Does anyone run a spinning reel the wrong way?

[buckbrush]

I switched from a spincast to a spinning style reel about 20 years ago but have never been able to get the feel for having my reel hanging down. The wife and kids all use theirs the right way. I think part of the reason was, when switching to a spinning reel, I didn't know how it was supposed to go and assumed it was reel up like I ran the spincast.

Curious, does anyone else here take part in this fishing faux pas?

[HuyFishin]

uh oh..... You're one of the weirdos............:snapoutofit: haha

it doesnt feel awkward and top heavy to you? also every turn of the handles is going the wrong way.

https://i.ibb.co/6Y2SwJZ/ff68176ed7ef8fadea9e53c397a25aa4.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
do a photo search (https://imgbb.com/)

[huntsfurfish]

Do you turn it down to cast?:)

If you do, LEAVE IT THERE:);)

Actually, do what ever feels right for you.;):)

[Pikeonafly]

I switched from a spincast to a spinning style reel about 20 years ago but have never been able to get the feel for having my reel hanging down. The wife and kids all use theirs the right way. I think part of the reason was, when switching to a spinning reel, I didn't know how it was supposed to go and assumed it was reel up like I ran the spincast.

Curious, does anyone else here take part in this fishing faux pas?
What is this madness?

[58thecat]

Your alright....I do everything the wrong way but it's my way so it's the right way.....but ya gotta be careful you might offend someone along the way nowadays:)

I just sit back and enjoy the show....

[elkhunter11]

I find it entertaining to watch someone trying to fight a large fish with the reel sticking up . I know people that do this because they want to reel with their right hand, and they don't understand how easy it is to switch the handle to the other side.

[HuyFishin]

Rod back bone is also facing the wrong direction

[Smoky buck]

Must be from Newfoundland lol

[OL_JR]

I find it entertaining to watch someone trying to fight a large fish with the reel sticking up . I know people that do this because they want to reel with their right hand, and they don't understand how easy it is to switch the handle to the other side.

Bingo

[58thecat]

Rod back bone is also facing the wrong direction

it's called the front bone...:)

[ELECTRIC FISHER]

it's called the front bone...:)

HAHAHAHAHAHA Quote of the month!!

[pinelakeperch]

How does one "run" a spinning reel anyways? :sHa_sarcasticlol:

[HuyFishin]

holy S@#t LMAO

I Cant stop laughing at this thread.

[buckbrush]

I find it entertaining to watch someone trying to fight a large fish with the reel sticking up . I know people that do this because they want to reel with their right hand, and they don't understand how easy it is to switch the handle to the other side.

I've never had a problem with it but as a rule, I don't catch many big fish.
It's not an issue of not being able to figure out how to change the handle.

[Poppa]

Jesus, I thought I was f***ed for reeling with my right hand instead of left..... I didn't think anyone would admit to reeling with the reel "up"..... I feel better about myself. Ha ha.

[cranky]

I see Rikkles Fisher in his videos casts it upside down then flips it to fish.
Dont think he will mind my saying so. All advertising for his video after all.

[58thecat]

Jesus, I thought I was f***ed for reeling with my right hand instead of left..... I didn't think anyone would admit to reeling with the reel "up"..... I feel better about myself. Ha ha.

I reel both ways....:scared0018::sHa_sarcasticlol:

[bsmitty27]

My father always held his rod like that!

[EZM]

For some reason, this one really bothers me.

I can deal with all sorts of issues with what people do and how they live their lives, different religions, sexual preferences, races, political alignment, heck I even "live and let live" some of those "I identify as a furry" people ..... and I'm tolerant and try to be accepting. Everyone is different and that's cool ...........

HOWEVER

Holding a spinning reel up side down ........... now that's simply intolerable to me.

Don't now why ...... but it just is.

[Mayhem]

For some reason, this one really bothers me.

I can deal with all sorts of issues with what people do and how they live their lives, different religions, sexual preferences, races, political alignment, heck I even "live and let live" some of those "I identify as a furry" people ..... and I'm tolerant and try to be accepting. Everyone is different and that's cool ...........

HOWEVER

Holding a spinning reel up side down ........... now that's simply intolerable to me.

Don't now why ...... but it just is.

Had to laugh at your post...for me it's people who hold their ice rod like it's a pair of chopsticks, and then reel like mad cause they can't set the hook properly :lol:

Like you say, donno why but it drives me nuts.

