Lighter gear due to injury?

[Drew03cmc]

Hey all, I've got an injured right shoulder, likely needing surgery, but I am an avid angler and Kayak fisherman. I've noticed myself gravitating to physically lighter rods and reels due to less strain on it. I have noticed that using a spinning rod has become problematic also due to the nerve from my shoulder down to my hand being messed up. My hand goes numb while using a spinning rod. I've been using, almost exclusively, an Alphas CT SV 70SH and a Tatula Elite 6'9 ML with smaller baits like the 3.5g Egu Dama Level, Pop X, Level Crank, X Nanahan, etc. Has anyone else had to do this and found you prefer it?

I spent a few weeks earlier this month tossing around chatterbaits and after a day of that, I was done for a day or two.

[WRB]

Get it fixed before permanent nerve damage occurs, it doesn’t heal itself!

Tom

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, WRB said:

Get it fixed before permanent nerve damage occurs, it doesn’t heal itself!

Tom

Ditto - more you use it, the more damage you'll do to it. I think you'd much rather miss a bit of fishing now than give it up entirely.

[A-Jay]

13 minutes ago, WRB said:

Get it fixed before permanent nerve damage occurs, it doesn’t heal itself!

Tom

Solid advice.

Perhaps @LrgmouthShad could share some of what he's been through

in what seems like a similar deal.

A-Jay

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, Drew03cmc said:

Hey all, I've got an injured right shoulder, likely needing surgery, but I am an avid angler and Kayak fisherman.

Have you consulted with your orthopedist yet? I'm right-handed and did a number on my left shoulder last April where I was sure before the visit I'd need surgery. Barely slept for days because of the pain and had numbness from my elbow to my hand. I finally capitulated and saw the doc when it went from bad to worse. No detached tendons thankfully, and while surgery was an option, he recommended a course of steroids followed by PT to see how I'd feel first. Stuck with it and I feel much better. I have full strength again in most areas, but I'm aware of which angle I did the damage in the first place, so I'm mindful to adjust around this still somewhat vulnerable area. I've tweaked it a few times, but have been able to just shake it out like any other minor tweak to a muscle group.

 

What allowed me to fish consistently again after a few months was modifying my casting stroke and using rods with shorter handles. Basically, with short handles I can isolate my upper left arm by keeping it tight to my side and pull the butt-end of the rod using only my elbow-to-wrist. The shorter distance between my hands during the cast facilitated by the shorter handles greatly alleviated stress on the injury. I can still generate good casting distance this way, and I feel no discomfort at all as long as I remember myself. Even when I forget occasionally, I'm pretty much OK now, so it's not a problem. However, as with any other old injury I've had, I must be mindful to work around this one in order to avoid inflaming it. I can still move like a chimp when I want to or need to, as long as I mind the stress angles which caused my problem in the first place.

 

After this experience I came to learn that several people in my orbit with far worse situations than mine chose the given option of PT instead of surgery and are fine with their choice. You may need surgery no matter what, but if the option for PT is offered as a viable alternative, you need not be as skeptical as I was beforehand. I really thought my goose was cooked, and that there was no way I wasn't getting cut, but I was wrong.

 

 

[LrgmouthShad]

Hey man, very sorry to hear you’re going through this. I can offer you a story of what I did to help heal my shoulder to try to help, but I understand your injury and mine are certainly not exactly the same. Nonetheless, maybe you can find something useful. 
 

I would first try to see if you can do without surgery. That means actively trying to heal your shoulder, putting down both the rod and the paddle. I, like you, and like other bassresource members, tried to help my shoulder while still fishing by making some adjustments to how I fished, including changing how I cast. It’s a losing battle, in my opinion. Take a break for a while, get a diagnosis from a doctor if you do not yet have one, and after a period of rest, seek out professional or DIY physical therapy. PT will hurt some, but as long as you are not overdoing it and it is “good” pain, you should see progress. If PT fails, and I’m talking about after months of effort, someone else can offer better advice than me. I took a break from fishing for maybe a couple or few months and got so fed up with it that I started getting more aggressive with PT. Turns out, by that point, PT is all I needed. My pain steadily lessened and my strength steadily improved. I just got back from fishing for over 8 hours, power fishing for most of it, even crankbaiting with a heavier stick. I have zero pain. 

 

Sincerely hope you are able to make a recovery 
 

 

Edit add-on: Also, for context, before my recovery, I had pain whenever I brushed my teeth or pushed a shopping cart, as examples. It was really bad for while

[Drew03cmc]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Get it fixed before permanent nerve damage occurs, it doesn’t heal itself!

Tom

 

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Ditto - more you use it, the more damage you'll do to it. I think you'd much rather miss a bit of fishing now than give it up entirely.

