Bait-caster Left or Right ???

[lifeisfun]

I'm about to purchase my firs bait-caster reel.
I'm puzzled if I should get left or right handed reel.
On regular spinning reel I hold the rod with my right hand
and I reel in (reel hanging down) with my left hand.

I presume that using bait-caster the reel is on top of the rod so
should I purchase left or right handed reel ? ( Shimano Curado)

Thanks

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Bait-caster Left or Right ???

I too use the spinning reel that way and I use right handed bait casters.

 

[lifeisfun]

Re: Bait-caster Left or Right ???

Thanks for reply !

 

[JB]

Re: Bait-caster Left or Right ???

I am right handed and use right handed baitcasters, but I have a few friends that are professionals and guides who are right handed and use left handed baitcasters.

Their reasoning: A right handed fisherman using a right handed reel casts with his right arm, then has to transfer the rod to the left hand in order to operate the reel. They tell me that half second can make the difference between missing a strike and catching a major fish.

Their reasoning makes sense, but I have been using baitcasters for about 60 years and don't think I ever missed a strike while transferring the rod.

 

[rndn]

Re: Bait-caster Left or Right ???

I am right handed and like to have the crank on the left side of the reel.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Bait-caster Left or Right ???

If you want to reel in the baitcaster with your left hand like you do with your spinning reel you want a left hand retrieve.

I used to use all right hand retrieve reels until the left hand models became more available. I have switched to all left hand retrieve. My thinking is this. You cast with your right hand. with a right hand retrieve you have to switch the rod to your left hand to turn the handle on the reel. With a left hand reel you just cast and start fishing, no switching hands needed

 

[ParallaxBill]

Re: Bait-caster Left or Right ???

I use a right handed spinning reel most of the time but when I use my bait caster I cast left handed so I don't have any switching to do. I prefer spinners over bait casters anyway.

 

[phishvt]

Re: Bait-caster Left or Right ???

I think either crank side is fine, once you get used to it, you'll never wish you had the crank on the other side.

FYI - I am right-handed and fish bait casters with right hand crank and spinning reels with left hand crank. I've also never missed a strike and most of the time my switch occurs when the lure is just about to hit the water (the instant after I've stopped the spool with my thumb).

 

[bass buster]

Re: Bait-caster Left or Right ???

I think either crank side is fine, once you get used to it, you'll never wish you had the crank on the other side.

FYI - I am right-handed and fish bait casters with right hand crank and spinning reels with left hand crank. I've also never missed a strike and most of the time my switch occurs when the lure is just about to hit the water (the instant after I've stopped the spool with my thumb).

I'm the same way. It just seems weird to me to crank a bait-caster with my left hand. Just my preference. I think this comes from growing up with spincast reels, which were all right-hand retrieve years ago. (Zebco 33, does that a ring a bell to anyone?) Missing a strike while switching hands with the rod is rare.

Lifeisfun...get ready for that occasional "birds nest" that will inevitably find its way on your bait caster

 

[lifeisfun]

Re: Bait-caster Left or Right ???

Great folks - Thanks
Looks like left for me

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Bait-caster Left or Right ???

Great folks - Thanks
Looks like left for me

I've answered this question many times in the past.

Low profile Baitcast reels are designed to be held in your hand, [Palmed] is the correct term. You are not holding the rod only. This balances the rod reel combination. If you cast with you right hand, after you get used to it you will have the rod changed to the other hand before the bait hits the water. You will find that if you put in half a day or more that the offset of the weight holding the rod behind the reel will tire your wrist out quickly. The only left hand reel I have is my flippin stick as I have actually missed fish because they hit the bait right as it hits the water sometimes if you hit them on the head. It's all in the comfort and balance.

 

[hellbound]

Re: Bait-caster Left or Right ???

Go To A Store That Has A Good Selection And Demo Them Find Out Which Way Is More Comfortable To You And Put In Time In The Back Yard Before You Go To The Lake And Learn How To Cast It Nothing Is More Frustrating Than Being On The Water And Throwing A Birds Nest.....

 

[bass4brains]

Re: Bait-caster Left or Right ???

If you've always used left hand reeling, I'd say left simply because your right hand is more conditioned to feeling the bite, never could deal with the birdnest, always got a hit while trying to untie one ,I only use spinning tackle myself. I've really never seen an advantage to baitcasters except on long sling'em as far as you can flats.