Finger issues after Fishing

[Zeeter]

The last two times that I've spent the better part of a day fishing I've had problems with the ring and especially pinky fingers on my casting hand. Pinky gets very sore right around the first knuckle and I cannot close the finger all the way. Ring finger doesn't hurt, but I can't close that, either. I can push them closed with my other hand and there is no discomfort in doing so. This may have been happening for much longer, but I only noticed it the last couple of times out. I'm in a club this year and am making far more casts than I would if I was pleasure fishing.

 

Has anyone else experienced this? I assume that it's the act of casting which is causing it and am wondering if taping them up will prevent the problem. Or it could be the start of arthritis as I'm about to be 50.

[Blackhawk83]

could be simple changes related to arthritis but sounds like more of a tendinitis issue. Could talk with md about using anti-inflammatory mess or injecting the extensor muscles. Either should result in significant improvement within 48 hrs

 

[Zeeter]

Tendonitis sounds about right. I've tried to cast with my pinky out, but that doesn't look too manly, plus I forget to do it most of the time. I've thought of taping those fingers up to spread the power out between those two fingers.

[Bassin4Fun2]

I have the same issues but since I started using the following on my reels it helps a lot.  May want to check out.

 

Trigger Happy Comfort Spinning Grips

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Trigger_Happy_Comfort_Spinning_Grips/descpage-THCSG.html

 

[Scott F]

If there is weakness and numbing in the side of your hand, it could be what I had. Cubital tunnel syndrome. It's a pinched nerve in the elbow. That nerve that we call the funny bone gets pinched. See a doctor that will refer you to a neurologist. I had surgery to move the nerve. Fixed me right up. It sounds like it might be in the early stages so physical therapy might be the answer. Again, see a doctor.

[BassGirl71]

Definitely sounds like a repetitive motion injury, likely to soft tissue - as many have said here a tendonitis of some sort. And, it could be arthritis-related as well.  I know the times I have had tendonitis it has been coupled with arthritis issues - and one makes the other worse.  See a doc and ask them about some sort of PT or OT.  Should help you out a good deal.

[greentrout]

As others have recommended you should see a Doc. I once had a trigger finger & trigger thumb in both hands. Really hurt. Doc told me mild arthritis and too much hard casting. Have adjusted and frankly don't fish as much. That's good news because I'm a senior. Still fish. 

[Gundog]

My arthritis effects my whole hand not just a few fingers. Still I wouldn't rule out arthritis. As others have advised, see a doctor. It may be nothing or it may be something.                                                                                                                                                                                           Please be advised, I am neither a doctor nor do I play one on tv. All advice is given with no prior knowledge of medicine or anatomy. Your mileage may vary. MSRP may include, but not limited to, any and all dealer prep or invoice costs. 

[toni63]

Go through your casting motion and see what the mechanics in your hand are that are causing low level repetitive stress on those joints.

 

I had tennis elbow not playing tennis, but by the way I was resting my elbows on the arms of my chair while working. Just that little bit of constant pressure in one area over time was enough to cause the tendonitis that is tennis elbow. Doc prescribed me this bandage thing to stabilize the tendon in my arm and prevent it from moving (you've seen plenty of people with that strap thing just below their elbow), icing it and to take OTC ibuprofen to reduce inflammation. It took awhile, removed the arms of my work chair so i couldn't rest my elbows on anything, but it finally cleared up. But the first thing was to figure out what I was doing that was causing that strain to begin with so it wouldn't come back once it cleared up.

 

The big thing is just to figure out what exactly in your motion is causing that low level repetitive stress, something in how you cast, how you twist your wrist that puts strain on your fingers, how you are cupping the reel when casting, how you hold the handles when reeling, that is probably causing it. Because no amount of treating the symptoms is going to stop it until you figure out what you are doing that is causing it. Taping might help stabilize the joint, but its only going to do so much. If you can isolate the cause, then maybe you can alter how you cast to relieve the stress without resorting to anything else.

 

I would also consider learning how to cast both left and right handed and keep a couple lefty bait casters spooled up to relive my right hand from having to do all the work,  or consider different fishing techniques that don't require bait casting constantly just to switch things up. I know when I start getting a little tired in my right arm I might throw a worm rigged on a spinning reel for awhile just to give my arm and hand a break. I get some knotting in my shoulder blade muscles that can really cramp me up if i am not careful fishing all day, so that's my fishing "achilles heel."

 

Just my two cents, and I am no Doc either. But that is what I think when I read your post.

