Thank you everyone for watching! My apologies for not getting back to everyone in the comments.. I will make sure that I respond to everyone in any future video that I post! Hopefully this technique helps some of you! More great tips to come!
Thank you. I have been spin fishing since I was 6 years old. At 34, I bought my first bait caster (2 weeks ago... IT IS A DIIFFERENT SKILL but I practicing) and I was of course going to go all out with a nearly 4 hundo set up (don't tell my wife). Looking at my dozen current other poles from 6'6" to 12' surf casters... I went with a Daiwa Tatlua Elite set (LEFT-HANDED) with a shorter, 6' something", medium-action, Ugly Stick (I can explain many instances why a I am brand loyal to the UGS)...it's that super sensitive tip. I love the control I have. After hours/days visiting the same place sunken in deep thought, I just couldn't rationalize buying the "right hand" reel, though there was 2x more of those available. I thought of every fish I caught from spinning, fly casting, deep sea jigging and I couldn't think of a single situation where I would prefer my non-dominate hand on the pole unless I am in a strap chair. Of course, I would crank a Marlin, maybe a Wahoo, with my dominate hand but all other fish, I would take immediate availability over the weird over hand whack on the crank to set you line before the cross-over hand pass. I'm glad I went that way because I have the 4 primary flicks into a frisbee in 2 weeks. No way I could have done that with my left hand, slapping my right hand or trying to crank like I'm landing a sailfish.
I have never understood why right-hand dominant anglers use right-hand retrieve bait casting rods. The "hand exchange" required makes no sense, and neither does using your non-dominant hand for subtle bait movements. I am mainly a spinning rod user (handle on left side) and just bought a left-hand retrieve (right-hand casting) baitcaster, with a single power handle, instead of a double handle. Thanks for finally settling this issue. Great job.
Yes! I never understood transferring from one hand to the other. I bat right handed, use swords right handed, shoot right handed, etc. I never transfer the tool to the left hand. I also use "left" hand reels.
I totally agree with this. I too am right-handed and I use a left-hand retrieve. Your 3rd point is my primary reason - and I never really thought about your previous points.
Totally agree. I grew up on right handed spinning reels and picked up a right handed baitcaster. It felt so wrong. My left handed curado mgl comes in tomorrow and I can't wait to see how it goes! Thanks for the affirmation.
I've always used spinning reels and have been researching baitcasters. This makes so much sense. I feel like the transition should be a lot easier. Thanks for the video.
Your 100 percent correct. I have knew this for years. Back years ago, left hand reeling baitcasters were not available really. But now they are so anyone new to the game who’s right hand dominant should hold the rod in the right hand.
Great video. Thanks. In my case like many did, I started with a right hand bait caster. Due to relocating to NYC. I didn’t fish for years and 18 years ago I moved back to Florida and started using spinning reels using left hand retrieve A few years back I decided to give a bait caster a try again and realized that the correct way for me was to continue what I am doing with a spinning setup. So left retrieve is the way to go for me. Your video is spot on. Thanks again. GOD Bless
Dude your a about spot on. I call it left retrieve not left handed because im right handed and its what every right handed person should using. Cast with your right arm and reel with your left. Feels way more natural and your ready when your bait hits the water.
For me it depends on what target fish. I'm right hand dominant. Spinners all left hand retrieve. It's feels completely uncoordinated with my right hand. Bait caster for fresh water fish I prefer left hand retrieve for the finesse and not having to switch hands after casting (exactly as you stated in your video). But when it comes to bait caster for deep sea fishing, I much prefer right hand retrieve. Especially for rock fishing. Going 300+ yards down and having to retrieve it back up, fatigue will set in much sooner with the less dominant hand reeling. Same with Tunas. I need the stronger dominant hand to reel and the non to just hold onto the rod. So for me all my fresh water gear is left hand retrieve. While my ocean gear in regards to bait casters is right hand retrieve.
As someone very new to bate casters, I thought I bought the wrong one 😂 I ordered a right handed caster and couldn’t figure out why I was using my left hand. I feel like for someone like me who is learning mostly by myself, not using friends set ups. The fact that I caught that weird feeling shows casters are labeled wrong. So now I have a very nice set up, that feels completely awkward to use and I can’t wait to get a left handed caster now! Also! Man you deserve way more subs your channel is awesome!
I had the same thoughts for a long time. Nice to see I was right. Great video, you are very well spoken, very easy to understand. Now my next question, What The Hell do I do with all these right hand reels. LOL
Thank you SO much for this video! I've decided to look into getting a good bait caster (I've never used on before) but all I've used in the past was an open face reel, casting with my right (dominant) hand and reeling in with my left. Now I know what kind of reel to get! Thanks again!
I love this video. I’m glad I watched this even though I already decided to stick to left hand retrieve for my right hand. I had accidentally bought a right hand retrieve because I didn’t know baitcasters weren’t interchangeable for the handles. I was able to return it for a left handed retrieve and I realized I cannot cast with my left hand to save my life so sticking to cast with my right hand was the way to go and will always be my go to. I’m not a fan of Switching hands after casting with your dominant hand and this video breaks down exactly why I should stick to my dominant hand on the rod and my least dominant on the reel. I easily fish for 4-8 hours, no sweat. My hands don’t fatigue but I have to pee, I’m hungry and I run out of water. Otherwise, I could fish all day long. I’ve fished for 11 hours before.
I've been saying this for years! I spent years and years using a spinning rod, reeling with my left hand. Switched to bait caster, and now I have to reel with my right hand? Didn't make sense to me. Bait caster became much easier to use once I bought a "left handed" bait caster. Thanks for this video!
These question been playing in my mind for so long, why a right hand dominant person should buy RH BC reel while for Spinner they never switch crank handle to right, TQ bro for this explanation. Btw all my reels are left hand cranking.
I just bought my first baitcaster and couldn't figure out why it felt so off. I'm right hand dominant but always reel with my left hand on my spinning reels. Thanks for the video, I'm going to take my baitcaster back and get a left hand set up. Just feels right...
