Right Handed, But Considering A Left Handed Baitcaster.....anyone Heard Of This? 2024
TheBigLebowski reply :
I'm very right handed, but am considering buying my first baitcaster in a LH model. I grew up fishing spinning set ups with the rod in my right and cranking with my left. In fact as a kid I would fish a spincast by flipping it upside down (reel down) and cranking backwards (clockwise). Now I have a couple of spincast set up with the crank on the left side. I cast right handed......Palm the reel in my right hand and crank with my left.
Anyone else heard of this before? Or am I just so screwed up I should forget it and learn to switch hands?
aavery2 reply :
In the words of the Canadian Rock Band Sloan, "If it feels good, do it"
ghost reply :
I have more power in my right arm for casting, working a lure and setting the hook. I never understood why someone reels with left hand on spinning and right hand on casting. You're not screwed up, it's what feels natural to you. Both spinning and casting reels I reel left hand.
bbodkin reply :
It felt natural for me to go with a left handed reel. Because I've used spinning all through fishing. So I will tell you don't get a left handed. You will adapt to right handed baitcast reels so quickly and if you get a left handed you'll regret it. It felt confortable for me to get left handed too but I tried my friends and his felt right in my hand. But others are different. Just try out both a left and right handed. During casting, reeling, and just holding it
doyle8218 reply :
I am right handed and use only left handed baitcasters.
sparky241 reply :
i tried right handed first but like you i started out reeling left handed on spin caster and spinning reel. It just felt awkward to me so i bought a left handed reel and ive been happy ever since. i still dont understand why people will change hands after casting
AK-Jax86 reply :
Funny my first baitcast was a right handed Revo STX that my girlfriend got me for my birthday. I used it once got a massive birds nest and said screw this I am sticking to spinning. Then over a year later me and my buddy decided to take up baitcasting. We both got ourselves an Abu Garcia Silver Max (left handed since we figured that would be more comfortable since that's how we use our spinning). I used it a few times got fed up with birds nest again then quit again lol. Picked it up month or so later and got the hang of it. Was going to trade in my Revo STX to get store credit and buy a left handed reel but the store was closed and I was going fishing in the morning. I had the reel in my car and got a birdsnest in my Silver Max that I needed to cut out. So for some reason I decided to put my right handed STX on my rod instead and threw that and then I was hooked lol. It felt way more natural than using the left. So I ended up trading my left handed reel in and used that money towards buy a Revo SX. Now I have 3 baitcast reels Abu Garcia Revo SX, Revo STX, and a Quantum Smoke Inshore.
I don't know why I didn't pick up baitcasting a lot sooner than I did! I'm trying to convert my other fishing buddy but he is stubborn like I was lol
dam0007 reply :
Righty who uses Lefty reels here. Grew up that way as well. Theres no right way to do it, but i will say we get shafted. Some compaines only make certain reels or no reels at all in lefty.
Mike L reply :
Like most of you I used left handed spinning reels and right handed spin casting reels growing up.
I'm right handed.
But For the life of me I just cant get comfortable reeling a baitcaster left handed.
I tried too many times and finally gave up. Don't know why, cant explain it.
Now I can pitch left handed quite effectively, which is an advantage.
Strange Huh...
Mike
John G reply :
Left handed and I use right handle reels. Last Saturday morning,I was Bluegill fishing with a borrowed spinning combo and the guy had the handle on the left side. I reeled with my left hand the whole time. It felt very awkward.
TNBassin' reply :
I'm right handed but reel left handed. Like the op I grew up using spinning reels so it felt unnatural with casting reels to go right. Lefties rule.
ww2farmer reply :
Another right handed guy who reels lefty
crazyjoeclemens reply :
I'm right handed, but all my reels are lefties. Nothin wrong with that at all!
Jrob78 reply :
Do whatever feels the most natural to you. I'm right handed and use right handed reels. I cast with the right hand, switch the rod to the left hand and reel with the right hand. This is the way I learned and the way that is most natural for me. There isn't a wrong or right way.
Hyrule Bass reply :
right handed and my two baitcasters are left handed. just never felt right holding the rod in my left hand, its much more comfortable in my right hand and cranking with my left.
TNBassin' reply :
Makes sense to have dominant hand control the fish, and non dominant hand to reel it in no?
Raul reply :
I´m right handed, all my reels have the handle on the right side, the most I can ask my left hand to do is to hold things so something as complicated as turning around the handle ain´t gonna happen. I cast right and reel in with my right.
stk reply :
add me to that list of right handed but use left handed bait casters. I've tried to switch, but just doesn't feel right. And to the original poster, do what feels right to you. I've seen more companies make LH reels now and you've got a really nice selection to choose from. Good luck.
