First I must thank everybody that helped me see through all the hype when deciding which baitcaster to purchase. I have decided on a Shimano Chronarch 100 SF. Now I am unsure on which way to go; left or right handed. This will be my first baitcaster. I am used to the standard lefthanded spinning rigs. I have noticed while shopping that not all baitcasters come in left handed models. I dont know if I should buy a lefthanded model which I am already acustomed to or buy a righthanded model and go through the learning curve now so I dont limit myself in the future to which reel I can use. The only benefit to buying a lefty other than already being comfortable with it is the fact that you dont have to switch hands after casting to get your hand on the crank. Thank you! Your help is greatly appreciated!

If this is your first baitcasting reel it may be to your advantage to go with the CH101SF, the leftie, just for the reason you stated about the switching of hands. There is always a bit of a learning curve when first using a casting reel, make it easy on yourself and eliminate the need to switch hands. It won't be any harder to learn then if your went with the standard right handed baitcaster.

Personally, I learnt to cast with my left hand so I don't have to switch hands. So I cast baitcasters with my left and spinning with my right. Although, you will see a much lower price on sale items for baitcasting reels that are left retrieve.

Just my 2 cents.

I fish left handed spinning and right handed baitcasters. Why? because thats just the reels I learned to cast with. It's really not that much of a learning curve to go through. The harder part is learning how to thumb the spool correctly which just comes with practice, and thats not very hard.

lefties do it right buy the 101sf. I am right handed but I fish left handed for the resons you stated. the only problem you will encounter with a left handed reel is when you decide to go saltwater fishing 99% of saltwater reels are right handed. FISH ON and FISH OFTEN

I'm right handed and fish with all left handed bait casters. When I bought my 1st bait caster it was a righty. There was nothing to learn as far as reeling, you just reel. The problem was learning to work the rod with my left hand! It was very uncomfortable and just didn't feel natural because I had always worked the rod action with my right hand. Since I had always casted with my right hand and reeled with my left, it made the transition to left handed reels simple. If you're not sure, try and switch the handle on one of your spinning reels to the opposite side and work a walk-the-dog type topwater bait.