I'm seeing more and more that some of the older more experienced jig fisherman hold their rod above the reel. They have their thumb and index finger on the line is this for sensitivity or some other reason?

Tightly ~

 

 

A-Jay

I'm seeing more and more that some of the older more experienced jig fisherman hold their rod above the reel. They have their thumb and index finger on the line is this for sensitivity ?

 

Yes,  I do this but I do not hold the rod above the reel I palm the reel.

So Mike when you palm the reel you have your finger on the line as well, if I am understanding you correctly?

holding the rod in front of the reel has many advantages.  first, by holding the rod in front of the reel, you have much better feel of feedback coming through the rod.  next, you can lay the line on the underneath side of your thumb.  this is the most sensitive area on a hand, in particular men.  the last thing is you will have a much better hook set because you now have weight behind the hand and this gives you more leverage and speed on the hook set.  you will also be able to put more power on the rod in controlling a big bass.  hope this will help.

 

bo

I have done this when ice fishing.

I usually hold my rod above the reel during the last seconds of the fight when im about to lip or flip the fish

have never tried it yet may do it today 

I palm the reel but my pinky and ring finger rest on the black above the reel and I have my pointer holding the line.  If it's a slow pick up and you feel the line tightening, set the hook.  Or if it's an aggressive hit you'll feel it in the rod with your fingers, set the hook.  If it gets yanked out of your hands, well you know it's a biggun!

I know Hank Parker holds the rod above the reel "pinching" the line with his fingers... and he's a pretty incredible jig fisherman.

 

When I have fished jigs (and it isn't very often), I've both palmed and held rod above the reel. Guess I prefer palming the reel, just feels more comfortable, but I do put my left index finger right under the line. Similar to how I fish TX rigs.

  Pinky on the real seat exposed blank cut out, thumb over top of reel and pointer finger under the line.  Move pointer finger on hookset.   I fish ever slow moving bait like this.  T rig, c rig, jig, etc.

 

It gives me two points of feeling the bite.  Through the blank or through the line.  It works for me.

I am surprised no one has said in their hands....

 

But, I hold mine exactly the same way as Siebert Outdoors. Its both comfortable to me and gives you the extra feel.

thanks for all the suggestions guys I will try them when I go out in a few hours.

I am surprised no one has said in their hands....

 

But, I hold mine exactly the same way as Siebert Outdoors. Its both comfortable to me and gives you the extra feel.

 

 

In my hands

 

I palm the reel.... keep my tip about at 12 o'clock... index finger is under my line... oh yeah and hold on!!!

Reel in the palm of my left hand, pinky & ring finger on the exposed blank, thumb over the top. Thumb & index finger of right hand on handle knob, pinky resting on other knob.

Rod @ 11:30 with line semi-slack & brain in hyper drive.

That's how I was today, but the wind was blowing real hard no luck

Same as Siebert, but I quit using briad so no need to remove index finger on hookset. That is the sole reason I hate braid!!!! I have permanent scars on my index finger....

Jeff

holding the rod in front of the reel has many advantages. first, by holding the rod in front of the reel, you have much better feel of feedback coming through the rod. next, you can lay the line on the underneath side of your thumb. this is the most sensitive area on a hand, in particular men. the last thing is you will have a much better hook set because you now have weight behind the hand and this gives you more leverage and speed on the hook set. you will also be able to put more power on the rod in controlling a big bass. hope this will help.

bo

+1

You need a rod with a small fore grip to hold the rod like this. Feel; how do you think we old timers can feel very light jig strikes with over 90' of line out on a cast? The line must move to feel it, no rod made has better sense of feel then your thumb and finger tips. To "feel" line move on the rod blank, the line either moves enough to slide through the guides or pull on the rod tip. Light weight high modulus rods help, they are not close to being as sensitive as your fingers.

I was given 3 new state of the art rods without foregrips and couldn't fish with them by palming the reel like today's anglers hold rods, so I sold them.

Tom

Id only do it for the hookset, I personnally like the low profile reels and can palm the rather easy with large hands. To me I can rip a hookset with more power this way. I whacked myself in the gut today with the butt of my rod tryin it the way you describe. Different strokes for different folks I guess. Keep a tight line and youll be fine