Why? Spinning/Baitcast handles ?

[Reelgood]

This may be a silly question, but I just can't figure it out. I am right handed, on my spinning reel the handle is turned by my left hand, I want to buy some baitcasting reels but the standard on these has the handle being turned by my right hand.

Why are they on different sides of the reels, I've used spinning reels forever and don't fell comfortable reeling with my right hand?

Whats the reason?

[Steve_IA]

no additional message

[Reelgood]

So if its just tradition, should I just find one set up for lefties?

[Red Ruffandsore]

Check your reel again and see if you can switch the handle to the other side. Should be easy.

Stay off the pipe...and don't forget to wipe.

Red

[REW]

It sounds like you have just started fishing, and mayby just started fishging with a spinning reel.

1. Virtually all of the spinning reels can have their handles switched from right to left etc. In general most folks who fish with a spinning reel - cast with one hand (right or left) and reel with the other hand (left or right).

2. When bait casters were first made so many years ago - virtually 100% of the reels had the handle on the right side of the reel. This meant that entire generations of bait caster fisher folks grew up - casting with their strong hand - either right or left - but then reeled with their right hand. This then set the tradition of casting with the right hand - if you were right handed, and then switching to the left hand, so that you could reel with the right hand, since the handle was on the right side of the reel.

3. today - many bait casting reel manufacturers make very high quality reels that have the handle on the left side of the reel, and can be reeled from the left hand. These reels are referred to as "lefty" reels - simply because the handle is on the left side of the reel.

4. Even though there are many excelent "lefty" reels out there - the generations of fisher folks that grew up casting, swithing hands, and then reeling - are not willing to give up their habits.

5. However, it is highly recommended - if you are going to start fishing for the first time, and have no habits to break - that you cast with your strong hand - right or left, and then reel with the other hand. This saves time in having to switch hands,and if you happen to have a fish hit - just as the lure hits the water - nets more fish. If you are right handed - it simply means getting a reel that has the handle on the left side of the reel.

If you are left handed - it simply means using a "conventional right handed or reel with the handle on the right side.


As they say - old habits die hard. But if you are just starting - don't start with a habit - that you don't have to change.

Take care
REW

[Reelgood]

Thanks REW!!

[4reel]

:+ You make me chuckle. I just purchased my first serious Bait casting reel. I paid $149 for it. The salesman suggested I should try left hand retrieve. He also gave me the option to return it. I still have it. I have found that my spin casting reel has influenced my retrieve so much that it was a natural switch. What is un-natural is switching hands, especially when that 20inch large mouth breaks water and you miss the set because you are switching hands.

[Fin Addict]

While I will agree that reeling a spinning reel with the left hand allows one to cast and work the rod with one hand and reel with the other, thus allowing the user to avoid switching hands, I cannot agree that a left hand retrieve baitcaster is the way to go for a right handed fisherman. A right hand retrieve for a right handed fisherman allows the heavier side of the reel to rest on the inside of your hand. A left hand retrieve reel will tend to want to roll out of your hand especially with a high end (light weight) rod in a jigging situation. However the most important factor is being able to work baits properly. Most right handed fisherman find it difficult to coordinate a good rhythm with baits such as Vipers, Jackpots, Zara Spooks, jerk baits, glide baits etc. when using their non-dominant hand to reel. Go out on the water and try to walk the dog with a bait using a left hand retrieve and if you are like most, you will find the right hand retrieve easier. Also for larger fish it is nice to have the retrieve on the right as the left hand fatigues more easily. Not an issue for walleye but a marlin is a whole different story. The gimble and harness essentially hold the rod and you definitely want your strongest hand on the reel. Right hand retrieve has much more to do with practicality than tradition but if you find you prefer it, it would be nice not to switch hands.

