Spinning Reels

What hand do you use to reel?


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Captain Ahab

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I reel with my right because that is how I was taught. It would make more sense to reel with my left since I am right handed and switch hands constantly while casting. Teaching an old dog a new trick doesn't work though.
 

RRmaniac

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I have been reeling with my left for a long time. I like using my strong hand to set the hook. If I were to get a baitcaster, I would probably end up getting a left handed one.
 

SDMF

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I have been reeling with my left for a long time. I like using my strong hand to set the hook. If I were to get a baitcaster, I would probably end up getting a left handed one.

That.
 

NDHick

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Spinning real with my left. Bait-caster with my right. must be left over from the old Zebco days.
 


H82bogey

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Can we include an option for both hands? I use both. For example; sometimes jig with two rods, left hand jig/ right hand reel, right hand jig, left hand reel. Always feel like you have a chance to lose a fish when switching hands to reel.
 

Walleye_Chaser

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I also cast with my right and reel with my right...I can real with my left if I have to, but it's pretty weird
 

3Roosters

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I also was taught/learned reeling with my right hand. My dad is left handed and my bro's and I grew up using his rod and reels that had right handed reels. I think as a snot nosed little tyke, I didn't know any better and just learned to do it. Caught a good number of fish as a tyke so didn't think twice. Plus, a little kid always wants to do what Dad is doing so didn't even think about changing. Seemed to come easy so never did change. I have tried the left handed reel but feel like a fish out of water using it..pardon the pun....
 

sweeney

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Can we include an option for both hands? I use both. For example; sometimes jig with two rods, left hand jig/ right hand reel, right hand jig, left hand reel. Always feel like you have a chance to lose a fish when switching hands to reel.

yup^^^^
 


ndfinfan

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Reel with left...cast/set hook with right. H82 made a good point above...sometimes jig with 2 rods, but usually miss fish if I try to hook set with left hand!
 

Sluggo

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Spinning real with my left. Bait-caster with my right. must be left over from the old Zebco days.

This is what I do too. On days where I cast a lot (which is often), it is nice to switch and let the muscles on both sides do some work.
 

Sluggo

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Btw, years ago I broke my right thumb weeks before a trip to Canada to cast for musky, pike and smallies. I did not know how to cast my bait caster left handed before the trip but could like a champ by the time the week was over.
 

Lapper

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Left. I can reel with either and it doesn't feel too weird for me but I feel much more in control of the fish with the pole in my right hand.
 


guywhofishes

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This is what I do too. On days where I cast a lot (which is often), it is nice to switch and let the muscles on both sides do some work.

There is wisdom here.

I always wondered why bass pros switched hands all day even after left hand retrieves became popular and I decided that was the reason. Is this true?
 

Retired Educator

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Don't have a reason other than that's the way I've always done it. I'm left-handed, cast with right, reel with left. Unless it's with a line-counter reel than I reel with right. If my arm gets too sore casting with right I generally figure it's time to sit down and have a beer and take a break.
 

Sluggo

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There is wisdom here.

I always wondered why bass pros switched hands all day even after left hand retrieves became popular and I decided that was the reason. Is this true?

I think they do what they do based on which hand/arm is dominant. If accuracy is important, which is often the case when fishing bass in cover, then you would want to cast with whichever hand provides the best control.
 


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