I'm sure with this topic that I'm going to open one heck of a can of worms. When a friend of first got me stated fishing, to be honest, I was as green as they came. He got me outfitted with a C5500 reel and Berkley Air IM7 Med-Hvy combo, about as standard as you get. At that time, I didn't know any better or have any reason to question my set up. Well, a few years have passed since then, and quite a few rods and reels too, and I've always ended up getting a right handed retrieve reel. I guess it's because that's what I learned with, and never had the inkling to change that. Kind of the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality. I'm right handed, so I've always made the right handed cast, made the switch over to the left hand at the end of the drift, and retrieved with my right. On the other hand (literally), another buddy of mine started out with the same set up, but with a C5501 reel, a left handed retrieve. The reel was given to him, and that's what he has learned with and always used. When fishing, sometimes we swap set ups and it drives him nuts to use a right handed retrieve, having to switch hands all the time. At the same time, using a left handed retrieve doesn't seem all that akward to me. Now that I'm getting into the finer points of steelheading, I am starting to question my own set up. I'm an engineer, so I admit up front here that maybe I'm a little (okay, maybe a lot) anal and tend to over analyze everthing. But, at the same time, I think that if there is any possibility that will give you the upper hand on these metalheads, it's worth exploring. Being able to cast with one hand and keep the rod in that hand the whole time without having to switch hands to retrieve, definately has it's advantages. I could see how it could reduce the chances of missing a hit when you're switching hands, something that has happened to me more times then I'd like to admit. Or, if you ever want to get into flyfishing (I'm still trying to master drift and float fishing right now, but will eventually add fly fishing to my arsenal), I could see how it could be advantageous to strip and retrieve with the opposite hand that you cast with.
Now that I've got several rods with right handed retrieves, and my boys are getting to the age where I would like to start teaching them how to fish, the question that I am asking myself and anyone else out there is, "What type of set up should I get them started out on, Right or Left?" They are both right handed, but I believe (correct me if I'm wrong), that shouldn't matter. I think it's more important to get used to a certain set up when you're getting started. I don't want my kids asking themselves later on in life "Why did Dad ever get us started out with that kind of setup?" whether it be left or right. What do you folks think? Right or Left? Left or Right? C5500 or C5501?

P.S. Sorry for being so long winded.

[This message has been edited by SPOON (edited 05-09-2000).]

[This message has been edited by SPOON (edited 05-09-2000).]

Spoon- Back when I was guiding I had half right hand & half left hand casting reels in my boat for clients. It seems more guys prefered to use the right hand reels, and most were right handed thus maybe because they're an easier to wind for them? Or like you they perhaps learned that way? Long ago I was told that reeling righthand levelwinds became a broad tradition because bass fishermen mostly reel righthanded due to the critical retrieve rate importance, thus due to the greater numbers nationwide wanting right hand reels the manufacturers built way more right hand reels. I have wittnessed just the opposite with spinning reels; more guys reeling left-handed & don't know why. The only other reason I can think of for a right hand reel for a right hander is spreading arm fatigue equaly; fish right arm, retrieve left arm. However, I have always prefered the left hand reels so I could fish with my quicker reflexed & co-ordinated right hand while reeling in or letting out line for varying conditions with the left hand. And fishing in the boat I steer the tiller with my left hand and fish right handed, thus the left hand reel there is almost a must for quick adjustment effeciency (such as during backbouncing).

Heres my take on the right/left hand deal. I can cast with either hand, use a right handed reel and drift with the rod in my left hand on the reel with the butt wedged under my arm. I prefer to switch because I freespool while I drift with my left thumb on the reel spool and keep my right hand on the handle I reel much faster with my right hand. So when I set the hook my hand is either on the reel or is very close to the handle. I do freespool occasionally with the right hand, but when I am really focused I use the both hands. On top of that I hate using a left hand reel :-)....My spinning reels are left handed though go figure.

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Marty
www.steelheader.net
marty@steelheader.net

I started fishing with fly rods and am right handed. I have to cast with my right hand so all my reels have always been set up for left hand retrieve. Thats just me though. I have noticed that a lot of people use right hand retrieve because they don't know that you can change it. Most fly reels ( and spinning reels) come set up that way so they just use them as is. I also can say they catch fish just like anybody else.

Left hand reels for me. I'm right handed,so that means the right arm is stronger thus when the hook is set, I am doing it with the strong arm and not the weak one. Because I don't have to switch the pole to the other hand, I can immediately retrieve line with the left hand if there is any slack after the hook set or if the fish runs towards me.

Most of my friends that have converted to left hand reels wonder why they didn't do it years earlier.

The bottom line is that there is no awkward switching of the pole between hands during the critical hookset and the strong arm(right) is working at it's most efficient-holding the pole before, during, and after the hook set.

Get a left hand reel.

Same problem here ,I started out with right hand crank..thats all there was,Dad would make me learn to cast left handed so there was no switching hands and losing fish.My spinning reels are right handed they can be switched I've tried to fish them right handed crank but it just doesn't feel natural.Since I always bring both rods on most trips both arms get a work out.With my son I let him chose he started out with a right hand crank ,he's learned to cast left handed now, so oh well he's right handed but shoots left now he wants a left handed bolt action sounds like he needds a better job


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Row Quietly and fish a Catraft( formerly Steelheader boy)
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If you can reel with both right and left hands, hold the rod in your strong arm and reel with the weaker arm. That way you'll get a more brisk hook set on the fish.

I'm right handed and did as you primarily because of the availability of right hand retrieve reels back when I started. Now I buy exclusively left hand retrieves, because my right hand is stronger and I want the rod in that arm.

I switched to left handed reels when I started steelhead fishing and I'm really glad I did. I really agree with what EricW said in that it puts the strong arm in control. When driftfishing, or mending line it's just more natural to use my dominant arm and I feel much more in control at all times. Also, no silly switch over when casting.

duke

I started out with left hand retrieve because i am right handed, and thats how my dad fishs and thats how i was tought, and like obssesed said that you should fish the rod with your stronger arm it makes a big different in your fishing

Whether you are right or left handed. If you cast with the rod in your right hand, does it make sense to switch to your left hand so you can retrieve right handed? I think not! If you've ever spent an entire day on the river casting 300-400 times, the effort it takes to switch hands on each cast is immense. Cast with the right, retrieve with the left. It will become natural in a very short time, and you'll find that you are less fatigued. It's kind of like clutching an old hot rod chevy with the 2000lb clutch versus a high performance automatic at the drag strip. Tight lines......where are the Duc Springers???????

Get the reel to fit the opposite hand your cast with. I agree with those who have missed strikes while changing hands to reel. I am left-handed and cast with my right hand reel with my left. When you get to setting the hook, either hand will have the power, your adrenalin will make sure of that. Don't take a chance on missing fish just so you can switch hands. Have a good Day!!