Right Handed Right Hand Retrieve? 2025
dtbrake reply :
So this question has plauged me since i was around 12-13. Why do right handed fisherman use right hand retrieve rods? I hhave always used a left hand retrieve, and it seems like the logical opytion. Cast with right reel with left all one smooth motion not this switching hands to reel i see so many do. Anyway not trying to bash anyone just always beem a question thats bothered me and it makes buying a new reel such a pain.
ABW reply :
Use whatever feels comfortable to you. I am cross dominant. I write and eat with my left hand, and do everything else with my right. I use left handed spinning reels and right handed baitcasters. I'd probably be able to adjust to a left handed baitcaster if needed.
dtbrake reply :
Growing up using i left hand retrieve i always thought the hand switching was funny. I tried a right hand reel once. ordered it buy mistake it last about an 30 min. All in the muscle memory after 10-11 years i couldnt do anything with it. Dad got a kick out of watching me try though.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
I think it started decades ago when the only reels made had handles only on the right side.
I do believe this situation is changing due to left hand retrieve reels being so readily available and more and more in demand.
FishTank reply :
When I bought my first baitcaster, it was right handed. I had the hardest time using it. I would get backlashes and I could not cast it very far. Then one day somebody handed my a left hand retrieve and all my problems were solved.
fisherrw reply :
x2On 2/3/2015 at 7:27 AM, FishTank said:When I bought my first baitcaster, it was right handed. I had the hardest time using it. I would get backlashes and I could not cast it very far. Then one day somebody handed my a left hand retrieve and all my problems were solved.
Scott F reply :
On 2/3/2015 at 7:27 AM, FishTank said:When I bought my first baitcaster, it was right handed. I had the hardest time using it. I would get backlashes and I could not cast it very far. Then one day somebody handed my a left hand retrieve and all my problems were solved.
So what hand do you hold the rod in while casting?
FishTank reply :
On 2/3/2015 at 7:59 AM, Scott F said:So what hand do you hold the rod in while casting?
Right hand.
The key was that I had been using spinning gear for so long that I was use to casting with my right hand and retrieving with my left. With a right hand baitcaster, I was casting with my right then switching hands. It felt unnatural. A left handed baitercaster was the answer. I have not changed since.
Scott F reply :
On 2/3/2015 at 8:53 AM, FishTank said:Right hand.
The key was that I had been using spinning gear for so long that I was use to casting with my right hand and retrieving with my left. With a right hand baitcaster, I was casting with my right then switching hands. It felt unnatural. A left handed baitercaster was the answer. I have not changed since.
If you still cast with the right hand, how does which hand you crank with affect the distance you get or the amount of backlashes?
BasshunterJGH reply :
I use left-hand spinning reels and right-hand casting reels. It's just the way I learned. If I could do it over, I'd probably learn left-hand on both. Makes sense to cast without switching hands. Really not a problem though unless you're flipping/pitching. But even then I hold the rod in my left hand and flip without switching.
FishTank reply :
On 2/3/2015 at 9:00 AM, Scott F said:If
If you still cast with the right hand, how does which hand you crank with affect the distance you get or the amount of backlashes?
In several ways, for one I broke my arm years ago and it is harder to turn my wrist out than in. So when I cast with a left handed reel I can feather the cast by turning my wrist in. This way I use only one break on my reels and I can control the cast better. Same thing goes when I'm pitching. Also hook sets are easier for me this way.
This is not me but it think it shows about the same technique I use.
BasshunterJGH reply :
On 2/3/2015 at 9:00 AM, Scott F said:If
If you still cast with the right hand, how does which hand you crank with affect the distance you get or the amount of backlashes?
I'm wondering the same thing... If your holding the rod in the same hand, why does it matter what hand retrieve the reel is?
BasshunterJGH reply :
On 2/3/2015 at 9:16 AM, FishTank said:In several ways, for one I broke my arm years ago and it is harder to turn my wrist out than in. So when I cast with a left handed reel I can feather the cast by turning my wrist in. This way I use only one break on my reals and I can control the cast better. Same thing goes when I'm pitching. Also hook sets are easier for me this way.
This is not me but it think it shows about the same technique I use.
