Wrist Fatigue?

[A-Jay]

I ran into this a while back - my solution was first to let my wrist rest by fishing with spinning gear for a while.

 

Then I rigged up two jerk baits - one on casting gear and one on spinning gear.

 

This enabled me to spread  /  share the workload with both wrists.

 

 Fish one rig for a while, then switch to the other rig. 

 

Kept me fresh, allowed me to fish all day and most importantly I didn't hurt anything.

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay

[hatrix]

It probably doesn't matter if you think you have bad form or how in shape you might be. Any repetitive movement will take a toll on you. Spending all day doing one thing over and over with basically the same repetitive movement is going to cause some kind of problem eventually. There has been times when the spook bite is super hot and it is literally that gets thrown all day long and for day after day and It will start to tear up my wrist. I couldn't even guess how many times I snap my wrist in a day but it's a crazy number I am sure. I already have a beat up wrist from swinging a framing hammer all day when I younger.

[K_Mac]

I usually change something when I start wearing down. A lot of good advice here. I can say for sure that since I started strength training I am much more able to fish for long periods without fatigue or pain.

[everythingthatswims]

Try throwing gotcha plugs from a pier and flukes/walk the dog/jerkbaits will feel like a walk in the park. I usually try to adjust the way  I grip the rod/reel and it helps.

[ClackerBuzz]

saw a great video a few months back.  google John Crews pitching.

he was pitching with his reel upside down (casting reel facing down at the water instead of facing up at the sky). it takes the pressure and tension off ur wrist. i already pitch with my reel sideways but it made me more aware that lots of casting reel techniques can be worked with the reel sideways or upside down. it's alot easier on the wrists.

night fishing also really helps dial in ur techniques b/c ur more focused on feeling than seeing.  i always seem to hold my rods more gently after a night outing.

Do you use a fish finder?  Your brain is far more effective for locating fish than search baits. I'd much rather work 10 locations thoroughly found via sonar or map than blindly cast search baits for miles and miles. 'work smart not hard' is a moto that def spills over into my fishing

[Driftb]

I used to use a rod that had a fat, pistol-style griip.  At the end of a  season throwiing walking baits, cranks and spinnerbaits, I had a painful case of tendonitis.  It cleared up over the winter, but it also came back later in the next season.  I gave that rod away and replaced it with a split grip. Now I have six  split grip  casting rods and  another couple of split grip spinning rods. Although the split grip has a very thin handle and I have huge hands, I now find the  split grip much more comfortable and I haven't had  the problem  since I got rid of that rod.  My buddy has been complaining of a sore arm though.........  I  think that changing it up and using diifferent rods instead of one rod can be a help.  Using lighter rods is also going to help with musce strain.  As for using your arm rather than the wrist?  You'll probably end up with a  shoulder issue.  Plus you are going to end up fishing like a guy who can't figure out how to walk the dog because he is using his arm, not his wrist.

[SirSnookalot]

I use spinning and all my rods have a foregrip, holding the rod on the grip I not only suffer no fatigue or soreness but my hand is always in perfect position for a hookset.  I can see why one would get sore or tired using b/c and holding the rod down by the reel using your weaker arm, it appears to be both awkward and have less leverage.

[mjseverson24]

The temporary solution ---> get a sports wrap and wrap your wrist so there is pressure on it, and or get the tennis elbow wrap and put it on your forearm ( am have played tennis all my life  and frequently get the "claw" from jigs and jerkbaits and these things do help). This will help you continue to fish just as you are...

 

The long term solution---> I agree that stretching and strengthening of your "fishing" muscles will help with this issue, but they may not be the only key. I would invest in some very light weight equipment that will reduce fatigue on your wrist. an example would be a BPS carbonlite  rod with a properly balanced reel probably in the 6 OZ range, they dont need to be super expensive just need to be light... Also I like the idea of having two setups ready that are opposite handed, this could help as well...

 

Last resort---> Step 1: grab a cooler, put your favorite beer, whiskey, tequila, chocolate milk, or any other beverage you wish in the cooler, then fill it up with ice...

                        Step 2: Turn on sporting event ie. football, baseball, golf...

                        Step 3: Use cold beverage from cooler to ice your wrist...

                        Step 4: Periodically drink the beverage to ensure proper temperature...

                        Step 5: When beverage is gone grab a new one from the cooler...

                        Step 6: If your wrist still hurts see step 3...

 

Mitch

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Try using a pistol grip its all i use for JB and topwaters no fatigue here.

[Fishes in trees]

I've had this happen occasionally over the years.  Here's what I've tried and it more or less works.

 

A tennis elbow brace is helpful.  More helpful in the late spring through summer, when you aren't dealing with extra layers of clothes.  I'd use the brace when jerk baiting and take it off when I was using other techniques.   Taking an Alieve or two before starting the fishing day worked great.  Kind of a preventative measure, my elbow didn't hurt nearly as much at the end of the day.

 

You might also want to upgrade/lighten your gear.  Lighter gear = snapping less weight when you're jerking = less muscle fatigue.   I use a 6'3" Medium spinning rod with an extra fast action, a smaller spinning reel and 14 lb Fireline.  I'll use a short, 2' or so 15 lb fluorocarbon leader.  This rig is a lot lighter than the bait casting rig I was using previously.  Additionally, you are kind of immune to the wind, which you definitely not when using bait casting gear.  Wind seems to be an important factor for the jerk bait bite to be really working.

[guitarglynn1]

You can add in daily stretching to stretch your forearm/wrist flexors and extensors. Does not have to be anything crazy either. 15sec a couple times a day several days a week can be beneficial. Also roll out your forearms ( soft tissue work ). Both the medial and lateral aspects of them. You can use a cheap lacrosse ball which costs a couple bucks. There are massage balls as well which can feel really good. I have a spiky massage ball and a hard lacrosse ball and I alternate between the two. One is more soothing while the other works into the soft tissue much more aggressively. Both can help with overuse injuries and more importantly, they can help you avoid them in the first place.   

 

And be mindful of the other activities in your daily life. Some times we only focus on the activity we do that brings on the pain and discomfort but there are a number of factors that contribute to that which we overlook. For example, today many people spend a lot of time at a desk typing and with very poor posture. This can leave you jacked up and vulnerable to pain and discomfort in joints like the wrist ect..