LH verses RH Baitcasters

[Chubminnow]

Just curious here to get a few opinions...I have a couple of spinning rigs that I use my left hand to reel in with...I also have two left handed baitcasters and one right handed bait caster. I like the right handed baitcaster a lot more than the left handed one's but not because it's a right hand model...

At any rate, I use to be under the opinion that if I was using a spinning rig part of the time, reeling in with my left hand, and then switched to a left-handed baitcaster then it would make the change in equipment seem like less of a change, plus the fact that I use my right arm to cast with so there wouldn't be a need to switch the rod from my right hand to my left hand for the retrieve...

Any thoughts on this? Does this LH verses RH make a big difference to any of you? Or is everyone under the impression that if that's the only rod in the boat then by golly we're gonna use it?

[easy_13]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Feb-04-06 AT 04:55AM (EST)[/font][p]I haven't seen anyone else mention this, but I've gone to a two-hand cast much of the time. I use a RH baitcasting reel; my LH is on the butt of the rod. There is no "switch-over" this way.

I started using this method when I needed very long casts with crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Now about the only time I don't use two hands is when flipping and pitching.

I think it helps my accuracy. It also takes less effort. At the end of the day I'm much less tired now than when I casted RH-only.

Still use RH cast, LH crank on spinning gear.

[smljaw]

I cast RH and reel LH with spinning. I wish I had done the same 25 yrs ago with baitcasting. However, in the past few years I've practiced casting a baitcaster with my LH and reeling right handed. Being able to cast from both sides makes for an easier day on my casting arm(s). I'm still uncomfortable casting to small targets with my LH though.

[Devils Horse]

Ambidextrous with a computer mouse, and nothing else. Got tired of swapping those southpaws' mice over when I'd work on their computers.

I'm RH and reel on the right side with casters, and on the left with spinners. Too old with too many 100's of thousands of casts behind me to change now.

[MLTSPCS]

RHer myself. Use Left hand retrieve spinning reels and Right hand retrieve baitcasters. I don't switch hands with the spinning reel but w/a baitcaster I have to. This is done while the lure is on its way to the target. I hold baitcasters w/the reel (not the rod)in the palm of my left hand while reeling with the right. I feel holding baitcasters by the reel gives me better leverage. I place the butt of the rod against my left hip on my upward hooksets and sometimes even on my sweeps. It just makes me feel more comfortable and varies the hands used throughout the day (Spinning: reel lh, work rod rh; Casting: reel rh, work rod lh). Just my own little opinion. Don't reckon it matters that much long as there's something w/fins on the other end.

[TEE]

I use both...normally I throw spinners and cranks on lefties but, have found for Carolina riggin' and jig fishin' I'll use RH because it breaks things up and your arms aern't as tired at the end of the day.

[Tyme2fish]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Feb-02-06 AT 11:01PM (EST)[/font][p]I'm right handed. Wife is rh. I've been teaching her to fish this past year and she likes to reel with her right. OK I only bought her some cheaper Zebco reels.
Then I hand her a better open face and she still wants to reel right. OK. I switch it for her to reel right handed. She hooks a fish and wants me to help her reel it in. I had to turn the pole upside down and reel backwards so the reel handle was in my left hand. She's now decided that reeling left fells better.

[crappiepappy]

I've always used LH spinning reels & RH baitcast reels ... and I switch from one to the other with no problem. As far as b/c reels - switching hands hasn't been a problem. I just "cast" the reel from my right hand INTO my left hand ... and the switch is made before the lure hits the water (if I want it to be).
My fishing partner is a Lefty ... his spinning reels are set up as RH retrieve. If I pick one of his up and try to use it - I'm "all thumbs". I haven't tried to use a LH retrieve b/c reel, and not switch hands ... for a couple of reasons: I'm used to the reels I have, and I'm not in a speed casting contest ... so I figure, "if it ain't broken ......." ...cp

[mooseknuckle]

Throw everything left and reel with right. Actually, it's quicker. No hand changes.

[Chubminnow]

Man I sure do appreciate your all's responses...I was wondering if it was just me. I am right handed but I think a left handed reel suits me better...don't have to change hands, start reeling in a top water as soon as it hits the surface, etc...

[scaly1]

I'm like Tee and use both depending on fatigue level or application. A RH BC really comes in handy when flippin for me. The lefty seems to get tangled in the handle when I use it. For just about any other application I use a lefty. I also find it much more "natural" to fight and guide fish with the rod in my right hand.

[know1]

It is my opinion that a reel that cranks on the left side is a RIGHT handed reel.

I'm very predominantly right handed in everything I do - not ambidexterous in anything at all and I reel on the left side. It makes no sense to cast with your right hand and then switch hands to start reeling. Furthermore, most of the work and finesse in fighting a fish is done with the rod-holding hand and not the reel crank.