It started last year from me. When i would go out a layer of skin would rub off my right thumb and I kept on happening. I would wear a glove on it some and that would help but i didn't like doing that. This year I went out for the first time and I didnt' figure it would happen but it did. At points last year the skin would get so thin on my thumb it would start bleeding really easily. Does anyone else have this problem. If so what do you do to prevent it from happening?

Everybody gets bass thumb.

It's usually a good sign since the fish must be biting.

I show it off like a prizefighter shows off a cauliflower.

Stop lipping them or maybe try NuSkin.

Cornhuskers lotion works good for bass thumb.

You don't have to lip the bass. You can grab them on the outside or scoop then from their belly.

Tripp Weldon, the B.A.S.S. tournament director and Official Weigh-master wears The xtremeglove.

He has stated that he is a big fan of it. I have the glove also and do like it, but Mr Weldon handles more 5 bag limits of fish in a season with it than I ever will.

A-Jay

http://www.xtremeglove.com/home/

I'm not talking about the bass thumb from the fishes mouth. Mine happens from just stopping my baitcasters with my thumb. I just checked out the xtreme gloves and I think I might like the 2 finger one and it should work well for my problem too. thanks AJ

I haven't seen any in years, but I recall saltwater baitcasting reels having a leather flap on one of the crossbars on a reel to protect the thumb from what you describe.

I'm guessing you're using braided line.  Try using some of the line treatments.  They may serve to provide lubrication between the line and your thumb.

Maybe a golf glove with the four fingers removed would work well. 

Wear thumb portion of a surgical latex glove and put some talcum powder on

I just use regular fluro and mono. I'm not sure what the deal is maybe i just have weak thumb skin now after starting it last year.  I've tried the surgical glove thumb idea but if any water gets under it just gets worse. I think i'm gonna try the xtreme glove sounds like a good idea.

Do you adjust the tension on your real before you cast?  If you have it set just right, you can cast with very little "thumb".  If you bought it new, the instruction book, that came with it, tells how to adjust it.

yeah i do adjust it, I've always casted with quite a bit of thumb. I've been bass fishing for about 13 years now started when I was around 10 and these last 5 or so years i've been going 2 to 3 times a week and trying to fish a tourney every weekend i could. And this problem just started for me last year.

I knew a couple of guys that used something called Tuff Skin. I don't know anything about it, but they said it worked.

A couple of band-aids with a strip of duct tape over it will usually get me through a day on the water with a hole in my hand. Definitely be sure you have it covered if the wound is open, staph infections are no joke.

Tape, gloves, "tuff-skin"....oh brother!

Why not let that thumb callous up? Don't be afraid to have man-hands.

I fixed this same problem by returning the baitcaster and using mostly spinning reels  ;D

If you have to use that much thumb to the point where it's ripping your finger up, maybe it's time to turn up the brakes a hair?

LOL. I WISH I had your problem.

well, when developing calluses playing guitar and bass... some guys put superglue on their fingers till their calluses develop fully. this may temporarily solve your problem. if not.. using some type of glove like others mentioned.

i agree you should tighten your breaks a bit. i have mine tight enough that i dont even have to touch the spool except on entry. i cast just fine and plenty far.

It started last year from me. When i would go out a layer of skin would rub off my right thumb and I kept on happening. I would wear a glove on it some and that would help but i didn't like doing that. This year I went out for the first time and I didnt' figure it would happen but it did. At points last year the skin would get so thin on my thumb it would start bleeding really easily. Does anyone else have this problem. If so what do you do to prevent it from happening?

You might try a product called tuffskin. We use to use it playing high school and college baseball. works to keep blisters in check around the feet and ankles.

I just use regular fluro and mono. I'm not sure what the deal is maybe i just have weak thumb skin now after starting it last year. I've tried the surgical glove thumb idea but if any water gets under it just gets worse. I think i'm gonna try the . glove sounds like a good idea.

They make finger surgical gloves...they are like little condoms. I would try those...no water will get up there. I think I remember seeing them at CVS one time.

wrap your thumb in electrical tape.

I just use regular fluro and mono. I'm not sure what the deal is maybe i just have weak thumb skin now after starting it last year. I've tried the surgical glove thumb idea but if any water gets under it just gets worse. I think i'm gonna try the . glove sounds like a good idea.

They make finger surgical gloves...they are like little condoms. I would try those...no water will get up there. I think I remember seeing them at CVS one time.

Wait. those AREN'T condoms? Crap......

finger condoms are too thin for a fast spinning baitcaster

not suprising, your skins always going to keep changing on you. last year, mine decided that it was going to have a reaction to the lube i used to spray the gears on the reels with......... that was a nice surprise! ;D

Id second the NuSkin idea, but becareful to make sure it dries all the way before you go casting or when u reel in you'll find the line wont be going back out.

Past that I have no idea if the fish would sense the nuskin and how thatd affect the bite!?

but nuskin does wonders, im a former bowler, and lifelong drummer, i wear skin off all the time. nuskins like magical medical superglue, itll fix just about any holes u can poke in urslef that dont gush blood!

although id recommend applying before u get the thumb hole to prevent it in the first place

wrap your thumb in electrical tape.

haha! i used to do that in HS in drumline! It works! until u sweat the tape off! lol

btw. If anyone cares, Flea, the bass guitarist from the red hot chili peppers had the same issue! he plays bass really hard, slapping a metal string all night literally wore holes in his thumb! He'd have his bass tech run on stage mid show, and pour fast setting superglue into the hole so he could keep playing!

I wouldn't know if the baitcaster was causing me harm....always get to blame it on the fish.  ;D