Shoulder pains

[Jwilliams96]

hey guys, just wondering what your input would be on this or if anyone has had past problems like me. 

I've recently started fishing a lot, like every night I'm loading up the boat and going somewhere. But my shoulders have been killing me after I get home and the next day. I fish fast. I make a lot of cast. But I just don't think I should be having these pains especially at 19 years old. Is there something I can do like work outs, stretches, technique? Thanks for any input 

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

As you mentioned "I've recently started fishing a lot" ~ Whenever we participate in "a lot" more of something physical, there's a chance that while our bodies acclimate to the New activity, there can be "some soreness"; regardless of age.   How much soreness / PAIN may be different for each individual, however too much may be a sign of some type of injury.  If you think that's the case, you should definitely have it checked by a medical professional as soon as possible.  If you are injured, ignoring it and to continue to do whatever it is that hurt you, is a mistake.   One that many of us have made and later regretted.

 As for workouts, stretches or techniques - perhaps think of it like this - if you want to get better at running 5 miles - you need to run.  So if you want to get better at making multiple cast during a prolonged fishing trip - you may need to make multiple casts during a prolonged fishing trip.  The key ingredient that may be missing here is REST.  Perhaps take a day off here & there so as not to continue to stress vulnerable joints & muscles that are tired & sore.  Fishing a different technique that requires less in the way of hard casting - like flipping & pitching may help as well.

If you're not actually injured over time your ability & stamina will improve.

Good Luck

A-Jay 

[OkobojiEagle]

If you are not already... develop a two-handed cast.  Fishing should be relaxation, slow down and enjoy the experience.  Like most endeavors let your brain become a more important participant,  think a little more about where and how you want to place your next cast and become more deliberate in doing so.

 

oe

 

 

[FishingMN]

There are exercises and stretches designed for fishermen that really help with hand, wrist, arm and shoulder issues.  Also there are right and wrong ways to cast, reel, and even hold the rod that will make a difference.  It would be nice if there were a website or collection some where of these.  Or even a book.  I've come across a lot in my past searches for the same areas and when I am consistent with these, they really do help.  Just fishing more won't fix it, if you are using the wrong form.

[PourMyOwn]

Go and see a sports/medical massage therapist. A good massage can diagnose and treat your issues and is money well spent. Mine is 50/hr for deep tissue, and it is amazing.

[JigMaster4]

Are you fishing from the bank and carrying a bag all day? If so, it might be the weight on your shoulders all day that are causing them to hurt. 

[Oregon Native]

All good advice.....fishing all day ain't easy.  I remember after my recovery from pancreatitus it took weeks/months to get back into fishing shape.  Now I do stretches and lots of walking .... good luck

[papajoe222]

As A-Jay mentioned, your body needs to get used to the increased activity levels. Until it does, I recommend taking fish oil pills and a couple of ibuprofen prior to heading out.  Fish oil helps reduce binding of different muscles against each other.

[BiteFiend]

Two thoughts come to mind. When reeling, learn to put your elbow of your reeling hand toward your hip, if you don't do this already. I throw a lot of cranks and moving baits too and I used to get shoulder pain when fishing a few days in a row. I simply just had to change the mechanics of how I reel and point my reeling side elbow to my hip, rather than out. I have been pain free ever since. Don't know if that is the cause of your pain, but it would be worth trying. 

My other thought would be to go see a chiropractor. I used to think they were quacks for the longest time..... until I needed one. It helped the shoulder, back, and neck pain I was having tremenously a couple years ago. I have not had the pain and mobility issues I was having since then. 

[Glenn]

If your shoulder is hurting from casting a lot, then it's possible your casting form needs some tweaking.  Most casts are done with your wrist, not your arms and shoulders.  Here's a video where I explain the proper technique.  Hopefully it helps you!

 

[Torn Thumb]

Glenn, you are so helpful and informative. You should start an informational bass fishing website.

[Glenn]

Nah, I don't know the first thing about that enter net thing.

[Montanaro]

My thought is what boat?

If youre lifting a jon boat or similar then there is the problem.  Most likely need to improve your lats and shoulder strength.

[burrows]

On August 12, 2016 at 7:21 AM, Jwilliams96 said:

hey guys, just wondering what your input would be on this or if anyone has had past problems like me. 

I've recently started fishing a lot, like every night I'm loading up the boat and going somewhere. But my shoulders have been killing me after I get home and the next day. I fish fast. I make a lot of cast. But I just don't think I should be having these pains especially at 19 years old. Is there something I can do like work outs, stretches, technique? Thanks for any input 

I have similar problems, I have one dislocation and the other hurts like heck after power fishing all day, I see a  chiropractor and he gives me advice on strengthening the shoulder my orthopedic dr is quick to get me into surgery but I'm not down with that, pain management is the best option for me not pain killers but cortisone injections and icing my shoulder after a long day on the water. Best thing to do is see a doctor and see what options you have. I'm avoiding surgery at all costs. See what happens? 

[Sam]

Within the sporting industry there are specific exercises and stretching techniques for each sport's activities.

In football, it is the use of the legs for the linemen; in baseball it is the throwing motion; in basketball it is the shooting profile; in ice hockey it is how fast you can skate; in golf it is your swing; and the list goes on.