I have honestly never witnessed someone "run" a spinning reel upside down tho.

[buckbrush]

Dang, feeling shame now. FYI studies show for every admitted reel miss-user there are ten reading this thread, wondering how to switch their handle over.

Starting to wonder which member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band used his reel the wrong way...

[raw outdoors]

My father in law reels like that and I cringe every time. I have to look away or it makes me twitch. Guess what. He always seem to have a rats nest also. I wonder why.

[Jigsalot]

For some reason, this one really bothers me.

I can deal with all sorts of issues with what people do and how they live their lives, different religions, sexual preferences, races, political alignment, heck I even "live and let live" some of those "I identify as a furry" people ..... and I'm tolerant and try to be accepting. Everyone is different and that's cool ...........

HOWEVER

Holding a spinning reel up side down ........... now that's simply intolerable to me.

Don't now why ...... but it just is.
Lol. That is hilarious. I am upside down and everybody is different. Hard to break a habit after 50 years I guess

[OL_JR]

it's called the front bone...:)

This is making me giggle...slow golf clap to you sir hehe.

[Kurt505]

Wow, I never realized.....

Now I feel guilty for arguing with you. It makes sense now.

[OL_JR]

Wow, I never realized.....

Now I feel guilty for arguing with you. It makes sense now.

Oh no need for that.

[HuyFishin]

I got an easy fix. Buy a baitcaster.

Problem solved! Now you're normal, Thank me later.

[Moosetalker]

Honestly when I see an actor operating it I blame the show's producer and chalk it up to the usual lake of reality in today's programing.

When I see someone doing it this way If its a child I will offer to help and teach the correct way.

Adults well like my little bro says Ya cannot teach a Heinz pickle anything.:budo:

Come to think of it the last person I saw doing this upon setting the hook bank fishing took of running away from the lake to land the fish too. Oh ya not a child either.

[Smoky buck]

Oddly enough no one else is owning up to the upside down spinning reel style

But I know they are out there I see them out fishing

[58thecat]

I got an easy fix. Buy a baitcaster.

Problem solved! Now you're normal, Thank me later.

Your grounded....go to your room....baitcaster....:sHa_sarcasticlol:

[buckbrush]

Wow, I never realized.....

Now I feel guilty for arguing with you. It makes sense now.

Just because I use a reel upside down doesn’t mean we are kin.

[58thecat]

Just because I use a reel upside down doesn’t mean we are kin.

but you have something in common.....


:thinking-006:

[Kurt505]

Just because I use a reel upside down doesn’t mean we are kin.

Thank you for verifying my last post. I feel guilty enough already, I’m not going pick on you anymore.

[graybeard]

Your alright....I do everything the wrong way but it's my way so it's the right way.....but ya gotta be careful you might offend someone along the way nowadays:)

I just sit back and enjoy the show....

This is a funny thread, because it reminds me of a guy I grew up with.

He never had the money to buy a fishing rod so like any kid he borrowed his dads fishing rod. Because he wound the line backwards to his dad, he did exactly as buckbrush', he put the reel facing up.....He just adapted.

Same story golfing. His dad hit right and my buddy hit left....Yes you guessed it he swung cross handed and to this day he still fishes with the reel up and swings cross handed and even did so playing baseball...

[nast70]

These must the same people that wear masks in the car alone.
It drives me a bit nuts when I see that. Someone mentioned seeing it on TV as well, I remember seeing that too, all I could think was 'how can this dumb*** know how to survive when he cant use a reel the right way?'

[58thecat]

This is a funny thread, because it reminds me of a guy I grew up with.

He never had the money to buy a fishing rod so like any kid he borrowed his dads fishing rod. Because he wound the line backwards to his dad, he did exactly as buckbrush', he put the reel facing up.....He just adapted.

Same story golfing. His dad hit right and my buddy hit left....Yes you guessed it he swung cross handed and to this day he still fishes with the reel up and swings cross handed and even did so playing baseball...

perfectly fine...if it works and your having fun carry on....people attempt to be typical or set...I prefer non-typical but even if you watch the typical person they don't even know that they are all different...non typicals….shhhh don't tell'em.:)

[Outbound]

First thing that comes to mind when I see someone with the spinning reel upside down is incompetence or newbie. It takes mere seconds to switch a reel handle to the opposite side and rods aren't designed to bend backwards. Nevermind how much the balance is off with a spinning reel held on top.

