I can't believe I'm asking this question after 50 years of fishing. I'm right handed, so I buy a right handed reel. I cast right handed then I switch the rod to my left hand to hold while I reel in with my right hand.

Now about 2 years ago, I went with a guide that told me that as soon as my spinnerbait hits the water, I need to be reeling in. As I did it, he said I was too slow and I need to start using a left handed reel so that when I cast with my right hand, the reel is on the left and I can immediately reel it in when the spinnerbait hits the water.
So as I thought about it, it makes sense to me so I bought a left handed reel and it works very well.
Does anyone do this? Why didn't we learn this years ago?

I'm right handed and have always used left handed reels. By the way, I'm 61 and have been fishing all my life. Switching to left hand reels will also improve your flipping and pitching.

My buddy does the same thing as you. I am left handed and use right hand reels which makes more since to me. Go Figure.

I'm right handed and have had 2 left handed reels used them for about a month and sold them I didn't have confidence in getting a big fish in on them. I jus switch hands whil my bait is in the air if I need to reel as soon as it hits the water

I tried getting a left handed reel after hearing some of yall say this, and I can't turn the handle for nothing. I look like a kindergartner trying to do calculus.

I am left handed and use right handed reels. In the beginning it was because I used my dad's reels and they were all right handed.

I eventually handled a lefty reel in the store and didn't like it.

It was not until later that I realized the advantages of a righty reel for a lefty.

What's funny is, when I am using a spinning reel, I still have to reel with my right hand, can't do it with my left. So in that case, I use a left handed reel.

Because you are not as quick as FZ1. I had a Mitchell 308 as a kid so I learned to crank with my left hand. When I "grew up" and reentered Bass Fishing,the left handed reels just seemed more logical.

I'm the same way. I'm left-handed and grew up using right handed reels. I always have to switch my spinning and fly reels to reel with the right. That is about the only thing I can do with my right hand.

I grew up using right handled reels all my life. Then after a few elbow problems about 5 years ago, i started changing over to left handed reels.
Without a doubt the best thing I have done in a long time. Its so much more natural now, and a lot more efficient.

I was throwing spinning stuff for most of my life so when I decided to try bait casting I bought a lefty reel (I'm a lefty). It made no sense. So now I use righty reels and it feels perfectly natural.

I don't know where I heard it, maybe here, but I guess before bait casters had all the magnets and automatic braking it made sense and people just got use to it.

When I was little I started with spinning reels. When I moved up to baitcasters I could not get used to right handed. I went left and never looked back. Don't have to switch hands. Dominate arm on the hook sets and controling rod with a fish on. I truely think most people have it backwards. You don't have as good a selection in reels but most of the good stuff comes in either.

I cast with the right hand and reel with the left regardlees of the type of reel I use. Works great for me and no one picks up my rods by "mistake."

I am right handed and as a kid started with Zebco's(right) then went spinning(left) then to left handed bait cast. Now I can use either left or right without thinking about it. Still cast right handed for the most part. Lefty reels are the only way to cast buzz baits so the blade is turning the second the lure touches water. When doing a lot of chunkin-n-windin it sure is a relief to be able to switch off left and right.

I think what I do different that messes me up is when I cast (holdling the reel in my right hand) I have the trigger between my middle and ring finger. Then about halfway through the cast, I begin to switch hands, and once my left hand is on the reel, I hold it with the trigger between my ring and pinkie of my left hand.

So then, if I'm using a left handed reel, with no swapping, I have to slide my hand up the reel one "finger" worth, and it just doesn't work.

I changed over to left handed reels about 15 years ago after using a spinning reel and realizing it was easier than changing hands after I cast, also I realized I had more sensitivity with the rod in my right hand being my dominant side and I also feel I get better hook sets, when my kids started fishing I taught them with my lefty's so they dont know anything different, in fact they are starting to kick my butt these days, maybe I should get them some right handers lol