My dad was left handed and used left handed reels on his spinning rods. I grew up using his hand me down. When I purchased my first bait caster I picked up a right handed retrieve. It felt so unnatural switching hands after the cast. Hated that whole combo so much I took it back. Picked up a left handed shamino reel. It feels so much better for me. Even being right hand dominate my left hand retrieve is so much faster and more fluid after all the years of using the old man's hand me downs.
Great video. Something new to learn. I work with my hands and have had to switch off. So, it feels natural for me to switch. I had used spin cast for years and then open cast. I had never thought about that. Now i just started using a baitcaster and learning as i go.
What you are saying makes total sense to me! I saw Tyler's reel fishing where he said his hand was getting fatigued and I was thinking "he casts a spinning rod with his right hand, why would his right hand get fatigued when he casts a bait caster?" That just makes no sense to me. I've mainly always used a spinning reel. I do have a bait casting reel but I don't use it because I feel that the reel is on the wrong side, I thought that I bought a left handed reel. Now I'm confused....
Just getting started trying out a baitcaster. I'm used to left hand retrieve with spinning reels. Got a cheap baitcaster from Walmart and just felt weird to switch hands. Still need practice with the cast to not get birdsnests. Planning to get a nicer baitcaster with left hand retrieve once I'm more confident.
You know I thought the same thing at first but I always bring a baitcaster and a spinning reel with me when I fish. And after using my right arm to hold that pole for multiple hours it feels nice to switch it up and hold the pole in the left arm for a few hours.. that's why I like to have a right-handed baitcaster and a right-handed spinning reel LOL
Bro I agree I have a Lews right handed baitcaster and a Abu Garcia left handed baitcaster. I am right handed and have more control with my left handed baitcaster!
I just received a Sougayilang baitcaster, my first baitcaster ever. I don't have much of a clue. I am very comfortable casting a spinning rod with my dominant right hand and I also reel with my right hand. Just comes more natural to me. Plus my left is pretty strong. My first Red Fish was 37 inches. When I ordered this reel, I ordered the right hand, thinking the reel handles were on the right. I realized I would not be able to reel with my right hand because the handles are on the left, and I was about to return the reel to where I bought it. But then I decided to do a little research and after a couple videos, I caught yours. Your explanation was very convincing and made perfect sense to me. Now I know I bought the correct reel and I will learn to baitcast reeling with my left hand. Thank you for this video and you have a new subscriber. If you have any beginner instruction videos, please recommend.
You got it bro! First of all, congrats on your new baitcaster! There's a ton of vids I have planned to record for your guys! Thanks for subbing, it means more than you know! Hope you get to fish this weekend! Cheers!
You are right. What's the logic of switching the rod from one hand to another after casting?? I never did that when I was using spinning reels. Why would I do that when using a baitcaster? Hold your rod with the dominant hand from end to end and reel with the other hand, both with spinning and baitcasting reels.
I realized this some 25+ years ago. At the time, Abu Garcia 5500C’s were the only affordable reel offered in left handed versions. Just didn’t make since switching hands. Now shooting is different, shoot left handed (now that was HARD @ 16 YO switching) because I am left eye dominant and can’t wink my left eye only.
Totally agree. Had my RH baitcaster for about 10 years and got used to changing hands after casting and didn't question it. After a couple of years of no fishing, I went on a fishing trip and all through the trip I'm like, why isn't the crank on the left side, did I buy the wrong reel, can I switch the crank to the other side...nope. I have had many strikes at water contact and changing hands at reaction strike time makes no sense.
This makes perfect sense, and this is the way that I fish. About a month ago I bought my first bait caster and it never made sense while being right handed the retriever would be on the right hand side. Switching hands in between seems like it’s uncomfortable and takes up too much time.
Growing up and fishing in Florida I always used LH spinning reels fishing flats. So when I started to really get into bass fishing and buying baitcasters I naturally picked left hand reels. My cousin thought it was weird because the selection fo LH bait casters were hard to find. Florida requires a lot of pitching and flipping, well he lost a rod, reel and big bass one day while changing hands. He did have a reel that had a flipping switch so when he let go of the switch there was no free spool. He doesn’t use those reels anymore but understands why I use LH retrieve.
I agree . I am left handed and use a right and rod . I questioned myself on it that’s what brought me to this video and it is way smoother and comfortable. But it just seemed wrong . Thank you for clearing this for me
Just getting into bass fishing b/c I moved to New Hampshire after spending most my life fishing the inter coastal waterways of eastern Florida. Saw everyone used bait casters. I have never had much experience with this type of reel b/c honestly it just brought up visions of bird’s nest, but I bought a cheap Abu Garcia Max Pro LH version and a inexpensive rod was wondering if I had goofed up getting a LH version. You made me feel better about it! Still going to use my Diawa Whisper 1300 Tournament reels on my GLoomis Green Water rods too! LoL
As I'm a first timer, researching which bait caster/rod to get, I have thought as you. Just didn't make sense to me to be switching hands between casting and cranking in. I liken it to a right hand baseball player wearing a right hand glove. Catch the ball with their right gloved hand, take off the glove and hold it in their left hand while swapping the ball to their now free right hand to throw. Then putting the glove back on their right hand. Just seems goofy, at least if you're starting out and not in the hand switch habit for years.
I'm ambidextrous, but I always prefer the rod in my right hand and reeling with my left. It just feels more natural, plus it saves wasted movements. The one thought I've always had with anglers switching the rod from right to left is, "What happens if a big fish grabs your lure while you're in the midst of switching hands, and the fish yanks your rod and reel right out of your hands?" Also, your comment at 7:30 about a fish rarely taking your bait while you're switching hands is true, but it does happen. And it happens a whole lot when you're fishing saltwater for Snapper Bluefish. They will eat your bait before you can even close the bail/lock the spool. I fish them with both types of rod & reel, and have missed them in the process of closing the bail (on a spinning) or turning the handle (on a baitcaster). Gotta be quick with these fish. Oh, and the other thing about Snappers is that they will grab your lure if you just slow retrieve it with the reel without any type of twitching. They are voracious, fun to catch, and really good eating!
Im new to bait casting and wanted to get a cheaper combo to try it out. I was at walmart just holding one to see how they feel and was like how the heck do you cast with your right arm and then switch to left and reel with your right hand. It just feels so weird. I'm so used to using spinning rods with left hand retrieve. This definitely makes me want to try one even more. Now I'm just worried about birds nesting it all up right away. Lol.
