#133018 - 01/01/02 12:13 AM
Left Handed Reels?
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Was just wondering after observing all the guys fishing this year. How many right handers use left handed bait casting reels? I'm a righty and have been fishing lefty reels for 14 years. When steelie fishing there's a reason for it and I was just wondering how many understood it....pretty sure the old hands know? Have had several urban types comment on my lefty selection this year as being an oddity. Just a notion if any one wants to discuss it? Gooose
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#133019 - 01/01/02 12:37 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Alevin
Registered: 04/02/01
Posts: 10
Loc: Wilsonville, Oregon
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The only way to go. I'm a righty too and have been using left handed reels for over 20 years. Rod stays in your power arm and theres no switching hands and possibly fish.
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Happiness is a bent rod! SS
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#133021 - 01/01/02 12:42 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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SteelieSteve nailed it . If your a righty you gotta switch hands with a righty reel....even worse if your in free spool thumbin it as you should be when drift fishing. Gooose
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#133022 - 01/01/02 02:06 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Fry
Registered: 06/23/00
Posts: 27
Loc: Estacada, OR USA
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This is really a Northwest thing. I recently spent a year in West Virginia and did alot of fishing over there. They couldn't grasp the concept of a right handed person using a lefty reel. I also believe all left handed people should use right handed reels. However, I rarely see that. Any of these out there?
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#133023 - 01/01/02 02:10 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Im right handed and use a left handed spinning and fly reels. As for baitcasters ( which I use exclusively in the winter)I use right handed reels. I cant use a left hander to save my life. I even bring my own plug reel along when I go out in the boat as the guys I fish with are mostly left handed reel guys. Dont know why but I just cant use a left handed baitcaster. I use the switch hand method, It just comes natural to me.
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#133024 - 01/01/02 02:19 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Took me a year to get use to it but Rich G I suspect being young and having fast reflexises makes up for your handicap...JK :p . Seriously it was tough to adapt. Gooose
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#133026 - 01/01/02 02:51 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Juvenille at Sea
Registered: 01/09/00
Posts: 116
Loc: Winnemucca Nv
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I know it has been at least 10 years+ a couple since I went left. Just feels better. I changed after a shoulder injury forced me to learn to cast lefthanded for the entire fall salmon and winter steelhead season. I liked not switching hands after casting so when I got healed up I went for a lefty.
Wife informed me the other day that her next baitcaster would be a lefty too. I think it has something to do with the experiance this fall with big fish and switching hands.
I like it cause I don't have to switch hands when things heat up.
_________________________
To fish or not to fish What a stupid question
I fish therefore I am
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#133028 - 01/01/02 03:28 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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River Nutrients
Registered: 10/12/01
Posts: 2505
Loc: Area 51
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I'm a righty and cast with both left and right hands. This allows me to fish in tight places. Some times you can't get in closer with a left handed cast. I think that it is more important to learn how to cast with both hands. It can be done with practice. I just like the way the reel feels when I'm cranking with my left. I have plenty of power in my left arm for fighting fish. Its not like arm wrestling.
_________________________
Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods. -- Albert Einstein
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#133029 - 01/01/02 04:41 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Spawner
Registered: 01/03/01
Posts: 801
Loc: Post Falls, ID
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I think the reason younger people are using left handed reels is because we grew up with spinning reels which are mostly left handed.
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#133030 - 01/01/02 05:27 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Spawner
Registered: 11/26/01
Posts: 555
Loc: Browns Point
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it really depends on the kind of fishing you do...if your drifting it really doesnt matter...but if you cast and retrieve all day it helps to switch the load (cast with the right/retreive with the left) it keeps one arm from wearing out after a long day...any serious bass fisherman can explain this
_________________________
alcohol, tobacco, firearms, who's bringing the chips?
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#133031 - 01/01/02 11:30 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Juvenille at Sea
Registered: 01/09/00
Posts: 116
Loc: Winnemucca Nv
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Serious bass fisherman? Is that some kind of oxymoron?
_________________________
To fish or not to fish What a stupid question
I fish therefore I am
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#133032 - 01/01/02 12:14 PM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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River Nutrients
Registered: 03/15/99
Posts: 4214
Loc: Poulsbo, WA,USA
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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.
_________________________
I'd Rather Be Fishing for Summer Steelhead!
