This is a bit like beating a dead horse (because I've seen threads asking the same question before); however, I'd like to get some polling data on it.
Real simple: if you were going to purchase a high-end salmon reel (like a Tekota, for example), would you prefer a right-hand or left-hand retrieve?
This poll assumes that you would actually purchase a "High-End" salmon reel if it was available, so, if you wouldn't buy one, even if it was available, please choose the third option.
Why do people have to make a big deal over how they fish?
And have to come up with reasons why what they do is so much better than what other people do?
I fish the way I want and everyone else can fish the way they want
And if they don't like the way I fish, then they can go fish elsewhere
left spinning,right baitcaster like god intended!ha! but i voted that i would'nt buy the high end reel for one reason,and its a bummer!but,the crime rate on the I-5 corridor,the big cities,and even the beach is ludicrusalm: I'll leave a ugly stick with a 320gti on the boat at the dock because i can afford to lose it,and it will catch all the fish i need:twocents:
I use a left hand reels on all my rods and I can under stand a right handed person casting with his left hand and reeling with his right but I don't understand a person casting with his right hand then switching to the left hand to reel with his right, that is like scooping up your food with your right hand the switching to your left hand to put in your mouth:doh: just dos'nt make a lot of sense. just my :twocents: worth
Driven2fish - “I've been drift fishing for a long time I know what works for me and what doesn't. I don't subscribe to that 90/10 chest thumping garbage…”
Lol…Your signature quotes, “feel the drift”….…really? I love drift fishing a hole next to a right-handed fisherman that’s “feeling the drift” with their off-hand, as I don’t have to share the fish with them. From your defense of the 90/10% theory, I can tell that hit a nerve…sorry.
Ducky – Assumption, nothing…as was stated before, if you chose to be stuck in a boat all day, and you finally get a take-down, then by all means use that dominate hand to crank that reel. However, if you have to get out of that boat, and do some real drift-fishing (aka, “feeling the drift”), then I’d hope you were standing right next to Driven2fish, and on the same hole with me…
Barchaser – “Sometimes, I have the drag light and use my thumb to control the fish. That would be harder to do with a left hand crank.” I too use my thumb to control the “drag”, as do most good drift fishermen. However, common sense and experience, would play to the fact that it should be much easier to “thumb” the spool if your rod-hand isn’t having to palm the handle of the reel.
Driven2fish - “I've been drift fishing for a long time I know what works for me and what doesn't. I don't subscribe to that 90/10 chest thumping garbage…”
Lol…Your signature quotes, “feel the drift”….…really? I love drift fishing a hole next to a right-handed fisherman that’s “feeling the drift” with their off-hand, as I don’t have to share the fish with them. From your defense of the 90/10% theory, I can tell that hit a nerve…sorry.
Ducky – Assumption, nothing…as was stated before, if you chose to be stuck in a boat all day, and you finally get a take-down, then by all means use that dominate hand to crank that reel. However, if you have to get out of that boat, and do some real drift-fishing (aka, “feeling the drift”), then I’d hope you were standing right next to Driven2fish, and on the same hole with me…
Barchaser – “Sometimes, I have the drag light and use my thumb to control the fish. That would be harder to do with a left hand crank.” I too use my thumb to control the “drag”, as do most good drift fishermen. However, common sense and experience, would play to the fact that it should be much easier to “thumb” the spool if your rod-hand isn’t having to palm the handle of the reel.
I am a die-hard drift fisherman myself. I am right handed and reel with my right. I actually feel my "off" hand (left) is MORE sensitive than my dominant right hand. I was (from what my family tells me) born left-handed but my mom switched everything to my right early on because she felt most things in this world were made for right-handers. Perhaps that is why I feel more comfortable with the rod in my left and feel it is more sensitive. Regardless of the reason, there are in fact others out there whose experience is different than yours, and I think you need to keep that in mind. There is no right or wrong way to do it. I think the 90/10 thing is silly also, but I can tell you I catch plenty of fish...
I use both but in a boat I prefer right hand retrieve. Along day of fishing and its nice to be coordinated enough to use both. That way you can give one arm a break and still keep fishing. Oh ya and I am one of those old guys.
Nor Cal Drifter does make a good point. Folks that work for a livimg or spend too much time on the computer will often develop carpal tunnel syndrome in there strong hand. This will lead to a loss of sensitivity in that hand. Thus if you can't learn to change you might catch less while drift fishing than you would if you were open minded enough to try something new. Since that leaves more fish for me, I say stay the course.
