Help with reel for disabled fisherman

[Kooter]

Hello all,

I've been searching for info on reels that would be apropriate for a disabled fisherman but all I can find are huge saltwater reels. The situation is this: I've got a friend who had a stroke a few years ago and lost 90% of the use of his right hand/arm. I'd like to buy him some sort of automatic reel that would be suitable for use by a person who has a good left hand and very minimal right hand (maybe enough to push a toggle) but entire left-hand operation would be preferred. The other thing, is it needs to be small or relatively small. The reel would only need to be able to pull in PA trout (and Bass).

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Grey Wolf]

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think you are going to have a hard time finding something like that.

[Lucky Craft Man]

The only thing I can think of that might remotely help with his situation is a Daiwa Viento (or Megaforce).  The twiching bar can help you retrieve with one hand, but I never tried fighting a fish by using that bar alone (I may have to try that).  I don't know of any spinning reels that you could use with one hand.  Good luck in your search and I hope you find something, because I know fishing can be very therapeutic.

[SCBASS]

I don't know of any reel that can held and operated with the same hand.  Instead of trying to design a one handed reel, I would make some sort of straps that would secure to the rod and his right arm.  The straps would hold the pole to his right arm so he can reel with his left.  For casting, his left hand could grab his right arm and pole to help swing the rod and cast.  I think that this could work as long as he has enough strength/ control of his right arm to be able hold it still while reeling with his left.  Even if he didn't, you could make something that he could rest his right arm on after he casts and while he's retrieving the lure.  I sure you guys can figure something out so he can get back out on the water and enjoy fishing again.

[dave]

There was an article in Bassmaster a couple of years ago about a reel (or something) a guy had come up with for disabled fisherman.  Anybody else remember it?

[.RM.]

Kooter,

Most of the research that I know about on electric reels was done about 30 years ago by Shimano®, and Penn®. They were all for blue water (deep sea) reels. I have seen one that will handle a Penn 4500 spinning reel but has a hefty weight (32oz) to just the motorized section of the system. For some of these systems the battery packs are huge. I have never have seen anyone come up with a system to handle actual freshwater fishing like trout, bass, and the likes.

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

[Kooter]

Thanks for the help.  Hopefully someone will come up with something.  I've seen all those heavy saltwater reels but I think they would be too much to deal with.  He has some very limited use of his arm/hand and has been trying to fish for the past few years since the stroke but hasn't been enjoying it very much.  I was hoping there was something out there to help.  Please let me know if anybody thinks of a reel!

Thanks