Using Your Thumb (finger)

[papajoe222]

I fished with spinning gear, exclusively, for over thirty years before falling in love with baitcasters. I'll be the first to admit that to this day, when I cast, I only use my thumb to soften the lure's entry and rely almost solely on my 'calibrated' arm to hit my target. Yes, I'm not the most accurate caster and yes, I likely get more than my share of professional overruns.

The plus factor from all those years of using spinning gear is the fact that I use my thumb to lock down the spool when setting the hook and when I want to turn a fish heading for cover that's pulling line.  My drag is set lighter than where most guys do, but I've seen  times when even a tighter drag 'gives' on a hook set and results in the fish coming unbuttoned.

So, who else uses their thumb (index finger for you spinning guys) when they want to add a little more resistance, or you you rely solely on your drag setting?

Before you ask, no, I rarely adjust the drag setting while fighting a fish. Do You?

[shovelmouth83]

some times no drag. but if i am jigging or in cover i will turn in a turn not a lot had a screamer today and it was more fun with just the thumb pressure.

[Darren.]

I use my thumb on my casting gear, but on spinning

I simply palm the spool if I need more. I keep my drags

fairly light and have increased hookups, as well.

[WRB]

Since I learned to cast a knuckle buster baitcasting reel the only spool control was my thumb including any drag when fighting fish because the old reels didn't have anti reverse. So my thumb is well educated. 

Yes I set my drags, both spinning and bait casting, today's drags are very reliable.

Most of my fishing partners can't cast my reels because they are free spinning with minimum brakes, my thumb is my spool control. I would say my casting accuracy is very good, it should be after over 6 decades of bass fishing.

Thumb is automatic during hook sets and casting. My thumb and index finger is also my strike indicator as the line contacts both on baitcasting and index finger for spinning.

Old School bass angler.

Tom

[davecon]

Same as WRB. Old school here, been fishing baitcasters almost as long as he has - 50 plus years. Why do you think God gave you thumbs ?

 

On spinning gear I use my palm to increase drag. On rare occasions I will adjust the drag setting, but not often. Keep in mind I fish for snook a LOT and they are like bass on steroids so the drag can become very important.

 

All in all today’s reel calibration and drags make using a baitcasters pretty easy to learn, unlike decades ago when it was like a child learning to ride a bicycle without the benefit of starting out with training wheels.

[geo g]

In south Florida with shallow lakes, and weeds everywhere a loose drag will get you in big trouble especially with a good size bass.  Upon the setting, a bass will normally go deep and dive into cover.  We also have pads everywhere that will get you wrapped in a heart beat.  I lock down my drag all the time, never use less then 15 pound test line, and will go up to 65 pound braid depending on technique.   Getting their head up and headed for the boat as soon as possible, is key down here.   Anything less will get you in trouble quick!  There is little time for playing with a big fish, if you want to touch them!

[Mumbly]

I'll use my thumb to add more resistance in general but I will adjust the drag mid-fight from time to time when I hook an unexpected larger species of fish that i was specifically targeting.

[Troy85]

I generally just use my drag setting.  I bass fish mostly tidal marshes, I only adjust my drag mid-fight if I hookup with a large redfish.

[mattkenzer]

On my spinning gear, i set the drag with my scale to 1/3 the breaking strength of the line. I really on this method only, with no additional help from palm or thumb once spool is engaged.

 

On my casting gear, i use my thumb to control the cast but again, the drags are set according to tactic with no additional help once the spool is engaged by the handle.

[KDW96]

I was taught long ago by my dad, to use my thumb for spool control. 

[Mike L]

9 hours ago, geo g said:

In south Florida with shallow lakes, and weeds everywhere a loose drag will get you in big trouble especially with a good size bass.  Upon the setting, a bass will normally go deep and dive into cover.  We also have pads everywhere that will get you wrapped in a heart beat.  I lock down my drag all the time, never use less then 15 pound test line, and will go up to 65 pound braid depending on technique.   Getting their head up and headed for the boat as soon as possible, is key down here.   Anything less will get you in trouble quick!  There is little time for playing with a big fish, if you want to touch them!

