Rod Sensitivity

[Mobasser 941]

I like many of the new bass rods I see at my local tackle shop. Super light, fast action and very sensitive, to feel those light strikes on jigs and soft plastics. Here's a simple basic concept that I hope hasn't been lost because of all this high tech tackle. The concept is keeping your line between your thumb and index finger during the retrieve. I'm sure many will dispute this, but actually touching the line can detect strikes that you would never feel with even the most expensive rod made. This is nothing new or groundbreaking. Fisherman have been holding their line between their thumb and index finger for decades, way before sensitve, light rods were ever available. Many bass fisherman like to " palm" a casting reel, guiding the line onto the spool as they take up slack, holding the line in the process. It's not so much about the type of tackle your using. It can be done with a baitcaster, spinning reel, or spincast reel. It's having your fingers/ thumb actually touching the line that's makes the difference. Regardless of what style of rod you use, your line is the first connection to the fish. Many of the very best jig/ worm fisherman do this. They would never rely on just the rod only to detect the faint, almost nothing strikes. These can often be the strike of the largest bass.For a novice fisherman, this can be a good way to learn. On those tough, slow bite days, it can make the difference in catching fish or catching none. Do you hold the line while fishing? What's your method?  It's a simple concept I've been doing for as long as I can remember. It can help you land more bass too

[papajoe222 2,593]

For slow, subtle presentations I agree that touching the line will aid in detecting light bites. For fast/reaction type baits, Your rod will give you all the information you need even for lite bites.  You don't need to pinch the line between thumb and index finger either.  My grip isn't what it used to be, so I need my thumb wrapped around the reel, or at the least on the spool. I just place my index finger under the line, but on the reel in front of the line guide.

[LionHeart 493]

Hold the line between your thumb and index finger while you retrieve?  I get what you're saying, and don't disagree, but that sounds mighty uncomfortable.  Don't think I could keep that up for too long.

 

 

[Mobasser 941]

8 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

Hold the line between your thumb and index finger while you retrieve?  I get what you're saying, and don't disagree, but that sounds mighty uncomfortable.  Don't think I could keep that up for too long.

 

 

I don't do it all the time, but only when I'm fishing very slow with a jig or worm.

[Catt 16,643]

While I agree 100% it's something I don't do because of how I hold my reel. 

 

[Mobasser 941]

2 minutes ago, Catt said:

While I agree 100% it's something I don't do because of how I hold my reel. 

 

Catt, I don't do this at all times. When things get really slow, and the fish are striking very light, it's made a difference in fish landed. It may not work for everyone, it's just my own opinion. The opinion of an aging plastic worm dude.

[Catt 16,643]

@Mobasser Like I said it's 100% possessive!

 

But like @papajoe222 stated about his grip I use to box which has taken it toll on my wrists, so I need all the additional help I can give them.

 

Holding your index finger under your line absolutely helps if you can do it comfortably. 

[Lead Head 90]

No thumb, but I keep my index finger under the line for all my bottom contact presentations. I have actually cut my index finger on the hook set a few times. 

[MassYak85 1,621]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

While I agree 100% it's something I don't do because of how I hold my reel. 

 

 

I hold mine the same way so I can't do it with a baitcaster, but I do it all the time with spinning.

[adbassfishing 6]

7 hours ago, Mobasser said:

I don't do it all the time, but only when I'm fishing very slow with a jig or worm.

With my luck I would do this and a fish would come and grab in real fast and run and yank the rod out of my hands lol.

[keagbassr 458]

10 hours ago, Mobasser said:

I don't do it all the time, but only when I'm fishing very slow with a jig or worm.

I'm right there with you as I do it with a jig or t-rig as well except when punching as I don't like my hand ahead of the reel for hooksets on the vertical presentations . As for comfort I find it more so as I have the butt of the rod tucked against my leg/ hip. 

[The Maestro 123]

I don't do it. It just feels like an uncomfortable and unnatural way to hold a rod for me.  I think it would be easier for guys with big hands.

[ResoKP 136]

10 hours ago, Lead Head said:

No thumb, but I keep my index finger under the line for all my bottom contact presentations. I have actually cut my index finger on the hook set a few times. 

Same. Have had braid slice my skin open on hooksets. I get a little too excited at times and forget to move my index finger out of the way first lol.

[Spankey 567]

Great post. I do that with fishing slow soft plastics on spinning gear. Most of my BC fishing is reactionary strike fishing. Good post. 

[GreenPig 87]

I keep my index finger against the line primarily while night fishing. I'm a line watcher in the daylight. 

[Smalls 135]

Chad Hoover posted a great video a few months ago. Instead of dragging jigs with a rod, he uses his reeling hand to grab the line just after the reel, and lightly pull line. That way, his grip hand is comfortable, and he can detect bites, yet still be plenty close enough to the reel handle to reel and and set the hook. 

[CrankFate 407]

I do not hold the line in my hand. IMO, with modern rods you get better sensitivity from the rod than from the line.

[ResoKP 136]

23 hours ago, CrankFate said:

I do not hold the line in my hand. IMO, with modern rods you get better sensitivity from the rod than from the line.

Isn't it the line that transmits "sensitivity" to the rod which then transfers it to your hand? Wouldn't you feel the "sensitivity" sooner directly from the line itself?

[Lead Head 90]

I've never fished a high end rod, but I have felt bites with my finger that didn't even come close to affecting my rod in any way. This is most common when I'm using enough slack to get the most vertical fall possible. 

[Boomstick 602]

I never hold the line between my fingers because of how I hold my rod & reel, although it may be possible to adjust. I generally prefer a split grip when slowly fishing a jig or soft plastic and letting it sit because I can balance it in my hand in a way where the slightest movement in the line will make it go tip heavy, at which point I set the hook. A couple of times I looked away from my line for a second and detected a bite this way.

 

I'd probably be better off pinching the line as stated, this is just how I learned to do it.

[stratoliner92 200]

On ‎4‎/‎21‎/‎2019 at 9:36 PM, Lead Head said:

No thumb, but I keep my index finger under the line for all my bottom contact presentations. I have actually cut my index finger on the hook set a few times. 

I do same on all my reels with fluorocarbon. My braid setups I have to keep my finger out of way for that very reason😬