I use right hand retrieve baitcasting reels and left hand retrieve spinning reels because the handles turn in such different size circles that it isn't comfortable to do both with the same hand. I cast left handed with both types of reel, and with the spinning rods I switch hands after the cast. I'm pretty much ambidextrous- I write and eat left handed, but I throw right handed. When I used to box, I could fight either as a southpaw or right handed. Whatever feels comfortable, whatever works.
I have converted to a left-handed reel from the first bait caster I ever bought. As. Kid, I always thought it felt strange to pick up a baitcasting reel with the handle on the right side after fishing with a spinning roll. My right-handed friend Al always told me I was fishing with the wrong reel. That was until I found out that the same guy who was telling me this was left-handed. He was using a right-and-handed reel, so when I told him to try my left-handed reel, he found it hard to use. He was blown away when I told him that he was fishing for the wrong reel also, which made him a believer. Who ever designed the fist bait casting must never tried fishing with and just assumed the since the handle was on the right side it must be a right handed reel, and ever since them most right handlers have been with the wrong reel since the start of time.
I'm right hand dominant, and have been fishing a "right-hand retrieve" spincaster my whole life. Just picked up my first baitcaster, and decided to go left-hand retrieve. For some reason, the idea of having to switch hands after your cast just didn't seem right with a baitcaster. I'm glad there are others out there with the same train of thought! Watching all of the pros out there cast & switch hands was making me start to second guess my decision. haha.
A common question from new fishermen. Personally, I am right handed and I routinely use a left handed bait casting reel. I cast with my right hand and I crank with my left. I’ve tried both left and right handed reels and it just seems natural to cast with my right and crank with my left. No switching of hands or fumbling on a hook set. Thanks for bringing this often ignored question to everyone’s attention!
Ima try swapping hands. My dominate hand is tight but I’ve held the rod all my life left. But I do think I’m at a disadvantage. I have tried swapping and enjoyed now swapping hands over with my spinning reel so I’m sure I’d like the baitcaster too. I throw a ball right handed, write right, punch, but I bat left and swing golf clubs left. So I’m an oddball but ima try retrieving left with my spinning reel that I swapped over and see how diff results are. Hopefully better and I feel the more sensitivity
I learned to cast with either hand years ago and when one hand starts to tire I just swap over but I always use a right hand reel because I am right handed but I probably cast with the left hand slightly more and I can cast all day without a problem.
I've been fishing for a year and I'm very comfortable with spinning reels, I had mine set up for left hand reel for this reason. You need your dominant hand handling the rod! When I started researching bait casters I noticed that they are mostly right reeled, I could not wrap my head around why that would be. These people are casting with their right hand then transferring the rod to their left hand? WHY?! I ordered a Left hand Abu Garcia Vengeance Baitcaster today, can't wait to learn how to use one, I've been watching a lot of videos to make sure I don't fail.
Good video. I'm what's called cross dominant or mixed-handed so I do different things with different hands. I'm new to fishing and kind of feel confused because both left and right don't feel right at the moment. I think I'm going to use the left-handed since my power is in my right hand/arm while my finesse is (writing, using a fork) is done with my left hand
recently made the switch to a lefthanded baitcaster. i had always used a right BC but for spinning, i used it lefthanded. it just felt mre natural to me using a spinning reel lefthanded with a lift,reel technique. baitcasters felt more natural to me cranking with my right hand. i dont know why, it just did. made the switch, and i was surprised that i really like a left handed baitcaster. im a bit of an oddball though. i write with my right hand, but swing a bat lefty, so maybe im just goofy.
Everything you said makes so much since; however, it just does not feel natural to reel in with my left hand. I tried and gave the reel away because I could not do it comfortably.
I'm right handed and I have been using left handed reels for over 25 yrs. I agree with everything you said and having been preaching that to everyone I fish with and who will listen. You can also fight the fish with your dominant arm, making it easier when you hook into a big one.
thank you for this video I never owned a baitcaster and I just ordered 1, I see alot of right handed people using right handed reel. This made no sense to me, so thank you again for making this GL fishing :) 😃
I looked hard for some insight on this topic. I am used to a spinning reel with a left hand retrieve. A bait casting reel never felt natural and stitching hands after the right hand cast to now retrieve with that hand seemed like extra work for nothing
Ive fished since I was young with LH retrieve spin reels. Never gave it a moments thought. Recently got my grandfathers baitcaster handed down. Been really interested in trying them. For the life of me I could not figure out why it felt so wrong. Finally bought myself a LH retrieve caster and life is good.
Sometimes it might be the righthanded one is the only one on the counter, newcomers do not know there are both lefthanded and righthanded version. This is true at least for me. When I bought my very first baitcaster combo, a righthanded one, I though it is so awkward why I cast then hand over the rod to the left hand? It is kind of making me too busy. Then I rushed to return the combo and I thought I may never touch on the baitcaster setup. One day I figured out that there is lefthanded one. I gave it a try. Oh boy, this is so smooth and so efficient, then I totally changed my lane, sold out all my spinning setup.
i made the same topic video 9 years ago and the video didn't get the same amount of traffic as yours lol ... i use the term left side or right side handle/crank. fish on !!
I can't say right or wrong with myself being ambidextrous with almost everything I do. I can say I use right hand baitcast retrieve. In order for me to have better control of style of retrieve, I have always chocked up on my rod hold position with my left hand being slightly in front of my reel with my first 2 fingers and the Last 2 curled around reel. This also gives me the ability to keep my first finger under my line and touching it slightly front underneath. That also gives me one more way to feel if I get very small slow taps, also a feel for what my bait is doing in cover or on rocky/smoother bottoms.
i agree with you! but! some of us have limitations. i lost my right(dominate) thumb. cant cast!! so i have had to cast with left hand then switch rod control back to right hand. spinning gear i have not had to do this with. can still cast decently right handed with right hand with spinning gear. so now i own mostly spinning gear. my big fish rods(musky/pike) i have to relearn casting level winds with my left hand. uhg troublesome to say the least. but i am getting better slowly. i tried switching a few spinning rods to right hand retrieve but man was it awakward, cant tell you how many times i knotted up my spinning gear because my right hand was so awkward at reeling in line. jeff r. wausau wisconsin.
