Left hand retrieve baitcaster reels

[AnglerJake]

I have alwasy used spinning reels with left hand retrieve. I am considering getting a baitcaster and see that there are models available with left hand retrieve. Have any of you used these? I am looking at the Abu-Garcia 5501-C3. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[ESOX]

What do you intend to use it for?

[Arin]

Arent you suppose to use left hand retreive on spinning if youre right handed and right hand retreive on casting? :dizzy:

[AnglerJake]

I probably will use it for casting plugs for bass, maybe do some trolling Little Joes, etc.

[ESOX]

Arent you suppose to use left hand retreive on spinning if youre right handed and right hand retreive on casting? :dizzy:
Thats the way a lot of people do it, me included. But the only real rule is:
Your supposed to do whatever works for you.:)

I think a 5500 is a bit much reel for bass imho. Way more line capacity than you need , which will cut down on the distance you can cast little bass sized plugs.
C-3s and 4's are excelent reels for the money, but you might want to lookk at the 4600, it will still hold 170 yds of 10# mono, or a whole bunch of 20# braid.:)

[AnglerJake]

Thanks, ESOX

[Foxthorn]

It's funny you started this thread - because just yesterday while watching the bass shows I noticed how all the pros I saw used right hand retrieve for baitcasting and I wondered why.

With spinning reals I cast with mostly the force of my right hand then easily put my left on the crank... when it's time to set the hook I have the strength of my right to set with while then moving my left hand on the crank. It just seems natural.

It would seem odd then with a baitcaster to have to let go of the crank to put the right hand on the rod to do a hook set. I saw one pro, while a fish was on, holding the rod strong with his right hand then actually reach over the rod with his left to spin the crank a couple times. :confused:

So can anyone give a good reason why it seems 'most' use a right retrieve with baitcaster setups? :help:

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/us/en/fishing/products/reels/reels_low_profile/curado.html


The curado is the best casting real I have ever used for bass fishing.

Most people cast with there right hand and switch on bait casting reals because the bearings are on the opposite side of the crank.

When you cast a bait caster you twist your wrist setting the spools weight on the bearings.

Bait casters do not cast as well when they are not held with a slight twist while casting.

If you cast with a right handed with a left hand retrieve model it will still cast but I found it didn't cast as well for me.

So thats why most cast with there right hand then switch.


I used to bass fish pretty seriouse untill my life went to the dogs. :lol:

[Foxthorn]

Most people cast with there right hand and real with there left...


I'm not saying your wrong... It's just that there must have been shots of 20+ pros yesterday on TV all with right hand retrieves casting with their right hands.

Then I looked in the Bass Pro catalog and the reels are mostly right hand retrieves with an 'option' of getting a left retrieve.

Maybe it's that the bearings are on the same side of the reel that the crank is on not the opposite?? Which I guess could be a fair reason for why most use right retrieves if casting from the right side???????

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

Sorry I edited that post.

Thats what I was trying to say.

The bearings are on the side of the real that does not have the crank.

Thats the side of the real you want facing down when you cast.

Hope that makes sense.

Also for the people that buy a top quality bait caster.

There are magnets inside models like the curado that you can set to adjust how easily the spool spins. That will allow you to make the real cast farther after you get used to using it.

The more magnets you disengage the farther it will cast.
The more magnets you leave engaged the less likely you are to have back lashes.

I just thought I would throw that in, I know when I was learning how to cast them I didn't know that little tip untill after I was ready to throw mine in the lake.

[Foxthorn]

Sorry I edited that post. Thats what I was trying to say.


Cool! I'm just happy that it makes sense now.

Okay, so now I'm in the market for a baitcaster ;) and looked up your suggested Curado in the bass pro catalog. They are wanting $119.99.

That's a bit more than I want to spend - do you have any other suggestions in the $50 range?? Are there reals at this price point that will work well for a first time baitcaster user without frustrating him to death??

Thanks!!

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

The other tip I will add to this.

I had to have someone show me how to cast them the right way.

It was a tough thing for me to pick up.

Take the time to watch someone a few times that really knows how it will save alot of grief.

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

Fox,

There are alot of nice reals out there and I have been away from the fishing scene for a while.

But I know I went threw alot of reals before I found that curado and it is well worth the money.

It is far better off to spend the money on a top notch real first.

They are much much easier to cast.

After you really have it down then you can cast anything.

But at first if you start out with something that costs less then you will have a much harder time learning.

I went through the same thing years ago.

Once you get the hang of that bait caster you will not ever want to use anything else.

Hope that helps.

