I am right handed and have a couple of RH baitcasting reels. I've heard of some right handed people using LH baitcasters though so they don't have to change hands to cast and reel. Is this pretty common, or am I way off? Is there any advantage/disadvantages to either. I am comfortable with the RH models I have but thinking of getting a new one with Christmas money and want to make the right decision.

I am left handed and use only right hand reels. This stems from my first reel being right handed. That was all that I had, so I did not know any different. If the coordination is there and you do not have a set preference, then I would try and use the left handed reel to keep from switching hands.

I go left handed on jigs, plastics, c-rig and finesse rigs. Everything else is right handed.

SE Kansas grass grower

LH definitely - if your right handed. Much easier for pitchin' / flippin, you use your
dominant arm on the rod - just seems more natural when you think about it!

Props to Ol' Jim (formely of Sportsman's Warehouse) for droppin' that knowledge on me.

I am a righty and fish with LH reels exclusively now. Making the switch was awkward at first but once trained I am much more efficient with LH reels.

I'm right handed and use lefty's. my logic is I want the rod in my dominant hand

I am a lefty and use right handed equipment. Dont have to switch hands so dI dont lose any time or fish flipping and getting bit while swaping hands.

Definately use left handed reels for all my flipping and pitching, i find that it is much more convenient to have the open hand there ready to lock the spool when the bait hits the water, just in case something grabs the bait while it is falling in shallow water. Given that your not using a reel with a flipping switch. Also i am terrible when i try to pitch with my left hand, i have practiced and practiced still no dice!

i'm right handed but always reel with my left holding the rod in my stronger arm, only thing is i have trouble finding leftys without level winds...

I learned with a right handed reel and I have to many of them to switch. If I were just starting out I'd use left handed (I'm right handed).

Ditto on rudapa's comment....too many reels to switch now.....funny though, I do reel with my left hand with spinning gear...

My son is six and right handed. I thought I would help him out and silently train him to reel lefty. I switched his handles over and took him trout fishing and he refused to use them when it came time to reel in a fish. He would give it a try then hand it to me. I can't do it either and my left arm gets cramps when reeling in a fish. Is it really worth the trouble?

+1 on that!!

Left hand reeling is the ticket...you wont regret it...I learned in the Northwest fishing steelhead and also guided in Alaska..Not having to switch hands makes so much sense...I will never go back to right hand reeling

left hand right hand just fish lol