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#133034 - 01/01/02 06:23 PM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Juvenille at Sea
Registered: 11/30/99
Posts: 163
Loc: seattle
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I'm right-handed, but I cut my teeth learning to fish for largemouth bass, so I always used the traditional bass reel: baitcaster with the right-hand crank. As such, I learned to set a mean hook with my weaker, more uncoordinated left arm. All the while, I was learning to use fly reels and spinning reels with left cranks -- which felt a lot more natural to me.
So when I started fishing for steelhead, it seemed like the best choice would be a baitcaster with a LEFT crank, which -- as stated by many -- allows you to hold the rod, follow your drift and set the hook with your right hand. Definitely seems like the best way to go if you're right-handed.
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#133035 - 01/01/02 06:31 PM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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The Chosen One
Registered: 02/09/00
Posts: 14486
Loc: Tuleville
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Being a South Paw, I use a right handed reel. It only makes sense. Why a right handed person would use a right handed reel is beyond me.
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Tule King Paker
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#133037 - 01/01/02 08:58 PM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Returning Adult
Registered: 03/09/99
Posts: 460
Loc: TACOMA,WA
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I too am a right hander who uses a left hand retrieve. I talked to a Shimano dealer a couple years ago about why some reels weren't offered in left hand models and they told me it's because of a lack of demand. They said that the majority of their left handed reels were sold in the Northwest and the demand wasn't that strong anywhere else. Kinda strange.
_________________________
always wear a Miami Dolphins hat never horse a fish on a losing streak Diet Coke Pro Staff
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#133038 - 01/01/02 09:57 PM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Took me awhile to figure it all out also but now I have only 3 RH retrieve reels left. One is an absolute cherry ABU 5000D the other two are 5500C and a 5000A.
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#133039 - 01/01/02 11:40 PM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Repeat Spawner
Registered: 11/04/99
Posts: 1143
Loc: Everett, Wa
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Reading all your replies, all I must say is that I am very backwards...it may come from the fact that I taught myself pretty much everything I learned in my first 5 years or so of fishing. I am left handed and I fish with left handed reels. When I am fishing with convential gear, I cast with my left hand but during the drift and while fighting fish, I hold my rod in my right hand and reel with my left. When I am flyfishing I cast with my left hand and hold the rod in my left hand. During the presentation, I hold my rod in my left hand and my line in my right hand. When I am hook a fish I fight the fish with my rod in my left hand if I am stripping line in or the fish is not on the reel yet. Once I get the fish on the reel, I switch my rod over to my right hand because my reels are set up for left hand. I have tried both reeling with my right hand and holding my rod in my right hand during the drift but neither feels comfortable (I can do it when gear fishing ) so I have to just stick with switching back and forth.
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Ryan S. Petzold aka 'Sparkey' and/or 'Special'
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#133040 - 01/02/02 12:14 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Well a nice set of replies....and a bit of diversity that I didn't expect. Shows how different we all can be. Myself I was perfectly satisfied to fish right handed reels for almost 20 years....yeah I had to do the big switch when hooked up but it worked. Since goin lefty it just seems more natural with my personal style and abilities. I can even in place my casts where I want them even in situations where a left hand cast seems appropiate. My thumb is automatically in place on the spool and my right hand in place to help manipulate the line thru the drift. I'd rec' anyone who is just starting out to try it. For those set in their ways I wouldn't want to even try to advise you....wasn't my purpose...but I wanted and value your experienced opinions. Anyway back to the ice bag on the knee. BTW heads up don't ever try to split a submerged boulder in half with your left knee cap....believe me from my experience it's a real stupid idea. Gooose
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#133041 - 01/02/02 12:23 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Returning Adult
Registered: 03/09/99
Posts: 460
Loc: TACOMA,WA
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Gooose, You might want to ask RT where he gets his knee pads!....j/k
_________________________
always wear a Miami Dolphins hat never horse a fish on a losing streak Diet Coke Pro Staff
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#133042 - 01/02/02 12:40 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Randy After basically coming back to the world...after playing flounder on top of a nonsubmerged very convenient boulder....that was amazingly one of my immediate thoughts.I'll never razz :p RT again for them kneepads....I'm just going to hide them under my neoprenes as I wouldn't be seen dead....ooops!?! sorry uh yeah....well just look for ol'knobby knees in neoprenes on the river.. thats me. Gooose
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#133043 - 01/02/02 12:51 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Returning Adult
Registered: 09/12/01
Posts: 351
Loc: yelm, wa
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Gooose, went swimming again after steelhead, huh? Haven't you figured out that fish swim faster than you ? Anyway, you said you were sick again; the fishin' addiction must have made you recover quickly. You missed out on some fun on the rivers in the boat. As to your reel question, it only makes sense for a right handed person to hold the rod in the right hand and reel with the left hand. Ever notice that many righties use a spinning reel with left hand retrieve, and a level wind with a right, which causes the loss of efficiency with the hand change-over? Watch most of the bass pros and you will observe this. Just shows that steelhead fishermen (and women) are much smarter.
