Anglers have tons of options when it comes to fishing reels. Some are better for certain types of fishing, and then it also depends on their preference. Let’s face it. Many things in society are geared towards right-handed individuals. But are there left-handed reels for anglers?
Yes! There are left-handed fishing reels on the market for you to purchase.
For someone who has been fishing for decades, the change to a left or right-handed reel might seem unnecessary. Since left-handed reels didn’t exist over five decades ago, many anglers are used to switching rods when a fish bites.
Left-Handed Reels
Using a left-handed reel may be the better option for those who are left-handed. But, as with anything, there are pros and cons to using these reels.
Pros:
- Allows beginners to learn faster
- By cancelling out the step of switching hands, you can pull in the fish faster
- By casting with their dominant hand, fishing becomes more natural
Cons:
- For experienced anglers, you have to unlearn switching hands
Right-Handed Reels
Until the last few years, you couldn’t find many left-handed reels on the market. This resulted in left-handed anglers learning how to use a right-handed reel when fishing. If you’re left-handed and used to using a reel for right-handed people, this has pros and cons.
Pros:
- Right-handed reels have been the tradition of fishing from the beginning
- Easier for left-handed anglers who’ve been fishing for years to use
- More options for right-handed reels on the market
Cons:
- You have to switch your hands in the middle of baitcasting, which can lead to losing the fish
Can You Switch a Right-Handed Reel to a Left-Handed Reel?
Yes, you can switch a right-handed reel to a left-handed one for all of the standard fishing reels. Below you’ll find the most common fishing reels that you can change from right-handed to the left.
Spincast Reel
A spincast reel is typically used by beginners. It’s one of the easiest reels to use, mainly due to the push-button on the reel. While mostly those new to the fishing industry use this kind of reel, pro-anglers also tend to use them, and they’re easy to switch from right to left-handed!
You’ll unscrew the dust cap on the right and the reel handle on the left side. Then, you’ll insert the reel arm into the right and place the dust cap on the left.
Baitcaster Reel
A Baitcaster reel uses heavier lines and various baits that aren’t as effective on other reels. Because of the design of these reels, “the crank handles are not switchable to either side. Therefore, they are made in right-handed and left-handed models and labelled as such.”
To switch a baitcaster reel from right to left-handed, you’ll follow the same steps as a spincast reel.
Spinning Reel
A Spinning Reel is considered to be the best all-round fishing reel. Anglers can use these reels in freshwater and saltwater and for various reasons, “ranging from throwing artificial lures, fishing with live or dead bait, fishing with rigs or bobber fishing, and even for ice fishing.”
It’s a versatile reel for anglers who love to do it all, specifically for left-handed anglers. This reel has the opposite orientation of a baitcasting reel, with the reel underneath the rod handle. They are usually the easiest to use and come in all different sizes. Changing them from right to left-handed is the same as the above two reels.
Conventional/Trolling Reel
Conventional or trolling Reels are a popular choice for all anglers. Due to the lower gear ratios, these reels differ from baitcasting or spinning reels.
The advantage of using this kind of reel is that you can fish in freshwater and saltwater and use your reel for “different fishing techniques including casting jigs, trolling, deep-drop fishing, kite fishing, pier fishing, and more.”
However, like all reels, conventional and trolling reels have their disadvantages, such as being more difficult to cast, especially for left-handed anglers, and excluding a level-wind feature.
Centerpin Reel
Centerpin Reels are versatile. Used with floats or split shots, Centerpin Reels “create the most natural presentation possible in moving water by allowing your bait a drag-free drift at the same speed as the river current.”
With Centerpin Reels, most can switch from right to left-handed. It all comes down to how the line is spooled — most people cast with their left and reel with their right.
Switching a centerpin reel from right to left-handed is even easier than the others. All you need to do is flip the rod over.
FAQs
Are there reel brands that offer more left-handed reels than o
Some brands offer more left-handed options than others. Since this is still a relatively new product, we’re sure we’ll see more companies branching out in the future. KastKing is a great brand to look into for left-handed reels.
What can you do to turn a right-handed reel into a left-handed one?
Some reels, such as baitcasting reels, must be purchased as either right or left-handed designs, you can turn most. There are four simple steps to change your reel’s side:
1. Touch the handle on your reel and on its opposite side, find the dust cap. Take this out.
2. Unscrew the reel handle and turn it clockwise from the left side.
3. After unscrewing the handle, put it where the dust cap was previously. Then, turn the reel clockwise and tightly.
4. The last step is to fix the dust cap to the previous reel handle. Keep screwing in until it’s tight!