I'm right handed and started with left hand retrieve reels.. felt natural. I did, at one point, try to fish with right hand baitcaster because all the pros do it on TV.. never got used to it. it just felt unnatural to jerk, twitch, set the rod with your weak hand. It's like trying to write with your weak hand. You can train your weak hand, but it's never going to be as good as your dominant hand.
Should do whats most comfortable for you. I am right handed and use left handed reels. Switching grip on the rod after casting makes no sence for me, its an extra movment. I also got better feeling with the rod with my right hand
I am Right Hand Dominant and use both left and right hand bait casters because frankly my forearms get a little tired during the course of a long day of cranking, so i just switch to the other hand reel for awhile
Although he made some really good points, it can mainly comes down towards preference or whatever is comfortable. At the end of the day, there are no rules to fishing!
I'm a bit different, I am right hand dominant but I cast with my left and reel with my right. I have tried reeling with my left hand but my left hand is just not coordinate for reeling and I have tried casting with my right hand but same dilemma happens not coordinate for casting right handed. the way I fish does work but it does come with its difficulties like I find it hard skipping a lure.
I never understood why when using a Spinning Reel the handle is on the left but on a baitcaster its on the right. I am switching to Left for my next reel.
I’m right handed and use left hand only as well. Made the switch years ago and never looked back. Much more control and much more powerful hooksets! Sold all my right handers and won’t even touch right handed baitcasters anymore.
For me I was always aware of this logic, but because I met immediate resistance to training left hand to reel I just immediately gave up and went back to hand switching. Maybe I'll give it another try.
I am Intrigued how Fishing is has a Whole industry and Proper tools! i am an Teenage is just Starting to Watch this fishing videos I wanted to try, so i watch some Beginner guides and This the 4th video! My Father used to Fish without a Proper tool. but he knows how to use Baits because he learn it by experience! I think he would support me on this.
100% right...i used right hand to throw and left hand to retrieve...of course left handle reel...right handle is for left hand dominant... it's suck to see someone using right handle reel but throw using right hand...
This is very true. I'm not a big baitcaster guy but i do have some decent baitcastering setup from mid to high-end. I have a zillion LH and a Antares RH and I'm right handed. I cast with my right hand and reel with my left. LH baitcaster feels so much better because i don't need to swtich hands after the cast plus most fish bites are on the drops. Only time 🎉I'll buy a RH baitcaster is only when i get it for 40%+ off.
I am very right hand dominant. I grew up fishing RH reals. It wasn't until I started fly fishing, that I switched to LH. the casting motion of a fly rod was impossible with my left, so I switched. Now that I bass fish, everything is LH. I can't imagine fishing with a RH real. Totally agree with your video
It depends on the person and what you used to im right hand but for 20 years i use baitcasters r/h and spinning reels i crank with my left ..my brain is trained already and i thought of this yearsss ago but just dont feel right. I cant give the lures the action with my r/h the way my left hand can. i just cant undone whats is already set in my brain 😅😅
I’m right handed and use right handed reel. I’ve simply learned to use my left hand effectively with practice. Sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone is beneficial especially when fishing some odd spots and corners.
@@Telecaster-uz9pu still trivial. Rarely does a bite occur in that time and my left hand is already on the rod, it's not like I'm passing the rod from one hand to the other, so it's such a tiny fraction that it's trivial, I'm missing no bites or strikes. Plus I primarily fish only for pike so if I rip the rod back the second it strikes I'm ripping a lure out of its mouth most likely. Been fishing for over four decades, got it down pretty good.
Kind of what I'm thinking. Besides, I usually change over while the lure is still in the air. People reposition their hand from where it is during the cast, compared to where it is on the retrieve anyway-at least I do. I want to feel the line in front of the reel with my fingers to detect very light bites.
I knew that before I bought my baitcaster . My friends said I bought the wrong one , I needed a right hand reel . I said no . I have been using a spinning rod and fly rod forever with this hand for 47 years of fishing , why eould I switch hands now ?
Big drawback to lefty retrieve baitcasters is that not all models come in a lefty. As a lefty retriever myself, it’s get frustrating being locked out of certain models :(
This always confuses me I accidentally ordered a left handed reel and iv never switched back all new reels I buy are left handed I still have some right handed reels in the rotation but I find it uncomfortable and I’m fazing them out
This is scary. I'm right dominant and have a left retrieve on my only baitcaster. Earlier today I was thinking - not talking about, not googling, just thinking - if I should try a right retrieve on my next reel. Two hours later, this video is recommended to me. Get out of my head Google!!!
Idk why but I've I always used left handed spinning reels, mostly because that’s how I started. But I always used right handed baitcasters. Up until now I finally got a left handed bait caster and immediately noticed a difference.
Thank you everyone for watching! My apologies for not getting back to everyone in the comments.. I will make sure that I respond to everyone in any future video that I post! Hopefully this technique helps some of you! More great tips to come!
Thank you. I have been spin fishing since I was 6 years old. At 34, I bought my first bait caster (2 weeks ago... IT IS A DIIFFERENT SKILL but I practicing) and I was of course going to go all out with a nearly 4 hundo set up (don't tell my wife). Looking at my dozen current other poles from 6'6" to 12' surf casters... I went with a Daiwa Tatlua Elite set (LEFT-HANDED) with a shorter, 6' something", medium-action, Ugly Stick (I can explain many instances why a I am brand loyal to the UGS)...it's that super sensitive tip. I love the control I have. After hours/days visiting the same place sunken in deep thought, I just couldn't rationalize buying the "right hand" reel, though there was 2x more of those available.
I thought of every fish I caught from spinning, fly casting, deep sea jigging and I couldn't think of a single situation where I would prefer my non-dominate hand on the pole unless I am in a strap chair. Of course, I would crank a Marlin, maybe a Wahoo, with my dominate hand but all other fish, I would take immediate availability over the weird over hand whack on the crank to set you line before the cross-over hand pass. I'm glad I went that way because I have the 4 primary flicks into a frisbee in 2 weeks. No way I could have done that with my left hand, slapping my right hand or trying to crank like I'm landing a sailfish.
