Left Hand vs Right Hand Baitcaster: Which to Choose
This guide covers the left hand vs right hand with hands on, tested picks.
Quick answer: Choose your baitcaster‘s handle side by which hand you want to reel with. Many right handed anglers pick a left hand retrieve so they cast and hold the rod with their dominant hand and never switch hands. There is no wrong answer, but switching later means buying a new reel.
Key takeaways
- The handle side sets which hand reels the line.
- Many right handed anglers choose a left hand retrieve to avoid switching hands.
- Unlike spinning reels, most baitcasters are not reversible.
- It is a buying decision, so choose carefully at purchase.
Baitcasters come in left hand and right hand retrieve versions, and new buyers often pick without thinking. Then they realize the handle is on the wrong side for how they fish. Unlike a spinning reel, you cannot switch a baitcaster’s handle to the other side. So the choice matters at purchase. This guide helps you get it right.
You learn how the retrieve hand works, why many anglers pick the opposite of what they expect, and how to decide. It is a small choice with a lasting effect.
What the Retrieve Hand Means
The handle side sets which hand turns the reel. A right hand retrieve reel has the handle on the right, so you reel with your right hand. A left hand retrieve reel has the handle on the left, so you reel with your left. You cast and hold the rod with the other hand.
Here is the twist. Many right handed anglers choose a left hand retrieve. That way they cast and control the rod with their strong right hand, and never switch hands after the cast. Others prefer to cast with the right and reel with the right, switching hands after each cast, which is the traditional way.
Why Baitcasters Differ from Spinning
On a spinning reel, you can flip the handle to either side, so it does not matter at purchase. A baitcaster is built for one side and cannot be switched. That makes the handle side a permanent choice, so you must decide before you buy. Getting it wrong means buying a new reel to fix it.
How to Decide
| Setup | Who it suits | Trade off |
|---|---|---|
| Left hand retrieve | Right handed anglers who want to hold and cast with their strong hand | Reel with the weaker hand |
| Right hand retrieve | Anglers who prefer to switch hands after the cast | Switching hands each cast |
Think about which hand you want to reel with, and whether you want to switch hands after the cast. If you already fish spinning gear reeling with your left hand, a left hand retrieve baitcaster will feel natural. If you learned casting reels reeling with your right, stick with that. There is no wrong answer, only the one that fits your habit.
A Note on Switching Later
Because a baitcaster’s handle cannot move, changing your mind means buying a new reel. So try to decide well the first time. If you are unsure, borrow a friend’s reel of each type and see which feels right before you buy. A few minutes of testing saves the cost of a wrong reel.
Frequently asked questions
Should a right handed person use a left hand baitcaster?
Many do, so they cast and hold the rod with their strong right hand and never switch hands. Others prefer a right hand retrieve and switch after each cast. Both work, so choose the one that fits your habit.
Can you switch a baitcaster handle side?
No. Unlike spinning reels, most baitcasters are built for one handle side and cannot be reversed. That makes the retrieve hand a permanent buying decision, so choose carefully before you purchase.
Why are baitcasters right hand by default?
Tradition. Older casting reels were reeled with the right hand, so anglers cast with the right and switched. Today left hand retrieve reels are common, and many right handed anglers prefer them to avoid switching hands.
Which hand reels a baitcaster?
The hand on the reel’s handle side. A right hand retrieve reel is reeled with the right hand, a left hand retrieve with the left. You hold and cast the rod with the other hand.