Personally, I have taught myself to "crank" with both hands!

I am a righty but I use a lefty baitcaster, believe it or not there are quite a few of us who cast 'goofy' to borrow some hip x lingo....I use a Calcutta which is alot of reel $$ wise for a beginner.

I would suggest something like the Curado, if you buy the one with less line capacity you can keep the price to about $75. They make them in lefty, all of Shimano's lefty reels are ..01 models...

The friction drag allows you to adjust the reel so that is almost idiot proof if you'll pardon the expression, which is good if you haven't used baitcasters regularly.

Sorry I don't know a lot about alternate brands, I have been partial to the smooth drags of Shimano's and haven't shopped for much else in awhile.