Left hand or right hand retrieve?

**Delta Elite** · #1 07-18-2011, 11:22 PM

After a pretty successful day at SLP last weekend, my wife "erroneously" backed my F250 over my Curado 200e7 and a cpl castaways. There were no survivors.

Fearing the sale might have depleted the gulf coast's supply of these mighty reels, I quickly called around only to find a 201e7 at BSP ($139). I am right handed as I was once told that lefties are an inferior race. Nevertheless, I picked it up with the hopes that if I couldn't switch hit, I would return it and upgrade to one of the new curado's. Well, the disappointing iCast report pretty much ended any hopes of upgrading.

After throwing some plugs in front of the house, I realized lefties were not the inferior race as I had been told. They are just like us....only different. They can do things that I can not, only with their left hand. Seriously, though, it was the most awkward thing ever.

Long story short, took it back out to SLP and within about 15 minutes, I had it down. Actually my RH retrieve back up reel I brought with me began to feel foreign.

Who else has made this transition? How many righties out there also use LH retrieve bait casters?

**Timalgrath** · #2 07-18-2011, 11:27 PM

I never could use a lefty and I'm left handed.... I cast with my left hand and retrieve with my right it just seems natural to me and I figured the left hand retrieve was made for righties to cast with their right hand and retrieve with their left giving the control to their dominant hand. Always thought the labeling was off.....and backwards.

**Bocephus** · #3 07-18-2011, 11:41 PM

I'm a natural lefty, but of course growing up there were no left handed baitcasters. Later on when the left handed reels finally showed up I was a happy man !!!!

I cast with my right hand and reel with my left...not having to switch hands is great !

**Dawg** · #4 07-19-2011, 12:03 AM

Iam left handed but I can cast left or right handed, but prefer to cast left handed & crank right handed.

**reeltimer** · #5 07-19-2011, 12:06 AM

I'm one of those that thinks in there right mind as well but will cast or reel with either hand.I think my left hand feels the bite or hit better than the right.lol

**Team Burns** · #6 07-19-2011, 05:25 AM

"Back in the day" I fished my zebco upside-down.

I naturally cast right handed and retrieve with the left. Go with what best works for you! Sorry about your rod and reel!

**DIHLON** · #7 07-19-2011, 06:22 AM

I'm right handed but fish left handed using baitcast reels. Spinning reels I fish right handed. I have always done this; never had to make the transition. I did have a buddy that bought a left handed Curado trying to make the transition. I ended up buying it off of him for $50.

**hookset4** · #8 07-19-2011, 06:57 AM

I am right handed and always felt that switching the rod between hands to cast and reel right handed with a right handed baitcaster was awkward. Spinning gear with the reel handle on the left was more comfortable but didn't have the smooth feel of a baitcaster. Finally tried a 201BSF lefty baitcaster and like Delta Elite fifteen minutes into my first trip was sold. All my baitcasters are lefties now and I won't be going back. I have a couple of left handed friends who are quite happy using right handed baitcasters.

-hook

**paymerick** · #9 07-19-2011, 07:43 AM

I'm a righty but prefer a lefty spincast, just haven't used a spincast in years...

I go with the "if it aint broke, don't fix it" attitude with the baitcaster... It may have been best to start off with a lefty one, but my first baitcaster was righty and I've got it down... Shorter casts I cast with my left, so no switch... Longer casts I'm already switched before it hits the water, and I don't even notice I'm switching anymore it's just done...

**cg_wilson2003** · #10 07-19-2011, 08:30 AM

I use left hand bait cast and am right handed. Never made sense to keep switching hands. after every cast.