had a fish hit so quickly after they casted that they couldn't have switched hands and hooked the fish.
You must not flip and pitch much I've had fish swim 5 feet with the bait a split second after it hit the water after a flip or pitch.
Using a left handed baitcaster allows me to instantly set the hook without having to switch hands.
The Rooster reply :
I once had a fish blow up on a spinnerbait the second it hit the water. Fortunately I landed it. Was casting on a spinning rod and when he hit I cranked the bail shut (sinful I know) and hauled back on him and landed him. He was a keeper too at 15" long.
dman reply :
I think in the beginning its just how they made them but they are much more easily available now in left hand retrieve....I think guys do it this way because they couldnt find lefties and got used to it or they just see the pros switching hands and think they have to do it this way in order to look like a pro To me it just doesnt make any sense, if you left crank a spinning rod it shouldnt be any different. Why should it be different? your still doing the same thing, fishing.
roadwarrior reply :
QuoteWhy should it be different?
I guess you didn't bother to read through the referenced
thread I posted on page 1:
Re: Why is the reel handle on the right
Reply #15 - Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:37:12
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.
SirSnookalot reply :
QuoteI once had a fish blow up on a spinnerbait the second it hit the water
If blowing up means the fish hitting the moment the lure touches the water, that's not uncommon down here in Florida. Jacks do it all the time in saltwater, in fact 2 fish hitting at the same time is not uncommon either.
Jack Crevelles are awesome, my #1 favorite.
dman reply :
QuoteQuoteWhy should it be different?I guess you didn't bother to read through the referenced
thread I posted on page 1:
Re: Why is the reel handle on the right
Reply #15 - Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:37:12
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.
eh.....To me it sounds like they are just trying to justify a bad habit....I want the hook setting power in my stronger, faster arm with more coordination...Could I do it with my left, sure - most people do so im sure i could...But with all the money we spend on the best tackle and all the websites and books and mags we read for tips all to get that slightly better advantage, im not gonna go and put the rod in my weaker arm....Im not trying to argue here either I just really believe that this is the best way to do it :-X
roadwarrior reply :
We have lots of members that feel the same way you do and it seems
to be a trend that the industry has addressed. Most baitcasting reels,
or at least mid-range and high-end reels, are offered in both left and
right retrieve models.
I copied George Welcome's post just to note that there is some basis
for the way reels have traditionally been built. However, the other
option is now readily available on many models and most brands.
8-)
dman reply :
QuoteHowever, the otheroption is now readily available on many models and most brands.
8-)
Exactly, i can find any reel i want to try in left hand anymore....Years back it was very difficult though
lubina reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteWhy should it be different?I guess you didn't bother to read through the referenced
thread I posted on page 1:
Re: Why is the reel handle on the right
Reply #15 - Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:37:12
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.
eh.....To me it sounds like they are just trying to justify a bad habit....
;D ;D
Totally with you.....love the Scranton area
J Francho reply :
I'm selling on this whole "set with the stronger arm" thing. I'm of slight build, like a buck-fifty wet, and I have no doubt that many of your "weak arms" are much stronger than both of my arms put together. But I guarantee I run a harder stump puller hookset than most. In fact, anyone that fishes with me for the first time sees me swing, and are usually shocked, LOL.
Its not from brute strength though, its leverage. Perhaps the fact that I've been playing drums for 30 years has some effect, but I don't feel like my left is any weaker, just slightly less coordinated.
Good hook sets are required for certain bait, like weedless jigs or worms, and for both baits, we generally prefer a longer, MH to H rod.
Why?
Most will say to lift the fish from cover, but before that even happens, the longer rod means more tip speed which equals more line pickup and more potential force created to set the hook. The heavier power rod transmits that force back to the hook.
Using braided lines or lines with less stretch works toward this goal as well.
Bottom line, reel with whatever side is more comfortable. If you think there is a weakness in your hookset, examine all the parts. Maybe learning to reel with your other hand will help, but I doubt it.
TheBeast reply :
QuoteI once had a fish blow up on a spinnerbait the second it hit the water. Fortunately I landed it. Was casting on a spinning rod and when he hit I cranked the bail shut (sinful I know) and hauled back on him and landed him. He was a keeper too at 15" long.
