No love for left-handed baitcasters? 2025

idiot1 reply :

Although I won't be buying until next spring, I'm starting to look at some baitcasters (first one). With all of my spinning reels, I have them set up for left hand retrieve. I'm just wondering why left handed retrieve isn't very popular for baitcasting? Each time that I've fished my friend's baitcasting setup, I've always casted with the rod in my right hand, then had to switch it to my left hand in order to reel in. Wouldn't I just be better off with a left handed reel so I could cast with my right and reel with my left?

lubina reply :

Quote
A. Wouldn't I just be better off with a left handed reel so I could cast with my right and reel with my left?

I think so, all mine are like that.......I've even forgotten that they make rightys anymore ;D

=Matt 5.0= reply :

Crazy isn't it? I'm right handed, but I reel with the left. Went to BPS today to try out some stuff... not one baitcaster on display was a lefty..... :

volpster31 reply :

im right handed but reel with my left too.......there are a lot of reels that id like to consider, but their not available in lefty so i stick with a few favorites

Jeff H reply :

I wish I could do it. I've tried and I can't get used to it. My spinning reels, I crank left handed but with the baitcasters I do the switch. I tried it years ago, because I really wanted to be able to pitch and not switch hands but I just couldn't get used to it. I'm almost tempted to give it another shot but I can't see why I'd take to it now. I think it is an advantage if you can make it work.

slomoe reply :

I write with my left hand, throw with my right arm

makes sense. Cast with my right arm, reel with my left.

idiot1 reply :

Does anyone know of any advantage to using a right hand retrieve baitcaster, or is it completely personal preference?

Also, what's everyone's opinion on the Quantum Energy PT? A few guys I work with absolutely love them, and they're one of the ones I'm considering. I'm looking to stay in that price range.

JigNBig reply :

I'd add an extra 10 bucks and buy a Curado,but thats just me. The energy's pretty finish rubs off pretty quick w/ nicks and its also HEAVY...over 10oz. Thats what most larger spinning reels weigh.

SimonSays reply :

I started out with spinning gear and they were all set up for left hand retrieves, so when I tried a right hand BC, it felt strange. Setting the hook with my left hand felt weak =/ so I switched to a lefty BC and everything worked out. The main thing I was concerned about was a fish hitting on the fall right as a lure hit the water while I was changing hands

idiot1 reply :

Quote
I'd add an extra 10 bucks and buy a Curado,but thats just me. The energy's pretty finish rubs off pretty quick w/ nicks and its also HEAVY...over 10oz. Thats what most larger spinning reels weigh.

Really heavy? I didn't think so when I felt it, but I haven't held any side by side yet. Basspro claims that the Energy PT weighs 9.5 oz, whereas a similar Curado D weighs 9.8 oz. Also, the guy I work with who has two, fishes them pretty hard, and they still look great after a year. All but two out of 35 Energy PT reviews on Basspro are good.

roadwarrior reply :

I think you'll find this thread pretty interesting:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1187794805

guest reply :

Hey on that old thred I was trying the left hand retrive, but in the long run I went to right hand retrieve I had more control casting and better feel reeling. So I have since changed my opinion from what i posted on that old thread.

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
So I have since changed my opinion from what i posted on that old thread.

Next thing you know, Muddy will be switching to Shimano reels and GYCB plastics!

mike bat reply :

i reel left ... i geuss at first i felt i had more comtrol over my rod with it in my right hand ( im right handed ) .... then if you watch most rightys with a baitcaster they cast then switch hands to reel ...... im too lazy to do that ,,, plus i believe i can fish alot faster than switching hands all the time ... ;D

luckyinkentucky reply :

A lot of Pro's fish left with Spinning and Right with Baitcasters as well. I've found that it is the smaller reel handle on the baitcasters that make it awkward when fishing left handed baitcasters. I can fish them, but it's not as comfortable. I too fish spinning left and baitcaster right, and I am traditionally a right handed person. But, if you watch the Pros sometimes you will see Stacy King or Jason Quinn fishing both left and right handed baitcasters.

.ghoti. reply :

When I started with baitcasters, no left handed reels were available, so I got used to switching hands. I tried a lefty a few years ago, and sold it pretty quickly. I use right handed baitcasters and left handed spinning and fly reels. Go figure.

PT's are good reels. I have four, and another ordered. No problems at all, and the finish does not come off. I have two that I got when they first came out, and they still look new; no rash, scratches or anything else.

