Proper Way to Reel

[Bankc]

Is there a proper way to reel?  I was throwing a buzz bait a lot yesterday morning, and I could see how a lifetime of doing this would probably ruin your wrist if you didn't do it efficiently, as it was wearing me out.  I'm a musician, and in musical instruments, the main reason there's a proper way to play an instrument isn't usually because it makes playing the instrument easier.  In fact, many times it makes it harder, especially at the beginning.  But more often that not, the reason for a proper technique is because it reduces stress and allows you to play longer, both throughout the day, and throughout your years.  That way you don't damage your joints.

 

I can't say as though I've seen a proper way to reel.  But I noticed if I used only my wrist (which is what I always have done), it would probably grind down my wrist over the years.  So I incorporated a little bit of elbow and some fingers, holding the reel paddles in my extended finger tips instead of clutched in my fist under my thumb.  The idea was to spread the work load out between joints so none of them get overworked.  It seems like introducing more elbow would probably wear out my elbow, so I'm not sure about that.  But introducing my finger tips did seem to help.  I lost some power, but I could easily bite down with my old grip if I needed to, as it didn't require me to regrip the reel to switch between the two.  Again, I'm not keeping my wrist locked, but just reducing the amount of motion in it.  

 

I didn't come up with anything definitive, but reeling a buzz bait for several hours early in the morning definitely got me thinking.  Does anyone know of a proper way?  Has anyone experimented around with this?  Any ideas?

[CrankFate]

All I’m going to say is holding the rod is the part that is going to get you injured.

[Chris Catignani]

One thing that comes to mind is having a reel with a specific (high) gear ratio.

Say for fishing a buzz bait...something like 6.x:1.

[ironbjorn]

For big resistance baits, run with a 5 gear ratio to save your arms and wrists. For baits that you want to burn or that you move with the rod, use a 7 or 8 gear ratio. And if I'm fishing a bait that I'm retrieving with the reel, the rod handle is always tucked under my arm between my body and arm.

[Sphynx]

If it hurts your probably doing it wrong, as far as engaging in behavior that may cause long-term issues, I don't really worry about that, the Army sure didn't mind tearing me up while I was one of their favorite toys so whatever fishing does won't even be noticeable by comparison...in fact even if fishing is the culprit I will almost assuredly have something hurt while in the service to take the blame, so I'll probably never know. 

[the reel ess]

Just don't hold the spinning combo upside down. That's clown shoes.

As for getting fatigued, some techniques are worse than others. I really don't enjoy deep cranking. Thus I rarely do it.

[Sphynx]

6 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

Just don't hold the spinning combo upside down. That's clown shoes.

That makes me want to push people off boats/docks/banks when seen lol.

[rtwvumtneer6]

Just curious, what was your rod/reel setup?

 

Was on an ocean charter one time and the first mate refered to rookies as "square crankers". Thought that was entertaining.  Anyway the point was a fluid circular motion creates a lot less fatigue than trying to forcefully turn the handle like a box.  

[TnRiver46]

“Pencil sharpener” -swindle 

[WRB]

Most of today’s bass anglers have poor bait casting reel mechanics.

This may be the result of longer rods with longer handles.

Casting is a primarily a wrist motion along with forearm.

1. The reel should be held so your thumb pointed at your ear, upper arm at your side staying there, this isn’t a baseball bat swing. The reel handle shouldn’t be held parallel to the water with the thumb at 12:00 o’clock, you will over stress elbow and wrist.

2. Assisting the casting motion using your other on the rod butt to accelerate the rod tip by pulling the butt toward your elbow help to increase distance, a 2 handed cast.

3. Let the rod load up to launch the lure, do not snap cast

4.Buzz baits have poor aerodynamics do to the blade slowing down the lure. Adding extra weight with a soft plastic toad trailer

helps.

Tom

 

[A-Jay]

3 hours ago, Bankc said:

Is there a proper way to reel?  I was throwing a buzz bait a lot yesterday morning, and I could see how a lifetime of doing this would probably ruin your wrist if you didn't do it efficiently, as it was wearing me out.  I'm a musician, and in musical instruments, the main reason there's a proper way to play an instrument isn't usually because it makes playing the instrument easier.  In fact, many times it makes it harder, especially at the beginning.  But more often that not, the reason for a proper technique is because it reduces stress and allows you to play longer, both throughout the day, and throughout your years.  That way you don't damage your joints.