Glad to see you address this. I am right-handed and have used a left-handed reel for over 40 years.
I have never understood why right-hand dominant anglers use right-hand retrieve bait casting rods. The "hand exchange" required makes no sense, and neither does using your non-dominant hand for subtle bait movements. I am mainly a spinning rod user (handle on left side) and just bought a left-hand retrieve (right-hand casting) baitcaster, with a single power handle, instead of a double handle. Thanks for finally settling this issue. Great job.
Yes! I never understood transferring from one hand to the other. I bat right handed, use swords right handed, shoot right handed, etc. I never transfer the tool to the left hand. I also use "left" hand reels.
I totally agree with this. I too am right-handed and I use a left-hand retrieve. Your 3rd point is my primary reason - and I never really thought about your previous points.
Totally agree. I grew up on right handed spinning reels and picked up a right handed baitcaster. It felt so wrong. My left handed curado mgl comes in tomorrow and I can't wait to see how it goes! Thanks for the affirmation.
I've always used spinning reels and have been researching baitcasters. This makes so much sense. I feel like the transition should be a lot easier. Thanks for the video.
Your 100 percent correct. I have knew this for years. Back years ago, left hand reeling baitcasters were not available really. But now they are so anyone new to the game who’s right hand dominant should hold the rod in the right hand.
Great video. Thanks. In my case like many did, I started with a right hand bait caster. Due to relocating to NYC. I didn’t fish for years and 18 years ago I moved back to Florida and started using spinning reels using left hand retrieve A few years back I decided to give a bait caster a try again and realized that the correct way for me was to continue what I am doing with a spinning setup. So left retrieve is the way to go for me. Your video is spot on. Thanks again. GOD Bless
Dude your a about spot on. I call it left retrieve not left handed because im right handed and its what every right handed person should using. Cast with your right arm and reel with your left. Feels way more natural and your ready when your bait hits the water.
For me it depends on what target fish. I'm right hand dominant. Spinners all left hand retrieve. It's feels completely uncoordinated with my right hand. Bait caster for fresh water fish I prefer left hand retrieve for the finesse and not having to switch hands after casting (exactly as you stated in your video). But when it comes to bait caster for deep sea fishing, I much prefer right hand retrieve. Especially for rock fishing. Going 300+ yards down and having to retrieve it back up, fatigue will set in much sooner with the less dominant hand reeling. Same with Tunas. I need the stronger dominant hand to reel and the non to just hold onto the rod. So for me all my fresh water gear is left hand retrieve. While my ocean gear in regards to bait casters is right hand retrieve.
Loved your explanation. I'm getting ready to buy a new baitcaster setup and you just changed my mind to go with a left handed reel. Thank you.
As someone very new to bate casters, I thought I bought the wrong one 😂 I ordered a right handed caster and couldn’t figure out why I was using my left hand. I feel like for someone like me who is learning mostly by myself, not using friends set ups. The fact that I caught that weird feeling shows casters are labeled wrong. So now I have a very nice set up, that feels completely awkward to use and I can’t wait to get a left handed caster now!
Also! Man you deserve way more subs your channel is awesome!
I agree with you 100%. I thought the hand exchange is unnatural . Im dominant right handed and use all left hand retrieve
There is no right or wrong. Just do what feels right for you. You're not gonna lose a fish for switching hands for reeling.
I had the same thoughts for a long time. Nice to see I was right. Great video, you are very well spoken, very easy to understand. Now my next question, What The Hell do I do with all these right hand reels. LOL
Thank you SO much for this video! I've decided to look into getting a good bait caster (I've never used on before) but all I've used in the past was an open face reel, casting with my right (dominant) hand and reeling in with my left. Now I know what kind of reel to get! Thanks again!
I love this video. I’m glad I watched this even though I already decided to stick to left hand retrieve for my right hand. I had accidentally bought a right hand retrieve because I didn’t know baitcasters weren’t interchangeable for the handles. I was able to return it for a left handed retrieve and I realized I cannot cast with my left hand to save my life so sticking to cast with my right hand was the way to go and will always be my go to. I’m not a fan of Switching hands after casting with your dominant hand and this video breaks down exactly why I should stick to my dominant hand on the rod and my least dominant on the reel. I easily fish for 4-8 hours, no sweat. My hands don’t fatigue but I have to pee, I’m hungry and I run out of water. Otherwise, I could fish all day long. I’ve fished for 11 hours before.
First video which I see about this. Never could understand why right handed ppl use right hand just for reeling, but not for give better presentation.
I've been saying this for years! I spent years and years using a spinning rod, reeling with my left hand. Switched to bait caster, and now I have to reel with my right hand? Didn't make sense to me. Bait caster became much easier to use once I bought a "left handed" bait caster.
Thanks for this video!
I agree 100% on everything you said. Great video and very informative.
These question been playing in my mind for so long, why a right hand dominant person should buy RH BC reel while for Spinner they never switch crank handle to right, TQ bro for this explanation. Btw all my reels are left hand cranking.
I just bought my first baitcaster and couldn't figure out why it felt so off. I'm right hand dominant but always reel with my left hand on my spinning reels. Thanks for the video, I'm going to take my baitcaster back and get a left hand set up. Just feels right...
Wonderful video, because I never knew this information. I'm left-handed dominant and now I know that I use a right hand reel...
My dad was left handed and used left handed reels on his spinning rods. I grew up using his hand me down. When I purchased my first bait caster I picked up a right handed retrieve. It felt so unnatural switching hands after the cast. Hated that whole combo so much I took it back. Picked up a left handed shamino reel. It feels so much better for me. Even being right hand dominate my left hand retrieve is so much faster and more fluid after all the years of using the old man's hand me downs.
Awesome!
Great video. Something new to learn. I work with my hands and have had to switch off. So, it feels natural for me to switch. I had used spin cast for years and then open cast. I had never thought about that. Now i just started using a baitcaster and learning as i go.
What you are saying makes total sense to me! I saw Tyler's reel fishing where he said his hand was getting fatigued and I was thinking "he casts a spinning rod with his right hand, why would his right hand get fatigued when he casts a bait caster?" That just makes no sense to me. I've mainly always used a spinning reel. I do have a bait casting reel but I don't use it because I feel that the reel is on the wrong side, I thought that I bought a left handed reel. Now I'm confused....
