Why Is the Handle of a Spinning Reel on the Left Side by Default????!!!!

[latenight58]

I’ve fished since the mid 1960s with both conventional and spinning reels.  I’m right-handed.  A majority of the world is right-handed.  If you are right-handed, you have more dexterity in that hand for cranking the reel.  You don’t need any dexterity in your left hand to simply hold onto the rod.    Yet, despite that right-handed conventional reels have the cranking handle on the right side, spinning reels by default have the handle on the left side.  [And yes, I changed the handle side to all of my spinners.]

[Fishjerk]

Not sure why manufactures do it, but if you are right handed, you should be reeling with your left hand IMO especially when using a spinning reel. Because your right hand has greater strength and dexterity, it is the one you should be casting and holding the rod with. Reeling does not take strength or dexterity and you will not need to switch your rod between hands to start reeling. Spinning reels are not designed for winching fish in and most of the fighting is done with the rod, so it makes sense to use your dominant hand. 

 

One andvantage to most spinning reels is the  ability to swap the handle. I’m not sure where the issue lies, if you don’t like the handle on the left, it only takes seconds to switch it then your done. 

[ermghoti]

You don't need any dexterity to turn the handle, but you do need to cast right handed. Left hand retrieve means you don't change your hand position after a cast. I'm right handed, I buy left retrieve conventional reels when available.

 

Only exception is heavy rigs, where you want the stronger arm running the crank.

[Jon I]

I think working bucktails and pencils takes more dexterity than moving your reeling hand in a circle. I always get left hand retrieve conventional. 

[JoeyZac]

Makes you wonder why conventionals have the handle on the right side.  I'd much rather fight a tuna with the rod in my right hand (the stronger arm), and simply turn the handle with the Left.

[Chemikillz]

[kc74]

i replied to a post similar to this as someone else did before me  .i am right handed . started using spinning reels when young . 20 years later bought a small boat with conventional reels and rods on board, including some penn squidders. used them to cast to pogy schools and snag for bait. loved casting with them.   i had no problem going from casting a spinning to a conventional after learning curve for casting conventional.never thought about it  till reading these posts. i just held both type of rods and as if to cast. my right finger is holding line on spinning rod when casting. my right thumb on line with conventional when casting.it seems normal to me ,but i can see if it is not a every day thing it could be confusing.someone who knows how to use big words might be able to answer this question

 

 

[gellfex]

I'm with the camp wondering why conventionals for righties have the crank on the right when most will cast with their right and then switch. Seems like madness, but then I grew up using spinners. My "dumb" hand can crank just fine.

[TLap21]

I'd much rather fight the fish with the rod in my dominant hand than off hand.  Simply reeling is better suited for your non-dominant hand, imo. 

[MikedNJ]

My buddy is lefty and only uses left hand retrieve spinners. Grew up using his dads stuff and never switched back. He casts both lefty and righty but retrieves left handed. 

[55555s]

13 hours ago, latenight58 said:

I’ve fished since the mid 1960s with both conventional and spinning reels.  I’m right-handed.  A majority of the world is right-handed.  If you are right-handed, you have more dexterity in that hand for cranking the reel.  You don’t need any dexterity in your left hand to simply hold onto the rod.    Yet, despite that right-handed conventional reels have the cranking handle on the right side, spinning reels by default have the handle on the left side.  [And yes, I changed the handle side to all of my spinners.]

 

By simple virtue that a right handed person will have invcreased dexterity for Holding and releasing line while casting a spinner.  

[piscesman]

With the reel mounted on the pole and hanging under it and the handle is on the left side it is considered a right-handed reel. Even though you are cranking with your left hand. The way the manufactures see it 90+ % of the population are considered right handed and would be holding the pole in their right hand for the reasons mentioned here. That is why the spinning reels are shipped with the handle on the left side. LateNight58, if you are cranking the spinning reel with your right hand you are considered left handed. As far as level wind reels I don't know. Hope this helps...........

      Kim

[drmevo]

19 hours ago, gellfex said:

I'm with the camp wondering why conventionals for righties have the crank on the right when most will cast with their right and then switch. Seems like madness, but then I grew up using spinners. My "dumb" hand can crank just fine.

Same here...it’s like cutting steak with your right hand and then putting the knife down and moving the fork to your right hand to eat it. 

[SuperSix]

The handle on a spinning reel is on the Left side by default because most people are right handed. If that doesn't make any sense to anyone, than I regret to inform that you're using the rod incorrectly.

 

Right-handed anglers must use reels with the handle on the left , to be operated by the left hand. This is because that with spinning rods, fly rods, and small conventional rods/reels, you fight the fish with the rod, not with the reel.

I think that deserves a bit more....YOU FIGHT THE FISH WITH THE ROD, NOT WITH THE REEL!!!!!

 

Therefore, if you are right handed, the rod is always in your right hand. You fight the fish by lifting the rod, and then using the reel only to pick up the slack ( basically lifting the fish with the rod, and then reeling until the rod tip is down again ) Never ever just sit there cranking on your reel to bring in the fish as if you were cranking down on a Marlin with a giant Penn International. 

[woodbutcher]

just a guess for what it's worth- the first fishing reels were conventional knuckle buster designs. im right handed and i'd prefer to work such a contraption with my right hand. antireverse and drags came later and at that point the manufacturers didnt want to buck established convention.