First off, some background on my fishing. I have always been a spinning reel user all my life, never really used a bait casting reel until this year. I have even raised my kiddos to use spinning reels.

Here is the story. I just recently had nearly all of my rods/reels and tackle stolen in the night by some stealthy ninjas, so I decided to grow up and start using bait casters for the bulk of my reels. I am looking to replace my catfish and bass reels, and I'll keep using spinning reels for small fish like sunfish and crappie.

Here is my issue. I have always held my rod with my right hand, reeled the spinning reel with my left, and I guess my muscles and nerves are 'tuned' to doing this. I cannot get used to casting with my left hand (not much of an issue, just cast right handed) but holding the rod in my left hand and reeling with the right just feels... wrong. I tried this weekend to use a couple new bait casting rod/reels, and was getting odd cramps in my hands and arms in places I haven't before using spinning setups, I assume because I'm using muscles on the opposite side (left vs right). Not only that, but it felt totally wrong, like I was trying to write with the wrong hand. And before anyone asks, I am right handed.

So here is the question. Should I try to buy left handed reels to keep my rod/reel/hand placement comfortable? I'm sure this will be expensive, as I haven't seen many 'off the shelf' lefties and they would probably need to be ordered. Or should I go ahead with normal (right hand) reels and basically "relearn" my hands, arms and body to get used to doing it all backwards?

Which would you do?

Do whatever is comfortable for you. I'm left-handed - I cast with my left hand and retrieve with my right so there is no changing hands after the cast. This applies to both spinning and baitcasting reels. It just feels natural to me.

I am right handed and recently switched to baitcasters (an ongoing process)from being predominately a spinning reel user. I initially tried right handed reels but it really felt awkward to switch hands at the end of a cast and reel with my right hand. I finally decided to try left hand retrieve baitcasters and it has made a world of difference. My experience may be different from others but, I wish I had gone with left hand retrieves at the start-up of my conversion. BTW I swithched to Curado and Citicas both the 201 series.

Absolutely go left handed. Not having to change hands when casting is a huge advantage. This is especially true when flipping or pitching jigs and worms. My wife and son are naturally left handed and they fish right handed equipment which causes some confusion and way to many rods in the boat!

If you're right-handed and you've used spinning gear and predominately cast with your right and retrieved with your left, then by all means get a left-handed baitcaster. Like Chipman said-not changing hands when casting is a huge advantage.

I fished most of my life with spincast reels, and being right-handed, always felt awkward. Then I started fishing with a buddies spinning outfit, and not wanting to change his setup, got used to left-hand retrieve, and eventually transition over to baitcasters. Sure has made using 'em easier to fish, thus more enjoyable.

Sure,man.Only way to fly.

I would go with the left handed reels.I believe they're not anymore expensive than the others.More left handed people today.Go with what feels right(no pun intended)

Well, I called the local Academy to see what left handed reels they had in stock, and was given four models, the lowest price being the Pinnacle that is currently on sale for $39.99. Drove the 30 minutes to get there, only to be told they don't carry them, and that they have no clue who told me they did. I wasn't a happy camper. I guess I'll make the hour+ trip to BassPro in Shreveport, I'm sure they have 'em.

Anyways, thanks for the advice guys. I'm going to get a leftie bait cast just to see how it goes.

You can order reels on line and skip the long drives....

Don't make the same mistake so many have (I did) and get the cheapest reel. You will find that the lower priced reels, unless you are an accomplished baitcaster, will frustrate you to no end and you could well give up trying to convert.
Try e-bay which is where I bought my reels for considerably less than retail. Another plus to buying a more "pricey" reel is that you can sell them quicker than you can a cheap reel.

each to his own

I grew up fishing when all casting reels were right handed all fly reels were right handed and most spinning reels left handed or maybe convertable

I have never failed to hook up or land a fish due to switching hands, and cranking with the right, maybe Im old school but sometimes I wonder how anybody ever did anything back in the bad old days before your car would park itself and the McDonalds cash registers had images of burgers and fries to push...

JustJ, I hear you man I am 60+. However, if there is anway I can reduce the stress and strain on the "old joints" so I can fish longer is okay in my book.

I'm glad you lived back then when you had no choice in what gear to buy and are happy with that sir, I, on the other hand, live in a time where I have choices to buy what I want. Considering some thief stole nearly all of our (my kids and I) fishing gear and I have to buy all of it again, why not consider buying something that I can be comfortable fishing with?

I really didn't figure I would get "I walked up hill both ways in the snow barefooted just to go fishing" post, but I guess you get all types. By the way, I've never worked at McD's and don't drive a car that parks itself, I have a '70 Jeep and a '71 Mustang, and neither even has power steering or power brakes. Neither of my boats (a '61 flat bottom and a '60 semi-vee) have an electric starter, and I just bought my first depth finder last year, I did it the ol' fashioned way before that. Sooo, to close it up, I'm not some spoiled kid, so maybe you shouldn't assume so.

You made the right call to go lefty. FZ1 fishes only left handed reels.

each too his own I said