No offense,but that is horrible advice! the fish is fighting for its life,doesn't know if you are releasing it or making it your next meal! Dont risk removing the very important slime coat on the bass. its gonna thrash around,its part of fishing..either accept it or take up golf!

 

I do agree OP,it stings like hell,i'm feeling it right now and my thumb looks like hamburger meat,but its a sign of doing something right! Hockey grip tape on the thumb works well!

 

I think you're misunderstanding his post. I think he means to not reel the fish in the boat so fast. Let them wear themselves out a bit in the water and fight you for 15-20 extra seconds to get them worn down. THEN bring them in and un-hook them/photo/cheers/release.

 

And yes, my thumb also looks like an old wrinkley worn out chunk of skin right now too.

 

Thanks for all the harassment and tips. I think from now on I'll keep some duct tape in my boat so I don't have to be a CRAZY WHINEY PANSY on the forums.

I'd rather have bass thumb than flathead hands.   But, if you are getting bass thumbs, you're having a good day!  Embrace the pain!  

After a good night flathead fishing your hands should be covered more by bandaids than skin 

 

I don't get bass thumb, instead I opt to grab them by the back of the head or cradle them under the belly. I do on occasion get bass palm though, now that is the sign of a good day 

Generally holding them by the lower lip stabilizes them.  One of the nice things about bass, snook too, are no sharp teeth it's sandpaper and pretty easy fish to handle.  If your thumb does get irritated put a band on or cut off the thumb from a latex surgical glove.

2 pages of back and forth, bass thumb , tired or not so tired bass, bigger teeth in a nice pond????, to whine or not to whine , that is the question?, and I'm all worn out just trying to absorb all this......Can you hear me snoring?

2 pages of back and forth, bass thumb , tired or not so tired bass, bigger teeth in a nice pond????, to whine or not to whine , that is the question?, and I'm all worn out just trying to absorb all this......Can you hear me snoring?

 

Fortunately no I can't hear you snoring. Sorry you feel that way champ.

Bass palm > bass thumb.

 

You could always invest in a Fish Grip - they come in handy for toothy critters a well.

 

http://www.thefishgrip.net/

Bass palm > bass thumb.

 

You could always invest in a Fish Grip - they come in handy for toothy critters a well.

 

http://www.thefishgrip.net/

 

I saw a guy using the Fish Grip on YouTube and thought "Hmm that could be useful."

Lighten up guys...

 

"Bass Thumb" is macho, like battle scars. Wear 'em proud!

 

I'm going to beat Long Mike to the punch.  That should be proudly.  Proud is an adjective.  In the above sentence, it is an adverb, modifying the verb "Wear".

I remember one day we caught close to 30 peacock bass.  By the end of the day my thumb was mangled....and i couldnt wait to go home and show everyone!  Mangled thumb = good day!

My son caught a bowfin and thought it was a bass..talk about a mistake..lol. I am an equipment mechanic and I turn bolts all the time, so I have callouses on the tips of all my fingers..just makes it easier. But, even still, when I first started, I thought they were going to take my fingers off..so your not alone bud lol.

Love getting some bass thumb! Means you're catching fish! Now get out there and give em a lip piercing ya PANSY!!!!

My son caught a bowfin and thought it was a bass..talk about a mistake..lol. I am an equipment mechanic and I turn bolts all the time, so I have callouses on the tips of all my fingers..just makes it easier. But, even still, when I first started, I thought they were going to take my fingers off..so your not alone bud lol.

 

Funny you should say that. I'm a small engines mechanic. Lol. Snowmobiles, dirtbikes, quads. Although I don't seem to get callouses... Just bruises and cuts from people's ratty ass machines. The famous saying around the shop is "SOMEONE'S GONNA BLEED!" when you're trying to get lose a tight bolt, spring, etc. Haha my job is actually enjoyable most of the time... We have a lot of laughs.

My son caught a bowfin and thought it was a bass..talk about a mistake..lol. I am an equipment mechanic and I turn bolts all the time, so I have callouses on the tips of all my fingers..just makes it easier. But, even still, when I first started, I thought they were going to take my fingers off..so your not alone bud lol.

I play guitar and drums a lot. My hands and finger tips are covered in callouses too. The little pads dont shred up as easy it seems.

2 pages of back and forth, bass thumb , tired or not so tired bass, bigger teeth in a nice pond????, to whine or not to whine , that is the question?, and I'm all worn out just trying to absorb all this......Can you hear me snoring?

Well,maybe you would like to visit howtoknitascarf.com,or possible housecats4me.com...i'm sure that would peak your interest more than the useless drivel posted on a...fishing website..!

Well,maybe you would like to visit howtoknitascarf.com,or possible housecats4me.com...i'm sure that would peak your interest more than the useless drivel posted on a...fishing website..!

 

+1

 

I hope they bite the heck out of me tomorrow morning when I meet up with my brother at his pond/lake.

Bass thumb like RW SAID!!

I know that Bass are one of the easiest fish to hold with your index finger and thumb, right in the mouth. I do it with every one I catch. I 95% of the time don't use the net, I just loft them in with the rod. Without letting them lay down on the bottom of the boat (to protect their slime barrier) I usually put one hand in the mouth to hold the fish, and the other hand to get the lure out

What do you do with your other hand? Lol jk

What do you do with your other hand? Lol jk

 

Uhh what? Lol

Uhh what? Lol

I was joking u said u use your one hand to hold the fish and the other to take out the lure, that's really the only way to do it so I was like what u do with your other hand

I was joking u said u use your one hand to hold the fish and the other to take out the lure, that's really the only way to do it so I was like what u do with your other hand

Ahhh I get it I get it. Got me on that one.. Haha it's like unnecessary information. I gotcha.

I just loft them in with the rod.

recipe for disaster on decent or bigger fish. could result in lost lures/ fish or even broken rod tips

Bass thumb!

I've caught one 2 pound bass that had especially sharp "teeth" it even peeled skin off my finger.

dig the bass thumb... but there is always golf to fall back on.. lol