This may sound weird - but how do you hold your pole?  

While fishing this weekend - I was fishing a t-rigged worm, mid morning...dragging it along the bottom, when I got a hit....I reeled down and set the hook...and almost lost my fishing pole and all....due to the way I was gripping it.  My hand was placed under the reel, holding both the rod and the reel in my left hand (as I always do).  However, this time - my hands were a little wet...and when I set the hook...my grip slipped and I almost dropped the pole.  Of course, it effected my hookset...and the fish got off after a good fight...it was definitely a good fish.  I reeled my line back in and realized the fish had bent my hook. 

I later came to the conclusion that this fish was probably a bowfin, because my son caught one not 2 casts later in the same spot - and based on their aggression, I believe one of those bent the hook.  

But...back to the topic at hand - what do you think is the best way to grip your setup?  Do you just base it on comfort?  

Has anyone encountered this scenario?  

 

Equipment:

Rod:No Eight tackle MH XF 6'6

Reel: Daiwa T3 Ballistic 

I palm my reels when it comes to casting gear, but I've had plenty of times when I nearly lost my rod on the hookset/strike as well, including one last night. Wasn't even a big fish, just lost my grip for some reason. 

Watch out for "top water claw"!!!!!

This shows my grip as well as anything:

 

I palm the BC because it feels most normal and I always have. I hold the Spinning with the reel foot between my ring and third finger. I've never lost my grip on one because of a bite. But I do feel a lot less leverage on the spinning rod. The BC rod I just tuck into my gut and set it with both hands. But the spinning rod makes me set with a single wrist. I used to get a lot fewer hooksets with spinning, but I took care of the lack of leverage with Gamakatsu hooks and 20 lb braid.

27 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

But I do feel a lot less leverage on the spinning rod.

Try three fingers forward of the foot to gain a little leverage.

Doesn't sound weird at all, OP.  Thumb and index finger is all I need

33 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Try three fingers forward of the foot to gain a little leverage.

Well I do sometimes on one combo because of its imbalance but I'm always adjusting it between cast and retrieve. I even hold it by the foregrip sometimes. I usually end up with a little bruise or two around the abdomen from using it as leverage for hooksets and that's fine. I also fish from the kayak most of the time and that doesn't always help leverage. My lack of dexterity in my left hand means that I can't use both hands on the rod to set the hook. I have to keep the left on the reel handle. I work on a computer all day and that has worn out my right wrist somewhat. It just is what it is.

13 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

I work on a computer all day and that has worn out my right wrist somewhat. It just is what it is.

So do I - get that seat low, and monitors high! Though, being a developer, I don't actually type much, lol.

with a jig or other lures that require a good hard hookset I try to use both hands and also the forearm of the hand I hold the rod with. hard to explain but you bend your wrist so the rod base is semi under your forearm and it takes some of the force off the wrist.

I've never had to two hand set any fish...

I do.

Yep, that one was left wide open but I will behave. Let's just say I never let my fishng partner hold my pole. Any other way is fine by me. 

10 hours ago, J Francho said:

Watch out for "top water claw"!!!!!

This shows my grip as well as anything:

 

I think I have the dreaded "top water claw".

It's the worst!