To each their own though. I won't let anyone use my gear incorrectly, but I really don't care what people do with their own stuff.

[buckbrush]

After seeing how many are triggered here, I've lost all desire to switch to "normal" this is way too entertaining.

I'm reminded of the time a guy I worked with walked into the bathroom while I was wiping my ass. He took one look at me and turned around. Then before shutting the door he says "You wipe while sitting down! What's wrong with you?"

Now this left me puzzled so I had to ask what he meant. Apparently he has always stood up to wipe and that's the way he was taught. I was confused by the mechanics and efficiency of that but I didn't try to get the guy to change his ways or follow him around trying to teach him the "proper" way. I just went on with my day.
It wasn't the way I do it but if it works for him, why should I worry?

[AndrewM]

Some people are always triggered. Check out the over scope thread. Lol We all have our own methods that we enjoy for various reasons. With that said the rod wouldn’t feel right to hold while reeling to me as I like the reel between my fingers in case I am not paying enough attention while fishing. (Kids)

[WayneChristie]

I got an easy fix. Buy a baitcaster.

Problem solved! Now you're normal, Thank me later.

left or right handed? :bad_boys_20:

[WayneChristie]

reel the way you feel comfortable. fish dont give a crap which way your reel is. and it gives the rest of us something to smile about. :fighting0074:

[pinelakeperch]

I don't care how someone uses their fishing reel, but I will say that the way the OP describes is normally a beginner's method. Then again, I've seen fairly experienced fishermen use a Zebco "push button" reel. To each their own.

I'm just perplexed at the usage of the word "run" on this forum :sHa_sarcasticlol:

[EZM]

After seeing how many are triggered here, I've lost all desire to switch to "normal" this is way too entertaining.

. I just went on with my day.

It wasn't the way I do it but if it works for him, why should I worry?

That's the best way to look at it ….. do your thing ….. what may bother someone else, as long as it doesn't hurt them, is your own business. Everyone has "things" they do that annoy others ….

I shoot a gun right handed, use a left handed bow.

I swing right in golf, but shoot left in hockey.

Can't explain why - but it works for me. This reel upside down thing works for you ….. so never mind the rest of us - we will get over it.

[Who Da Fisherman]

I don't care how someone uses their fishing reel, but I will say that the way the OP describes is normally a beginner's method. Then again, I've seen fairly experienced fishermen use a Zebco "push button" reel. To each their own.

I'm just perplexed at the usage of the word "run" on this forum :sHa_sarcasticlol:

I have over $1000 of rods and reels and I still use my little Zebco for perch.
WDF

[58thecat]

left or right handed? :bad_boys_20:

flip it over and turn that backbone into a front bone....or something like that...

[58thecat]

Some people are always triggered. Check out the over scope thread. Lol We all have our own methods that we enjoy for various reasons. With that said the rod wouldn’t feel right to hold while reeling to me as I like the reel between my fingers in case I am not paying enough attention while fishing. (Kids)

maybe most are over "reeled" for the application...throw in the fact that the rod has bones too....man I am learning things on this thread...if you seen my homemade pieced together rods people would just laugh and then the reels I throw on'em but I cant justify not using broken old things that are functional albeit not properly to the common modern angler...:)

[Bigwoodsman]

I've had a few people ask me where I got my right hand reels from... told them special order just go to the counter at your favorite fishing store and ask to order a right hand reel.

I did this once at Canadian Tire and I am sure the girl is still looking for a right hand diawa.

BW

[58thecat]

I've had a few people ask me where I got my right hand reels from... told them special order just go to the counter at your favorite fishing store and ask to order a right hand reel.

I did this once at Canadian Tire and I am sure the girl is still looking for a right hand diawa.

BW

oh and make sure the reel is calibrated prior to leaving the store for the game fish you wish to pursue...a bass calibrated reel will not catch walleye...there should be paperwork/sticker indicating this somewhere in the box or on the reel.....that is why anglers have so many reels/rods.:)

[Big Sky]

Right handed people generally reel with their left hand.

So..........

Unscrew and remove the handle. Insert it from the other side and tighten everything up.
Your rod and reel are now set up for left hand use. :happy0034:

https://i.postimg.cc/DZkkdF4h/spinning-reel.jpg

[elkhunter11]

Right handed people generally reel with their left hand.

So..........