 

I can't say as though I've seen a proper way to reel.  But I noticed if I used only my wrist (which is what I always have done), it would probably grind down my wrist over the years.  So I incorporated a little bit of elbow and some fingers, holding the reel paddles in my extended finger tips instead of clutched in my fist under my thumb.  The idea was to spread the work load out between joints so none of them get overworked.  It seems like introducing more elbow would probably wear out my elbow, so I'm not sure about that.  But introducing my finger tips did seem to help.  I lost some power, but I could easily bite down with my old grip if I needed to, as it didn't require me to regrip the reel to switch between the two.  Again, I'm not keeping my wrist locked, but just reducing the amount of motion in it.  

 

I didn't come up with anything definitive, but reeling a buzz bait for several hours early in the morning definitely got me thinking.  Does anyone know of a proper way?  Has anyone experimented around with this?  Any ideas?

 

Right off, there may be a right & a wrong way for all of us. 

I've seen a few different 'ways' to cast & hold revolving spool tackle.

Some were like I do it, some were not.

Doesn't mean either one is right or wrong Unless,

it is adversely effecting ones technique or biomechanics or both. 

Having gear that is matched to our techniques and our stature is usually helpful.  

Type of rod, reel & line can make a difference over the long haul.

If you're palming your rod & reel, having an overly large or small set up in comparison to ones hand size & strength can be taxing.  There are several different types & sizes of both rod and reel handle grips.

Selectin the one that 'works best' for us could be key.   My favorite rigs 'feel good in my hand' and I don't feel like I'm 'fighting' to fish it properly.

Speaking of taxing, I prefer to cast with two hands - shares the load over the course of a day.

Finally you mentioned you were "throwing a buzz bait a lot"  which seems to mean more than usual ?   If that's the case, anytime I do 'more' for the first time in a while, there's some soreness, and that's not limited to just bass fishing.   Best way for me to get acclimated to 'more' is do it 'more'.

Of course easing into it seems the safest approach.

#babystepsbob.

Hope that helps

A-Jay

[ajschn06]

22 minutes ago, WRB said:

Most of today’s bass anglers have poor bait casting reel mechanics.

This may be the result of longer rods with longer handles.

Casting is a primarily a wrist motion along with forearm.

1. The reel should be held so your thumb pointed at your ear, upper arm at your side staying there, this isn’t a baseball bat swing. The reel handle shouldn’t be held parallel to the water with the thumb at 12:00 o’clock, you will over stress elbow and wrist.

2. Assisting the casting motion using your other on the rod butt to accelerate the rod tip by pulling the butt toward your elbow help to increase distance, a 2 handed cast.

3. Let the rod load up to launch the lure, do not snap cast

4.Buzz baits have poor aerodynamics do to the blade slowing down the lure. Adding extra weight with a soft plastic toad trailer

helps.

Tom

 

OP is asking about reeling, not casting...

[WRB]

Buzz baits have very little water resistance during the retrieve. 

How the rod is held with the tip upwards so the buzzer planes on the water surface is key.

Palming the reel with one and cranking with the opposite without keeping the rod handle tucked under the forearm will stress the hand holding the reel. 

If the rod has a foregrip it is a lot less stress the to hold the rod and balance the reel in lieu of palming the reel.

There is only 1 way to turn the reel handle using your thumb and. Index finger...no brainer. 

Tom

[king fisher]

If the bass are hitting the buzz bait, than you are reeling correctly.  I have found most joint injuries occur from repetitive house hold chores, yard work, or other related activities conducted during times when for health reasons, time could be better spent fishing.  I find fishing in general is very therapeutic, and a good buzz bait bite should be considered physical therapy.  

[Bankc]

4 hours ago, rtwvumtneer6 said:

Just curious, what was your rod/reel setup?

 

Was on an ocean charter one time and the first mate refered to rookies as "square crankers". Thought that was entertaining.  Anyway the point was a fluid circular motion creates a lot less fatigue than trying to forcefully turn the handle like a box.  

Tatula CT 7.1:1 reel and a Kastking Perigree II MH/F rod.  

