Do you like to hold your line?

[BassQualifier]

I went fishing with a buddy of mine recently who really got on me about not holding the line coming out of my reel when we were flipping tubes. He told me by holding the line, you can pick up a lot more strikes that you would otherwise miss if you were just holding the rod alone. I've never really been able to feel any sensitivity through the fishing line, so I passed it off as an old wives tale.

I figured I would ask you guys what your opinions are on holding your fishing line between your fingers, and if you think it helps detect strikes, bumps, and ticks. Look forward to your replies.

[zooker]

i palm my reel. letting my line ride on my finger tip..

zooker

[KenDammit]

If my line is not riding through the first crease of my index finger when I'm fishing jigs and soft plastics and that kinda stuff, I feel lost. You feel SO MUCH through the line, from rocks, to hitting a weed, anything that touches the line, you'll feel it. With a low profile baitcasting reel, just palm the reel and its natural that your finger will move under the line, allowing you to keep in contact with it.

Bottom line....DO IT! You'll be thankful someday when the fish of a lifetime just ticks on your line and you were able to feel it.

[flfireman]

Same here. Palm my reel. Always got a finger on my line. Even w/ a spinning outfit I keep a finger or two on it. With Power pro, I feel every stick, rock, etc.

[JB]

I've always let the line ride over my forefinger as I palm the low profile reel.
The few times I do fish a spinning reel I hold the line , it sure helps I think.

[bassguy2004]

Yep, wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have the line across my finger tip.

[m cress]

Yes, with index finger, only with finesse baits though. Cranks, spinnerbaits and topwaters my digits are out of the way.

[BassFisherman1]

I use to do it that is how i learned the differnce but i still have trouble some times ill hit a stick or something boy ill set the hook like you ant seen ask my dad hel tell you

[NCYankee]

I'm hit and miss. It depends on where I'm fishing. If I'm fishing in windy conditions or in current and I need a little extra help detecting a bite, I will keep a finger on the line.

[Zach_BassFisherman]

Im with zooker, palm the reel and use my finger tip

[Tnbasser]

If you use braid, be VERY careful doing this. You can cut yourself right to the bone if you do not let go of the line before you set the hook.I Know.I still bear a nasty scar from this.

[dodgeguy]

i never do it.

[bassthumb32]

I Do It All The Time Really Does Help A Lot. I Dont Do It Spinnerbait Or Crankbait Rods Though.

[lizardsrule]

I have the slices and scars to prove I palm my reel, and have the Superline ride on my finger LOL.

Lizards

[HulaPopr]

I palm the reel w/ the line running b/w the forefinger and my thumb. Helps pick up a lot when fishing slow, worm fishing, soft jerkbaits, etc. When fishing faster lures like spinnerbaits and cranks, I don't think it matters, but I keep it runnung across my forefinger anyway.

[LoneStarAngler07]

yea i have a tendency to hold a finger to my line occasionally and i cant say it hasnt helped me catch a couple.

[Rebbasser]

Originally Posted by dodgeguy

i never do it.

Me either, but with all this endorsment maybe I ought to try it.

[Steve Junior]

I use my finger tip and my thumb holding the line near the reel like an ''L'' shape, I suppose that it helps feeling the bait or lure. But its a habbit of mine.


line --> -------------L-O<Reel

[islandbass]

I thought it was myth too until I was fishing in Mexico with my brother-in-law. They fish with mono line in their hands and rig up drop shot style, being a small lead weight under the hook. You twirl the line like a lasso and let it go at the right time. It is amazing how far you can cast with this method, but what surprised me the most was the amount of information coming to me through the line (mono, of all lines!!!) straight to my hands. It is more sensitive than any rod and very direct. You can even feel the moving of the waves as they pass through the line.

Bottom line, I was blown away and pleasantly surprised. I think for applications with plastics holding the line in your fingers most definitely couldn't hurt you.

-ib

[zooker]

hmm fishing in mexico...was ya using a beer bottle as a reel??

zooker

[islandbass]

Originally Posted by zooker

hmm fishing in mexico...was ya using a beer bottle as a reel??

zooker

No, but we had some beer on hand!

they use a little board in somewhat the shape of a dog bone to hold the extra line that serves as the spool. Your hands are the reel and drag and you fight the fish mano a mano.

[crankybait]

i imagine a fish pulling would cut your hand...

and can somebody get a pic of what to do when using a spinning reel? from the way im thinking it, youd use your index finger to hold the line as if you were casting?

[flfireman]

That's pretty much it cranky. I have big hands, so it's fairly easy for me.

[crankybait]

i see. my finger barely reaches but i can try.

[islandbass]

Originally Posted by crankybait

i imagine a fish pulling would cut your hand...

and can somebody get a pic of what to do when using a spinning reel? from the way im thinking it, youd use your index finger to hold the line as if you were casting?

Your free hand can also hold the line. That's how I do it with a spinning reel.