Wild Water reels ship set up for left-hand retrieve. That means you hold the rod in your right hand and crank the reel with your left. This setup works well for right-handed anglers who want their dominant hand controlling the rod during the cast and fight.
But some anglers prefer reeling with their dominant hand instead. If that's you, switching to right-hand retrieve takes about 5 minutes once you know how. The process involves releasing the spool, flipping the bearing housing inside, and then rewinding your line in the opposite direction. Each reel size works a little differently, so we've put together video walkthroughs for every Wild Water reel model.
How to Find Your Reel Size
Check the back of your reel or the original packaging. You'll see a number like 75mm, 85mm, 95mm, 103mm, or 114mm. This measurement refers to the spool diameter. You'll also want to know whether you have a Die Cast reel (standard with most starter packages) or a CNC Machined reel (machined aluminum, typically sold separately or in upgraded kits).
Once you know your reel size and type, find the matching video below.
Quick Tips Before You Start
- Work over a clean surface. Small clips and parts can bounce away if you're not careful.
- Keep a finger on the hexagonal clip when you pry it loose. It likes to fly across the room.
- After you flip the bearing housing and reassemble, tighten the drag knob all the way to the right. The spool should only spin freely in one direction. That's the direction your line goes on.
- You'll need to strip off all your backing and line, then rewind it in the new direction.
If you run into any trouble, give us a call at 585-967-3474 or email us at contact@wildwaterflyfishing.com. We're happy to walk you through it.
