So, I am trying to get better at using baitcaster reels. I see lots of people who cast right hand with a right sided handle reel. They cast with right hand then switch hands to hold rod with left hand and reel with right hand. This seems like an extra step when they could just cast right hand, hold rod with right hand and then use left side handle reel.

What gives and is one way better then the other or just what people get used to doing?

Go with what feels right to you.

I am left handed and a right hand reel is perfect for me. I don't have to switch hands.

I use both. Flipping, pitching, punching, and skipping I use left handed reels. Anything that could get a really fast reaction bite. I want to have one hand on the rod and the other clicking over the reel and ready. On moving baits, like cranks, a rigs, bladed jigs, etc, I will use a right handed reel. I am a little less harmful to the reel when reeling with my dominant hand.

Oh. Top water is a left reel also, as I can cadence the frog/dawg/popper better with my right hand on the rod.

There is no right or wrong. Use what works for you.

Get a left handed reel. I�m right handed, I cast with my right and reel with the left. Many years ago I used to cast right, switch hands and reel with the right, it didn�t bother me until I started trying to learn how to pitch docks. It didn�t take long to make the adjustment.

I never understood that either. I like fighting the fish with my stronger arm. Cast right reel left.

It does limit reel selection though. There�s not near as many different ratios available.

Sounds like it's more common than I thought
Flip, pitch frog with left handed real
Crank, drag, jerk with right handed
I always thought I was odd

+1. When I started bass fishing there were no left handed reels (guess that makes me an "old") so I just learned how to reel with my right hand.

When I learned to bass fish, I used a spinning reel with a left hand crank. When I got into bait casting reels in the 70's, Abu Garcia made a left hand reel model 5001c. Left handed cranking is the only way I feel comfortable. BTW I'm right handed.

I cast a bait caster with my right arm and switch it to my left arm/hand and real with my right hand.

I cast a spinning rod with my right arm and hold it with my right arm and reel with left hand.

Anyone else do this?

I'm right handed and fish with a right handed reel, but I can cast with either hand, so not a biggie

Don�t be in the boat with me when I TRY to cast lefty. It�s a dangerous situation.

^^^^. This almost exactly, but I also use some spinning reels for smaller/lighter lures

Using different handed reels and mixing in some spinning reels helps prevent fatigue and repetitive use injuries

I have a left reel arriving tomorrow. Going to use for flipping/pitching. Hopefully it goes well!!

+1

Like Road Runner I started off with spinning reels which back on the 50's only had a left hand crank. So when I switched to conventional I went left handed. It has probably let me cast 10 million more times than the folks who switch hands..

It's like the ones that prefer a hand control trolling motor over a foot control. While they are adjusting the direction I just keep on casting.