Any way to change a BAJA SPECIAL into a left hand reel?

[X-Miner]

Hi, I found this Baja Special on a flea market (I live in Belgium, we don't get huge fish here so it's useless here, thank god I traval a lot... ).
But, being European, I prefer winding with my left hand...
I have lefthanded 113's wich I love and I want this one to join the party instead of just looking pretty.

So, does anyone have a clue how to make this thing work it's magic in the "correct" way?

[akfish]

It would involve lots of work, and I can't imagine it would be cost effective. The Baja Special has lots of parts that are unique so it would require machining a new ratchet for the anti-reverse, new gear set, and more. I'm told that spme of the Penn Fathoms are available in left hand retrieve and know that almost all Avets can be had left handed. One of these would be a better option.

[George4741]

But, being European, I prefer winding with my left hand...

I started fishing with a Mitchell 300 and I still prefer to wind a spinner with my left hand.  I blame the French for this.   However, I wind conventionals with my right hand.
  George

[Cone]

George, that's how their supposed to be used! And the steering wheel should be on the left side.    Bob

[X-Miner]

I've seen pictures of the rebuild for the Baja by Alan.
When placing the ratchet he stated to take care to put it in correctly. So that would be the least of my worries.
The gears on the other hand...
You guys have another standard and formula to building gears. So I can't find anyone out here who could machine me a cog with exactly the same dimensions. So I would have to replace the main gear and the pinion AND have it machined in the US. Or I need to find gears and pinions with the same dimensions in a left-handed Penn. If someone has the dimensions of Squal or Fathom gears fill me in .
I'll open the Baja up tomorrow and see what's what.

@Akfish
We are fishermen, we are per definition not cost effective  .
But You do have a point offcourse. The thing is, I don't need it, I want it... Must be a trauma from my childhood or something . I am a happy owner of some Stella's and 113's (which I haven't used yet)
so I could land most of the fish thrown my way. We don't have Avet here but they look nice. Problem is I haven't "felt" one yet. Maybe when I come stateside next Year .

@George4741
I started out with a Mitchell too... I smell a conspiracy!
I tried the right hand winding on Florida partyboats, and off Tenerife and Gambia, I even tried It in the North Sea for cod. It just doesn't feel right.

Thx for the replies guys

[SoCalAngler]

Since your not left handed I say learn to crank "the big boy reels" with your right hand

[Ron Jones]

I learned to fish with Penn conventionals and Mitchel 300s. I am a South Paw and was told I was lucky because I could use a conventional correctly. I learned "The rod brings the fish in, the reel holds the line" and so the rod should be in your dominant hand whenever possible.

Ron

[Mandelstam]

I learned to fish with Penn conventionals and Mitchel 300s. I am a South Paw and was told I was lucky because I could use a conventional correctly. I learned "The rod brings the fish in, the reel holds the line" and so the rod should be in your dominant hand whenever possible.

Ron

X2

I'm not a leftie but I totally agree with that conventionals should be lefthanded. I'm not super bothered with it as I mostly own right handed reels and are used to it by now but when you are casting a full day and have to change the rod from the left hand to the right, cast, and then back again it's a big bother. Can't really understand why so many right handed people can't see that..

/Karl

[X-Miner]

Indeed, there is no sense in having to switch the rod from hand to hand, and yes, I was also tought that the rod catches the fish and the reel holds the line.
The rod is more then just a reelholder to me.

And since we have the best beer in the world I am right for wanting to wind left, right? 

As for learning how to use "big boys reels"... I can use righthanded reels, I just prefer not to  .

And I call a Stella 20000 a big boys toy too (and I can wind it the right way, being left  )

Gonna open up the Baja now, wish me luck...

[Norcal Pescador]

Being a left-hander, I like all the reels with the handle on the right side! It makes it so easy to cast and retrieve, cast and retrieve and the selection is huge. 

I have a hard time watching anglers switching the rod back and forth. But then again I hold my fork in my left hand, too. I must be in my right mind.

[alantani]

you could if you have a left handed gear set, gear sleeve and star......   

[X-Miner]

you could if you have a left handed gear set, gear sleeve and star......   

Lol, I know
But I can't find any .
In the meanwhile I "alantanied" the reel so it wasn't a complete waste of time