Sorry, didn't see your post.
tnt2671 reply :
you would think rod would always gravitate towards the dominant arm, but the opposite seems true. for me working a lure , hook sets and fighting a fish the control on the rod is much more important than which hand is retrieving. i am right hand dominant and aways use lefty reels although i can reel righty also but with the rod in my left arm i struggle and don't have near the action or control once the bait is in the water especially action baits and my sets are not near as good. as far as casting side i guess i'm lucky because right or left casts feel equally as good in both distance and accuracy obviously i'd be switching hands for retrieve when casting opposite but that becomes second nature. i guess there is no right or wrong just different strokes for different folks
dtbrake reply :
I have always palmed my reels when casting also so thats another advantage i have found with left retrive. Never tried these new low pro reels im not sure im going to like it. Looking to get 2 BPS PQ friday maybe 3 yea probably 3.
Tywithay reply :
I can cast with either hand, but I use my right hand to retrieve because I can work the rod better with my left hand. I was born left handed, but two broken wrists and over a year in casts when I was young, my right hand is more dominant now. I can use both for the most part. Can write or eat with either hand, average over 200 both hands in bowling. Just fish with the right hand retrieve both spinning and casting.
Angry John reply :
I did the same. Glad I did. In this modern time I wonder why left reels have better resell value.On 2/3/2015 at 8:53 AM, FishTank said:Right hand.
The key was that I had been using spinning gear for so long that I was use to casting with my right hand and retrieving with my left. With a right hand baitcaster, I was casting with my right then switching hands. It felt unnatural. A left handed baitercaster was the answer. I have not changed since.
dtbrake reply :
On 2/3/2015 at 1:01 PM, Angry John said:I did the same. Glad I did. In this modern time I wonder why left reels have better resell value.
They are hard to find even in new in store.
Tywithay reply :
On 2/3/2015 at 1:13 PM, dtbrake said:They are hard to find even in new in store.
Just about every model has nearly the same right and left hand options, save for a select few. You're shopping at the wrong store.
Angry John reply :
There not hard for me to find and the same left reel is normally 10-100 more. Just look at steez reels on the auction site
masterbass reply :
I think lefty reels will become more popular as new first time bait caster users buy their first reel.
roadwarrior reply :
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.
Bluebasser86 reply :
It's what feels more comfortable to me. I can cast, switch hands while my bait is in the air and maintaining the spool, and be ready to start my retrieve before the bait ever hits the water, and I do it all without even thinking about it. I'd rather fish with a right handed retrieve Zebco 33 than a left handed baitcaster, it just doesn't work for me no matter how much I try.
WIGuide reply :
I believe a lot of it has to do with how you hold the rod too. Those who keep their hand behind the reel or towards the back may find it easier to use a left handed bait caster. If you palm the reel, or at least the way I do, it makes depressing the thumb bar with my left thumb almost impossible. If I were to use a left hand retrieve baitcaster and hold the reel the way I currently do just with my right hand, I'd have to cast with my right, then hold the rod with my left to the reposition my right hand so I could begin my retrieve. With a right handed retrieve reel I can perform the "hand switch" in one fluid motion during the cast and I'm ready to go before the bait even hits the water. In the end though do what's comfortable for you. Humans are not all built the same so if you've got something that works then go with it. There's no right or wrong.
OkobojiEagle reply :
Because Shimano wants it so...
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Brent Bartman reply :
On 2/3/2015 at 11:06 PM, WIGuide said:I believe a lot of it has to do with how you hold the rod too. Those who keep their hand behind the reel or towards the back may find it easier to use a left handed bait caster. If you palm the reel, or at least the way I do, it makes depressing the thumb bar with my left thumb almost impossible. If I were to use a left hand retrieve baitcaster and hold the reel the way I currently do just with my right hand, I'd have to cast with my right, then hold the rod with my left to the reposition my right hand so I could begin my retrieve. With a right handed retrieve reel I can perform the "hand switch" in one fluid motion during the cast and I'm ready to go before the bait even hits the water. In the end though do what's comfortable for you. Humans are not all built the same so if you've got something that works then go with it. There's no right or wrong.
I agree I use right handed reels and when I pitch and flip my right hand is on the crank with the left hand Palming the reel before my bait is mod arc. And I'm ready to click before it even starts.
But in reality it doesn't matter too me. I don't bull whip crack my pitch and flip hook sets. I let them take it I reel into them and lean on em and boom fish on. When I rush it I bust there mouths open and miss the fish especially with big 3/40z plus jigs and sinkers
dtbrake reply :
This is my grip except with my right of course. I like the have my leverage forward on the rod same with spinning.
I've never thought of my casting gear any different then my spinning on retrieve. Ill pay attention next time i get out see if i do anything different. This shows how behind i am but im just now figuring out what rod power is. Iv always used rods putting money into the reel.
Any advice on what a good rod should "be"? Iv always thought it was the real that mattered most.
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