Unscrew and remove the handle. Insert it from the other side and tighten everything up.
Your rod and reel are now set up for left hand use. :happy0034:

https://i.postimg.cc/DZkkdF4h/spinning-reel.jpg

I cast and retrieve with my right hand, just like I do with a spincast or bait casting reel. When you think about it, why would a person not do that with all three types of reels? But I do have a spinning reel below the rod , as it is designed to be used.

[Bigwoodsman]

I cast my spinning rods with my left hand and reel with my right.

I cast my fly rods with my right and and reel with my left.

BW

[Speckle55]

I do for all my fishing

haa haa to the nah Sayers

each to there own

still works

David:)

[EZM]

Right handed people generally reel with their left hand.

So..........

Unscrew and remove the handle. Insert it from the other side and tighten everything up.
Your rod and reel are now set up for left hand use. :happy0034:

https://i.postimg.cc/DZkkdF4h/spinning-reel.jpg

That's perfect ........... you ruined my idea - I was going to offer to "convert" his "wrong handed reels" into "right handed reels" and charge him 10 buck a pop ........

[Moosetalker]

Not meaning to denigrate anyone's gear preference or usage of such either.

First fishing kit I was gifted with at 8 yrs of age was a fine octagonal 9 foot split bamboo spinning rod and reel loaded with a bail full of robust 3lb test mono, huge size 16 and 18 snelled hooks with 1 lb test leaders destined to fool the wiliest Tench, Bream, and once in a while a German Brown trout from the local pay by hour marked on the bank numbered fishing spot.

Gave me many faithful years of service till at the ripe old age of 12 we emigrated from ye ol Blighty to this fantastic paradise for a budding outdoors-man such as myself called Alberta. This was my sole limited of one item that I was allowed to bring aboard the plane. Every other non clothing toy/keepsake collectable item was left/donated to cousins/family back there.

Once here It was as such demonstrated as being far too light for such huge North American species.
As upon our first family excursion in mid June 1969 Whitemud Park, once the North Sask river became fish able.
Having zero experience we managed to get hooked up to some leviathan of the deep, Perhaps even a sturgeon as it were no pike glimpsed from above as my Father and I chased it downstream.

Later that summer 1/2 cent per flyer cash from delivery of same bolstered by a bit extra from aiding the local milkman on his rounds.

I visited the awe inspiring sportsman's boutique known locally as the Whyte avenue Army and Navy. There I purchased a modern wonder a 6 ft unnamed Fiberglas Rod with a closed face spinning reel and 12lb test line veritable marvel. being as I had always been a right hand cast, reel left the set up was On sale as it was counter to the current populations cast left reel right.

This propitious saving allowed me the bonus upon recommendation of a friendly knowledgeable saleslady purchase of 6 Len Thompson spoons 2 Red devils 2 five of Diamonds both yellow and reds 2 Green frog patterns 2 bright Orange and Silver Hammered finish Wonderlures and a selection of wire leaders and a plastic flat tray box.

With this set up for the following 2 seasons. I did terrorize the resident population of Pike and even a few Whitefish and Goldeye from below the U.o.A campus to the old low level bridge.

Once my the family expanded its horizons and were able to trek to Jasper and many weekend trips to Northern lakes up Athabasca way with that rod I even caught my personal Best Northern pike coming in at over 26 lbs on a rusty scale that would read 7.5 lb with a 10 lb bag of potatoes hung on it on the evening of my 16th birthday in May of 1973.

Vivid in my mind is holding that fish by the gills with both hands its jaw level with my own and its tail flat on the ground at 16 I was exactly 1 inch shorter than my mothers 5'7" . I still remember the scream of profanity from my Dads friend when I broke a full bottle of beer {His Last in the boat I think} over its head so it wouldn't jump out of the boat.

Sadly that rod ended up broken in the spokes of my Bike that same summer once as we we moved to the north Side and I then needed a bike to access the river.

[Coiloil37]

I'm just perplexed at the usage of the word "run" on this forum :sHa_sarcasticlol:

It’s English. What’s confusing you about it?

[huntsfurfish]

It’s English. What’s confusing you about it?

Everyone on this thread is having a little fun with it. And you bring this?

:sHa_sarcasticlol::sHa_sarcasticlol::sHa_sarcastic lol:

[HuyFishin]

everytime I see people holding the reel upside down I always have this itch to walk over and educate them on how to use it properly lol

[hunterngather]

Haha. I grew up fishing the Red River near Lockport Manitoba. No shortage of people using this technique on the shores there.
Miss those channel cats.

