Inspired by @NorthernBasser Vanford thread. Every single time I see a photo of someone holding their spinning rod, they've got their fingers locked somewhere between the stem of the reel. I've never paid attention in real life. I have always held my spinning rods as highlighted below (stock photo off Google with my own editing). Anyone else hold their rods like this? I have small hands so I never get close to the hook keeper. I've tried putting the stem between my fingers before and I didn't like it at all.

 

Hardy Exalta on Phillipson patent reel seat. 

The reel has a square boss on the frame so you can rotate the knee and foot 180-degrees. 

 

 

beginning on their 300 size spinning reels, IRT offers their G1 power grip

Although I hold mine the same as @northern basser, I’m going to have to try your way next time I get out. Although I’m not sure how it will work with my 1000 size reels.

I hold with pinky behind the stem and 3 fingers in front.

13 minutes ago, S Hovanec said:

I hold with pinky behind the stem and 3 fingers in front.

Exactly how I've held spinners for 50+ years...lets me pick up the line for casting or just touch it for feel sensitivity with my index finger without letting go of the rod.

I've always held spinning rods with all of my fingers above the reel stem.  It just feels more comfortable to me and I feel like I have more control of the rod.  It lets me manipulate my line better too for putting tension on slack line to take it up with the reel or threading line on the roller with my middle finger when I'm using a bail less.

I thinks it more common to see with guys who finesse fish a lot.  I'm pretty sure AM holds the rod the same way.

Wow! I must be a strange one. I have one finger in front of the stem and three below it.

Pinky behind the stem…butt against my forearm. Gives me good leverage to set the hook.  

6 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Exactly how I've held spinners for 50+ years...lets me pick up the line for casting or just touch it for feel sensitivity with my index finger without letting go of the rod.

Ditto.

2 in front and 2 behind is the only way that feels right to me.  Everyone I have fished with does the same.  I guess it is what you get used to doing or maybe it is a regional thing.

It doesn't matter to the fish how you hold a spinning rod.  Everyone's body is different.  If it's comfortable and works, do it how it feels best.  A properly balanced spinning outfit should feel best with your fingers around the reel stem.   Please don't hold it upside down.  Whenever I had a customer that fished that way, I knew I was in for a long day.  If you wish to reel backwards, move the reel handle to the other side. 

depends on what is in front of the reel seat. For a dobyns type rod with just threads and the nut I have the stem between my ring finger and middle finger. For something with a bit more substance in front like shown above, mojo bass, Victory, Expride, etc. I'll have the stem between pinky and ring finger. rest of the butt is against my forarm and body.

 

Was just taught this way when I was young so I could feel the line with my pointer. My father basically only ever fished a purple worm texas rigged during the day and jitterbug at night so thats what I learned lol.

I just did a survey on a local forum.  Missouri guys are overwhelmingly going 2 and 2.  

I used to have 1 above the stem and 3 below. Then, 2 seasons ago, I went with 3 in front of the stem and my pinky in back just to experiment. After one session, I could never go back. 

 

 

3 up and 1 down.

I have always been 2x2...I have several rods that have no foregrip at all. I can usually touch the blank with my index finger.

 

Brian Latimer likes to fish all on the foregrip...his signature series Sick Stick (Favorite) has an extended foregrip.

 

All my rods are a little different. I hold them all different kinds of ways. Mostly 2x2 or all 4 in front but any combination works 

33 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Slap the mother and the child.

We don't hit.

two behind, four in front... I've always had a good grip on things.

 

oe

I hold the reel such that my index finger can feather or even stop the line against the spool's forward edge/lip.  Holding the foregrip [only] puts one's index finger too far forward and since I don't use the index finger for holding the rod at all, 2x2 is the only viable hold for me that permits proper line control during casting.  Purely a functional consideration.

usually 2 and 2, sometimes 3 forward 1 behind.

Big toe in front.  Other four behind.

Thumb is a finger.

Tom