Fingers and Hands Cramping While Fishing?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Daniel Bavery on August 12, 2009 at 8:34pm

Yep, I get it all the time. Since I usually use gear for swimbaits, its easy for me to just switch to a smaller reel like my Citica. I use a half round half low pro Cabo PT, so the downsize to the full low pro gets rid of mine

Permalink Reply by Jordan Doucet on August 12, 2009 at 9:02pm

I would agree with you Dan, but I am using GLX rods and low profile reels such as the new shimano curado 200 and revo premier baitcasting reels. For my spinning reels I am using daiwa sol's 2000 and 2500. So I don't think thats it.

Permalink Reply by Marc Marcantonio on August 12, 2009 at 9:34pm

Jordan, I asked my wife who is a physical therapist. She said it could be a couple of things, and only by getting examined will you know the best way to deal with the problem. She asked if you are doing any casting with your rod hand that is cramping?

Chances are your problem is tendonitis, which could be in your wrist, elbow, or shoulder. You may or not feel pain in the joint that is causing your cramping. If you are casting with that arm, or ripping jerkbaits, etc., then the stress on your tendons in your wrist is likely. Otherwise the elbow is probably the next logical place to look (aka tennis elbow). You could try one of those support bands that goes just in front of your elbow.

Hope this helps!

ciao,
Marc

Permalink Reply by Jordan Doucet on August 12, 2009 at 9:36pm

Thanks Marc. Lots of wrist action flipping out the dropshot underhand is likely the culprit. I blame it on the quickdrops!

I will settle with you for quickdrops for life... haha

Thanks for the advice.

Marc Marcantonio said:

Jordan, I asked my wife who is a physical therapist. She said it could be a couple of things, and only by getting examined will you know the best way to deal with the problem. She asked if you are doing any casting with your rod hand that is cramping?

Chances are your problem is tendonitis, which could be in your wrist, elbow, or shoulder. You may or not feel pain in the joint that is causing your cramping. If you are casting with that arm, or ripping jerkbaits, etc., then the stress on your tendons in your wrist is likely. Otherwise the elbow is probably the next logical place to look (aka tennis elbow). You could try one of those support bands that goes just in front of your elbow.

Hope this helps!

ciao,
Marc

Permalink Reply by Steve Hastings on August 12, 2009 at 9:46pm

Jordan: Doctor, Doctor... it hurts when I do this.....
Doctor: Well thats easy don't do it.

On the serious side, too many years on the computer have left me with RSI/Carpal Tunnel. Try switching hands, meaning if your using spinning gear, swap the handle side or have two one rigged each way and switch off. If your holding the rod still for long period, its likely your not flipping/pitching, so pretty much anything else you can do with spinning gear so even if you have a bait caster that you can't swap the handle side on, just go to your spinning gear that you can. Working top water and jerk baits use to just kill me after minutes, I went to much lighter rods and will switch from my bait caster to spinning gear and switch the handle side and use both hands... the variety made a huge difference.
Good luck,
Steve

Permalink Reply by Mike Matkowski on August 13, 2009 at 6:18am

Jordan,

Have you changed anything recently, your equipment, your mechanics, your diet? Drinking too much coffee now that your working and eating more fast foods without exercise can all contribute imbalances in your system that may result in the cramping when your putting your body under stress, such as gripping the rod for hours in the heat of summer. Some simple, safe and cheap things to try might be exercising your grip with squeeze ball while your at your computer. Evaluate your diet, cramping can often be caused by imbalances in available Calcium and Magnesium, and quite often not adequately hydrating yourself with water and/or a healthy sports drink. You might also look at your mechanics, try easing up on your rod grip, and occassionally opening and closing your hand while dropshotting.

Permalink Reply by BigBass Dez on August 13, 2009 at 10:25am

Iv been dealing with this same problem from time to time for years now ! The only counter that iv been able to come up with is a wrist wrap and two advil . The down side to going this is that after about 3 hours of wearing that wrap , i start to lose a little feeling in my hand "low blood circulation" but no pain .. so yep its just a bad catch 22 !!

Iv been thinking about maybe doing some fitness training over the off season to keep my body muscle and body toned so that i dont have to worry about it .. I really go through this bad early season when is cold outside ..

Permalink Reply by S Hwang on August 13, 2009 at 11:28am

Ya I get that, it sucks. I def gotta take the time to stretch out the hands/tendons every once in a while. It gets way worse when I'm doing a lot of walking or casting bigger/heavier baits/palming a bigger reel as well like Dan said.
Adequate hydration and stretch breaks have helped out a lot.

Permalink Reply by Mike Bess on August 13, 2009 at 11:49am

Yes that is great advice Jon, but it doesn't seem to help me. Any other bright ideas Dr. Sessler?

Brian Reimers said:

Now that's some sound advise.


Jon Sessler said:

Quit giving your hands and fingers such a rigorous workout the night before....and perhaps the cramping will stop.

Permalink Reply by Josh Potter on August 13, 2009 at 12:34pm

I have never experienced cramping in my hands but they definitely get sore. It is always worse when I forget to drink water. Couple that with a nicotine habit and you can get dehydrated in a hurry. You could also have tendonitis like others have mentioned. I have a torn rotater cuff in my right shoulder and I lose feeling in that hand fairly often.

Permalink Reply by BigBass Dez on August 13, 2009 at 12:43pm

from this point on you have put a new meaning on the phrase "HOW TO PROPERLY HOLD YOUR POLE" by jon sessler ..lmao !!

Jon Sessler said:

Quit giving your hands and fingers such a rigorous workout the night before....and perhaps the cramping will stop.

Permalink Reply by Mike Bess on August 13, 2009 at 12:46pm

Wow Josh you should really take it easy. It sounds like it a miracle that you can even fish. You should petition NW Bass for a 10-12lb handicap for every tournament you participate in.

Josh Potter said:

I have never experienced cramping in my hands but they definitely get sore. It is always worse when I forget to drink water. Couple that with a nicotine habit and you can get dehydrated in a hurry. You could also have tendonitis like others have mentioned. I have a torn rotater cuff in my right shoulder and I lose feeling in that hand fairly often.

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