Lefty Baitcasting Reels?

Wondering how many of you out there use lefty baitcasting reels? Reason I ask is I just got the following response back from a Mr. Dave Brown regarding the availability of the new Serrano reel in a left handed version.

Hello Justin,



Believe me, we wanted a left version as well. The cost of creating the molds very much outweighed how many we would sell. It just didn’t make sense in that platform. I spoke with our product development guy and he told me that none of the new models will have the Corrosion X bath like the Serrano does. Very unfortunate and I know we are missing the mark a little. At least for this year we will not have that available. The left hand market is huge in the North West for the steelhead guys, and starting to take off a bit for the rest of the country.



Anyhow, I know its not the news you wanted to hear, but that is kind of where we stand.


Dave





___________________________

Dave Brown

Regional Sales Manager

Okuma Fishing Tackle

Tiburon Engineering

Pakula Tackle

2310 E. Locust Court

Ontario, CA 91761

Office: 909-923-2828 x 127

Fax: 909-923-2909

"Dave Brown" dave@okumafishing.com



Now Dave seems to be a nice fella, and it appears he understands the needs of his customer. The higher ups at Okuma just don't get it.

I own several Okuma reels and for the money I would say the Okuma Epixor spinning reel as at least the equal of the Shimano Sedona if not the Symetre.

Reckon what I'm saying is, we need to let these manufacturers know that making left handed models is not a losing proposition. A lot of righties out there fish with the left handed models. More and more righties are figuring out that it's more efficient to cast with your right and reel with your left, thus eliminating the whole swap hand maneuver.

Plus, I REALLY WANTED TO GET MY HANDS ON A LEFT HANDED SERRANO!

I own three baitacasters, 2 Citicas and 1 Curado and 2 spinning reels both Sahara's. I am right handed and all my reels handles are lefties. I switched from right retrieve to left retrieve and have found I have reduced my fatigue factor significantly. I know it's not for everyone but, it sure works for me.

Yeah, I wanted to get a budget backup combo with one of the H20 mettle reels and a berkley shock rod, but they don't make a lefty mettle. Oh well, I'll wait and build the fishing budget up a little for maybe a Revo S or Citica. When I switched a few years ago to LH retrieve on baitcasters I wanted to kick myself for not doing it sooner. Makes a lot more sense to me now.

I'm a right handed guy and use lefty's only. I really don't even understand why people use right handed ones if you are right handed? Guess the just grew up using right handed?

All of my Shimano's are left-handed...Curado 201, 101...tried "learning" to crank the handle with my right hand but it was just too awkward...:)

Still have a few righty's left, but 90% of my reels are lefties. I am right handed. Several companies have lost sales from me due to not having a reel I wanted in left-hand retrieve.
Pflueger President (not the wide spool version)
Shimano Curado low gear ratio 5:1
Shimano Calais 100A (I had to buy the Japan market Antares AR instead)
BPS Carbonlite
Okuma
and many more.

I can actually fish both righty and lefty fairly well. But given the option, I'll buy a lefty over a righty even though I'm right handed. 25 years ago I happened across a close out sale at and old Howard's Discount store in Baton Rouge, LA. There in the case they had Shimano BMP251 Bantam Classic. At the time I wouldn't have been able to afford such a nice reel but they had cut 75% off the retail price 'cause it was a lefty. I snatched it up and proudly stuck it on a pistol gripped Lew's Speed Stick. I figured for that price I could just deal with the lefty issue. That simple puchase was an epiphany for me as I discovered that the left handed reels just felt more natural to me. It set me on a quest for more left handed reels. Up until recently Shimano and Abu have been the best sources. Okuma has really impressed me with their spinning reels. The quality and cost of the Epixor line of reels has swayed me from the Shimano Sedona and Symetre. I still have my Curado's and even that old BMP251, but I figured if Okuma could hit the mark so well on the Epixors, why couldn't they do it with the Serrano. I don't have an unlimited budget so I try to spend my money wisely. But for the lack of a Serrano in a left handed model, and given it's reviews, I think think the Serrano would give the Curado a run for it's money in the saltwater world. Just my .02!

Many years ago I bought a Shimano Bantam100 left hand,I'm right handed so at first I thought it's a good Idea until fighting the fish,holding the rod at handle is too heavy,it's much stronger and more comfort to hold at the reel or about that with left hand and lean the handle to belly.That time most rods have pistol handle,not long handle like now