Cheers,

mayassa reply :

Not sure if this is true or not the shimano rep said the handles are suppose to be up, not down when you cast for the centrifugal break to work correctly, hence left and right hand reels

guest reply :

Yep the handles should be at a slight angle facing up. I beleive it is shown that way on Reell Mechs site

Crestliner2008 reply :

Think about this; even with a left cranking bc reel, you'd still have to reposition your right hand to palm the reel, right? You can't just keep your grip on the trigger while retrieving! That would diminish your control considerably. So, if you have to move it anyway, why not move it to the left hand? I've always found it to be a very natural movement. It's pretty easy for me to do and I'm not the brightest bulb in the pack

smcentee reply :

I'm sooooo glad someone asked this question - I lacked the courage thinking I'd be bucking the system. I, too, went with leftie baitcasters because all my spinning reels were left hand crank. My local tackle shop always has a few leftie reels in the case, or is able to lay his hands on one in 2-3 days.

FishTank reply :

I think it just boils down to what you're most comfortable with. For me, I am right handed and I have been using spinning gear for years (with the exception of an old abu garcia reel). I found it easier to use the new baitcaster when the crank was on the left hand side. It just felt natural. I don't think I could use anything else.

skillet reply :

Have worked with my hands all my life and am REAL right handed. Can't find my butt with my left hand ;D! Yet, it is unbelievable how comfortable that reel is in my left hand and crank with my right. Go figure ! What Crestliner said makes sense, have always palmed my reel no matter what type of bait I use...

As Ever,

skillet

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

The reason is because for years they were only made in right hand models. So natural "lefties" learned to cast and then switch hands. Nowadays they make them in both but some folks got so stuck in their ways, they still use righties and switch hands anyway. (Ike is a good example)

Old habits are hard to break.

Left handed reels are the same reels, same balance, same everything......just better

** Most people who are "right handed" in life (writing, holding a tennis raquet, etc) are left handed reelers and left handed people reel on the right. If you write with your right hand, that is your dexterity hand. (does all the fine tuned work) while your left hand is the power hand. Think of a lobster, it has 1 claw for doing bulk work and one claw for doing finer work. Same with us.

Catt reply :

Ok here is the 411; when the bait casting reel was invented the person who invented it was left handed, he would cast with his left hand and reel with his right hand therefore most reels are actually left handed reels. In later years manufactures continued to build reels in the same manner which force right handed anglers to either hold the reel upside down or switch hands after casting in order to feel comfortable.

Palming became popular during the late 70s when companies started building smaller reels, ever try palming an Abu Garcia Ambassaduer 5000?

ABC123 reply :

Quote
I wish I could do it. I've tried and I can't get used to it. My spinning reels, I crank left handed but with the baitcasters I do the switch. I tried it years ago, because I really wanted to be able to pitch and not switch hands but I just couldn't get used to it. I'm almost tempted to give it another shot but I can't see why I'd take to it now. I think it is an advantage if you can make it work.

If you really want to use left handed baitcasters, and are used to right handed, then you have to stop using them. You have to "de-program" your mind from the thinking that right handed casting, then switching to right handed cranking is "normal". It's a mindset. Your brain sees a baitcaster, it thinks cast with right, switch hands, and reel with right.

Something you may want to try is going a period of time, say 2 months, or 4 months, or a whole season without picking up a baitcaster. Only use right hand casting, left hand reel, spinning gear. When your ready for the baitcaster, go straight to a left hand reel.

Years ago I used right baitcasters and left spinning. I stopped using the baitcaster for many years (for other reasons). When it came time to buy new ones to start using baitcasters again, using a right hand baitcaster felt ackward. I'm a right hand dominate person who uses my right hand to cast, work a lure, set the hook, and fight the fish. My left hand only turns the crank on the reel.

smallfry reply :

I'm all mixed up. I write with my left hand, but I'm right handed for throwing, batting, etc. I grew up with spinning reels, so my right hand/arm is the one trained for working a rod. For baitcasters, I actually have half right and half left hand cranks. I use the right hand cranking reels for things like deep cranks and spinnerbaits. For pitching, finesse, etc. I use the left hand cranking baitcasters. I am slowly replacing and phasing out the reels with the cranks on the right side...

farmpond1 reply :

IMHO, it makes no sense to be switching hands at the most critical time (immediately after the cast)-particularly with topwater baits and soft plastics. When I was considerably younger, I bought a "right-handed" baitcasting reel (I'm right handed) because that's the audience the reel claimed it was for. But after many years, I finally decided to buck the system and have switched to a "left-handed" reel. I don't regret it one bit either. It's much easier to keep a buzzbait on the surface if you don't have to fumble around with switching hands. While it is true that if you want to palm a baitcaster properly, there is some adjustment required but that can happen after the most critical moment(s). Also, why would you want to hold the rod in your less dominant hand? During a hook set, you want power and coordination. It doesn't take that much coordination to turn a handle and your non-dominant hand can do that easily enough. But for those who feel differently, I say "different strokes for different folks."

skillet reply :

Have read Catt's reply in more than one place and really like LBH's explanation ...

As Ever,

skillet

5156

No love for left-handed baitcasters? 2025

related Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Fishing Rods Reels Line Knots topic