Had the same thing happen to me on my first 5 lb. fish, if it hadn't been for fishing left and being ready to set the hook and reel instantly I wouldn't have gotten it.
QuoteQuoteWhy should it be different?I guess you didn't bother to read through the referenced
thread I posted on page 1:
Re: Why is the reel handle on the right
Reply #15 - Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:37:12
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.
That makes very littel sense and I believe it is just a fancy worded up excuse.
Hey Rooster you mentione casting position and moving your hand anyway. I don't know about anyone else but when I cast my right hand is in the same position it is in when I reel palming the reel. How short is your thumb or how big a real are you using that you can't hit the realeas and thumb the spool from the palming position?
Did anyone else watch Elias bring in those fish for the record and watch him changing hands while bringing in a 8+ on a crankbait just so he could release the spool and give line and then have to change hands again to start reeling again. I was watching this just knowing he was apt to lose any one of those fish during one of those hand switches.
Hooked_On_Bass reply :
QuoteQuoteI once had a fish blow up on a spinnerbait the second it hit the water. Fortunately I landed it. Was casting on a spinning rod and when he hit I cranked the bail shut (sinful I know) and hauled back on him and landed him. He was a keeper too at 15" long.Had the same thing happen to me on my first 5 lb. fish, if it hadn't been for fishing left and being ready to set the hook and reel instantly I wouldn't have gotten it.
QuoteQuoteWhy should it be different?I guess you didn't bother to read through the referenced
thread I posted on page 1:
Re: Why is the reel handle on the right
Reply #15 - Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:37:12
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.
That makes very littel sense and I believe it is just a fancy worded up excuse.
x2! ;D
Raul reply :
Quotethere's not too many left hand retrieve bait casters out there?
Not entirely accurate, I 'd say that most bc reels are offered in both versions, there are companies like Shimano that may not offer lefty versions in some models, but most BCs are offered in both versions, the reatailer may only offer righty versions, but that is not the companie 's fault, it 's the retailer 's fault.
One thing I don 't get is why Shimano doesn 't offer lefty versions for certain models when you can find the lefty version in JDM, an example of that is the Calais 100A, it 's only offered in righty but the JMD Antares 100AR ( the same reel with different name ) is offered in both versions. :-?, of course somebody is going to tell me that lefty reels don 't sell as much as righties, or that it 's a matter of investing in tooling n 'such, I would understand it if for example the reel is being developed or so, but hey, Calais ' are made in Japan, how come Japan has the lefty version ? they already got the tools, all they need is to print the box CALAIS 101 and that 's it.
Strike King reply :
When i was a kid my dad took me to a fishing/bait store to buy my 1st spinning reel. the salesman asked me if i was right or left handed. I said that i was right handed so he showed me a Mitchell 300 that cranks on the left. He said that since im right handed that i should cast/control the fish with my strongest hand/arm. I still use those 300's and 300c's to this day. so for me its how i started and how i will finish lol. My baitcasters also crank on the left. I cast with the strong arm and crank with the weaker with no switching. a buddy of mine is right handed with a spinning reel with the crank on the right. so he casts with the right hand then switches the rod to his left to retrieve. it look very awkward. just my .02 cents :-)
Bassn Blvd reply :
You should be proficient casting left or right handed.
SirSnookalot reply :
Totally agree with strikeking. More power on the rod and better coordination at least for me.
Not unusal down here in fla to catch peacocks or jacks 2 at a time on the same lure.
Strike King reply :
QuoteTotally agree with strikeking. More power on the rod and better coordination at least for me.Not unusal down here in fla to catch peacocks or jacks 2 at a time on the same lure.
:-)
ok now that sounds fun !!!
Tokyo Tony reply :
I think George Welcome's explanation makes perfect sense, at least if you're fighting fish correctly.
There's a lot more strain on your cranking hand with baitcasting reels than with spinning, and a lot more strain on your rod-holding hand with spinning reels. Why not put the greater amount of strain in your stronger/more coordinate hand/arm?
I understand if you don't feel comfortable reeling with your right hand because you grew up with spinning gear. In that case, the benefits of reeling a baitcaster lefty probably outweigh the disadvantages.
Personally, I would feel very uncomfortable using a lefty baitcaster, just as I would feel uncomfortable using a righty spinning reel.
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