Old topic, but relevent to me in 2015. I bought my first baitcaster last autumn, then a second one for a Christmas present, but ended up keeping it. I'm getting pretty good, but still need work, but I have new incentive. I've been casting/reeling both with one hand, but this topic has persuaded me to learn a new way. My brain could use the exercise, as well as my weak hand. I will start learning to cast left-handed, still reel right. I/we can all learn something new.

...wisdom

I am left handed so a right hand reel is perfect for me. It is one of the FEW things designed for a left hand person. LOL

If you ask an industrial engineer, it does not make sense that you cast with you right hand holding the pole and then switching the pole to your left hand to reel. the switching is a time wasting movement.

but at the end it all comes to how they thought you to fish... My dad used to surf fish a lot, so my first reel was a spinning reel, you retrieve with your left hand and cast with your right. I learned that since i was a kid and a i am used to it period.

I can not use right handed baitcast reels, it is difficult for me since i am used to retrieve with the left hand.

so in conclusion the only one to blame is the one who popularized Right handed Reels lol... maybe he was a lefty guy and he casted with the left hand and retrieve with the right.

I think you nailed it. Most of us learned that way and it's a hard habit to break. With my left shoulder problems developing I've made the switch and I have to say, reeling with the left hand is a learned skill and takes some getting used to. Now that the learning curve is over it sure is more enjoyable though.

To each his own....

I had shoulder problems & tried a lefty reel , oh my god what a wierd feeling, I tried for a couple trips and couldnt get used to it, even casting (which it shouldnt affect) was lousy ...maybe I'll try again but for now I put up with the pain and do it the way ive done it for 40 yrs

I'm left handed. When I was growing up if there was a left handed bait casting reel I didn't know about it. So I cast with my left hand and reel with my right. I just got used to it. Saves time. No switching hands.

I use both hands to cast.

Me too. I cast and while the bait is in the air I take my right hand off the reel and grab the handle and put my left hand on the reel. Change thumbs on the spool mid cast also.

baitcasting, cast right, reel right, unless pitching and flipping which I do lefty. I don't worry about it. Fishing a weighted setup, the bait has to fall, and typically have to peel off line so it falls straight. There's plenty of time to switch hands. Occasionally a bass will pick it up when it hits the water, but if it spits it in the split second it takes to change hands, odds are you weren't going to catch it anyway. Pitching and flipping is usually happening in the middle of cover in shallow water, and you need to get it out quickly so you don't get wrapped up. That split second could cost you then.

That's the way I do it.

I love new challenges, and today, casting left-handed, I blew!!!! Right up in a tree next to the driveway. Luckily, tomorrow is another day...I wonder if I'll just say, "Whatever!" and just keep casting and reeling right-handed!

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I have been pitching and some casting with my new left retrieve reel for 2 brief trips now. A few things I noticed.
When flipping, i hold the line with the left, but now the reel handle is on that side and I do get i caught sometimes.
Backlash with the left is harder to deal with. I get confused as to which hand to do what. This is prolly due to the great amount of time I have spent in the past pulling line out.
I really like having the lefty setup. I tried a 7 ft rod and a 6,6 and I think i prefer the shorter for around docks and such. I have had to relearn the muscle memory part. My accuracy has suffered, but I am getting it back with time. Missed both bites today, so not sure how bringing in a fish will be

Why didn't you have the dexterity to learn to cast left handed and reel right? Not picking on you personally. But this subject hits a sore spot. That and "if the bait hits the water you don't have time to change hands"! Silly, silly! So I say to those with the argument that casting right and reeling left...your wrong. Cast left handed and reel right!

If you're so out of tune with your left why use it to work a bait, detect bites, set the hook, fight the fish etc. Not having to switch is just icing on the cake when using a LH reel.

I get if you been doing it for a while and have a bunch of right reels it may not pay to go left but for newer guys left may not be the right hand to fish wish

I can fish equally well with right or left hand baitcasters. My new reels will all be left hand, so I can hold the rod in my power arm.

However, I cannot for the life of me fish a spinning reel cranking with my right hand.

I had elbow surgery last fall for "fishermans elbow" on my right arm and doc said the hook set on the spinning rod could have caused it so I have started using my left arm for casting. It is really awkward but getting better every trip. I can see the value of not switching hands but a lot of pros do it so I don't think it makes a huge difference. Like others have said my accuracy suffered big time and I still can't skip a jig casting with the left hand. I palm the reel except when pitching so most of the time I have to readjust the grip even when I don't have to switch hands.