Rockcod setup

I use Trevala rods paired with Abu Garcia Revo Toro 50"s and 60's. I have the old silver models not the newer NaCl's. Bought all my reels used and have never had a problem with them. 24lbs. max drag too!

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewabugarcia2009reelspre.html

Why lefties?

I used righties as a kid. I bought two nice reels in right hand just before I heard a reccomendation for lefties. I net my fish on the left side of my kayak which makes it more natural using a lefty reel. If you're ready to net the fish and it starts another run you can grab the handle on the reel without switching the pole into your left hand. I've come to prefer lefties. However when I'm fishng with two poles it can be nice to have one of each. When I pick up the pole on the left I grab a handle on the left. When I pick up the pole on the right it feels better with a handle on the right.

Why lefties?

I used righties as a kid. I bought two nice reels in right hand just before I heard a reccomendation for lefties. I net my fish on the left side of my kayak which makes it more natural using a lefty reel. If you're ready to net the fish and it starts another run you can grab the handle on the reel without switching the pole into your left hand. I've come to prefer lefties. However when I'm fishng with two poles it can be nice to have one of each. When I pick up the pole on the left I grab a handle on the left. When I pick up the pole on the right it feels better with a handle on the right.

I love that explanation because it explains how I intuitively am learning how I work on my kayak.  It is interesting to recognize a favored position for ergonomic fish handling.

Why lefties?

Why righty? 

My left hand works goofy. (Right handed)

My left hand works goofy. (Right handed)

I am right handed also.  Like I said, my right hand and arm are my strong side and my left is my weak side.  Cranking is easier with my weak side.  I can turn a fish around with my mighty right arm and my wimpy goofy left hand picks up the slack.  Do you have a right handed conventional reel?

My left hand works goofy. (Right handed)

The thing that I dislike the most with my lefty reel is when I get a backlash. After clearing it I have slack line I need to reel in. First I hold the line to put tension on it as I reel it in. For some reason grabbing the line and pole with my right hand (I'm right handed) feels clumsy and more difficult to do. For some reason holding the pole while squeezing the line feels more comfortable doing it with my left hand.

I was replying to the 'why righty' question.  I have used many conventional reels and righty just feels 'right'.  Though with a spinning reel righty also feels 'right' reeling with the left.  I suppose that's why the manufactures name them as such.  But I have heard many on this site say they prefer a lefty conventional reel.  I was curious why and am glad I asked because I have found the responses interesting.  And I must admit that I am yet to catch a really BIG fish on a kayak.

I was replying to the 'why righty' question.  I have used many conventional reels and righty just feels 'right'.  Though with a spinning reel righty also feels 'right' reeling with the left.  I suppose that's why the manufactures name them as such.  But I have heard many on this site say they prefer a lefty conventional reel.  I was curious why and am glad I asked because I have found the responses interesting.  And I must admit that I am yet to catch a really BIG fish on a kayak.

i don't like switching hands when i cast. it seems less efficient.  i use my right arm to cast, then start cranking with my left hand.  it makes a lot of sense once you get used to it. plus everyone who has ever used a spinning reel has had a left handed crank, its really no different except the reel is facing you.  also, i'm right handed and my right hand is a lot stronger than my left, so i much prefer the leverage on the fish when i'm fighting them.

I was replying to the 'why righty' question.  I have used many conventional reels and righty just feels 'right'.  Though with a spinning reel righty also feels 'right' reeling with the left.  I suppose that's why the manufactures name them as such.  But I have heard many on this site say they prefer a lefty conventional reel.  I was curious why and am glad I asked because I have found the responses interesting.  And I must admit that I am yet to catch a really BIG fish on a kayak.

i don't like switching hands when i cast. it seems less efficient.  i use my right arm to cast, then start cranking with my left hand.  it makes a lot of sense once you get used to it. plus everyone who has ever used a spinning reel has had a left handed crank, its really no different except the reel is facing you.  also, i'm right handed and my right hand is a lot stronger than my left, so i much prefer the leverage on the fish when i'm fighting them.

Yes this too. When you're throwing a sinking lure it helps to be able to start cranking without switching hands. Plus switching back and forth for every cast. This is another case where I started my kayak fishing with right handed reels and now only use lefties.

My left hand works goofy. (Right handed)

I am right handed also.  Like I said, my right hand and arm are my strong side and my left is my weak side.  Cranking is easier with my weak side.  I can turn a fish around with my mighty right arm and my wimpy goofy left hand picks up the slack.  Do you have a right handed conventional reel?

This is my exact reason as well.  The arm holding the rod tends to tire faster than the one reeling, and I may be ok with right hand reels for a few minutes but fighting large fish for extended period of time, the fish kicks my ass.       I've given the right hand reel thing a try enough times and I just can't do it haha. 

Back to the reel suggestions, I don't think you can go wrong with an Okuma coldwater low profile. I love love love mine.
https://www.amazon.com/Okuma-Coldwater-Linecounter-Right-Hand/dp/B00LDYIS88/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474365920&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=okuma%2Bcoldwater%2Blow%2Bpro%2Blinecounter%2Breel&th=1

Back to the reel suggestions, I don't think you can go wrong with an Okuma coldwater low profile. I love love love mine.
https://www.amazon.com/Okuma-Coldwater-Linecounter-Right-Hand/dp/B00LDYIS88/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474365920&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=okuma%2Bcoldwater%2Blow%2Bpro%2Blinecounter%2Breel&th=1

+1 Love

I know old thread but in the market for new reel. Conventional reel. Hated the Cardiff  .
Looking for some recommendations from personal experience.  No more that $200.
Mainly rockcod jigging .
Heard great things about Avet and abu.
Even willing to buy used too.
Thanks for input.

What did you hate about the Cardiff? Might help us make suggestions.

Yes, they did have side plate issues on some reels for a short period, but that has been resolved. (I had two replaced replaced by Shimano for that issue a couple years ago, and they're still going strong).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've had my cardiff 301 for about 6-7 years now.  I used to throw big heavy swimbaits for bass/stripers with it then it became my backup RF/ling reel.  Has been used in the ocean a good amount of times including a few times it was completely dunked in the ocean.  This thing is still running strong and smooth as ever after my last service!  Maybe I got lucky?