Michael F reply :
Im a righty and use left handed reels as well. It just feels more natural, makes pitchin and flippin a breeze as well.
jigabooyah reply :
I am ambidextrous, Baitcasters I cast left or right(left 90%) hand and real with the right. Spinning I cast right and real left.
Fly rod I cast with both left and right. I write with my right hand but draw with the left. Do what ever is comfortable.
basshunter54130 reply :
Hi, I'm right handed and when I bought a baitcaster it was a right-hand reel. But now all 7 of my reels are left-handed.like the other poster, it works better for flipping and pitching. A few times right when the bait hit the water I missed a strike because I was casting with my right and had to move the reel to left hand for the retrieve. Hope this was of some help.
John G reply :
On 7/1/2014 at 2:08 AM, TNBassin said:Makes sense to have dominant hand control the fish, and non dominant hand to reel it in no?
Yes
MCS reply :
I am right handed, reel a spinning reel with my left and a casting reel with my right as it should be. With a spinning setup the rod and drag play a major part in landing a fish. Hence the rod is controlled with the dominant hand. With a casting rod, not so much as it is effectively a winch. My strong hand, right hand, to reel the fish in easier. It switching hands becomes second nature, even pitching. I have only been doing this for a little over a year can switch hands faster than most of you nancy boys with your lefty reel and left hand hanging by your side with you cast the rod right handed. Keep telling yourself you cannot do it or it is easier one way and it becomes so. This no coincidence lefty reels are offered less by manufacturers, where as the majority of the world is right handed. 
georgeyew reply :
I normally use a left handed reel. I tried a right handed reel a couple of days ago, and I realized that I cannot control a fish with the rod in my left hand. So back to the normal left handed reel for me.
ColdSVT reply :
On 7/1/2014 at 12:59 AM, ww2farmer said:Another right handed guy who reels lefty
Same here lol
in my defense my dad is left handed and he taught me how to fish lol...i astually do many things left handed because thats how i was taught lol
sofarfrome reply :
I have 3 rigs. All have left hand reels. I am right handed. I cast right with great accuracy and feel. I reel left handed because I believe I have better setting power and over-all feel of the rod and its action when controlling with my right hand/arm. Reeling left just seems to come natural for me. However, when I flip baits I flip left handed and then change hands to reel left. Still feels totally natural.
Just my $2.57 worth.
TheBigLebowski reply :
So, again having never owned or even casted a baitcasting rig, I know there is a pretty good learning curve on using these. I intended to buy one and a practice plug (and some cheap line) and spend time in the yard learning how to operate it properly before I take it on the water.
Is there a decent store where I could try one out and if I didn't like it take it back to trade in on another rig?
I have fished my whole life with spinners so I can make it just fine until I learn.........I just thought I would try one since everyone talks about how much better they are for certain applications.
Thanks again for all the input!
new2BC4bass reply :
On 7/1/2014 at 3:44 AM, MCS said:With a spinning setup the rod and drag play a major part in landing a fish. Hence the rod is controlled with the dominant hand. With a casting rod, not so much as it is effectively a winch.
Sorry, but I have to disagree with this statement. Especially if your b/c drag is set at 3 pounds as it has been suggested it should be. How much winching can you do with that amount of drag? (Some say to set the drag about 1/3rd line strength.) My last evening of fishing in Florida earlier this month saw me landing the biggest fish of the 2 weeks....a 6.2 pound Largemouth. I didn't winch him in even though I set my drags higher than what is normally suggested. The rod played an integral part in landing the fish. Sure I could winch in a 2 pounder, but that isn't really much fun. I fish for fun...not money.
EDIT: If all that is done with a b/c reel is winching, then why is everyone so concerned about smooth drags? Lock it down and reel that sucker in. 
J Francho reply :
I use both. Try a lefty, see what you think. You should be able to at least try a floor model out at a store.
I PLAY FOR KEEPS reply :
I too am right handed and reel with my left. I do have a couple right-handed reels that I'll use on occasion, but reeling on the left feels much better to me.
5fishlimit reply :
I'm a righty, and all my reels are left handed. I tried using my best friends RH, but it was just too awkward for me.
Paul s reply :
I myself feel much better with a left hand reel even though I am a righty as well, I can use both but feel better with left handed reels.
Mccallister25 reply :
Do whatever feels natural. How's this for crazy; im a lefty. I throw a baseball/football with my left arm. I kick a ball with my right foot, punt a ball with my left foot. Shoot shotguns/rifles right handed and pistols left handed.
