How Do You Palm A Reel?

[MichiganFishing1997]

Hootie's post made me think of this. I usually just have my pointer finger, or my pointer finger and middle finder above the trigger. I never really understood how to palm a reel, or why people palm the reel.

So why do you palm your reel?

Thanks

Christian

[Tywithay]

I just do whatever feels most comfortable. Sometimes varies by reel.

[coak]

I palm the reel with my fore finger resting just above the line guide.  It may not make any 'real' difference, but in my mind I feel I get better leverage on my hookset.

[Knightiac]

To be honest I don't really remember, I'll hold a reel when I get home just because Im curious now. Lol. Things like that become second nature, like tying your shoe.

[MichiganFishing1997]

I guess I just dont really see the benifit in it. Is it just a comfort thing?

[Fishes in trees]

Palming the reel is just holding the rod/reel so that your fingers can touch the line.  Some guys feel this enhances their sense of feel.  I don't know, sometimes I do and sometimes I don't, so I haven't any preference one way or another.

 

I do KNOW that if you are palming the reel, using braid, and you get a violent, unexpected strike and you react with a quick hook set, you can get a cut in your finger due to the braid burrowing quickly into your skin.  I haven't done enough research to know if my blood in the water is a decent fish attractor or not.   No fresh water sharks were attracted to my blood in the water.  That being said, even now, sometimes I palm my reels equipped with braid and sometimes I don't.

[*Hootie]

I see some people who hold on to the rod handle. I can't do that. I feel it makes the whole rig top heavy and I have no control. My hand is on the side of the reel and the line running over the top of my forefinger or between my thumb and forefinger.

Hootie

[mjseverson24]

its all about a balance between fishability and leverage. " palming" seems to be a good compromise of both...

 

Mitch

[Smallmouth Hunter]

I find that is gives me more control and keeps the rod from rotating while fighting the fish. It is much more comfortable then holding the rod for me.

[Deleted account]

I see some people who hold on to the rod handle. I can't do that. I feel it makes the whole rig top heavy and I have no control. My hand is on the side of the reel and the line running over the top of my forefinger or between my thumb and forefinger.

Hootie

 

This ^. I go so far as to cut or file the triggers, its in he way of where my pinky and ring finger want to be on some rods. Since the fulcrum is the mid point of where you are holding the rod, palming the reel will effectively make the rod feel lighter, as well as more stable. Also why the "switching hands is wrong' argument doesn't hold water.

[Jrob78]

My entire hand is on the other, (tip end) of the trigger with my pinky resting against the trigger and the reel in the palm of my hand.  I like to be in constant contact with the line, the whole set up balances better and it just feels natural.  I couldn't hold the rod by the handle if I wanted to, it feels weird and it kind of looks weird when other people do it.  

[boostr]

I started palming as soon as I started using BCs and I didn't even know it, I guess its just a natural comfortable feeling... like taking a dump

[kingkong85]

For jerkbaits and topwater (downward movement of the rod)

Thumb on top of side plate, palm on side plate, and all fingers except index above the trigger. Index is in front of the reel.

For upward movement of the rod, pinky below trigger and the rest above with thumb on top of side plate.

[boostr]

If you think about it, you hold a spinning combo where you would palm a BC, so its probaply a natural position.

[MichiganFishing1997]

Thanks for all the info guys. Il have to give it a try and see if its comfortable for me.

Christian

[WIGuide]

Honestly the size of your hands, the reel seat , and the reel itself might dictate how you palm it. Easiest way to do it is hold your palm out, set reel with palming plate down into your palm and then close your fingers lol. The benefits of it are better rod control both while working a bait and fighting a fish; better leverage because there is more distance between the butt of the rod and your hand; the rod won't want to twist as much; your holding the rod closer to the natural balance point so it feels lighter and more balanced. Keep in mind as well that low profile baitcasting reels were originally designed to be palmed. They were smaller, lighter, and more compact than the big round reels and it also made them fit right into your palm. Give it a shot and I'm sure it will be.

 

(Worth noting, I palm all my reels and have yet to be cut by braid, not saying it can't happen, but it's not the norm.)

[cbass12]

I don't know if it's because I have a big hand, but I hold the trigger between my middle and ring finger.