Why do you use a right-handed baitcasting reel?

I am right handed and grew up fishing with spinning gear. Then when I started to learn with a baitcaster I thought it just made sense to keep reeling with my left hand. The frustrating thing is that most baitcasting reels are right-handed. So my question to you guys who are right handed, why do you like to reel with your left hand on spinning gear, but right hand on casting gear?

Thanks for your reply.

There is an old thread that I raised on this topic

Dog

I don’t. I order left handed bait casting reels. It makes things a lot easier.

All my baitcasting reels are lefthand,I never figured out why them pros always were changing hands after each cast when they used a 200 hp motor to get them there faster and then they were losing time changing hands on a reel.

I’m right handed, and reel with my right hand for both spinning, and baitcasters.

I was told once that the smaller radius on a baitcaster is easier controlled by your stronger hand which in most cases is your right-hand.

Quote:

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I’m right handed, and reel with my right hand for both spinning, and baitcasters.

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I also do this. I always get the questionable look when a buddy uses one of my spinning rods. I tell them that they were raised the wrong way and should learn the proper reeling techniques if they would like to continue fishing with me. I cant be around such ignorance. Even the old thumb push reels used as a kid were on the right side. I shouldnt have to always switch the handle to the “right” side when I buy a new one. Get with the program spinning reel makers!

I use both. But then I don’t have a domanent hand or eye. I shot and fish both left and right handed, so I’ve been blessed with a gift I guess. For fishing, I have different traits of using each hand. I control speed better with my right hand, but better finnesse with my left so instead of fighting it, I use it to my advantage. Funny that still like to shoot right handed, but MUST keep both eyes open to get a clear view through a scope. Different I guess

I can’t reel a spinning reel with my right hand and cant reel a baitcaster with my left hand, just don’t feel right the other way around. I cast both with my right but with a baitcaster I switch hands during the cast.

I used to switch hands with my Casting Rods until I read and article about it a few years ago, Now I still do a little but am learning to proficiently cast my Casting Rod/Reels with my left hand, no more switching.

It takes some time and practice, but I am getting better at it and saving time, getting in more casts per hour of fishing.

Hold on now. If you guys are right handed then why do you reel with your right hand. If I’m rigging and set the hook with my right hand, I don’t want to try switching hands with a fish on the other end of the line. I do minimal casting so that might make a difference. Baitcasters I have both right and left handed, but I basically only use these for bottom-bouncers and some trolling.

Right handed when it comes to casting and reeling. The hand switch is automatic and the time wasted is milliseconds. I sometimes switch arms while jigging to give the other a rest or depending on boat position. I would not buy a spinning reel that you could not change the reel handle around on. When it comes to eye-crossin’ hooksets, I am ambidextrous.

Its simple…I hold the baitcaster in my left hand while reeling in….

Suppose part of it is what I grew up with and learned. Started out with a Plueger Akron right handed baitcast followed by right handed Zebco, Johnson, and Abu spin-cast. 6 years later started using spinning reels and those were all left-handed. I’ve tried using left handed baitcasters as well as right handed spinning reels more recently and just can’t get comfortable with either. Probably more a mental thing but I stopped fighting it. Could probably learn if I had to, which might happen.

If you rigging or jigging using the bow mount and not setting in rod holders both bait caster reels should be to the inside so you never have to switch hands after you’ve set the hook. So the port side of the boat should be reeled with the right hand and the starboard side should be reeled with the left hand.

Bass Fishing – whatever works as they jump in the boat and are bait stealers when Walleye fishing.

When I drive a vehicle with an automatic trans, I brake with my left foot, but when I drive a stick-shift I brake with my right foot. I switch hands automatically, without having to think about it. It just comes natuarlly.
HRG

Reel
Spinning – Left Hand
Casting – Right Hand

Cast
Spinning – Right Hand
Casting – Left Hand

When I first started using casting equipment about 5 years ago I started by casting with the right and switching. Was casting big Musky baits at the time. My right arm would get so tired that I would have to stop after a few hours. I decided to teach myself how to cast with my left hand. I spent about 30 minutes casting from shore by myself because I didn’t want anyone laughing at me. The next time I was in the boat I worked on it some more. I then spent a week long fishing trip casting with my left hand. By Monday afternoon it was not a problem. The hardest thing for me was learning how to thumb the line correctly with the left hand.

It is worth the extra effort to learn how to cast with both hands! I’m glad that I did it!

Cuz I’m right-handed.

Seriously? It goes something like this:

When the reel is below, the left does the tow. When the rod is on top, the right never stops.

OK, so I just made that up… you get the idea.

I’m in the camp that reels both spinning and casting reels with my the left hand. The only rods of mine that have right hand reels are trolling rods.

Well I’m left handed and reel every thing w/my right hand I’ve thrown bait casters since the handles spun backwards no free spool till I was about 14-15 somewhere in there Stan

I went to thorne Bros and asked the same question. He gave me a right-handed reel and a left-handed reel and told me to crank as fast as I could. I was much more steady when cranking with my right hand. I think I am going to switch.

Thanks for all the replies.