Left or Right Hand trolling reel

Hey there,

I saw bunch of topics here on reel selection (which I read all , but this is a bit different angle.

I'm right-handed.

Almost all of my experience is with "right-handed" spinning reels (reel with left hand). So, when I started playing with baitcasting reels some time ago it seemed very natural to continue reeling with left hand (i.e. with 'left handed baitcasting reel)), and there are plenty of options these days.

Now, I'm absolutely new to trolling reels and ocean/kayak fishing, and learning it from the scratch. It seems that all (most?) trolling reels are right handed. Options I see are:
1) go with the flow and learn right-handed  trolling reel
2) use baitcasting reel (like Lexa)
3) keep searching for left-handed trolling reel

I can see pros and cons in all these approached, and of course it's all matter of personal choice,  just thought maybe somebody has already been in similar situation, or just have strong opinion. And I'm likely missing something too

Thanks!

We did this thread a couple months ago

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=63317.0

Cliffs:

Lots of us righties go lefty with conventional reels, me included.

I was in the same boat as you: grew up with spinning reels and am accustomed to the crank being on the left side of the reel.  When someone hands me a conventional with the crank on the right side, I feel like a right-handed person trying to write with their left hand.  So instead of acclimating to using a crank on the right side (and potentially losing fish in the process), I went for a Penn Squall left-handed conventional.  It works great.  If you're looking for a saltwater lefty conventional, check em out.

Thanks!

I went for a Penn Squall left-handed conventional.  It works great.  If you're looking for a saltwater lefty conventional, check em out.

I just picked one of these up to set up a new Salmon rod.  I really like it.  I can only use left handed crank now due to injuries to my right arm, shoulder and hand. 

I like the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6801 lefty.

I love my Avets and all their reels are available in left hand. +1 on the Penn squall, I also have a Penn GT321 that you see on a number of charter boats. Abu Garcia (as mentioned), Tica and Okuma offer lefties, and for linecounters check out the Daiwa Sealine series.

Thanks!

Im right handed as well, when i started fishing, i always thought reeling with left was kindda wierd, but got used to it. I do a lot of cast and retrieve fishing, and it kindda tires out one arm if you are reeling all day. After trying out conventional tackle, ive found it very practical. I would bring both kinds of setups to use, and switch it up so i don't wear out one arm, especially when on the ocean and i have to constantly reel in my line. 100ft is a lot of line to reel and with heavy tackle it wears you out quick.  I got used to it pretty quick, but everyone is different. I suggest try it out with a cheap setup, see if you like it.

I use spinning reels with the left side and convention reels on the right side.  Any other way doesn't feel right.

Try one of each conventional Left hand reel on right side of boat and right hand reel on left / port side. Reeling hand is therefore always to the center of the boat. Better balance that way

Keeping both setups (for better kayak balance and to fight fatigue) are great points, thanks.

I was also wondering if reeling with non-dominant hand will make it harder to land a huge fish, but since nobody mentioned it seems it's not an issue

Keeping both setups (for better kayak balance and to fight fatigue) are great points, thanks.

I was also wondering if reeling with non-dominant hand will make it harder to land a huge fish, but since nobody mentioned it seems it's not an issue

Which side of your yak do you net your fish on? It was suggested if you net your fish on the left it is easier with a left handed reel. If the fish runs just as you go to net it you can drop the net from your left hand and reel in line without switching the rod over to your left hand and then back again when you are ready to net again. I just started using left handed reels, but I see an advantage to lefty on the left side and righty on the right side when fishing two poles. It just feels better to me when grabbing up the pole to set the hook.

Yep, good point. I tend to fish on a left side.

So now we are 'net in left hand' vs. 'reeling hand in center' conflict - unless you switch hands again just before netting (which, I assume, people who reel with right hand do?)

Maybe I'm just slightly ambidextrous but I never find any difficulty netting with the left hand. I find it easier to control the fish if I have the Rod in my right hand while netting.