Lefty needs advice

[lea_red]

Hi All,

I'm new to saltwater fishing and researching a rod/reel to purchase.  I'm a lefty so I've come across some limitations there.  I'm looking at the Avet MXL 5.8 MC reel (one of the only ones I found that has a true lefty set-up) and looking for a compatible rod that won't break the bank.  I want to get on some of the sponsor boats this year (live in northern NJ) for some striper.   

Some rods I'm checking out are the Penn Carnage, Seeker rods, and some Shimano at the 6 1/2-7ft size, as light as possible (I don't want my arm to fall off just waiting for a fish).  Closer to the $100 range, the better.

Any advice/recommendations on a solid outfit would be much appreciated.

Tight Lines.

[Andys Delight]

Hmmm, I'm lefty and would rather reel with my right hand so my stronger hand is holding the rod.  Avet makes a left handed crank model as you've mentioned, I know Penn does as well. 

[BigAl13]

So does Abu

[Hunter 2]

Daiwa does too.  Rod selection depends on the species you want to target. Most anglers have at least 2 rods. One for inshore shallow water fishing and another with more backbone for deeper water 60' plus and requires more weight to hold bottom. If you can only buy one,, get the heavier rod because you can use it for everything but it has less feeling. I'm a big fan of the St.Croix Premier in 7' . It will cost you more though but has great customer service.

[lea_red]

Thanks, all.  I will look into the rod you mentioned Hunter.  @Andy's Delight-us lefties are a weird bunch.     So used to doing things right-handed sometimes that I like some things better right-handed and some things left-handed.  I reel with my left-hand with my spinner and my right for my fly rod.  Go figure.

[fellinger]

Plenty of great sponsor boats here, especially up North. Take a look in the sponsor section.

[lea_red]

Thanks, Fellinger.  Always nice to have discounts for us 'chicks'!  Keep it comin' boys! 

[blynch]

I am a right handed and I prefer to reel with my left .  I love my AVET MXL, I have it paired with a 7' barefoot (not being made anymore i'm afraid).  If you want a rod with faster action (like the shimanos or the st croix), check out the tsunami airwave boat rod. I've never had good experiences with Penn rods, but don't let me talk you out of one if you really like it.

[BigAl13]

Thanks, all.  I will look into the rod you mentioned Hunter.  @Andy's Delight-us lefties are a weird bunch.     So used to doing things right-handed sometimes that I like some things better right-handed and some things left-handed.  I reel with my left-hand with my spinner and my right for my fly rod.  Go figure.

you most likely do that because you can fly reels are hard to find in lefty, Im right handed but reel with my left. If i were lefty id reel with my right it makes more sense to me to hold the rod where you need more strength which for me is my right hand

[SurfJockey]

Lefty = Right hand retrieve.

[Andys Delight]

Lefty = Right hand retrieve.

On a spinning rod.  Most conventionals have right hand retrieve, with left handed retrieve being considered "left handed".  I learned to reel with my right hand just because you have more selection. 

[IrishAyes]

Ok all you righties, question. If you crank your conventional with your right hand...why the heck do you crank your spinning with your LEFT hand?!?!?!?! That one never made sense to me.   

I am leftie and use my right hand to crank both conventional and spinning. My left side is my power side so I have more control over the rod when I am fighting a fish by having the rod in my left hand.

[wb]

I just switched over my spinner to RH crank- feels weird. I'll work with it so eventually I'll be ambifishtrous  

or is it ambicrankstrous?

[BigAl13]

I just switched over my spinner to RH crank- feels weird. I'll work with it so eventually I'll be ambifishtrous  

or is it ambicrankstrous?

either one good with me

And Joe its because its hard to find conventional reels in lefty thats why i have avets

[lea_red]

Yup, that's what I discovered Andys.  I think you have to be careful of how they describe it.  Lefty 'retrieve' is cranking with your left hand.  My spin reel is a righty so I crank with my left hand.  With my fly rod, I mistakenly ordered the Lefty, thinking it was a left handed retrieve but it ended up being a left-handed rod hold and a right-hand crank. This can be very confusing.   

I discovered how irritating being a lefty could be when I went deep sea fishing for marlin in Mexico.  No lefty reels on the boat and we hooked into a good size marlin.  I could barely crank the lever.  I ended up quickly breaking the line and breaking my heart in the process. 

I just ordered the Avet MXL with a lefty retrieve.  Looking forward to trying it out this season!

[BigAl13]

Yup, that's what I discovered Andys.  I think you have to be careful of how they describe it.  Lefty 'retrieve' is cranking with your left hand.  My spin reel is a righty so I crank with my left hand.  With my fly rod, I mistakenly ordered the Lefty, thinking it was a left handed retrieve but it ended up being a left-handed rod hold and a right-hand crank. This can be very confusing.   

I discovered how irritating being a lefty could be
when I went deep sea fishing for marlin in Mexico.  No lefty reels on the boat and we hooked into a good size marlin.  I could barely crank the lever.  I ended up quickly breaking the line and breaking my heart in the process. 

I just ordered the Avet MXL with a lefty retrieve.  Looking forward to trying it out this season!

thats a nice reel

[Hunter 2]

Great choice with the Avet.         Make sure you get a lefty rod and line.        Lol   Good luck with everything, all advice is free here

[lea_red]

Ha ha.  Thanks, Hunter 2.  I'll post a report next time I go out.  Thanks for all the info, everyone!   

[Wreckfish]

Great choice with the Avet.         Make sure you get a lefty rod and line.        Lol   Good luck with everything, all advice is free here

Hey Hunter, If he does all that then he'll need left handed hooks too and might as well learn to tie left handed knots!

[BigAl13]

speaking ive this i have to buy a new lefty reel for my new rod. Thanks Phil