I see the Dr a week from Monday. It's not the fishing I'm terribly worried about, it's work, the kids, etc. I am a trash truck mechanic and my job is very physically demanding some days. There are a few movements I know that are trouble for me. The use of lighter gear has made me able to fish, but the pain isn't going away by itself. 

 

The spinning rod pain/numbness is primarily from the angle my wrist is at when holding the rod and I can handle that when I need to use a spinning rod, but I am quickly learning the effectiveness of finesse fishing in most situations, due to need, versus want. Heck, I caught a dozen crappie on a walking bait yesterday evening.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

3 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Have you consulted with your orthopedist yet? I'm right-handed and did a number on my left shoulder last April where I was sure before the visit I'd need surgery. Barely slept for days because of the pain and had numbness from my elbow to my hand. I finally capitulated and saw the doc when it went from bad to worse. No detached tendons thankfully, and while surgery was an option, he recommended a course of steroids followed by PT to see how I'd feel first. Stuck with it and I feel much better. I have full strength again in most areas, but I'm aware of which angle I did the damage in the first place, so I'm mindful to adjust around this still somewhat vulnerable area. I've tweaked it a few times, but have been able to just shake it out like any other minor tweak to a muscle group.

 

What allowed me to fish consistently again after a few months was modifying my casting stroke and using rods with shorter handles. Basically, with short handles I can isolate my upper left arm by keeping it tight to my side and pull the butt-end of the rod using only my elbow-to-wrist. The shorter distance between my hands during the cast facilitated by the shorter handles greatly alleviated stress on the injury. I can still generate good casting distance this way, and I feel no discomfort at all as long as I remember myself. Even when I forget occasionally, I'm pretty much OK now, so it's not a problem. However, as with any other old injury I've had, I must be mindful to work around this one in order to avoid inflaming it. I can still move like a chimp when I want to or need to, as long as I mind the stress angles which caused my problem in the first place.

 

After this experience I came to learn that several people in my orbit with far worse situations than mine chose the given option of PT instead of surgery and are fine with their choice. You may need surgery no matter what, but if the option for PT is offered as a viable alternative, you need not be as skeptical as I was beforehand. I really thought my goose was cooked, and that there was no way I wasn't getting cut, but I was wrong.

 

 

Glad you’re doing better. I’m living with a near full depth tear of a rotator cuff muscle also treated with cortisone and PT. I’m not perfect but avoiding the knife and still fishing (not as much as I’d like)

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Never had to recover from major surgery myself, but some of the older guys I fish with have had similar issues.  A buddys had his shoulder surgery done mid winter and wasnt supposed to even think about touching a rod until April.  We had a couple warm fays in February, he got antsy and went out 2 days in a row.  Those 2 days set him back another 4-6 weeks.

[ATA]

So sorry to hear that, I had injury and they said it will take 7 to 10 years for recovery, I couldn't stop fishing so I start light tackle which it expensive choice. I was the same and at first my hands went numb after 15min. First I change all my fishing tackle to lefty and I stay this way up to now and keep fishing with wrist/elbow bands. Now I can go half day and no numbness in hands only my legs due to injury and weight I gained because of injury(I gained 60lb). Now I am doing really better and trying to loose the weight also. I wish same thing happen to you. I cool off the fishing itch with doing bait and wait style for trout and catfish till I got better and start active fishing.

I suggest you do the same and do bait and wait style till your surgery done and doctors allow you to start active fishing. wish you best luck and have great day.

[Drew03cmc]

3 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Have you consulted with your orthopedist yet? I'm right-handed and did a number on my left shoulder last April where I was sure before the visit I'd need surgery. Barely slept for days because of the pain and had numbness from my elbow to my hand. I finally capitulated and saw the doc when it went from bad to worse. No detached tendons thankfully, and while surgery was an option, he recommended a course of steroids followed by PT to see how I'd feel first. Stuck with it and I feel much better. I have full strength again in most areas, but I'm aware of which angle I did the damage in the first place, so I'm mindful to adjust around this still somewhat vulnerable area. I've tweaked it a few times, but have been able to just shake it out like any other minor tweak to a muscle group.

 

What allowed me to fish consistently again after a few months was modifying my casting stroke and using rods with shorter handles. Basically, with short handles I can isolate my upper left arm by keeping it tight to my side and pull the butt-end of the rod using only my elbow-to-wrist. The shorter distance between my hands during the cast facilitated by the shorter handles greatly alleviated stress on the injury. I can still generate good casting distance this way, and I feel no discomfort at all as long as I remember myself. Even when I forget occasionally, I'm pretty much OK now, so it's not a problem. However, as with any other old injury I've had, I must be mindful to work around this one in order to avoid inflaming it. I can still move like a chimp when I want to or need to, as long as I mind the stress angles which caused my problem in the first place.

 

After this experience I came to learn that several people in my orbit with far worse situations than mine chose the given option of PT instead of surgery and are fine with their choice. You may need surgery no matter what, but if the option for PT is offered as a viable alternative, you need not be as skeptical as I was beforehand. I really thought my goose was cooked, and that there was no way I wasn't getting cut, but I was wrong.