[Zeeter]

It's when I come to the end of the cast. The last thing I do is put tension on my pinky to control the rod at the finish. I'll try stopping that portion of casting as it's not necessary. Cast is made; just be done with it. No need to pull the rod with my pinky.

[MNGeorge]

On 6/30/2017 at 11:18 AM, Bassin4Fun2 said:

I have the same issues but since I started using the following on my reels it helps a lot.  May want to check out.

 

Trigger Happy Comfort Spinning Grips

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Trigger_Happy_Comfort_Spinning_Grips/descpage-THCSG.html

 

Thanks for the info on this...never heard about it before. With these, I can once again look at Pfleuger spinning reels.

[Catt]

Wait till ya hit 60...it gets better

[moguy1973]

I have trigger finger in three of my fingers and one of my thumbs.  Do they lock once you get them bent and are hard to get back extended?  If so you may have trigger finger setting in.  My thumb is pretty painful from time to time.  

 

As others said it may just be tendinitis if it only hurts after fishing.  Kind of like tennis elbow for the fingers. 

[Zeeter]

20 minutes ago, moguy1973 said:

I have trigger finger in three of my fingers and one of my thumbs.  Do they lock once you get them bent and are hard to get back extended?  If so you may have trigger finger setting in.  My thumb is pretty painful from time to time.  

 

As others said it may just be tendinitis if it only hurts after fishing.  Kind of like tennis elbow for the fingers. 

 

Maybe. When I have the finger contracted and then open it it sometimes snaps out. Not painful, but concerning. But yes - only after fishing. 

 

I can see what looks like a vain in the finger right at the knuckle where it hurts. I'm thinking that's a nerve. There were two that I could see the other day. Now there's one.

[Bassin4Fun2]

7 hours ago, MNGeorge said:

Thanks for the info on this...never heard about it before. With these, I can once again look at Pfleuger spinning reels.

 

Sure, they sure have helped me and make it more comfortable to hold the reel. Make sure to watch the install videos on their website and may want to get an extra one of two in case you destroy one installing until you figure it out. 

[Mike L]

3 hours ago, Catt said:

Wait till ya hit 60...it gets better

 

Or Not!

 

 

 

OP, If after seeing a doctor and you still have the problem, try changing your hand position when casting. 

Not knowing what your hand plasement is now, try putting the reel support between the next 2 fingers and see if that doesn't help..It may be a little awkward at first.

 

Just a suggestion 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Zeeter]

22 hours ago, Mike L said:

OP, If after seeing a doctor and you still have the problem, try changing your hand position when casting. 

Not knowing what your hand plasement is now, try putting the reel support between the next 2 fingers and see if that doesn't help..It may be a little awkward at first.

 

Just a suggestion 

Mike

 

That might be kind of tough, as there's really only one hand placement with a casting rod.

[tholmes]

On 7/2/2017 at 6:45 AM, Catt said:

Wait till ya hit 60...it gets better

Welcome to the "Golden Years"

 

Tom

[tcbass]

Had the same problem when I got a St. Croix Mojo bass casting rod. Finger really hurt bad for a long time after fishing, like nerve damage. I tried holding the rod differently and never worked. Sold the rod, got different brand rods, no problem no.

 

I'd try different positions on the rod and if that doesn't work, try a different rod.

[Neil McCauley]

Maybe a dumb question but is this a bait casting or spinning rod setup?

Either way, you alternate and do some of both, since they each put repetitive stress at different places. Also, lighter tackle with easier casting line might help.

[Mike L]

6 hours ago, Zeeter said:

 

That might be kind of tough, as there's really only one hand placement with a casting rod.

 

Yeah well,

Since you didn't specify it was a casting reel I assumed it was spinning, which you can move your fingers around on if you needed too.

 

Also, there isn't just one way to hold a casting rod.

 

Good Luck

 

 

Mike

[Lures'n'Liberty]

Carpal Tunnel, Arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, or any of about 100 other itis's and syndromes. An over the counter NSAID anti inflammatory like Tylenol, Motrin, or Aleve will help with most of them temporarily but you should definitely see a doctor, as it will only get worse until you figure out exactly what it is and a medical path to a solution. If you are looking for an herbal remedy, try turmeric root. It's pretty awesome stuff and it can get expensive but if it works it's not too hard to grow in your garden. Google and YouTube will help you to make tea or plant it.

[bigbill]

My arthritis is in my finger joints now and spreading. My finger joints snap when I open and close them. It's worse when the rain is approaching. I need injections for my lower back maybe he can do my finger joints too.

 

i need to stop running after miss Bigfoot. Lol