Do you keep a finger on your line?

[KP Duty]

When I frst started using casting reels at about 12yrs old (1990), I was told to keep a finger on my line (index) when worming/jigging.  It wasn't comfortable, but I did.  That changed when I purchased my first higher-end rod in 2001(an IMX).  You? 

[huZZah]

I have never had big enough hands to do it with my casting hand, so I use my left with certain finesse presentations. 

[matbellon3]

In most cases no. But come just before Ice forms and just after ice off I will when fishing bottom contact.

[Bluebasser86]

I do sometimes, sometimes I don't. It's something I do subconsciously. 

[Catt]

Nahh! ?

[Hammer 4]

Any bottom contact bait, yes, I'm always in touch with my line, and I watch it like a hawk also.

Any other bait, nope.

[gunsinger]

I’ve tried to do it nut my hands aren’t the right size to do it comfortably. But, I am a line watcher. 

[Mike L]

I make sure I do when punching using heavy braid (65# or 80#)

 

All other times with tight line retrieves…Sometimes 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[A-Jay]

Nope.

Tried it a long time ago.

Doesn't work for me anatomically speaking.

A-Jay

[T-Billy]

10 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Nope.

Tried it a long time ago.

Doesn't work for me anatomically speaking.

A-Jay

Same here. I palm it with the trigger between my pinkie and ring fingers, and pay close attention to my line. I also balance all my rods to balance on my middle finger. Improves sensitivity and reduces wrist fatigue IMO.

[A-Jay]

5 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

Same here. I palm it with the trigger between my pinkie and ring fingers, and pay close attention to my line. I also balance all my rods to balance on my middle finger. Improves sensitivity and reduces wrist fatigue IMO.

I hear ya ~

At this point, I don't ever think about it.

I just pick up the rig and and fish it. 

A-Jay

[Msl819]

I learned doing it this way but when using reels like Daiwa with the TWS it messes with line lay down so I don’t do it as much anymore.

[scaleface]

Yep . I hold the rod by the foregrip, remember those , and run the line between index finger and thumb . I've fished like that since I was a kid . All my rods have a beefy foregrip .

[WRB]

Yes, my finger tips are far more sensitive then any rod ever made. It’s easy to do with round reels of all sizes including 50 wide International, low profile reels, spinning reels.

Simple skill to develop with enormous  payback in strike detection and line management.

Tom

[KP Duty]

5 minutes ago, scaleface said:

Yep . I hold the rod by the foregrip, remember those , and run the line between index finger and thumb . I've fished like that since I was a kid . All my rods have a beefy foregrip .

My uncle, who taught me...still holds his rod this way.  I knew he had just purchased a fleet of NRX's, so I asked him if he still cradled his line.  'Yep'.  

[WRB]

NRX and most Loomis casting rods incorporate a short fore grip to accommodate the middle and ring fingers to hold the rod in front of the reel freeing up your thumb and index finger to feel and control line being retrieved.

Rods with only a bare front reel locking ring are difficult to hold and feel line.

Tom

[JustJames]

I do it sometimes but always at the same manner,

1. when the lure free fall on slack line.

2. When fishing in windy days, especially with braid.

3. When holding rod tip high for dropshot.

4. When slow reel retrieve for jig. 
I have developed the trust in my rod that I can feel even slight pressure change  in the line, but when line is slack, any rod or even super sensitive rod might not transfer the change as well as a touch from fingers.

I palm all my reels 3 or all finger in front of trigger and don’t have any problem. I use my finger every possible way to feel the line, lay underneath, on top on even on spool. It become automatic for me.

 

[PressuredFishing]

13 hours ago, KP Duty said:

When I frst started using casting reels at about 12yrs old (1990), I was told to keep a finger on my line (index) when worming/jigging.  It wasn't comfortable, but I did.  That changed when I purchased my first higher-end rod in 2001(an IMX).  You? 

not usually with casting rods, I usually watch the line and see if it does wierd stuff. by if its a winter time or slow summer time bottom presentation on casting reels, I hold the line with my offhand, but mostly do this with C-rigs and thats about it, maybe a bubba shot as well if im letting it soak. on spinning rods I do it all the time except for moving baits of course, so dropshots, neds, finnesse t-rigs, splitshot rigs, etc.

[jimmyjoe]

I learned to do it many years ago. I fished the rivers, and the muddy water and cottonwood fluff messed up my line.  Now ..... it's automatic.       jj

 

[fishhugger]

just starting to do this... it's interesting.  you start to feel things. i've never done it  before, as i felt like i could feel the bite in the rod... but  i caught a tree today on a trickworm ---- didn't feel it one bit, tho.

[fishballer06]

When fishing bottom contact lures, I will sometimes do this, but I do it differently than most. I will put the tip of my thumb of my palming hand over the spool, resting the tip of that thumb on my line between the spool and the guide ring of the reel. This gives me a little bit better feel of the bait, and I can easily rest my thumb on the spool for a little additional man made drag.

[dodgeguy]

IMHO it's as useless as TOB !!!! Get a sensitive rod and some sensitive line and your rod and reel will send the information to your hands.

[Bankbeater]

Nope.

[GreenPig]

Yes with bottom baits and spoons. I allow the line to lay on top of my index finger. I fish a good bit at night so line watching ain't happening. 

[Boomstick]

With a bottom contact bait, yes.