Right or left
Oct 15, 2019 11:41:36 #
Right or left hand on bait cast reels? I grew up or started out fishing with a spinning set up that was left handed. As were most at that time. When it was time to up my game I start using a baitcast reel, there were only right handed on the market. I couldn’t for the life of me get comfortable reeling with my right hand and casting then quickly putting the rod in my left. Kind of stalling my progression. Fast forward 20 years and now pretty much every reel company ( thankfully )makes a left handed baitcaster... Sure did take awhile! 🏄🏼♂️🎣
Oct 15, 2019 14:06:35 #
That sure brings back memories from my first hand me down rod. Awkward but worked, but times are better now. Fishing anyway.
Oct 15, 2019 14:15:53 #
Garry
Loc: Wellborn, Florida
About 70 years ago my Mama's cousin taught me to use a bait casting reel (right handed) with out dropping his bottle of whisky he had me tuck under my casting and reeling arm. Then about 5 years later my uncle introduced me to a Mitchel 300 spinning reel since then I have had a few right handed bait casting reels but never really liked them. I was sure glad to find my first left hand retrieve bate casting reel. Cranking a reel is the only thing I can do left handed. I can hold a rod in my left hand but it is difficult to actually control it that way.
Oct 15, 2019 17:00:24 #
Dennisjj
Loc: Kinston N.C.
Garry just do the best you can with it and have fun doing it.You still catch fish with it.
Oct 15, 2019 20:40:46 #
Garry
Loc: Wellborn, Florida
Dennisjj wrote:
Garry just do the best you can with it and have fun doing it.You still catch fish with it.
with a left hand retrieve, I will. My left handed grandson will inherit my right hand retrieve stuff.
Oct 15, 2019 20:48:26 #
Oct 16, 2019 07:31:49 #
Raw Dawg Ron
Loc: St. Petersburg, FL
Need shop tools for lefty too. Chain saw to skill saw set up for right handed operation? At least they got the reels set for both.
Oct 16, 2019 09:32:04 #
Fishon Fishon
Loc: Baton Rouge Louisiana
I say if you’re right handed then use your left hand to cast and your right hand to reel and and vice versa, back when I got my first baitcaster a 5500c the rods all had short handles and my fishing buddy said don’t even pick it up with your right hand learn to cast with the left hand so you don’t have to swap hands it worked so good luck and Fishon Fishon!!!!
Oct 16, 2019 13:16:22 #
Jimbo
Loc: Sebastian, FL
lI was used to the left crank on the spinning rod so got the left on the casting rod. Don't regret not having to switch hands after every cast.
Oct 16, 2019 19:36:04 #
R2D2
Loc: Greenwood SC
Jimbo wrote:
lI was used to the left crank on the spinning rod so got the left on the casting rod. Don't regret not having to switch hands after every cast.
All my casting reels are left hand retrieve. I’m right handed and also learned to fish with a left handed spinning reel 60 yrs ago. I’ve tried right handed casting reels but they feel awkward to me.
Oct 17, 2019 01:38:11 #
DeeJay
Loc: Southwest Virginia
I use both, depends what I'm fishing for left or right.
I'm right handed, started with rt hand 5500c,as I aged carpel tunnel and rotator cuff problems, I had to learn
how to use left hand reels or not go fishing. I have 5500c and 5501c that I bought in the 80's, I clean them every year throughly. All still work extremely well, for 35- 40 years old. I am 71 averaged fishing 3-4 times a week. Now I go once a week. RETIRED. Without using both left and right reels I could not do it. Learn to use the left hand reels, switch occasionally, it will make a difference in length of time on the water. You don't have to be ambidextrous to do this. Tight lines to you, good luck, DEE JAY.
I'm right handed, started with rt hand 5500c,as I aged carpel tunnel and rotator cuff problems, I had to learn
how to use left hand reels or not go fishing. I have 5500c and 5501c that I bought in the 80's, I clean them every year throughly. All still work extremely well, for 35- 40 years old. I am 71 averaged fishing 3-4 times a week. Now I go once a week. RETIRED. Without using both left and right reels I could not do it. Learn to use the left hand reels, switch occasionally, it will make a difference in length of time on the water. You don't have to be ambidextrous to do this. Tight lines to you, good luck, DEE JAY.
Oct 17, 2019 05:43:22 #
I am left handed. When I first started fishing almost 70 years ago all I had was an old knuckle buster. I took it out in the street and learned to cast with it. It had a right handed retrieve. Then along came spinning reels with left handed retrieve. I now use both. I cast conventional/bait casting/level wind gear with my left hand and I cast spinning gear with my right. Just the way I learned, and I never had a problem about switching hands because of it.
Oct 17, 2019 08:58:50 #
I fished with spinning reels my whole life and when I started getting into competitive fishing I figured I had to learn to use bait casters... being used to left hand reels, I stuck with it for bait casting. I always thought it looked awkward and inefficient switching hands back and forth on every cast...
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