[Splicer]

this is only me but i use a left handed reel when flip'in for bass in heavy cover.i get a better hook set holding the rod in my right hand.then i use the right handed for casting.a good starter reel is a abu garcia 5500 or 5600 they are easier to cast when new to baitcasting.you can get one at Walmart for around $55.00.that's the one i let people use when they want to try a baitcaster.i have them on bass rods and some catfishing rods i think they are good all around reels.just my 2cents i'am sure i'll hear they suck from someone.but like they say use what works for you.the only thing i will fight about is use heavy line 20+ it helps get the birdnests out.dont give up once you get the hang of it you'll throw every thing in the tackle box with it.
rick

[tubejig]

Ok guys answer this for me, why do trolling reels have the handle on the right side when most people are right handed?

[ESOX]

I am a bit confused here.......the bearings are on the side of the spool that doesn't have the crank? Every reel I have ever dissassembled had bearings supporting the spool shaft on both ends. Even a C-3 which has only three bearings, two of them support the spool,one on each side, the other one supports the crank shaft. Or am I missing something?

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

http://www.fishsa.com/baitcast.php

Here is a good article about it.

Esox I have only taken the curado apart I have never taken any other bait caster apart so I am not really sure.

I assumed the bearings were on the opposite side of the crank due to the way I was tought to cast it. I could be wrong here. I was mostly trying to get the point threw that alot of people including myself make the mistake of trying to cast them for the first time with the not being cocked. The bearings work best when the real is held on an angle.

But the main point I was trying to make was they must be held at an angle so the spool is tilted to cast bass plugs correctly.

I cut this from that article above.
First Rule

Hold the rod and reel tilted so that the handles are higher than the spool of the reel. (Left handers should have the handles facing down). The reel should be cocked to one side of top dead centre.

[Foxthorn]

In that same article it has this:
"By rotating the reel to the side, you no longer have to hold the rod with that vice like grip. You can now relax your grip, bring your fingers into the cast, and it becomes all wrist action, with a completely relaxed forearm."

It doesn't mention bearings for the reason of rotating the real. And it doesn't address the right hand or left hand retrieve question.

SO the question still remains... Is there really an advantage to using a right retrieve. Would 90% of the amateurs really notice any difference in the performance of the bearings?

Don't you find it cumbersome having to wind with your right hand after a cast or having to move your right hand to set the hook?

[macbass]

I use left handed reels for flippin and pitchin and right handed for all other baitcasters because that is how i taught my self...on the other hand my fishing partner uses left handed reels for everything could be because he is left handed...and about ambassador 5500 i only have 12 of them and wont use any thing else and most of mine are 10 years old....so for 50 dollars i think i got my moneys worth but if i do replace them it will be with the same thing.......

[mikenyo]

I have been reading this thread for the last couple days trying to figure out what the story is with taking your right hand off the crank to set the hook. I have fished baitcasters almost exclusively for the last 15 years and am confused. I hold the rod with my left hand just in front of the real (or sometimes hold rod and real together with left hand) my right hand is always on the crank. When I feel a strike, I just set the hook, without moving any hands, left hand in the same place and right hand on the crank. Does that make sense? That's the way I've always done it and the way I've always seen it done. Simple and easy and no problem getting a good hook set. Just my .02.

[martin1950]

One question Mike, which hand do ya cast with?? I've seen alot of people cast with their right hand, then switch the rod to their left hand and retrieve with their right hand. I flip/cast with my right and retrieve with my left. Every combo I have is set-up that way except for two dipsey rods with OLD red side plated Penn 209'S. Even the first spinning combo I bought has a left hand crank. I still have that 40year old Sears/Ted Williams combo hanging on the wall above me today.


Martin

[slowpoke]

I find a use for both, just depends on what lure I'm useing. Sometimes my right wrist starts to hurt useing the left crank reels and I give it a rest and use the right crank reels. OH! If I'm useing the left hand crank reels I cast most of the time with my right hand, right hand crank reels, left hand. I also use two hand roods a lot. If you are just getting started it might not make much difference to you. I would get a two hand rod so you can cast it with both hands, off course some lures it is best to use a one hand rod. Also make sure you get a reel with magnetic brake system. You can get a combo rod and reel to start with at Bass Pro and outher sporting goods stores for under $100 easy. Look for sells. Try to get as many bearings as you can . Hope that helps. :fish: :) .

[mikenyo]

I cast with both hands most of the time. When I'm pitching or working in close with short casts I will use my right hand to cast and by the time the lure hits the water my left hand is on the rod and right moves to the crank. I guess after doing it long enough there really isn't any thought at all, just seems natural and easy.

I know one thing, all this talk is really giving me the itch to get out there!!!

[JJ Mac]

Being a lefty, I just use right hand retrieve on everything. Whether your switching hands or not, I could never understand why so many right handers use a right hand retrieve on baitcasters when they use a left hand retrieve on spin casters. Bottom line...go with what works for you and feels best.