A Badd Habit

I developed a bad habit this year. And it has cost me plenty. While working a soft plastic, after I get bit of course I go to set the hook, but most every time I do, my thumb forces itself down on the spool button, causing my line to free, upon fixing the problem I usually lose the fish. I know what the problem is, I am use to a Shimano Bantam Mag Plus that has a side button instead of inline. My Bantam is not up to class anymore, it is over 12 years old and the main problem is the spacers in the handle area are missing and I need a good guy who knows how to fix it. I am now using a Pleuger President and a KVD sig series, the KVD sig series has an inline spool button that is much lower on the reel but occassionally the same problem happens, I guess I am use to gripping the entire spool with my thumb on a hookset with my bantam, but this problem has not shown itself until this year, about 6 months after using my other reels. I have tried to custom myself to keeping my thumb away from the button upon hookset, but then I sacrifice leverage. Has anyone developed a good strategy to get away from this? I sure would like to know. If I can't solve the problem without sacrificing leverage, I will sell the Pleuger President for sure for a new side button with same other characteristics. Any suggestions?

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jun-07-06 AT 09:02AM (EST)[/font][p]Cut your thumb off and you won't have that problem anymore....just kidding.

Yeah, trust me, it has crossed my mind. Maybe newer versions of reels could have a small, easily worked lock button for the thumb bar. lol

You've got to train yourself to hold the reel differently. You should palm the whole reel when working the bait with your thumb no where near the cast button. Of course it will be uncomfortable at first but it will be second nature after a while.

I agree with plowboy. If you can used to holding that reel in the palm of your hand with basically your thumb to the side of the reel and the rest of your fingers underneath you will no problem what so ever. I know how you feel though. I've been there!

You can change your habit. I too used to engage the thumb bar on the hookset. Man, it was tough on the fish catching, and the reels too!!

One thing though, not only train yourself to keep your thumb off the bar, but also when doing the palming these guys are describing, make sure to work on getting your index finger up on the line. You won't believe how much more sensitive this is.

One problem... I am learning and doing pretty good at this, but you have to becareful on the hookset with your index finger on the line. It will CUT your finger... really..... LOL Especially braided lines!!

Good luck,

Danny

LOL, that is very good advise. Something one would usually learn only after slicing the finger a time or two. I have had this "finger-line" thing in my mind for quite a while and tried it several times, but not long enough to get a bite. I always revert back to the old ways. The other day while fun-fishing I palmed the reel as much as I could remember. I remember that while doing this, I tossed my bait into a small nook in a flooded bush, let the bait fall then softly nudged it up, AND SUDDENLY it softly pulled back, lol, I said "ok, I got that", and set the hook and brought in the only keeper that day. I believe I was palming the reel then, but speaking of the finger-line tech., I will definately be trying your advice, I have became very good at knowing when the fish is on, but if this makes it clearer, then I will master it. Hope to catch a fish on it soon, and will post when I do. Thanks again everyone.

Dave was wrong. I cut my thumb off and I keep backlashing the **** thing now. Thanks for nothin Dave

Good luck on the new technique. It is very awkward for a while.

Also, I guess we see cutting the thumb off is not the way to go.

LMAO

Danny

Cut the other thumb off and see if that helps.

hey Dave thanks that really helped out a lot but now I can't hold on to the pole any sugestions?

They're right. Got that advice from Don @ BPS in Clarksville, plus one more detail. To give yourself more leverage, place the butt of the rod against your hip when setting the hook. Works great and gives that extra little second to be sure the fish has swallowed enough of the bait to have the hook in its mouth, especially when you're using some of the bigger size plastics.