_________________________
Any day spent fishing does NOT count against one's life expectancy!! Cyberfishing from Korea sux!!
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#133044 - 01/02/02 01:03 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Mike Wasn't intending to go swimming....but knowing how to do the flounder helped. As for the bug well it was a New Years miracle. Go ahead and e-mail and rub my nose in it ya dog. Gooose
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#133045 - 01/02/02 01:17 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Returning Adult
Registered: 09/12/01
Posts: 351
Loc: yelm, wa
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Gooose, I promised you salt in the wound. It's on the way
_________________________
Any day spent fishing does NOT count against one's life expectancy!! Cyberfishing from Korea sux!!
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#133046 - 01/02/02 11:05 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Returning Adult
Registered: 03/09/99
Posts: 460
Loc: TACOMA,WA
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Gooose, I am not one who can talk about good knees. I've had 5 knee surgeries and move pretty gingerly. Maybe you, me and RT should have a foot race....say 100 yards? Can you guys get a week off? Thats about how long it will take me.
_________________________
always wear a Miami Dolphins hat never horse a fish on a losing streak Diet Coke Pro Staff
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#133047 - 01/02/02 12:25 PM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Spawner
Registered: 09/25/01
Posts: 768
Loc: Tacoma
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Gooose, sounds like a duck around tree maneuver! I think I know the spot As far as reel handings, I'm a righty and use both LH and RH depending on how I'm fishing. Tried to go stictly LH retrieve but my right elbow let me know that holding the rod full time wasn't in the cards. Driftfishing baitcaster (my go to) is usually the only time that I use RH retrieve, giving my elbow a rest during retrieves. I can still do all the creative reeling and spooling just that it's in a unconventional manner. Floats,spoons,bait...etc. spinning or casting it's lefty all the way and when done in excess can lead to a talking elbow Is 37 old First the elbow Then the backlash my body gave me following a day on the sloaps maybe it was that nasty high speed fall FJ...out.
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#133048 - 01/03/02 07:01 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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What knee pads? I have fished both L & R hand reels. But I normally use the left hand reels and fish right handed for more than just because it's my stronger arm. I also feel my right hand is a bit more sensative to bites and quicker with reflex hooksets. I think that's only partly from being right handed; with much of it because I'm used to fishing that way most of the time and the arm gets 'tuned in'. As for boat fishing, when I am holding my rod in the jetsled I need to fish it in my right hand so my left is free to run the tiller handle on the trolling motor.
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#133049 - 01/03/02 03:27 PM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Parr
Registered: 10/28/01
Posts: 51
Loc: Beaverton, OR
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As far as the Rt vrs the Lt all the parts that I have been thinking are here. Steelheading, particularly drift fishing is tough. Anyone can nail a suicide fish but feeling that subtule pick up by a stealthy river wise steelie requires skill of which I am still mastering BTW. I think it has alot to do with reflexes and unconcious conditioning in the brain. You are right handed so your left brain has better reflexes and has better eye to hand conditioning etc. Therefore you feel the bite better with the right hand (remember the brain is cross wired). This leads to switching back and forth casting reeling, hookset and retrieving (what a pain).
For me, as someone mentioned, I grew up with a coffee grinder trout fishing (although I can say I never did put it in the up position) and learned to reel with my left hand. The logical decision was the L H retrieve.
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Fish....Plankton....Sea Greens....and Protein from the Sea!
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#133051 - 01/05/02 01:39 AM
Re: Left Handed Reels?
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Fry
Registered: 04/05/01
Posts: 33
Loc: kent
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I'm a righty and fish a lefty Curado. I can fish either right or left equally well. I just prefer to hold the rod in my power hand and it saves time shifting the rod. When pulling plugs(2 man driftboat) I have a lefty and a righty up front so the guy up front can reel in both rods at once approaching the tailout.
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