..that most conventional reels are right handed, but a majority of people have thier spinning reels set up left handed??? Not trying to compare apples to oranges but just wondering why left handed conventionals are not that popular.
"Bait casting reel Bait casting reels are reels in which line is stored on a revolving spool. The bait casting reel is mounted above the rod, hence its other name, the overhead reel. The bait casting reel dates from at least the mid-1600s, but came into wide use by amateur anglers during the 1870s. Early bait casting reels were often constructed with brass or iron gears, with casings and spools made of brass, German silver, or hard rubber. Early reels were often operated by inverting the reel in order to retrieve line by back-winding, and the reel crank handle was positioned on the right side of the reel for this reason.[2] As a result, the right-hand crank position for bait casting reels has become customary over the years, though models with left-hand retrieve are now gaining in popularity."
Basically,right-hand reels are designed for trolling in the right-hand position. The rod was then flipped for normal left-hand retrieve, because the line is much easier to retrieve resting on the guides, like a spinning rod.
Given that... there is no logical reason for a right-handed angler to use a right-hand conventional reel for casting, which is why most spinning reels (which are designed only for casting) come out of the box left-handed.
I am left-handed. My spinning reels have the cranks on the same side as the casting reels, as I cast by holding the rod with my left hand and retreive with the right.
I'm also Left Handed and have no trouble reeling with either hand with spinning gear . All my friends have to swith hands when they cast conventional reels where I don't . I'm also the crewman of choice on left handed conventional reel hand offs on our boat . If given the choice I would reel with my right hand .
Your question can be answered buy asking other questions. Like--- why are there no left handed pencil sharpeners? Why do you have to special order a left handed pair of scissors?
I am a product of the public school system. I (and many like me) have over come our (What is the PC term --OH yes) CHALLENGE and are able to use both our Right hand and the Wrong hand with an equal amount of dexterity. The same can't be said for some or most Right handed people, when the turn a spinning reel upside down so they can crank it backwards.
I am to the point of left hand Vs. right hand fishing that the only Lefty reels I insist on using are my light river casting reels. See my dominate arm (now) is my right arm so thats what I cast with. It's a waste of effort to switch hands for the retrieve when your making a cast every 60 seconds or so.
If you think Ol Pedro and I are wrong check out the next right handed caster you see. They'll make a cast then switch hands for the retrieve.
Wrong handed people that have been brought up in the Public School system and now have a dominate right arm and a left handed reel won't switch hands. If they don't have a left handed reel you wouldn't know they are Challenged. They would just look like everybody else and switch hands.
There are only two things that I must do with my wrong hand. And that is write and eat.
Thanks for the insight guys. Before I stepped up and started fishing Ulua from shore the Penn 8500 was my reel of choice. I've always wondered about the right/left retrive.
Your question can be answered buy asking other questions. Like--- why are there no left handed pencil sharpeners? Why do you have to special order a left handed pair of scissors?
Buy a power pencil sharpener-most schools use them now. Scissors can be purchased at the larger office supply stores and also the yardage stores. Compared to 50 years ago when I was in elementary school. this is a wonderful time to be left-handed.
The first baitcasting reel I used was right handed, so am I,...seemed stupid to have to change hands after casting because I've used lots of spinning reels. The last baitcasting reel I went to a left hand model. At first it was awkward but I'm getting used to it. Weird, but makes more sense.