What seriously cracks me up is watching the bass guys on tv casting the rod right handed then switching it to their left hand to reel in the lure... Uhm.. I just don't see the point??? alm:
Watching my 6 year old boy land 8 salmon last year convinced me that you need your strongest arm holding the rod. The reel is to pick up the line that you have gained with the lift. Strength is needed in the dominant arm to be able to lift. Little kids are already over matched with a big salmon then ask them to try to keep the tip up with their weakest arm. That is goofy. The bigger the fish or the lead that you are bouncing, the more you need to use your strongest arm. Who would arm wrestle with their off arm? Head out deep sea fishing and check out which arm you want to bounce that lead all day with. No contest.
On a side note. Within the last year I contacted Shimano and they stated they have no plans of releasing a left handed line counter. Too bad. There is a market for it in the Northwest. I
I am right handed and hold the rod in my right hand and reel with the left, My right hand is my power arm, and feels stronger when fighting big fish. But that shouldn't matter much I curl the same size dumbells with each. I switched years ago and never looked back. That being said I do fish for salmon, when the rod is in the holder with a tekota, as i have no other option.... Matt
Cast with the arm that you are most comfortable with and reel with the hand you are most comfortable with
Anybody that has a problem with that must have such a perfect life that this petty thing is so important to them
Have fun fishing and stop worrying about what kjnd of gear the guy next to you is using
Ducky – Assumption, nothing…as was stated before, if you chose to be stuck in a boat all day, and you finally get a take-down, then by all means use that dominate hand to crank that reel. However, if you have to get out of that boat, and do some real drift-fishing (aka, “feeling the drift”), then I’d hope you were standing right next to Driven2fish, and on the same hole with me…
Ya ever notice those "bass" fishermen on tv? They cast, switch hands with the rod, then reel in. Something wrong with that picture. It's like they don't even know left hand reels exist.
The "left" coast was made for "left" crank reels. They won't work in the Eastern time zone.
I, like probably most of us over 60 grew up using RH crank casting type reels. At 75 I am to damned old to retrain my brain to crank LHed. If I was to do it over, yes they would be LH, but what do I do with my other 50 then aukward reels?
As said above, I have talked to a lot of the factory reps, and left handed reels are almost all west of the
missippi river and a small % of their market! So they don't want to retool for such a smaller %. And I vote for the lefty's, and am right handed. Have Avets and Shimanos,and Abu's both for salmon and tuna and they are all lefty's.. Try fighting a oversize or big halibut with your weaker arm and then answer the question, right or left! Its clear for me!
It has nothing to do with preferences, it has to do with reflexes. A right handed person's best reflex is typically with the right hand so the best reaction to handling the pole with a fish on is going to be with the right hand and the left hand can easily handle the reeling in action.:doh:
I can shoot with either eye, dribble a basketball with either hand, prior to the late 70's baitcasters only came in right hand crank, some of you experts need to get a grip.
Perhaps what hand you fish with isn't nearly as important as how good a fishermen you are.
I just got back from a invite only,bank fishin,sturge derby in southern idaho since my last post.there were left,right,upside down and backwards guys but one thing ran true-if you can't reel fast for bait checks or to let a fish through,its back to the tackle box to retie. I mean fast!with your rod tip up! I and most of the guys can only do that with right hand retrieve. that said i caught my last willy springer on a buddys left hander and was'nt a big deal because it was a different kind of fishing:twocents:
I'm sure I've posted this but I'm right handed and I reel with my left. I did catch my biggest fish of the year on a right hand retrieve though. I still prefer the lefty because I'm more coordinated reeling left handed, and because I can control the fish more with my strong arm.
I believe it is really easy to figure out. You want the rod in your dominant hand. If your right handed, why would you want to fight a twenty lb fish with your left hand?
I suppose if you're too weak to fight it with your left. Personally, I have no issue fighting big fish with either arm, so I opt to reel with my most-coordinated side, which is my dominant, right side.
Over the years my left hand has become trained to do things... like run a tiller outboard or to twitch a rod when I'm casting and reeling spinners around docks and obstacles, and just off the bottom. Right hand crank for me. Fighting a fish doesn't require the same finesse, and if it is a large fish, both hands are fighting it. CW
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