Just getting started trying out a baitcaster. I'm used to left hand retrieve with spinning reels. Got a cheap baitcaster from Walmart and just felt weird to switch hands. Still need practice with the cast to not get birdsnests. Planning to get a nicer baitcaster with left hand retrieve once I'm more confident.
You know I thought the same thing at first but I always bring a baitcaster and a spinning reel with me when I fish. And after using my right arm to hold that pole for multiple hours it feels nice to switch it up and hold the pole in the left arm for a few hours.. that's why I like to have a right-handed baitcaster and a right-handed spinning reel LOL
Bro I agree I have a Lews right handed baitcaster and a Abu Garcia left handed baitcaster. I am right handed and have more control with my left handed baitcaster!
I just received a Sougayilang baitcaster, my first baitcaster ever. I don't have much of a clue. I am very comfortable casting a spinning rod with my dominant right hand and I also reel with my right hand. Just comes more natural to me. Plus my left is pretty strong. My first Red Fish was 37 inches.
When I ordered this reel, I ordered the right hand, thinking the reel handles were on the right. I realized I would not be able to reel with my right hand because the handles are on the left, and I was about to return the reel to where I bought it. But then I decided to do a little research and after a couple videos, I caught yours. Your explanation was very convincing and made perfect sense to me. Now I know I bought the correct reel and I will learn to baitcast reeling with my left hand.
Thank you for this video and you have a new subscriber.
If you have any beginner instruction videos, please recommend.
You got it bro! First of all, congrats on your new baitcaster! There's a ton of vids I have planned to record for your guys! Thanks for subbing, it means more than you know! Hope you get to fish this weekend! Cheers!
You are right. What's the logic of switching the rod from one hand to another after casting??
I never did that when I was using spinning reels. Why would I do that when using a baitcaster? Hold your rod with the dominant hand from end to end and reel with the other hand, both with spinning and baitcasting reels.
I realized this some 25+ years ago. At the time, Abu Garcia 5500C’s were the only affordable reel offered in left handed versions. Just didn’t make since switching hands.
Now shooting is different, shoot left handed (now that was HARD @ 16 YO switching) because I am left eye dominant and can’t wink my left eye only.
Totally agree. Had my RH baitcaster for about 10 years and got used to changing hands after casting and didn't question it. After a couple of years of no fishing, I went on a fishing trip and all through the trip I'm like, why isn't the crank on the left side, did I buy the wrong reel, can I switch the crank to the other side...nope. I have had many strikes at water contact and changing hands at reaction strike time makes no sense.
This makes perfect sense, and this is the way that I fish. About a month ago I bought my first bait caster and it never made sense while being right handed the retriever would be on the right hand side. Switching hands in between seems like it’s uncomfortable and takes up too much time.
Growing up and fishing in Florida I always used LH spinning reels fishing flats. So when I started to really get into bass fishing and buying baitcasters I naturally picked left hand reels. My cousin thought it was weird because the selection fo LH bait casters were hard to find. Florida requires a lot of pitching and flipping, well he lost a rod, reel and big bass one day while changing hands. He did have a reel that had a flipping switch so when he let go of the switch there was no free spool. He doesn’t use those reels anymore but understands why I use LH retrieve.
I agree . I am left handed and use a right and rod . I questioned myself on it that’s what brought me to this video and it is way smoother and comfortable. But it just seemed wrong . Thank you for clearing this for me
Exactly! You are doing it the correct way! Why did you ever had doubts about your method???
The correct way? Many pro anglers would disagree!
yep did the same...Im righty and use the same handed reel as you...never looked back.
Just getting into bass fishing b/c I moved to New Hampshire after spending most my life fishing the inter coastal waterways of eastern Florida. Saw everyone used bait casters. I have never had much experience with this type of reel b/c honestly it just brought up visions of bird’s nest, but I bought a cheap Abu Garcia Max Pro LH version and a inexpensive rod was wondering if I had goofed up getting a LH version. You made me feel better about it! Still going to use my Diawa Whisper 1300 Tournament reels on my GLoomis Green Water rods too! LoL
I am going to switch to left hand because my hook sets suck using my left hand. Thanks for the video
As I'm a first timer, researching which bait caster/rod to get, I have thought as you. Just didn't make sense to me to be switching hands between casting and cranking in. I liken it to a right hand baseball player wearing a right hand glove. Catch the ball with their right gloved hand, take off the glove and hold it in their left hand while swapping the ball to their now free right hand to throw. Then putting the glove back on their right hand. Just seems goofy, at least if you're starting out and not in the hand switch habit for years.
Wish I would’ve seen this video before I bought my bait caster. Oh well now I know what my next buy will be.
I'm left handed and have always reeled with my right hand and had the rod itself in my left hand.
I'm ambidextrous, but I always prefer the rod in my right hand and reeling with my left. It just feels more natural, plus it saves wasted movements. The one thought I've always had with anglers switching the rod from right to left is, "What happens if a big fish grabs your lure while you're in the midst of switching hands, and the fish yanks your rod and reel right out of your hands?"
Also, your comment at 7:30 about a fish rarely taking your bait while you're switching hands is true, but it does happen. And it happens a whole lot when you're fishing saltwater for Snapper Bluefish. They will eat your bait before you can even close the bail/lock the spool. I fish them with both types of rod & reel, and have missed them in the process of closing the bail (on a spinning) or turning the handle (on a baitcaster). Gotta be quick with these fish. Oh, and the other thing about Snappers is that they will grab your lure if you just slow retrieve it with the reel without any type of twitching. They are voracious, fun to catch, and really good eating!
Im new to bait casting and wanted to get a cheaper combo to try it out. I was at walmart just holding one to see how they feel and was like how the heck do you cast with your right arm and then switch to left and reel with your right hand. It just feels so weird. I'm so used to using spinning rods with left hand retrieve. This definitely makes me want to try one even more. Now I'm just worried about birds nesting it all up right away. Lol.
