Which hand to wind with
 Which Winding Hand
                                                                          By: Michael McKeown

Every time I get a new reel I agonize over which hand I should wind with. After once again weighing all the arguments for one way or the other, I've come to a conclusion again. To help me quantify all these disparate aspects, however, I listed them, first making this observation: in either case something has to transition, either the line, or the rod. Reeling with line hand:
Pros:
• Most people are used to reeling with their off hand if they come from spin fishing experience so it's an easy transition.
• With the rod in the strong hand fighting fish is easier.
• Not having to switch the rod hand is an advantage when fighting a fish that is on the reel.

Cons:
• Moving a line with a fish that is not on the reel to the rod hand.
• Reel handle on casting side can tangle with line.
• Spinning handle with a running fish can catch in clothing.

Reeling with the casting hand:

Pros:
• Line hand doesn't have to let go of fish.
• When in a situation of catching lots of fish, the casting arm gets worked casting, and the other arm gets worked fighting.
• With a running fish, spinning reel handle is away from clothing.
• Reel handle is away from casting line.

Cons:
• Awkward for a spin fishermen to get used to.
• Most reels come today for left hand reeling, so the reel direction must be switched (but it's not really a big deal so hardly a con.)

So which way do I fish? I reel with the casting hand, old school way. Never did much spin fishing anyway.
Michael McKeown