In our bass fishing industry we do not have nor do we practice "fishing specific" exercises. Therefore the next day we feel the muscle pain or we get on a path to destroy our rotor-cuffs.

So what do you do? As stated above, stretch (which we all hate to do) before and after you hit the water. In fact, we need to do our stretching exercises every morning and night of the week. Of course we don't, but if we did we would cut down on the resulting pain the days after fishing and avoid rotor-cuff surgery.

So, do we take Go Pro videos of our casting and take them to a sports medicine doctor who has no knowledge of fishing to try to improve our technique? Or do we watch the video and try to correct anything we are doing incorrectly if we understand what we are doing incorrectly?

Until the sports medicine industry includes bass fishing in its protocol we are on our own.

And I agree with the posts above that one small change in your casting technique can make a world of difference not only with painful muscles but better control of your casts with both a baitcaster and a spinning rig.

 

[frogflogger]

I need lots of help for my old frame - the best arm exercises I've found are Egoscue arm exercises where you rotate your arms (extended straight out left and right side - do 50 with hand open and facing up and 50 with hand facing down - tough at first but will help your shoulders - fly fishing catalogs sell "donuts" which you squeeze to improve hand and wrist strength

also, as noted above learn to cast two-handed -

[FishingMN]

I've read somewhere recently that someone was coaching somebody in the correct way to cast.  And they tied their elbow to their side so they would learn to cast without raising or extending the upper arm. (you can still swing the lower arm)  I've changed that in my cast and I actually develop more speed and distance and it is easier and less painful.  I still haven't fully broken the habit though.

[Kevinator1]

On ‎8‎/‎12‎/‎2016 at 10:21 AM, Jwilliams96 said:

hey guys, just wondering what your input would be on this or if anyone has had past problems like me. 

I've recently started fishing a lot, like every night I'm loading up the boat and going somewhere. But my shoulders have been killing me after I get home and the next day. I fish fast. I make a lot of cast. But I just don't think I should be having these pains especially at 19 years old. Is there something I can do like work outs, stretches, technique? Thanks for any input 

Yep...I'm 52 and believe me, you need to stretch a lot and learn to cast both left handed and right handed. I used to only cast with my right arm, ended up with tennis elbow (or fishing elbow) so I had to use my left arm because my right hurt so bad....but after about 2 weeks I became very good with my left arm....so after the right elbow healed up, I just started switching back and forth and haven't had an issue since....but I do stretch everyday, arms, legs and back.....and as some of the other guys have said, learn to cast correctly....let the rod and reel do the job. When I pitch, the only thing that basically moves is my wrist. I use the rod as kind of a slingshot. Need to have the right equipment to do the job easily.

[Ski213]

You're using the word pain and not sore. That sounds like injury. There's a lot of good advice above. Start with giving your shoulders a break. See what happens. A little rest may do it a lot of good. There is no substitute for a professional opinion. In person. Preferably an ortho and even better one that is known for dealing with shoulders.  What you need to do, as previously stated, depends completely on what the actual problem is.

Ive had problems with my shoulders from baseball and motocross for years. 

Think of it like fishing. What therapy, what stretches, what strength training, and meds or even surgery are like lures, setups, and techniques. Situation specific. You gotta start by knowing what water/fishing conditions you're actually dealing with. I hope that you're just feeling a slight repetitive use issue. May well be the case.

If you get a professional opinion and have a similar problem to mine I'm more than happy to share what I've had luck with over the years. 

[Jwilliams96]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm going to look into more stretches. But unfortunately I think this problem started awhile ago in the weight room back in my high school days. Haven't fished in 5 days and it's painful to move it if I haven't for awhile. Also, if I sleep on it, it's worse. Going to hopefully get into a doctor This week. Thanks for the help guys. Ill let you know the outcome from the doctors visit if I get in. 

[blckshirt98]

I'm curious where in the shoulder the pain is.  Is it deep in the joint like a rotator cuff or is it more on top at the shoulder where it meets the collarbone?  If it's deep in the joint do some rotator exercises to strengthen it, if it's towards the top it might be inflammation from your joints rubbing while casting.  Hopefully it's just inflammation where ice or a cortisone shot can fix it, and not something structural where surgery will be involved.  Let us know what the doctor says, good luck!

[rburkett]

On 8/15/2016 at 12:34 AM, Jwilliams96 said:

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm going to look into more stretches. But unfortunately I think this problem started awhile ago in the weight room back in my high school days. Haven't fished in 5 days and it's painful to move it if I haven't for awhile. Also, if I sleep on it, it's worse. Going to hopefully get into a doctor This week. Thanks for the help guys. Ill let you know the outcome from the doctors visit if I get in. 

This may be a long shot here that you'll see this but did you ever figure out your shoulder pains?

[scaleface]

My  casting shoulder is a mess . There is something torn up in there but casting doesnt bother it a bit . My elbow gets tendinitis and I cant pitch very well . Maybe you have some tendinitis n that shoulder . 

[DINK WHISPERER]

Do the exercises recommend and go get yourself a physical checkup. I get like that after long 10-12hr days of flipping. But no shoulder pain really just arm and wrist. 

[bigbill]

I had shoulder pain before too. I run the shower hot water as hot as I can take it. Everyday, it seems to help.