I use right hand retrieve baitcasting reels and left hand retrieve spinning reels because the handles turn in such different size circles that it isn't comfortable to do both with the same hand. I cast left handed with both types of reel, and with the spinning rods I switch hands after the cast. I'm pretty much ambidextrous- I write and eat left handed, but I throw right handed. When I used to box, I could fight either as a southpaw or right handed. Whatever feels comfortable, whatever works.
I have converted to a left-handed reel from the first bait caster I ever bought. As. Kid, I always thought it felt strange to pick up a baitcasting reel with the handle on the right side after fishing with a spinning roll. My right-handed friend Al always told me I was fishing with the wrong reel. That was until I found out that the same guy who was telling me this was left-handed. He was using a right-and-handed reel, so when I told him to try my left-handed reel, he found it hard to use. He was blown away when I told him that he was fishing for the wrong reel also, which made him a believer. Who ever designed the fist bait casting must never tried fishing with and just assumed the since the handle was on the right side it must be a right handed reel, and ever since them most right handlers have been with the wrong reel since the start of time.
I'm right hand dominant, and have been fishing a "right-hand retrieve" spincaster my whole life. Just picked up my first baitcaster, and decided to go left-hand retrieve. For some reason, the idea of having to switch hands after your cast just didn't seem right with a baitcaster. I'm glad there are others out there with the same train of thought! Watching all of the pros out there cast & switch hands was making me start to second guess my decision. haha.
A common question from new fishermen. Personally, I am right handed and I routinely use a left handed bait casting reel. I cast with my right hand and I crank with my left. I’ve tried both left and right handed reels and it just seems natural to cast with my right and crank with my left. No switching of hands or fumbling on a hook set. Thanks for bringing this often ignored question to everyone’s attention!
Ima try swapping hands. My dominate hand is tight but I’ve held the rod all my life left. But I do think I’m at a disadvantage. I have tried swapping and enjoyed now swapping hands over with my spinning reel so I’m sure I’d like the baitcaster too. I throw a ball right handed, write right, punch, but I bat left and swing golf clubs left. So I’m an oddball but ima try retrieving left with my spinning reel that I swapped over and see how diff results are. Hopefully better and I feel the more sensitivity
I'm a right handed person and I like reeling with my left hand it's more comfortable for me for me it is what is more comfortable
I learned to cast with either hand years ago and when one hand starts to tire I just swap over but I always use a right hand reel because I am right handed but I probably cast with the left hand slightly more and I can cast all day without a problem.
I've been fishing for a year and I'm very comfortable with spinning reels, I had mine set up for left hand reel for this reason. You need your dominant hand handling the rod! When I started researching bait casters I noticed that they are mostly right reeled, I could not wrap my head around why that would be. These people are casting with their right hand then transferring the rod to their left hand? WHY?! I ordered a Left hand Abu Garcia Vengeance Baitcaster today, can't wait to learn how to use one, I've been watching a lot of videos to make sure I don't fail.
Good video. I'm what's called cross dominant or mixed-handed so I do different things with different hands. I'm new to fishing and kind of feel confused because both left and right don't feel right at the moment. I think I'm going to use the left-handed since my power is in my right hand/arm while my finesse is (writing, using a fork) is done with my left hand
this really makes sense, I am going to try it
Appreciate your help buddy
Appreciate you watching!
recently made the switch to a lefthanded baitcaster. i had always used a right BC but for spinning, i used it lefthanded. it just felt mre natural to me using a spinning reel lefthanded with a lift,reel technique. baitcasters felt more natural to me cranking with my right hand. i dont know why, it just did. made the switch, and i was surprised that i really like a left handed baitcaster.
im a bit of an oddball though. i write with my right hand, but swing a bat lefty, so maybe im just goofy.
Everything you said makes so much since; however, it just does not feel natural to reel in with my left hand. I tried and gave the reel away because I could not do it comfortably.
I'm right handed and I have been using left handed reels for over 25 yrs. I agree with everything you said and having been preaching that to everyone I fish with and who will listen. You can also fight the fish with your dominant arm, making it easier when you hook into a big one.
thank you for this video I never owned a baitcaster and I just ordered 1, I see alot of right handed people using right handed reel. This made no sense to me, so thank you again for making this GL fishing :)
😃
Totally agree, switched to a left hand reel and it's so much better
I cast and reel right-handed, but use my left to work the rod. I wonder if I'm really left-handed.
I looked hard for some insight on this topic. I am used to a spinning reel with a left hand retrieve. A bait casting reel never felt natural and stitching hands after the right hand cast to now retrieve with that hand seemed like extra work for nothing
Ive fished since I was young with LH retrieve spin reels. Never gave it a moments thought.
Recently got my grandfathers baitcaster handed down. Been really interested in trying them.
For the life of me I could not figure out why it felt so wrong. Finally bought myself a LH retrieve caster and life is good.
Sometimes it might be the righthanded one is the only one on the counter, newcomers do not know there are both lefthanded and righthanded version. This is true at least for me. When I bought my very first baitcaster combo, a righthanded one, I though it is so awkward why I cast then hand over the rod to the left hand? It is kind of making me too busy. Then I rushed to return the combo and I thought I may never touch on the baitcaster setup. One day I figured out that there is lefthanded one. I gave it a try. Oh boy, this is so smooth and so efficient, then I totally changed my lane, sold out all my spinning setup.
i like using my dominant hand for working the lure/bait and reeling with my left is natural from using spin reels
i made the same topic video 9 years ago and the video didn't get the same amount of traffic as yours lol ... i use the term left side or right side handle/crank. fish on !!
I can't say right or wrong with myself being ambidextrous with almost everything I do. I can say I use right hand baitcast retrieve. In order for me to have better control of style of retrieve, I have always chocked up on my rod hold position with my left hand being slightly in front of my reel with my first 2 fingers and the Last 2 curled around reel. This also gives me the ability to keep my first finger under my line and touching it slightly front underneath. That also gives me one more way to feel if I get very small slow taps, also a feel for what my bait is doing in cover or on rocky/smoother bottoms.
i agree with you! but! some of us have limitations. i lost my right(dominate) thumb. cant cast!! so i have had to cast with left hand then switch rod control back to right hand. spinning gear i have not had to do this with. can still cast decently right handed with right hand with spinning gear. so now i own mostly spinning gear. my big fish rods(musky/pike) i have to relearn casting level winds with my left hand. uhg troublesome to say the least. but i am getting better slowly.
i tried switching a few spinning rods to right hand retrieve but man was it awakward, cant tell you how many times i knotted up my spinning gear because my right hand was so awkward at reeling in line. jeff r. wausau wisconsin.
