Can your reel switch sides?
Bass Pro's spinning reel guide says most current spinning reels can be switched between left- and right-hand retrieve and calls it a simple process. [3] Quantum's manual says all of its spinning reels accommodate both right- and left-handed anglers and ship with the handle on the left, [1] and Abu Garcia's Revo manual says those reels can be configured for right- or left-handed operation. [2]
Look at the reel body. If there is a cap or cover on the side opposite the handle, the handle can move there. Rapala's parts list for the SX3iUL lists a Handle Assembly and a separate Dust Cap Assembly, [6] which is the cap you will move to the side the handle leaves.
Two handle designs and how each comes off
Screw-in handles thread straight into the drive gear. Quantum's instructions use a rule that works on either side: thread the handle in by turning it forward, the retrieve direction, while holding the rotor, and remove it by turning it backwards. [1] Abu Garcia's Revo manual describes the same move in clock terms: unscrew the handle counterclockwise, then insert it on the other side and turn clockwise until it is firmly seated. [2] Holding the rotor gives the threads something to tighten against.
Through-shaft handles pass through the gear. Shimano's patent for a spinning reel handle assembly describes a handle shaft that can be installed from either the right or left end of the master gear shaft, held non-rotatably by a non-circular profile, and secured by a bolt that threads into the shaft end. [4] On this style, cranking the handle backwards will not free it: the bolt that secures the shaft has to come out first, and then the handle slides out of the gear.
| Design | How to tell | To remove | To refit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screw-in | Handle turns loose when cranked backwards while you hold the rotor | Hold the rotor, turn the handle backwards [1] | Turn forward until tight while holding the rotor [1] |
| Screw-in, Abu Garcia Revo wording | Same | Rotate counterclockwise [2] | Rotate clockwise until firmly seated [2] |
| Through-shaft | A separate bolt secures the handle shaft in the gear | Remove the securing bolt, then pull the handle out [4] | Insert from the other end of the gear shaft, refit the bolt [4] |
Step by step for a screw-in handle
1. Hold the rotor and turn the handle backwards until it comes out. [1]
2. Remove the cap on the opposite side. Quantum turns its protective cap counterclockwise to remove it; [1] Abu Garcia uses a copper coin to unscrew the handle knob cover. [2]
3. Thread the cap into the side the handle came from. Quantum threads it on clockwise. [1]
4. Thread the handle into the new side by turning it forward while holding the rotor, until it is firmly seated. [1] [2]
5. Turn the handle a few times and check that it does not wobble. Do not force it: if a part will not turn the way the manual says, stop and check you have the right design.
Why baitcasters are chosen by hand instead of converted
Baitcasters are made as mirror-image models instead. FishUSA's listing for the Shimano SLX XT shows the 150 models as right retrieve and the 151 models as left retrieve, with the same gear ratios and line capacity across each pair. [5] None of the baitcaster manuals or listings we read describe moving the handle to the other side. If you buy a baitcaster, choose the hand when you order.
Outdoor Life's baitcasting advice is to pick the handle side that fits your casting and reeling hands and to try both in a store before buying. [7] Our spinning reel vs baitcaster guide covers which reel type fits the fishing you do.
Checklist
- Confirm there is a cap on the side opposite the handle. [6]
- Identify screw-in or through-shaft before turning anything. [1] [4]
- Hold the rotor and turn backwards to unscrew a screw-in handle. [1]
- Move the cap to the side the handle left. [1] [2]
- Turn the handle forward to tighten it in the new side. [1]
- For a baitcaster, order the left- or right-hand model you need. [5]
Questions before you decide
Which way do I turn a spinning reel handle to remove it?
Quantum's manual says to hold the rotor and turn the handle backwards, against the retrieve direction. Abu Garcia's Revo manual describes it as rotating the handle counterclockwise.
What do I do with the cap on the other side?
Swap it to the side the handle came from. Quantum removes its cap counterclockwise and threads it into the empty side clockwise; Abu Garcia uses a copper coin to remove its handle knob cover.
Can I change a baitcaster from right to left hand?
Not in the manuals and listings we read. Baitcasters are sold as separate models, such as Shimano's SLX XT 150 for right retrieve and 151 for left retrieve, listed by FishUSA with matching specs.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Quantum spinning reel owners' manual (Strive spinning combo, PDF) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Abu Garcia Revo spinning reel manual (PDF) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Bass Pro Shops 1Source: Spinning reel buyer's guide Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Google Patents: US7163168B2, Spinning reel handle assembly (Shimano) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- FishUSA: Shimano SLX XT low-profile casting reel specifications Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Rapala RAP SX3iUL spinning reel parts list (PDF) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Outdoor Life: How to cast a baitcaster Accessed 30 Oct 2026
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