MCS reply :
On 7/1/2014 at 6:29 AM, new2BC4bass said:Sorry, but I have to disagree with this statement. Especially if your b/c drag is set at 3 pounds as it has been suggested it should be. How much winching can you do with that amount of drag? (Some say to set the drag about 1/3rd line strength.) My last evening of fishing in Florida earlier this month saw me landing the biggest fish of the 2 weeks....a 6.2 pound Largemouth. I didn't winch him in even though I set my drags higher than what is normally suggested. The rod played an integral part in landing the fish. Sure I could winch in a 2 pounder, but that isn't really much fun. I fish for fun...not money.
EDIT: If all that is done with a b/c reel is winching, then why is everyone so concerned about smooth drags? Lock it down and reel that sucker in.
Few counter points.
U fish for fun not money, same here. But I was speaking on the design intention of a b/c which why they were primarily designed right hand, to winch the fish in easy and probably as fishings *** wasnt for fun like us now it was food and later on competiton.
I tighten my drag like I do on my spinning rods a good firm pull, I too enjoy fighting a fish and dont horse them in. I never in my life heard of the three pound rule seems asinine considering everyone is blowing their load on the 13' fishing with 22 pounds max drag. Spinning reel drag tends to engage much easier than casting in my experience. And perhaps I set mine a little lighter due to me using lighter line.
FishTank reply :
I am right handed and started out with a left handed baitcaster. It just feels natural know. One other thing I noticed, and it may just be me, I get a lot of bites on the fall. If I had to switch hands, I feel I might miss something.
Hattrick7 reply :
Right here...righty that reels lefty with the exception of heavy saltwater tackle.
MCS reply :
On 7/1/2014 at 9:35 AM, FishTank said:I am right handed and started out with a left handed baitcaster. It just feels natural know. One other thing I noticed, and it may just be me, I get a lot of bites on the fall. If I had to switch hands, I feel I might miss something.
Just to give u the idea, not arguing, U switch while the lure is in the air. Even pitching....kinda like turning a double play, except opposite right to left vs left to right.
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
On 7/1/2014 at 12:30 AM, Mike L said:Like most of you I used left handed spinning reels and right handed spin casting reels growing up.
I'm right handed.
But For the life of me I just cant get comfortable reeling a baitcaster left handed.
I tried too many times and finally gave up. Don't know why, cant explain it.
Now I can pitch left handed quite effectively, which is an advantage.
Strange Huh...
Mike
Same here. I bought and tried left handed casting reels. Just wasn't comfortable for me. For the life of me I can't understand why. I'm very ambidextrous. Probably was just a comfort level thing.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 6/30/2014 at 10:48 PM, TheBigLebowski said:I'm very right handed, but am considering buying my first baitcaster in a LH model. I grew up fishing spinning set ups with the rod in my right and cranking with my left. In fact as a kid I would fish a spincast by flipping it upside down (reel down) and cranking backwards (clockwise). Now I have a couple of spincast set up with the crank on the left side. I cast right handed......Palm the reel in my right hand and crank with my left.
Anyone else heard of this before? Or am I just so screwed up I should forget it and learn to switch hands?
As you can see lots of people have considerd this.
I grew up cranking spinning reels with the left hand. I prefer left hand for baitcasters, but mine are split about half and half out of about 41 reels. Also practiced enough casting with my left arm to achieve the same distance as my dominant arm...although not with the same accuracy yet. Being able to use either hand has more than one advantage...not the least of which is not caring what hand the reel is when a good deal comes up. 
Smallmouth Hunter reply :
Hand that palms the reel: controls rod, sets hook, holds rod/reel, pulls against fish
Hand that is on the handle knobs: turns the handle
I think it's pretty obvious why you would want your dominant hand/arm palming the reel.. I vote that you should get a lefty reel if you are right handed.
Hyrule Bass reply :
On 7/1/2014 at 5:38 AM, TheBigLebowski said:So, again having never owned or even casted a baitcasting rig, I know there is a pretty good learning curve on using these. I intended to buy one and a practice plug (and some cheap line) and spend time in the yard learning how to operate it properly before I take it on the water.
Is there a decent store where I could try one out and if I didn't like it take it back to trade in on another rig?
I have fished my whole life with spinners so I can make it just fine until I learn.........I just thought I would try one since everyone talks about how much better they are for certain applications.
Thanks again for all the input!
fact is, baitcasters are no better for certain applications. you can do everything with a spinning combo that you can a baitcast combo, and probably more, especially when it comes to light baits or lures.
On 7/1/2014 at 8:30 AM, MCS said:Few counter points.