I always thought this. I will probably sell my Lew’s Mach 2 and pick up a left handed Daiwa or Shimano now.
Thanks! 👍
I'm right handed and started with left hand retrieve reels.. felt natural. I did, at one point, try to fish with right hand baitcaster because all the pros do it on TV.. never got used to it. it just felt unnatural to jerk, twitch, set the rod with your weak hand. It's like trying to write with your weak hand. You can train your weak hand, but it's never going to be as good as your dominant hand.
Should do whats most comfortable for you. I am right handed and use left handed reels. Switching grip on the rod after casting makes no sence for me, its an extra movment. I also got better feeling with the rod with my right hand
I am Right Hand Dominant and use both left and right hand bait casters because frankly my forearms get a little tired during the course of a long day of cranking, so i just switch to the other hand reel for awhile
first biatcaster is RHR and i noticed immediat;y that my arm got tired super swift. gunna shoot for a high end LHR when i move closer to water
Although he made some really good points, it can mainly comes down towards preference or whatever is comfortable. At the end of the day, there are no rules to fishing!
I'm a bit different, I am right hand dominant but I cast with my left and reel with my right. I have tried reeling with my left hand but my left hand is just not coordinate for reeling and I have tried casting with my right hand but same dilemma happens not coordinate for casting right handed. the way I fish does work but it does come with its difficulties like I find it hard skipping a lure.
I never understood why when using a Spinning Reel the handle is on the left but on a baitcaster its on the right. I am switching to Left for my next reel.
I’m right handed and use left hand only as well. Made the switch years ago and never looked back. Much more control and much more powerful hooksets! Sold all my right handers and won’t even touch right handed baitcasters anymore.
For me I was always aware of this logic, but because I met immediate resistance to training left hand to reel I just immediately gave up and went back to hand switching. Maybe I'll give it another try.
I am Intrigued how Fishing is has a Whole industry and Proper tools! i am an Teenage is just Starting to Watch this fishing videos I wanted to try, so i watch some Beginner guides and This the 4th video! My Father used to Fish without a Proper tool. but he knows how to use Baits because he learn it by experience! I think he would support me on this.
100% right...i used right hand to throw and left hand to retrieve...of course left handle reel...right handle is for left hand dominant... it's suck to see someone using right handle reel but throw using right hand...
This is very true. I'm not a big baitcaster guy but i do have some decent baitcastering setup from mid to high-end. I have a zillion LH and a Antares RH and I'm right handed. I cast with my right hand and reel with my left. LH baitcaster feels so much better because i don't need to swtich hands after the cast plus most fish bites are on the drops. Only time 🎉I'll buy a RH baitcaster is only when i get it for 40%+ off.
I am very right hand dominant. I grew up fishing RH reals. It wasn't until I started fly fishing, that I switched to LH. the casting motion of a fly rod was impossible with my left, so I switched. Now that I bass fish, everything is LH. I can't imagine fishing with a RH real. Totally agree with your video
a very true explanation and a must use guide but this will make left handed BC price goes up and hopefully not
Ive never used a baitcaster for this reason. If i reel on the left with my spinning rod how does it make sense to reel on the right with a baitcaster.
maybe my left hand needs to get stronger although i find left retrieve comfortable i still use right because it was given to me
It depends on the person and what you used to im right hand but for 20 years i use baitcasters r/h and spinning reels i crank with my left ..my brain is trained already and i thought of this yearsss ago but just dont feel right. I cant give the lures the action with my r/h the way my left hand can. i just cant undone whats is already set in my brain 😅😅
I’m right handed and use right handed reel. I’ve simply learned to use my left hand effectively with practice. Sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone is beneficial especially when fishing some odd spots and corners.
Go with whatever you're more comfortable with. For me that fraction of second it takes to switch is trivial.
Fraction of a second every single time you cast though
@@Telecaster-uz9pu still trivial. Rarely does a bite occur in that time and my left hand is already on the rod, it's not like I'm passing the rod from one hand to the other, so it's such a tiny fraction that it's trivial, I'm missing no bites or strikes. Plus I primarily fish only for pike so if I rip the rod back the second it strikes I'm ripping a lure out of its mouth most likely. Been fishing for over four decades, got it down pretty good.
That's really not the point . Fighting big fish with your dominant arm is pure common sense.
Kind of what I'm thinking. Besides, I usually change over while the lure is still in the air. People reposition their hand from where it is during the cast, compared to where it is on the retrieve anyway-at least I do. I want to feel the line in front of the reel with my fingers to detect very light bites.
Its always felt counter intuitive
It actually makes perfect sense because if you think about it from a spinning reel side the handle is on the left.
I knew that before I bought my baitcaster . My friends said I bought the wrong one , I needed a right hand reel . I said no . I have been using a spinning rod and fly rod forever with this hand for 47 years of fishing , why eould I switch hands now ?
I recently purchased my first baitcaster and was thinking of getting a lefty. The right just doesn’t seem natural.
Big drawback to lefty retrieve baitcasters is that not all models come in a lefty. As a lefty retriever myself, it’s get frustrating being locked out of certain models :(
This always confuses me I accidentally ordered a left handed reel and iv never switched back all new reels I buy are left handed I still have some right handed reels in the rotation but I find it uncomfortable and I’m fazing them out
This is scary. I'm right dominant and have a left retrieve on my only baitcaster. Earlier today I was thinking - not talking about, not googling, just thinking - if I should try a right retrieve on my next reel. Two hours later, this video is recommended to me. Get out of my head Google!!!
😂😂😂 bro google is on another level
Idk why but I've I always used left handed spinning reels, mostly because that’s how I started. But I always used right handed baitcasters. Up until now I finally got a left handed bait caster and immediately noticed a difference.
I'm left handed but have always used a right handed reel.
My dad switched hands after the cast. Never understood why. A lot of bass strike within seconds of the lure hitting the water.
The switch is so fast that it is almost instant
Great video. Very informative.