Why opposite reeling with spinners and casters?

[Mr.Finesse]

Anyone else wonder why this is, has anyone else made the switch in order to reel with the hand not holding the rod on baitcasters, since we do it with spincasters? emoScratch

 

[lafae7]

I think it has to do with the effects of gravity on the line. I have a really long explanation but don't have the texting thumbs(skills) my niece has.

 

[DinkDink]

I often wonder the same thing. But I use my bait casters left handed. I think a lot of the older people use theirs on the right side because that used to be all they made. Maybe not. It's interesting for sure.

 

[Smalliefan2]

The first baitcasters were made right hand reel, since most folks are right handed, and casting,pitching and flipping were not a popular way to fish. Most of it was trolling or still fishing. Remember, no free spool, magnetic brake, etc. The first really popular spinning reels were European imports, a la the Mitchell 300. On continental europe, France for example, the left hand is used more. It is the proper hand for a fork at dinner, unlike the heathens in England or the US, who hold the fork in the right hand. Consequently, a left hand reel is culturally atune to the fisherman.

 

[Carl]

Fatigue, lets your arm rest while casting

 

[Creekrunner6]

i used to fish all left handed, its really just what you get used to. It does make more sense though to use a left handed retrieve and work the rod with you stronger dominant am

 

[Hooker]

Grew up fishing worms n jigs with spinning rod,,,I use left handed baitcasters when fishing them and right handed reels fishing moving baits,,,does give you some reprieve from one arm or hand using both

 

[HunterDuck25]

I just bought my first left handed casting reel last week and have been using RH since about 8 years old.
Walked into cabelas with my sunglasses on and hat tucked low, made my way over to the fishing department and made a quick glance to see that the workers were busy. I eased the cabinet out, grabbed a Tatula Type R with a big L written on side of the box. Almost made it out of the dept. When a work hollers
"SIR!?" "Would you like me to spool that up for you, free of charge?".
I fumbled the box and tried to cover the big L with my thumb. "No Sir, I'm going to put braid on this RH reel" I said quickly (knowing they only do monofilament). He kind of gave me a a weird look, but I threw him a curve ball and quickly asked if they had any Senkos.
I picked up a pack of GP senkos and hurried up front to the regester.
The cashier gave me a strange look when she rang it up. I could feel her judgment by the way she looked at that L written in sharpie on the box, as if that big L stood for Loser. I grabbed the receipt and made my exit.
I finally made it to the river the other night and got to try it out, other than making pitches in the yard. My only question is how can something so wrong, feel so right. I can't wait to punch some mats, just hope my father understands.

 

[stuckinthetrees]

I use left handed bait casters as well. ocasionally use right for crank baits. i like to have the rod in my dominant hand. plus it kept all my fishing buddies from back lashing my baitcasters and breaking off my jigs

 

[djsmarinelectronics]

I have always preferred left handed reels which are hard to find sometimes. But I also set my spinning reels up as left handed, doesn't matter to me.......spinning or casting, I use them both left handed even though by birth I am right handed. As Creekrunner said, me using my dominant arm to set the hook just makes sense. Now here is a catch to think about, I can walk a top water bait better with the rod in my left hand so my topwater rod has a right hand reel.

 

[jdw2920]

I fish spinning gear left handed it just feels better to me. however I bought 2 left handed baitcasters and it just felt awkward to me couldn't do it

 

[XxthejuicexX]

All my bait casters are left handed, made the switch years ago. I have no shame in it and don't understand why more people don't fish them. I am right hand dominant and like the hook setting power I get from setting it with my right hand.

 

[rusty50576]

I like both for baitcasters but left hand for spinning. You can train yourself to crank a left handed baitcaster, I successfully did it (accidently bought a lh reel when I was a kid). Just haven't found a reason to learn rh spinning because you can always just switch the handle. As far as baitcaster I like left hand for buzzbait so I can cast right and reel as soon as it hits the water.