Best left hand retrieve baitcast reel?

[A.J.]

Best left hand retrieve baitcast reel?

[dakota angler]

All my reels are left hand retrieve, spinning and baitcasting, it makes no sense to me to cast with your right hand and then switch the rod to your left hand so you can reel. Also being right handed by right arm is stronger than my left so it only makes sense to fight the fish with my stronger arm. I also noticed that I can fish longer than most of my friends who get tired faster by using their weaker arm to hold their fishing rods.

[GORD]

The best reels are very expensive. They are limited edition collectors items that should be kept polished and on display in a showcase somewhere. I'd suggest buying something a little more practical. Shimano reels are a good all around choice. I like the curado at $120. It is light, smooth, reliable and has a comfortable low profile design. Abu Garcia make good reels too, but for comforts sake I'd suggest you stay away from their clumsey "soup can" style reels. If you will be using the reel for bottom bouncing, a flipping switch is a good feature.

[John N]

Best? Sure like my lefty Shimano Calais. Darned good? Sure like my lefty Curado. Good fishing....John.

[LaneLunder]

I had the same question, and agree with you about switching hands. I just bought a Curado 201. I love my Shimano spinning reels, and have not heard anyhing but good things about their bait-casters. I hope I guessed right.
Lane

[Mattman]

ABU GARCIA 5501C3!!! Readily available. Reliable. Affordable. Parts readily available. Can put different gear ratios in if you'd like. Great reel.

[Backwater Eddy]

The ABU's all the way!

AB series for plug toss'n and C3, C4 for wrenching the piggy's in.

I use lefty's and right handers, but I do prefer left for all the reasons already stated.

Backwater Eddy

[Jeepman]

I just purchased Quantum AC401 reels for my bottom bouncer rods and used them this past weekend. For the past 5 years I have been using Amb 5500c3 reels for bottom bouncer rods. The left-hand retrieve and the flipping switch features of the AC401 makes me wish I had made the switch years ago for bottom bouncer presentations. I recommend the AC401 -modestly priced at $79.00, smooth, light, and a 5.2:1 retrieve ratio.

[Phil T.]

Thebest will be the Shimano Calcutta. Ask any musky fisherman who pays retail for his tackle, or remove the spools from all reels you look at. It's likely only the Calcutta will have bronze gears on both ends of the reel.