Left hand wind ?????

[philB]

Hi

Seeing as most of the guys on the TU are USA based can you answer a simple question which has baffled me for a long time.

I have used baitcasting reels for a long time now and love em. I am right handed which means I hold the rod in my right hand and wind with my left hand, this is my natural way and observing others I know that is the case with them as well. Most baitcasting reels come as right hand wind and I see it all the time where anglers who are clearly right handed will cast as normal with the right hand then pass the rod across the body to the left hand so as to wind with the right (because the reel handle is on the right). This I simply cannot do, it is a totally alien way of fishing/casting to me and is uncomfortable. I always buy left hand wind reels which means I don't have to swap hands after casting.

I think I am right in the assumption that most folk are right handed (I may be wrong but it seems that way) but left hand wind reels are always a special order and some are not even available in left hand wind.

Why is this

philB

[Basseducer]

PhilB,

I, like you use only left hand bait casters. It is more natural for me too. I suspect that a whole lot of people learned the other way when left handers were not available and things just got passed down. Sounds good anyway.

TJ

[braveviper]

Philb,I wondered the same thing and found this answer.Baitcasting reels evolved from large saltwater reels for gamefish.Most people being right handed would use the right hand for pulling the stout rod back and fighting the fish then sliding the hand back down crank the reel.It makes sence to me because I fish both fresh and salt.

[Vodkaman]

Strangely enough, I am left handed. I have to pass the regular left side handle reel across the body to the right hand so I can wind with the left hand. Consequently, I look like a total novice when I'm fishing.

As mentioned above, I'm not so sure it is what you learn on. My left handed father resisted this and put the hand on the opposite, right side of the reel. There again, he may have done this to stop me pinching his more expensive reel when he was not looking.

[Spike-A-Pike]

The majority of my rod/reel cominations are spinning rods (11 of them total) 9 with Shimano's Quick Fire II bail trigger for fast casting with only one Abu Garcia bait caster, an Ambassadeur C4 5601 LEFT-HAND RETRIEVE.

I learned on spinning rods at age 6 using my father's Mitchell 300R. You never switch hands with a spinning rod. My first baitcaster was an Ambassadeur C4 5600 with the "right hand" retrieve and less than 10 hours later, my second baitcaster was Ambassadeur C4 5601 with the "left hand" retrieve.

I have had too many fish hit my lures on the third or fourth cast to the same spot on a weed line. I'd hate to have the monster of a life time get away while I was playing paddy cake, switching hands...

[JSC]

One of my favorite subjects, I know I am older than dirt but bear with me.

The first Bait Casters (way before My time) did not have level winds. Now

How did they manage to keep the line properly spooled ? (Ever try to cast with the line all on one side for example ?) They solved this problem (And a couple of others by adding the “Fore Grip” to the Rod. When You cast the rod was transferred to the Left Hand and was gripped by the “Fore Grip” .. then the line was passed thru the fingers where they moved them back and forth to “Level the Line” on the spool. This “Fore Grip” also was a balance point and took the load off of your hand and arm. Another way to “Spool The Line” was to “Palm”( If the reel was small enough) the reel with the left hand and use the thumb to “level the Line: This changing hands takes the “load” off of the right hand and arm (believe me as you get older You will notice this more).

As a kid I learned to use a bait caster with and old Bakelite sided reel with a stripped worm gear (I removed it and learned to “Spool” as above). With the level wind gone I could really get off some great cast (no end adjustments either). Years later I learned from some of the old Pompano fishermen (Pier) to use the fore grip when “Popping” a jig You did not get as tired and you could put a better action to the jig.

As bait casters have developed, the use of the fore grip has diminished, as a lot of us “Palm” the reel which is a good way to balance the combination … I usually change hands while the lure is in the air. For several years I was an Open Face Spin Fisherman (Mitchell 300 was my favorite) , now with even an Ultra Light Spinning Rig tires the old arm out from holding it in the same hand I cast with. If You retrieve holding the reel by the rod handle you have an off balance situation with all the weight out in front.(with a Spin outfit it is balanced) Hope I didn’t bore Yall with all of this, but as I said before it is one of my favorite subjects as far as Bait Casting goes.

JSC

[dwendt1978]

Great topic. I am left handed also. I use right handed Curado's and I cast with my right hand, switch and reel with my right hand. My partner who just got involved in baitcasters this past season, is right handed and because of always using spinning equipment with the handle on the left, he uses left handed curado's. Cast right, reels left.

My spinning gear, I cast right, don't change hands and reel left.

Vodka, my partner looks completely novice the way he fishes also but he gets the job done. As far as missing a hit from changing hands.... It's never happened. When your used to switching hands, it's so quick it's never a factor in setting the hook. Watch the pro's, 95% of them do the same thing.

[Tony Maxwell]

I have always been left handed. Started with Zebcos, right hand crank. Moved up to Mitchell spinning reels. Had to special order righthand crank. Hard to find. Finally on to baitcasters, right hand crank.

I read or heard somewhere, way back when, that you should use your strong hand & arm to hold the rod, better for casting accurately, etc. etc.

My son is right handed and I started him out on left hand crank reels, both for the strong hand and so he would leave mine alone. Works well.

My conclusion: Use whatever you are comfortable with.

[nova]

It's a simple fact that if you are right handed then that is the hand you hold the rod in and you crank with your left.(other way round if you are left handed).

Your dominant hand will be much more sensitive and responsive than your other hand. All this means you will feel the bait better and be much more reactive to a pick up for hook setting.

www.novalures.com

[Spike-A-Pike]

It's a simple fact that if you are right handed then that is the hand you hold the rod in and you crank with your left.(other way round if you are left handed).

Your dominant hand will be much more sensitive and responsive than your other hand. All this means you will feel the bait better and be much more reactive to a pick up for hook setting.

I agree. But why the cast and pass method used by so many. I think I'll stick to my spinning rod... It's easier on the left side of my brain (or no).

[rxfish]

I'm left handed, use left hand reels, but cast with right and never switch anything.