I'm a righty and haven't used a casting reel for some time. I use spinning reels with the handle on the left with the reel facing down and cast with my right. The handle can be changed to either side. I used to cast with my right, switch my rod to my left and crank with my right with the reel on top until I was corrected. When I fish off a boat, in the salt, I hold the rod in my left hand and reel with my right.