 

Yeah, I was just wondering if anyone had really thought about this.  It's not like I hurt myself yesterday.  It was just one of those situations where you repeat a motion so many times that you become aware of how over time this could lead to future problems.  It reminded me of playing guitar.  If my guitar technique is right, I can play for 6-8 hours straight and my callouses will be a bit tender and my muscles will be sore, but my joints will be fine.  If my technique is off, I'll feel it in my tendons.  You kind of have to adopt a feel for what kinds of pain you can play through and ignore, and what kinds of pain are warning signs.  This one felt more like a warning sign.

 

 

[Rich12]

There is no proper way to reel.  Sometimes say a crank bait needs to be burned, sometimes slow rolled, sometimes stop and go, sometimes cranked with little jerks.   Zillion different ways to reel.  Depends on lure, conditions, set up and what the fish want.   I recall lots of time I could not get bit on a texas rig.  I started just slowly cranking it steady and got bit like crazy.  The fish will tell you what they want.` It is you that has to try different things.

 

[schplurg]

See a doctor if you are having pain because it will only get worse.

 

I played guitar for many years, then used a computer for many more. I have tendinitis and carpal. Don't mess around.

[Catt]

11 hours ago, Bankc said:

You kind of have to adopt a feel for what kinds of pain you can play through and ignore, and what kinds of pain are warning signs

 

Playing through or ignoring pain is never a good thing!

 

Repetitive motion does the most damage because by the time you realize it, it's to late, damage done.

[NHBull]

When I had my shoulder rebuilt my PT guy was an avid fisherman.

 

we reviewed my mechanics and made some changes to allow the joints and muscle groups to move with minimal twist .  The biggest change was rolling the wrist during the cast.

proper technique allows me to fish for hours without pain.  

[Koz]

21 hours ago, schplurg said:

See a doctor if you are having pain because it will only get worse.

 

I played guitar for many years, then used a computer for many more. I have tendinitis and carpal. Don't mess around.

That's why years ago I switched to using a trackball instead of a mouse.

[Bankc]

On 8/23/2021 at 10:59 PM, schplurg said:

See a doctor if you are having pain because it will only get worse.

 

I played guitar for many years, then used a computer for many more. I have tendinitis and carpal. Don't mess around.

 

On 8/24/2021 at 5:33 AM, NHBull said:

When I had my shoulder rebuilt my PT guy was an avid fisherman.

 

we reviewed my mechanics and made some changes to allow the joints and muscle groups to move with minimal twist .  The biggest change was rolling the wrist during the cast.

proper technique allows me to fish for hours without pain.  

Pain was a bad choice of words.  I should have said muscle fatigue.  Like you can push through muscle fatigue and be fine.  That's how exercise works.  But joint or tendon pain is different.  And that was my point.  I could start to get the feeling that I was doing damage to my wrist.  Not a lot.  It didn't even hurt.  It was just a feeling of fatigue.  But having played enough musical instruments and experiencing the early warning signs with carpel tunnels and have some tendinitis in my fingers, I now know the difference between muscles being fatigued and joints being damaged.  And this was different than just a tightening of my forearm muscles.  And since there are no muscles in your wrists or hands, any discomfort there is a sign of bad things to come.  

 

I was just noticing that whatever method I had been using to crank a reel was a poor choice.  I hadn't really noticed it before, because I don't often crank so fast for so long.  So I've decided to investigate a better technique so that I don't have to worry about doing permanent damage in the long run.  For the moment, I'm fine.  I just don't want to be not fine in ten years.  Hence why I'm looking for a better technique.  

On 8/24/2021 at 5:33 AM, NHBull said:

When I had my shoulder rebuilt my PT guy was an avid fisherman.

 

we reviewed my mechanics and made some changes to allow the joints and muscle groups to move with minimal twist .  The biggest change was rolling the wrist during the cast.

proper technique allows me to fish for hours without pain.  

This is what I'm talking about.  Did they go over how to reel or was it just casting?  I think my casting is fine.  I do a good job of spreading the load out from my legs to my hips to my torso to my shoulder to my elbow to my wrist, so that no single joint experiences much stress.  But for reeling, my wrists tend to do 90% of the work.  

[schplurg]

On 8/24/2021 at 6:10 PM, Koz said:

That's why years ago I switched to using a trackball instead of a mouse.

 

I've used both for a few decades. Just too much wear and tear over the years.