Feeling The Line?

[FrankW]

I see people and some pros that wrap their hand around a casting reel so that they hold or touch the line.  I have experimented with this and can't feel anything on the line that I don't feel through the rod.  I am using braid and as long as I stay in contact with the bait I don't see any advantage with touching the line.  It looks cool but to me there is no advantage to touching the line.  I would think that watching the line would give more feed back than touching it.  I would be interested in hearing how this technique works for you and what you are feeling?

 

Frank

[iabass8]

I dont' use braided line at all except for slop so I cannot comment on feeling the line /w braided line and bottom contact oriented presentations. I can tell you though that if you were using fluorocarbon line, you would understand it. Due to fluorocarbons density and it's superior slack line sensitivity, (i'm sure you are aware, braid doesnt have any feel on a slack line) you can feel those tiny ticks or bumps or any thing "different"  through your finger tips on the line.

[Blues19]

I dont' use braided line at all except for slop so I cannot comment on feeling the line /w braided line and bottom contact oriented presentations. I can tell you though that if you were using fluorocarbon line, you would understand it. Due to fluorocarbons density and it's superior slack line sensitivity, (i'm sure you are aware, braid doesnt have any feel on a slack line) you can feel those tiny ticks or bumps or any thing "different"  through your finger tips on the line.

I typcially dont feel the line, just go through the rod.  Would it work on Mono like it does on Fluorocarbon?

[iabass8]

I typcially dont feel the line, just go through the rod.  Would it work on Mono like it does on Fluorocarbon?

Not as well, but yes.

 

Strictly saying "mono vs fluoro" is never comparing apples to apples. 

 

I wouldn't recommend going out any buying something like Trilene XL and hoping for the slack line feel of say Sunline Shooter. Theres certain monos out there that excel at that area more so than others.

[WRB]

Either your fingers are numb, no sense of touch, or you don't understand how the rod transmits line movement to your fingers or hand.

Your finger tips are one of the most sensitive parts of your body, lots of nerve endings to send slight pressure or temperature changes to the brain. Your rod doesn't have any nerves therefor no sense of feel, your fingers translate rod vibrations from line movements or pressure to your brain. Every rod dampens line movement to some degree, no rod can amplify line movement.

The best test is fish at night when you can't see the line and try to interpret what is going on with your lure.

The best method to touch line is to run line over your index finger tip and under the tip of your thumb, you will feel line movement in more detail. For example you can feel a light feather touching your finger tip, your rod can't.

Tom

[Smokinal]

Any bottom oriented bait (jig, t rigs etc...) I hold the rod just above the reel and have the line run over my finger. I learned this from Gary Klein and it just feels right. I also feel I have a little more power on the hookset because my hand is slightly higher on the rod than if I was palming the reel. Once I stick the fish, I let my hand slide down onto the reel for the fight. I know it sounds complicated but it's like switching the rod from casting hand to cranking hand...it just works.

[Mike L]

I've found that by laying the line in the first crease of the index finger, as opposed to on the finger tip increased my sensitivity. The rods I use have an exposed blank at the reel seat and thought like you that I can feel all that can be felt....I was wrong

Mike

[mjseverson24]

i use floro almost exclusively on my bottom contact rigs, and i have done both touch the line with my finger and be in contact with just the rod... I personally prefer the rod only approach... i grew up fishing ultra finesse tactics for walleye, so i have a pretty good feel of what is going on with my bait, and i like the way the rod only approach transmits what my bait is doing... I am not saying my way is the right way, it is purely my preference... saying one way is the right way is just foolish, if it works for you thats great keep doing it...

 

Mitch

[TrippyJai]

I only do this if I cannot watch my line, either when it's too windy or at night.

[aavery2]

When I first started fishing we were using glass rods and monofilament line. I was taught to fish with letting the line run over the tip of my index finger.  Today's rods transmit vibration much better than the old glass rods.  I don't feel like its necessary to use this technique any longer but I still do.  Old habits die hard.

[SirSnookalot]

I'll take this in a little different direction just to make a point.  I have never seen any experienced fisherman that bait fishes not have the line touching their finger.  Whether it's mono or braid the vibration is sent up thru the line. Working an artificial bait on the bottom doesn't seem a whole lot different to me, with this exception.  A bass is going to pick up that artificial bait, I think one should feel that pretty easy.  When using cut bait it is very usual for a fish to remove the bait and barely touch the hook, detection can be difficult, even larger fish like a king will do this, they don't always slam it.

For certain techniques my finger is always on the line, I don't make a practice of being a line watcher.

[Tywithay]

I get a better feel for what's going on feeling the line, regardless of how sensitive the rod is. It's especially helpful with presentations that sometimes slack the line, which would make it pointless with braid in those situations. I only use mono and fluoro.

[FrankW]

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I was out fishing today and caught a 5lb 13oz Large Mouth.

I spent some time today touching the line 30lb PP and can not feel anything on the line that I can't feel from the rod. I spent some time with my eyes closed to judge the feel and that made no difference. My partner tried it also and he didn't see any advantage either. I was fishing hyrdilla and soft bottoms. If others are fishing hard bottoms or rock they may have more feed back. I have fished longer than most of your have lived and I pretty well know what I am doing.

I do have excellent feeling in my finger tips and of course they are on the reel and rod and that is where I get my feedback. I just don't see how a line that passes through 8 to 10 guides will have any thing left to feel. The rod should absorb that feed back.

I think that if someone thinks they have better feedback by holding the line then they should do so. I have given touching the line a fair trial and don't find that in my circumstances it offers any advantage.

Frank

[hatrix]

My hand just automatically does that with fishing bottom baits and sometimes I do it with slow moving baits like a swimbait or swimjig. Sometimes you are looking for the smallest tick and for me it is like having multiple ways of verification.

[Lund Explorer]

When I first started fishing we were using glass rods and monofilament line. I was taught to fish with letting the line run over the tip of my index finger.  Today's rods transmit vibration much better than the old glass rods.  I don't feel like its necessary to use this technique any longer but I still do.  Old habits die hard.

 

X2!

 

Never quit what works for you. 

[masterbass]

Palming the reel and feeling the line doesn't feel comfortable to me either.  I can feel everything through the rod...that's why I spent good money on my bottom contact rods.