[Mattman]

I have to respectfully and completely disagree with the majority of your statement. A left hand retrieve reel does not want to roll out of your hand any more than a right hand reel does. They're the same reel in reverse. A lefty reel isn't magically heavier. I also feel that having the rod in your dominate hand is a great plus to working baits like Spooks, Jackpots, jerk and glide baits. The rod is where you give all the action to the bait. I want that rod in my dominate hand. And again, for larger fish I would much rather have the rod in my dominate hand. If I'm going to have to power a big fish I would much rather be powering him with the rod and my dominate hand. Now a gimbal set up for Marlin is a different story but not one that applies here. Even so, you don't power the fish with the reel. You power with the rod and reel slack. Right hand retrieve has much more to with tradition than practicality.

If you are just starting out with a baitcaster, and are right handed, go with a left hand retrieve reel. People don't borrow your gear, its a very natural transition from a spinning outfit, you don't have to switch hands before the retrieve which can cost you fish, if you troll with your baitcaster the rod is in your correct hand, your have the rod in you dominate hand during the retrieve.

Good luck Reelgood, and whatever you do, practice, practice, practice. Baitcasters take a bit of getting used to, but once you do, you'll love them. Check out Abu Garcia's line of reels. Good quality, good availability, great value, good availability of spare parts and aftermarket upgrades.




Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[Sunshine]

I totally agree. Go lefty. I'm right handed and I have been using left handed baitcasters for 24 years. Learned this way back then from bass pros. Use your strong arm to work the rod and you don't have to switch hands all the time. What sense does switching hands after each cast make? When bass and musky fishing a get more casts than others in my boat who use right handed baitcasters. Done deal, go for it. The only complaint is that no one has come out with a line counter reel that is left handed. I'd bet you a $100 that if bass fishermen started trolling and using line counters you would see left handed line counter reels. They still control the national market.

[Reelgood]

Thanks everyone! Most seem to think Abu makes good baitcasters, Do they make left hand retrieve reels, or can I special order them?

[REW]

Many many manufacturers make excellent bait casters.
Don't just look at round reels, unless you have a thing for round reels.

If you are doing a lot of casting - look at the low profile bait casters. Much less tiring and the better balance on the rod.

If you are northern fishing, or if you are fishing with salmon or other fish who make long runs, then you might want a large round reel, otherwise - the bass style low profile make more sense to me.

Take care
REW

[Rod Holder]

I am right handed but if I can crank my spinning reels with my left hand I certainly can crank my baitcasters with my left hand as well. I have two 5601 C4 winches and just love them. I also have a Daiwa PS2L-5B for use when holding a rod set up with a bottom bouncer. The other thing a lefty casting reel does for you is enable you to hold the rod with your right hand while controlling a tiller motor with your left hand. The flipping switch on the PS2L-5b allows me to momentarily press down on the thumbbar to let just a little line out if so desired, say the depth is getting a little deeper and I want to maintain my 45 degree line angle, without needing to crank to reset the brake. I use the Abu Garcia winch reels pulling planer boards. You can be pretty accurate on how much line you've let out if you do some measuring before ever going out on the water. Let out line to a premeasured distance and count the passes of the level wind. The winches allow me to pull in a pretty hefty load without doing a lot of rod pumping. I like the additional leverage of the lower gear ratio. Personally, I think you will find a whole lot of walleye fishermen prefer left cranking reels. It is high time the line counter people "get it" and produce some lefty line counters. Otherwise, I'm happy to count passes.

[Mattman]

Most every baitcaster that Abu makes is available left handed. And I've picked them up at Fleet Farm and Reeds. And I've even seen them in some smaller bait shop type places. Bass Pro and Cabela's carry them too.


Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[Sunshine]

I like the Abu 6501 for trolling, musky fishing and downrigger fishing. I own 11 of them now. They're great for situations when you want or need large amounts of line like trolling. They have also held up to abusive musky techniques. For casting with a baitcaster a prefer the Shimano Curado 201b, I own 4 of these. I think that you're better off getting a reel with a flipping switch for bottom bouncing and verticle jigging in rivers. No suggestions there, I use old abu's for this that you can't get anymore.