Right or Left hand retrieve?

[Pavel]

I was given a reel with line on it already and am not sure if it is meant for right or left hand retrieve. The reel goes on the rod either way and am not sure of the difference in the way it is set up? Sorry for such a newbie question but I have had my other reels put together for me with line and backing.

[MBWCC]

Originally Posted by Pavel

I was given a reel with line on it already and am not sure if it is meant for right or left hand retrieve. The reel goes on the rod either way and am not sure of the difference in the way it is set up? Sorry for such a newbie question but I have had my other reels put together for me with line and backing.

With the reel foot on top the line should exit the reel forward after passing under the bottom cross bar (in other words come off the spool just forward of the bottom cross bar). When you set the rod up the wrong way (i.e. put right hand retrieve reel on the rod in a left hand orientation) the line will exit on top (near the reel seat) versus on the bottom.

Was that your question? Or was the question akin to "what does "left hand retrieve" mean"?

[rowdy]

Tightn the drag to see which hand it resists when you turn the handle.
Flip the bearing if its the wrong way.

[GRN]

Originally Posted by rowdy

Tightn the drag to see which hand it resists when you turn the handle.
Flip the bearing if its the wrong way.

and respool the line in the other direction...

[rowdy]

Atta boy!

[Pavel]

Thank you for all the responses. Once I put it on a rod I see that the line was coming off from the bottom with it positioned in a left hand retrieve and that works out just great for me.

[axle27]

Prior to my addiction, I fished almost exclusively with a spinning outfit all of my life. I'm used to left-hand retrieve, so I do the same thing on my fly rods.
I don't care for the changing hands when I have one on.

My oldest son, who is 14, thinks I'm nuts, but he keeps it on the right side. Although, he hasn't done nearly as much fishing as I did up to and during his age. Come to think of it, there's alot he missed out on living in this time...like working on a bicycle....

[Hardyreels]

I have to ask, what make of reel is it?

[Pavel]

It is a Ross Gunnison reel.