Winding left handed (Question for the right handed among us)

I found a post back in 2003 bringing up the age old fishing question - should I use my right or left hand to hold the rod?

I've tried fishing left handed before however I have noticed than in most reels and 99% in my Shimano reels that the left hand bearing is larger than the right and this is considerably bigger, the left hand bearing seat is also more structurally sound and reinforced (noticeable in my other post Bearing Slop in Reels Pic's 5 & 6). I personally would rather a larger bearing and would like the handle closer to the main drive gear - thus reducing wear over the reels life (how much who knows but it makes sense in my mind).

I feel when fishing - I cast with my right - switch the rod to my left - close the bail with my right hand and then retrieve. I have better lure control and twitch with my left, however I have better reel handle control in my right and never any fatigue while the rod is in my left hand.

So how do the right handed people overcome the goofiness and go using reels left handed eg: rod in the right and wind with their left - are there any tips other than 'stick it out' for the time until it makes sense?

Any good tips or tricks?

[Richo]

100 casts winding as quick as you can left handed, then slowing it down every 10 or so casts, by the end I felt no longer like goofy, and now every reel I have is left handed, best thing I ever did.

[CLAY]

I am a right winder and must say I too cant get the knack of left winding, I have a few times tried it and have even landed a fish on it but it just didn't feel right, so back to what I no, I don't think there is really that much difference it more what feel right.

[BrizVegasBretto]

Originally Posted by SLAZMO

So how do the right handed people overcome the goofiness and go using reels left handed eg: rod in the right and wind with their left - are there any tips other than 'stick it out' for the time until it makes sense?

Any good tips or tricks?

For me, It felt more natural working a plastic right handed and winding with the left. If it didn't I'd be winding right handed. Unfortunately I don't have any tricks. It was just how it worked out.

[Breamobsession]

Richo has nailed it really, just takes some time and practice mate, for me i just kept casting and winding with left until i had a few blinder sessions and realised even though it felt strange i was obviously still doing something right. Now it does not feel strange at all, if i wind with my right i feel a bit goofy now

[Siddo]

Yerp just have to get out there and practise casting and winding. changed over end of last year and only took about a month of fishing to work it out. plus it helped my rsi.

[aneville94]

Had the same problem ! I use to be exactly the same, and got so sick of swapping over to my left to work the rod and reel with the right.
I just swapped over and haven't changed back since, you just have to force yourself to use your left to reel !

Yeh Richo's idea does make sense - just like building up from a lounge chair critter to a triathlon runner.

Will give that a go with my Sustain and start on slugs rather than piffing lures at snags and end up in trees or got knows where else.

[seamonkey]

Rod in the dominant hand, wind with the other. Learn to cast with finger control on the spool. Do something for thirty days and it becomes habit!

[Ca11um]

I originally wasnt going to swap hands, but my certate cross-threaded itself in the drive gear so had to swap it over. Worked out kind of good, because i can impart that little bit more finnesse fishing left. Now its a piece of cake!!

[cr@zy_deep]

I'm right handed and I've been winding left handed my whole life. Thankfully dad used left hand his whole life too and i automatically started fishing with left handed reels so its just normal for me.

I have taught myself to wind right handed (although it's stupid) just so that if im using someone elses rod I dont always have to switch the handle over.

I really dont understand why most people prefer to wind right handed, its just stupid.

Also I wish reel manufacturers would make a few more bloody left handed overheads. There's literally only a handful on the australian market, in comparison to the hundreds of right handed models. I don't think shimano even have any.

[Brucee88]

Originally Posted by cr@zy_deep

I'm right handed and I've been winding left handed my whole life. Thankfully dad used left hand his whole life too and i automatically started fishing with left handed reels so its just normal for me.

I have taught myself to wind right handed (although it's stupid) just so that if im using someone elses rod I dont always have to switch the handle over.

I really dont understand why most people prefer to wind right handed, its just stupid.

Also I wish reel manufacturers would make a few more bloody left handed overheads. There's literally only a handful on the australian market, in comparison to the hundreds of right handed models. I don't think shimano even have any.

Sounds about the same for me. dad always used left-hand reels so thats just what i picked up. As for the left-handed baitcasters, i remember buying my first one (older model curado dpv ) and ended up paying about thiirty dollars more for the left hand wind model. I can't see the logic behind that at all, especially now that more people are teaching themselves to wind left handed

[stella fella]

Buy a megabass arms rod, sculpted to your right hand, and a left handed monoblock, that way not forcing yourself to learn would be a f@#%ing huge waste of money

Originally Posted by seamonkey

Learn to cast with finger control on the spool. Do something for thirty days and it becomes habit!

I am listening - always casted line on the finger with the lures tension - you know when you cast and you look like a fool when the line slips off and the lure lands behind you - looks pro at the worst time lol...

Originally Posted by seamonkey

Do something for thirty days and it becomes habit!

ha ha not with me mate

Originally Posted by stella fella

Buy a megabass arms rod, sculpted to your right hand, and a left handed monoblock, that way not forcing yourself to learn would be a f@#%ing huge waste of money

Near $2k worth of rod and reel - ha ha no thanks... Mind you makes you think who would buy that kinda gear for fishing let alone breaming lol.

[brad mcdonald]

It like quiting smoking. If you try to quit you will probably go back to it. But if you just quit, it will most likely stick.

If you try swapping hands you're only trying...

Don't try it, do it!

Jmo