U fish for fun not money, same here. But I was speaking on the design intention of a b/c which why they were primarily designed right hand, to winch the fish in easy and probably as fishings *** wasnt for fun like us now it was food and later on competiton.
I tighten my drag like I do on my spinning rods a good firm pull, I too enjoy fighting a fish and dont horse them in. I never in my life heard of the three pound rule seems asinine considering everyone is blowing their load on the 13' fishing with 22 pounds max drag. Spinning reel drag tends to engage much easier than casting in my experience. And perhaps I set mine a little lighter due to me using lighter line.
and all of these means nothing when it comes to being comfortable while fishing, or what hand you reel with. this debate has more to do with what hand people feel comfortable turning the crank with and what hand they feel comfortable controlling the rod with, also throw in what arm they feel more comfortable setting the hook with. everyone is different and has their own opinions or reasoning for why the choose left vs right, drag setting has nothing to do with it. also, by your logic a right handed baitcaster is more powerful than a left handed one, which is totally false, its the same reel flipped around for user preference, doesnt matter if they were made RH first and its more historically popular. i can horse in fish fast and hard with a spinning reel too, so really your entire point is moot...
new2BC4bass reply :
On 7/1/2014 at 8:30 AM, MCS said:Few counter points.
U fish for fun not money, same here. But I was speaking on the design intention of a b/c which why they were primarily designed right hand, to winch the fish in easy and probably as fishings *** wasnt for fun like us now it was food and later on competiton.
I tighten my drag like I do on my spinning rods a good firm pull, I too enjoy fighting a fish and dont horse them in. I never in my life heard of the three pound rule seems asinine considering everyone is blowing their load on the 13' fishing with 22 pounds max drag. Spinning reel drag tends to engage much easier than casting in my experience. And perhaps I set mine a little lighter due to me using lighter line.
Check this thread out. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/137445-what-do-you-have-your-drag-set-at/?hl=%2Bdrag+%2Bpressure#entry1530117
Read post #2. Roadwarrior has tons more experience than I, but I just can't agree with him on this topic. I set my drags like you. Heavier the line, the heavier I set the drag. I don't set hard, but too low of a drag setting has the spool slipping. I don't like that. I need to train myself to use the thumb on the spool when setting the hook.
Notice I made the same comment about the heavier drags on Lews and Abu reels.
K_Mac reply :
On 7/1/2014 at 7:03 AM, J Francho said:I use both. Try a lefty, see what you think. You should be able to at least try a floor model out at a store.
That is the only right answer. I am right handed and use only lefty reels. They work best for me. Use what is most comfortable for you. That is the "way it should be."
dam0007 reply :
I was just wondering if muscle memory is the comfort thing people including myself experienced. Many years holding the rod in the right hand and reeling left, then the jump to baitcasters later on,your body needs to readjust all over again... Its what works for me as I said before, using lefty reeels. But I'm sure given enough time anyone can do either combination and be efficient.
Jrob78 reply :
It seems to largely boil down to what you learned on, which seems to be a regional thing. In the north and east, people use spinning reels as kids and get accustom to reeling with the left hand. They don't use baitcasters until later in life, (on average.) In the south it's the exact opposite. Most of us learned on spincasters until we were old enough to use baitcasters. In those days, that meant reeling with your right hand. Many southerners don't pick up spinning gear until later in life. There isn't a right or wrong answer but when you get used to doing something a certain way, it can be hard to change. This also explains why people get so heated when the spinning vs. baitcasting debate comes up. The people who grew up with baitcasters CAN do anything the spinning people can do and vice versa.
jignfule reply :
one more , righty with left handed reel. Just feels more comfortable.
MCS reply :
So for the righties using lefties where are your hands when u cast and then palm? Since I cast right I have index finger on the trigger, swap hands to palm with hand around handle and thumb on spool. When I palm I have my little finger against the trigger and hand around the reel. So do y'all cast from a palm or have to adjust to a palm position once finished casting?
J Francho reply :
When I cast a lefty, my right is palming the reel. When I cast a righty, my left is either palming the reel, or I move it to the butt grip for a two handed cast, while my right is on the trigger.
MCS reply :
Ok gotcha. Thanks.
TheBigLebowski reply :
Well, I was down south today with a couple of hours to kill so I went by a Cabella's then by a Bass Pro Shop. Both of these stores are a couple of hours from my home. There's a Dick's here in town and a Gander Mountain about 30 miles away but both of these places were pretty useless for me.
