Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

I am considering buying some left hand retrieve baitcasters for pitching/flipping. I currently own nothing but right hand retrieves but see the advantage of going to left hand retrieves for pitching/flipping. I am unsure of the transition and/or if I could get used to it?

Buy a cheap lefty to see if you can get comfortible .If you like it you can go from there.

Check out the response this question received in the past.
'Anyone switched from RH Reel to LH' last post was Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 1:32 and thquestion was started on Sun Nov 22 at 12:48.
I hope it helps.

I had right shoulder surgery years ago and was "forced" to learn to cast with my left hand/thumb (that was if I wanted to fish). It didn't take long to get the feel, and from then on I use my left hand/ thumb when I cast most of the time (can still use the right too). No need to have left hand reels! It's very effecient to not have to switch hands after a flip/pitch or cast and don't need to have extra rods and reels on the deck (cheaper too). Give it a try, won't cost you any money. Scott

Whitey-O wrote:I am considering buying some left hand retrieve baitcasters for pitching/flipping. I currently own nothing but right hand retrieves but see the advantage of going to left hand retrieves for pitching/flipping. I am unsure of the transition and/or if I could get used to it?

Buy a used one first to see if you like it. I have a couple used Diawa's give me a email, cheap.

Buying a used one is a good idea. I have been using both for years. When I first started fishing it was with a spinning reel so left hand was normal for me. I was casting normally with my right hand...seemed odd to have to switch. I used to laugh and call right hand reels left hands because switching hands seemed pretty stupid. You mention for flipping and pitching. You may find flipping with a left hand reel is a pain (as I did) because the line tends to get caught on the handle. I now have 75/25 left-hand/right-hand reels and I don't even think about it it is all very natural. I most certainly use the left hands on baits where I want to start reeling instantly (frogs, buzz baits, cranks, etc) I'll bet you will transition to "left-handed" reels over time because it is a much quicker, smoother, efficient way to fish. Good luck.

Whitey-O speaking of used LH reels for pitching Schienders Fishing has a Shimano Castaic posted in the Classifieds - One of my favorite pitching reels and its in LH! Give him a shout.

If you are Right Handed the transistion shouldn't be that hard. I use both Right and Left handed retrieves. I use the Right Handed Retrieve when I am in the Delta while Cranking/Spinner Bait when my Boat is in a Slough and moving down the bank. Once I get to the end of the Slough I switch to the other side and I use the Left hand retrieve.

It took about a Month to get use to the Right Handed retrieve especially using my Left Hand to throw the Baits. I was constantly getting "Birds Nests" and spending a lot of time untangling the mess. Once I get the nack of the whole thing I was having a good time. I usually throw Cranks and Spinners with this application and use all applications with I am throwing with my Right Hand and retrieving with my Left. Practice, Practice, Practice!!!!!

I did the switch years ago and if I were you I would buy a cheap reel to get the hang of it..I would not switch back.. I am right handed. I have more power flipping and pitching with the rod in my right hand..and I run the line over my right index finger, it gives me the best feel of what the bait is doing..and I never have to switch hands to reel in..

JT