At 63, I've noticed some hand cramping on my fishing trips this season. I'm sure this is because of the type of work I've done over the years. Gripping hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches and other tools.                                                       It's not really bad yet, and some days I don't notice at all. A friend who is 10 yrs older, suggested that a thicker grip would help. He has the same problem.                                                          We both wrapped Winn grip tape over the entire handle, and reel seat area. It has helped tremendously. I may even put a second layer over one straight grip cork rod I use, to make it even thicker. The Winn grip tape feels good, and has helped to alleviate any hand cramping.                     Just a suggestion, if your having trouble with any hand cramp issues, you might try the Winn grip tape. You can double it up if need be, and still be casting, without annoying hand cramps. It's worked well for us.

Well, that may be some good advice, but you should see a doctor

to get to the root of the problem. If it's arthritis, today's medicines

can prevent further damage and alleviate nearly all pain. 

 

How do you hold the rod?

I have the same problem from all the turning wrenches on cars/trucks and even jets in the Navy, except mine led to trigger finger and some pain with it not arthritis. Might try the Winn grips, thanks for the tip.

I bought a couple of the BPS Carbonlite 2.0 rods mostly for the super comfortable winn grips. They feel great, stay clean, and still look new. Great grip when wet too. 

 

No arthritis or injuries, just feel great. 

I feel your pain. Have had Carpal tunnel in both hands , surgery on both hands and have some nerve damage in both hands. Still dealing with pain I resorted to Cortizone injections. World of difference. Point being nothing wrong seeing a doctor,  may help.

All true, and add to that the fact that it's fast becoming Alabama rig season.

 

What doesn't hurt now, will soon enough. 

 

I'm 74 years old, retired, fish 2 - 7 days a week.  So far, I've been relatively injury free except for the pain throwing the A - rig.

I sleep with a wrist sling now.  It’s helping!

I hold the rod in front of the reel , so I need foregrips just to get a grip .I found the Okuma Epixor with a nice foregrip . I liked it so much that I now have four . 

For spin rods larger diameters help a lot.  That's the value of "palm swell" reel seats.  I have a pretty easy design for adding a cork palm swell to the straight pipe style reel seats.  When I first started building I didn't realize that size 16 seats are just too small for good ergonomics.