Both Cabella's and BPS were great! There was a gentleman at BPS that was great to work with and when I told him that I was investigating whether I wanted a lefty or a righty, he said let's set a couple up and go outside and give it a go. So we spent some time looking at baitcasters and picked two identical rod and reels and outside we went. I got a lesson in how to set them up and how to cast them.
Turns out I think I like the right handed model better. It felt better "palming" the reel in my left hand than my right. In fact I kept my left hand on the reel when I was casting. For you golfers out there I had almost a Vardon overlap thing going on with my index and little finger. I know I had a lot more accuracy when I was doing it this way.
So, anyway I spent close to 2 hours with this guy and when I described my price range etc, he tells me he could sell me several reels there........but for my money he suggested a Lew's Speedcaster SS1.......that normally is out of the price range I wanted to spend but he tells me that Lew's has a $20 rebate right now. So, here's the catch.........BPS doesn't sell Lew's. He said they are normally a $100 reel but the rebate was a really good deal.
He said if you need it today, go back to Cabelas and pay $99.........if not then go online to tackle warehouse......that they have them for $89 and with a $20 rebate I was at my number of $70 for a reel. I told him this didn't seem right, he said don't worry about it........it's not like I work on commission. He said just stop in the next time I was on my way to my parents house and let him know how it's working out.
You gotta be kidding me! So i bought $20 worth of plastics.......I bought him a pop....I got a BPS customer rewards card and I was out of there.
Anyway, that's my story.
Smallmouth Hunter reply :
Lefty will feel weird at first if you are switching over but you will feel comfortable using it within 1-2 months, and you will not look back. I vote yes.
Hattrick7 reply :
On 7/2/2014 at 3:21 AM, MCS said:So for the righties using lefties where are your hands when u cast and then palm? Since I cast right I have index finger on the trigger, swap hands to palm with hand around handle and thumb on spool. When I palm I have my little finger against the trigger and hand around the reel. So do y'all cast from a palm or have to adjust to a palm position once finished casting?
I usually just sorta palm it with my middle finger kinda touching the rod and index on the trigger and my left hand on the butt. Both sidearm and overhead. So as I release the bait my thumbs already right above the spool as I roll the reel so it's pointing towards the ground. Bait hits the water, I can then strip off line (t rig, jigs) or just start cranking since I don't have to change hands.
Roll castings the same except one handed. Backhanded, pitching it's usually the same grip and it never leaves the reel.
Edward6967 reply :
I've been researching the same topic myself. I like what I'm reading here in respect to do what feels right. I'm a right handed caster currently using a right handed reel. I want to switch to a left handed reel. For me it just makes sense, since I use a left handed spinning reel. Because I'm right handed not only is my arm stronger, but my right hand is far more sensitive than the left. When I palm the reel I can "feel" more of what's happening with the bait as well as my line return.
Another part of my decision is based on mechanics. Keeping the reel close to my body at all times. Keeping non essential movements to a minimum, and maximizing the rode action. When switching hands the rod and reel have to extend forward enough to allow the butt of the rod to to pass from the right to the left side before it returns to a holding position. While this only takes most casters a half second, and some are very fluid in this transition, it adds an unneeded step.In reality however this may all be a simple matter of "over-thinking it". Like a lot of responses stated, and I tend to agree, you should work whatever feels comfortable for you. For me, the right way will be to cast right-handed and reel left-handed.
TheBigLebowski reply :
Well, I decided to give the lefty a try. Decided on a Lew's SS1 model. And, I decided to buy it from Dick's sporting goods.......here's why.
I got a $20 online coupon in the email from Dick's today. So, they have the reel listed at $99......$20 off from Dick's and free shipping then a $20 rebate from Lew's. So bottom line $59 and tax. Plus, dicks does 90day returns for any reason......so if I work with it in the back yard and don't like it then I can take it back to the store here in town.
Thank you all for the responses and input. Very informative and very helpfu!
Edward6967 reply :
On 7/3/2014 at 9:56 PM, TheBigLebowski said:Well, I decided to give the lefty a try. Decided on a Lew's SS1 model. And, I decided to buy it from Dick's sporting goods.......here's why.
I got a $20 online coupon in the email from Dick's today. So, they have the reel listed at $99......$20 off from Dick's and free shipping then a $20 rebate from Lew's. So bottom line $59 and tax. Plus, dicks does 90day returns for any reason......so if I work with it in the back yard and don't like it then I can take it back to the store here in town.
Thank you all for the responses and input. Very informative and very helpfu!
Keep us posted. I'd like to know how it turns out for you. Also let me know what you think of the Lews. I'm looking at similar model with 6.4:1 ratio. I think that'll work for both worms and cranks until I can afford to get little better arsenal 
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