[barbless]

So with the spinning reel facing up, that has to be right cause if it is under, then would it not be the upside down :bad_boys_20: I tried it facing up, don't work for me, seems like backwards reeling. Tried it down side left hand reeling, I'm right handed. Cast with both hands right or left, spinning and bait caster not fly rod. I do have one reel that I'm sure cannot switch handle to other side. Drives me nuts but my girlfriend likes it. I'm sure most here have it wrong anyways..... :thinking-006:you gotta get the right or the left hand rods. Then your reels will fit for your preference. :bad_boys_20: I have a few for which ever side of the boat I fish from

[roper1]

Awesome thread!! For 30 years I ran them that way, even bought casting rods with the hook so my finger felt right. One thing I enjoy about reel up, when trolling I can just undo the transmission & let the reel feed the line backwards when I want more depth. Fun to watch & relaxing to boot. Drive the boat into oncoming traffic, shorelines, pedestrians, etc, but still relaxing!

[Bushleague]

everytime I see people holding the reel upside down I always have this itch to walk over and educate them on how to use it properly lol

I recently developed a glitch in my right elbow, likely from beating the crap out of stuff with a 4lb one handed sledge on a regular basis. When my right elbow starts bothering me when I'm fishing I will often switch to casting and reeling with my left hand, the most easy way is to flip the rod over and use it "wrong" like all the ingrates I used to silently judge :sign0176:

[fishinisgood]

Not meaning to denigrate anyone's gear preference or usage of such either.

First fishing kit I was gifted with at 8 yrs of age was a fine octagonal 9 foot split bamboo spinning rod and reel loaded with a bail full of robust 3lb test mono, huge size 16 and 18 snelled hooks with 1 lb test leaders destined to fool the wiliest Tench, Bream, and once in a while a German Brown trout from the local pay by hour marked on the bank numbered fishing spot.

Gave me many faithful years of service till at the ripe old age of 12 we emigrated from ye ol Blighty to this fantastic paradise for a budding outdoors-man such as myself called Alberta. This was my sole limited of one item that I was allowed to bring aboard the plane. Every other non clothing toy/keepsake collectable item was left/donated to cousins/family back there.

Once here It was as such demonstrated as being far too light for such huge North American species.
As upon our first family excursion in mid June 1969 Whitemud Park, once the North Sask river became fish able.
Having zero experience we managed to get hooked up to some leviathan of the deep, Perhaps even a sturgeon as it were no pike glimpsed from above as my Father and I chased it downstream.

Later that summer 1/2 cent per flyer cash from delivery of same bolstered by a bit extra from aiding the local milkman on his rounds.

I visited the awe inspiring sportsman's boutique known locally as the Whyte avenue Army and Navy. There I purchased a modern wonder a 6 ft unnamed Fiberglas Rod with a closed face spinning reel and 12lb test line veritable marvel. being as I had always been a right hand cast, reel left the set up was On sale as it was counter to the current populations cast left reel right.

This propitious saving allowed me the bonus upon recommendation of a friendly knowledgeable saleslady purchase of 6 Len Thompson spoons 2 Red devils 2 five of Diamonds both yellow and reds 2 Green frog patterns 2 bright Orange and Silver Hammered finish Wonderlures and a selection of wire leaders and a plastic flat tray box.

With this set up for the following 2 seasons. I did terrorize the resident population of Pike and even a few Whitefish and Goldeye from below the U.o.A campus to the old low level bridge.

Once my the family expanded its horizons and were able to trek to Jasper and many weekend trips to Northern lakes up Athabasca way with that rod I even caught my personal Best Northern pike coming in at over 26 lbs on a rusty scale that would read 7.5 lb with a 10 lb bag of potatoes hung on it on the evening of my 16th birthday in May of 1973.

Vivid in my mind is holding that fish by the gills with both hands its jaw level with my own and its tail flat on the ground at 16 I was exactly 1 inch shorter than my mothers 5'7" . I still remember the scream of profanity from my Dads friend when I broke a full bottle of beer {His Last in the boat I think} over its head so it wouldn't jump out of the boat.

Sadly that rod ended up broken in the spokes of my Bike that same summer once as we we moved to the north Side and I then needed a bike to access the river.



Fantastic

[cranky]

Fantastic

Yep what ^^^ he said ^^^ Awssome story by moonstalker for sure.
Really enjoyed that. Could read about that kinda story all day long.