Left Handed vs the Right Handed Baitcaster (For Beginner)

left handed baitcaster vs right handed
left handed baitcaster vs right handed

The added variations of many fishing accessories bring a ton of value to anglers that have a unique fishing style. Even though beginners should stick with the general-purpose equipment at first, it is still a good idea to demo different pieces.

Doing this will allow you to enhance your understanding of different units that can be added to your fishing setup. A lot of users have recently asked about the Left Handed vs the Right Handed Baitcaster. 

If you’re also confused about the unique aspects of these variants, let’s cover these products for a brief moment.

Left Handed vs the Right Handed Baitcaster: Which Suits You Better?

Specifics Left Handed Baitcaster Right Handed Baitcaster
Demand Minimal Extensive
Efficiency Exceptional (after practice) Decent
Learning Curve Steep Relatively linear
Market Sentiment Mixed Decent

The differences in left handed baitcast reels and right handed baitcast reels rely more on the anglers that are trying to use them rather than the brand that is manufacturing them.

When looking at the basic structure, you will only be able to figure out the changes in handle position (as apparent by the name).

Most of the time, you’ll find experts saying that you should use the non dominant hand to make a cast. Otherwise, they will have to switch hands when trying to crank the reel and fight larger fish.

We understand that using the non dominant hand to cast is not the ideal option for most beginners. You will struggle to control the distance and the accuracy of the cast. 

However, if you get started early, it will only take a couple of weeks before you’re fully used to the baitcast reel that doesn’t match your dominant hand.

So, even though most experts are right handed, you will find that they will be sticking with left handed baitcast reels to improve their efficiency. 

The time it takes to change hands to crank the reel can be the differentiator between a winning and a losing fight.

So, when you’re stuck and can’t seem to figure out the right option between the left handed and the right handed baitcast reel, just choose the one that is suitable for your non-dominant hand. 

This means that you should start out with the left handed baitcast reel if you’re right handed and try out the right handed baitcast reel when you’re left handed.

These simple things will have you sorted out and you will not feel the need to switch to any other reel down the road.

However, this tip will only be suitable when you’re trying to reach your maximum potential when it comes to catching large fish with minimal strain on your equipment.

If you’re just a casual angler, then there is no need to dive into all of these things.

Instead, you will be much better served if you went with a reel that was more comfortable.

Everything comes down to how you’re planning on going about your fishing journey. It will also help if you could involve a local expert in the purchase decision. 

Having access to firsthand knowledge on local water conditions is never a bad thing. You can ask about what reels perform the best and inform these experts about your requirements.

They will guide you according to your fishing style and you won’t be stuck with a bad reel.

Similarly, reaching out to the customer support or consultation departments mentioned by some of the more decent brands like Daiwa and Shimano will help you out.

So, have that in mind when you’re trying to figure out the right reel for your budget.

Left Handed Baitcaster

left handed baitcaster

Even though the basic functionality behind these fishing reels is quite similar, it can be quite difficult to find a good left-handed bait caster.

The main reason behind this issue is that the market segment for left-handed anglers is not substantial enough.

So, many of the smaller or bigger brands don’t bother with the production of left-handed equipment.

This helps the fishing accessory brands maintain a better portfolio without having to diversify on left-handed fishing reels. With that said, you shouldn’t expect a tremendous variety of fishing reels for your setup.

However, a lot of anglers have been switching to left-handed reels in recent years. Even though these anglers are right handed, having a left-handed Baitcaster provides a ton of benefits.

The biggest reason why so many people have been shifting towards the use of left-handed Baitcaster is the castability of the unit.

Experts have pointed out that when right handed anglers try to cast, they use the right hand and then switch the rod into the left hand to pull in the fish.

This hand switch can cause several issues when you’re trying to fight a larger fish. So, if you are a beginner, it is best to start developing the habit of using the non-dominant hand to pull out the line.

This will eliminate the switching process, and you won’t have to switch to the left hand after you cast the rod with your right hand.

Similarly, if you’re left-handed, then it is actually better to rely on the use of a right-handed reel.

The use of non-dominant hands for your fishing reel is arguably one of the best things that you can do to improve your fishing technique.

Hopefully, this helps you make a better purchase decision about the left-handed or right-handed Baitcaster.

However, if you’re still confused and can’t seem to make the decision for yourself, just ask the local experts to help you out. 

They will expand your perspective on which system is best for your fishing style. So, don’t hesitate to approach local experts that have been fishing for a couple years.

Right Handed Baitcaster

It is true that using the reel with your right hand can be relatively easier.

However, many people have recently been shifting towards the use of left-handed Baitcaster. The main reason behind this shift is that people have realized the convenience of using their left hand to bring in the line.

right handed baitcaster

Using the left-handed Baitcaster allows users to eliminate the switching process.

Additionally they can keep the rod in their right hand after casting the line. So, if the fish bites as soon as you cast, it is easier to respond quickly.

With that said, if you’re left-handed, then going with a right-handed Baitcaster is a better option.

So, depending upon the hand you use for casting the line, you can either decide to choose Left-Handed or Right-Handed Baitcaster. 

Aside from the change in the position of the handle, there are no major differences between these reel variants. You will still get the same functionality from the unit.

To make the right purchase decision, you will have to evaluate your fishing style. After that, go for the Baitcaster variant that matches your non-dominant hand.

It will indeed be quite challenging in the beginning to develop the habit of using your non-dominant hand for bringing in the line. 

However, with time, it will become easier to manage the new Baitcaster variant.

Within a few months, you will notice substantial improvements in your fishing technique as you keep using the dominant hand for casting and the non-dominant hand for pulling in the line.

If you’re a beginner, then it’s best to start with a left-handed Baitcaster.

That way, you won’t have to waste any time in forgetting the old habits, and you can continue to cast with your non-dominant hand. Refer to your local anglers for more information on this topic.

Hopefully, it will not be that hard to stick with the non-dominant hand, and a couple of weeks should be more than enough.

You should also take some tips from local anglers and they will guide you on how they got used to the new setup.

The Takeaway

There is no deficiency of things to get overwhelmed over when you first get into fishing.

You’ll often find beginners asking about the perfect option between a right handed and a left handed baitcast reel. While the differences might not seem significant, these minor differences will matter in the long run. 

If you’re trying to be more efficient, then we suggest that you get a reel that is suitable for your non-dominant hand.

That way, you can use your dominant hand to crank the reel, and you will not have to hassle as much with switching hands after the cast. 

The downside is that it will take a couple of weeks to be more accurate and consistent.

Still, there is no harm in trying out a reel that is not suitable for your dominant hand. All that you’re trying to do is to make sure that you don’t have to switch hands to crank the reel.

That way, you will get those extra seconds that can make the final difference when it comes to losing or catching the fish.

Yes, it might take a few weeks, but you will notice the difference in the catch rate over the long run. So, be sure to test out the reel for your non-dominant hand.

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