Ditto

Its heavy duty down here most of time. 

I don't even own a medium baitcasting rod and use my only spinning outfit for when grandkids visit and take them to a local pond. 

(And that's about to change)

 

 

 

Mike

[Catt]

I grew up fishing the Gulf Of Mexico, with fish like Mackerel, Amberjack, Bonito, Barracuda, ya don't dare use your thumb for drag.

 

Been there done that! ?

 

Like others mentioned most people couldn't pickup my reels & cast em.

[Troy85]

8 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

 

Like others mentioned most people couldn't pickup my reels & cast em.

^^^ Sucks when someone tries while you're not paying attention and they create a Bald Eagle sized birds nest on the first cast.  Last time that happened I just looked back at my buddy, he had this uh oh look on his face, all I could say was "well, that reel is done for the day"

[Catt]

1 minute ago, Troy1985s said:

^^^ Sucks when someone tries while you're not paying attention and they create a Bald Eagle sized birds nest on the first cast.  Last time that happened I just looked back at my buddy, he had this uh oh look on his face, all I could say was "well, that reel is done for the day"

 

What's worse is seeing em pick up your rod-n-reel & start adjusting it! 

 

My Cajun French comes out! ?

[NittyGrittyBoy]

I mostly keep my drag buttoned down. Very rarely will a bass take any drag from me. <-- maybe to my error but it works for me. 

 

I mainly fish rivers, so bass are accustomed to lots of structure, if you give a bass an inch they will wrap you up quick as can be, shake their head, and leave. So when I hook into one I'm doing my best to get that bass out as quickly as I can. I fish strictly braid, so I know my knot and line will not be a failure. Most of the time straightened hooks are. 

 

If I'm fishing a lake with not much structure yeah loosen the drag, fish sissy flouro and play the fish, but I usually don't. My biggest bass was in a pond, got er to the boat an she took off I clicked the bail and gave her some line, did that a few times and netted an 11lb bass. So I guess whatever works

[mattkenzer]

24 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

What's worse is seeing em pick up your rod-n-reel & start adjusting it! 

 

My Cajun French comes out! ?

Yup .... Like they own it.

[scaleface]

My old Ambassaduers bait-casters, I use to keep them as loose as possible with the small breaks . I cant do that  with modern reels .

[rtwvumtneer6]

On spinning gear I will adjust the drag while I'm landing the fish.  I actually have a Shimano that has rear drag, but I'm not a fan.

 

On baitcasting gear thumbing is something I do, without consciously thinking about it.  In fact, I've slipped and depressed my thumb bar with a fish on.  Started picking out the backlash and realized it was still hooked, and hand lined it in.  True story ?

[WRB]

The worst thumb burn I ever had was casting a live mackerel that was about 2 lbs to a feeding Marlin and managed a slight backlash or over run with loops that needed to be pulled out. Put my thumb on the spool, started to pull out the loops when the Marlin took off with the mackerel pulling my thumb under the top cross bar, It still hurts thinking about the burned flesh before getting the reel in gear and pulling my thumb out loosing all the skin to the flesh. Never never try to stop big salt water fish with your thumb on the spool!

Tom

[buzzbaiter83]

I don't use my thumb for drag on my baitcasters. I do use my finger on spinning gear. In the winter I fish Lake Cumberland, Norris & Cherokee for smallmouth on 4-6lb test until the water hits the upper 50's. I flip my backreel switch and use my finger to assist my drag to land them when needed. If I just used drag I'd get broke off quick with a big fish. 

[Rahlow]

I hunt structure and stained water when possible, because of that I crank the drags down as tight as I can get 'em. I will adjust the magnetic spool brake if the wind is blowing pretty hard. I been accused of throwing less than 2 lb bass over the boat on the hookset lol, my style and preferences dictate heavy line, usually 20 or 25 lb test, and tight drags, got to keep outta the brush!! Thumb is used to stop the cast, thumb and fore-finger feel the "thump of the bite"

Oh and my 25+ year old Quantum 1310 MG's seem to have held up well to the pressure,