 

 

 

3 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Hey man, very sorry to hear you’re going through this. I can offer you a story of what I did to help heal my shoulder to try to help, but I understand your injury and mine are certainly not exactly the same. Nonetheless, maybe you can find something useful. 
 

I would first try to see if you can do without surgery. That means actively trying to heal your shoulder, putting down both the rod and the paddle. I, like you, and like other bassresource members, tried to help my shoulder while still fishing by making some adjustments to how I fished, including changing how I cast. It’s a losing battle, in my opinion. Take a break for a while, get a diagnosis from a doctor if you do not yet have one, and after a period of rest, seek out professional or DIY physical therapy. PT will hurt some, but as long as you are not overdoing it and it is “good” pain, you should see progress. If PT fails, and I’m talking about after months of effort, someone else can offer better advice than me. I took a break from fishing for maybe a couple or few months and got so fed up with it that I started getting more aggressive with PT. Turns out, by that point, PT is all I needed. My pain steadily lessened and my strength steadily improved. I just got back from fishing for over 8 hours, power fishing for most of it, even crankbaiting with a heavier stick. I have zero pain. 

 

Sincerely hope you are able to make a recovery 
 

 

Edit add-on: Also, for context, before my recovery, I had pain whenever I brushed my teeth or pushed a shopping cart, as examples. It was really bad for while

I am glad you both have improved. I hope I can as well, eventually. I've got 2 Alphas CT and 1 Alphas Ito coming to have rebuilt. Might just have to focus on finesse casting tackle. Here comes another expensive rabbit hole. Haha.

[dodgeguy]

I went to lighter rods and reels to help with tendonitis and arthritis . A side from medical help it is the best thing to do. I love my 4.9 oz. Lew's reels.

[Alex from GA]

My finesse spinning outfit weighs 9 oz with the bait.  I've had shoulder pain, arthritis, for years and had steroid shots and took lots of ibuprofen until it didn't work anymore.  Had a shoulder replacement 2 years ago.  Took 3 months until I went fishing for the first time and had to cast with the other hand.  The worst thing was learning to wipe with the wrong hand.  Had to use lots of soap.  Lighter equipment helps me out with the amount I can stand to fish.  BTW I'm also old and weigh 145 lbs.

[stratos4me]

Obviously get it checked out. But also, work on your mechanics. A roll cast can be done with virtually no shoulder movement. Go to Tactical and watch how they cast a swimbait.

[Drew03cmc]

13 minutes ago, stratos4me said:

Obviously get it checked out. But also, work on your mechanics. A roll cast can be done with virtually no shoulder movement. Go to Tactical and watch how they cast a swimbait.

I have been using a roll cast where it can be applied, and you're correct, it requires no shoulder movement. I prefer a roll cast for normal situations.

[Bankc]

On 4/30/2023 at 5:22 PM, Drew03cmc said:

 

I see the Dr a week from Monday. It's not the fishing I'm terribly worried about, it's work, the kids, etc. I am a trash truck mechanic and my job is very physically demanding some days. There are a few movements I know that are trouble for me. The use of lighter gear has made me able to fish, but the pain isn't going away by itself. 

 

The spinning rod pain/numbness is primarily from the angle my wrist is at when holding the rod and I can handle that when I need to use a spinning rod, but I am quickly learning the effectiveness of finesse fishing in most situations, due to need, versus want. Heck, I caught a dozen crappie on a walking bait yesterday evening.

Have you considered moving to baitcasters?  I find that baitcasters are easier on my shoulders during retrieve due to not having to hold the rod up and out to reel.  Spinning reels will wear me out on long days.  Maybe it's just me and that's what I'm used to.  But the more compact design and rod being basically inline with the axis of the reel relieves some of that stress.  

[Skunkmaster-k]

When I tore my bicep, I fished live bait for a good while. There’s a lot less repetitive motion involved. Shorter, lighter rods helped too.  Just have to remember not to spazz out when setting the hook. Ooo-eeee TShane !

[Darth-Baiter]

ouch.  any possiblity of switching hands?

[Drew03cmc]

1 hour ago, Bankc said:

Have you considered moving to baitcasters?  I find that baitcasters are easier on my shoulders during retrieve due to not having to hold the rod up and out to reel.  Spinning reels will wear me out on long days.  Maybe it's just me and that's what I'm used to.  But the more compact design and rod being basically inline with the axis of the reel relieves some of that stress.  

I have gone to Daiwa Alphas almost exclusively. I have a Tatula and Zillion also, but the Alphas have gotten 95% of my use the last month due to weight and how dang fun they are to fish. 

 

As for switching hands...let's not. I am so uncoordinated that I look like 50 Cent did on that first pitch he had.