How to Hold a Fishing Pole Correctly

Wrestling with a fishing pole isn’t the easiest and simplest thing to master at first glance, especially the longer ones. Even when the modern fishing rods available today are incredibly light, various laws of physics can explain why not knowing how to hold a fishing pole the right way can put a strain on your body. It will also hinder you in presenting the bait properly, which results in fewer strikes or poor performance in fishing.

If you already know how to use a fishing pole, it’s still not a guarantee that you know the proper way to hold a telescopic fishing rod. Learning how to hold a pole the right way is absolutely necessary. Get it wrong and you’ll most definitely end up with aching arms, a bad back, little to no catch at all, and worse, some broken sections on your fishing rod.

But, with a bit of practice on how to hold a fishing rod, you’ll find that things will suddenly become easier on you as you fish. Once you get it right, you’ll wonder why you’ve ever struggled fishing or holding a pole!

How to Hold a Fishing Pole

The success of the fishing trip you’ll take next will be based solely on whether or not you’re able to use your fishing gear correctly and efficiently.

You have to learn how to hold a fishing rod in order for you to maximize your full fishing potential. There are actually secrets and tricks and we’ve listed them down!

Determine Which Hand is Dominant

First things first, determine if your dominant hand is the right or the left. This is a tiny but crucial detail that most people look over.

If you use your right hand in writing, it doesn’t mean that you’ll be more comfortable using your right hand in holding a rod.

It’s important that you take your time in trying both kinds of setups as holding a fishing rod right-handed will differ from holding a pole using the left hand. This way, you’ll determine the most comfortable configuration for you.

Find the Most Comfortable Grip for You

When you’ve figured out the kind of setup that you need, it’s important for you to find the most comfortable grip. It’s the secret that translates to all types of fishing poles. Skip this step and you won’t be able to be efficient when fishing.

For a spinning setup, determine how many fingers you’d want to be behind and in front of the specific part of a reel that connects your rod to the spool. In general, you’d need at least a finger that’s in front of this connection.

Your hold on the pole will be unstable without it. The more fingers that you put in front of your reel connection to the rod, the stronger will be your hold on the rod, including the fish that’s on the line.

For a baitcasting setup, you’d need the most comfortable way for you to secure your reel while you’re casting in an efficient way. The process will require you to do trial and error; however, it’s an excellent way to become a much better angler.

Use the Off-Hand in Guiding the Line

As soon as you’ve established your most comfortable hand position, you’ll use your lead finger or hand in guiding the fishing line through your reel. It’s a tip that applies to baitcasters mostly.

When you’re using a baitcasting setup, the hand that’s positioned on the fishing pole is crucial in controlling the casting and the line.

As a baitcaster has an open bail, your hand which you’ll use for cranking the reel has to be positioned on your pole and bail connection. It will let you control the rod and the bail together.

As soon as you throw the bait into the water, resume your normal hand position and then continue fishing. It’s a secret that can help you become a more effective angler.

Find Your Pole’s Natural Balance

One secret which will make learning the right way of holding fishing rods easier would be to find your rod’s natural balance. All fishing rods are weighted. There’s a point in your rod where it completely balances.

Normally, every single rod sold in the market is much heavier in the handle with the tip being the lightest part. Just a couple of inches from your handle’s end will be your rod’s balancing point. It’s not in the center portion of the rod as its weight isn’t evenly distributed.

You may be wondering why it’s important to understand your fishing rod’s physical dynamics. It’s because if you do, you’ll get a better grasp on how to use the equipment properly.

It will also allow you to develop your very own technique or way of how to hold a fishing pole. What the majority of anglers want is for the rod to be balanced in both hands. When a rod isn’t balanced when it’s held, it’s much harder to cast and then reel in fish.

Use Your Elbow

When learning the proper way of holding a fishing rod, use your elbows to your advantage. The secret applies to those that use spinning setups.

After making a cast, try to position your rod’s bottom portion against your elbow. It will add more stability and control when your bait hits the water.

It’s a proper fishing technique, but it’s often forgotten or ignored. Try positioning your pole against your elbow. It won’t take long for you to see how it helps your results.

Conclusion

When you’re out on the water, remember these tips or secrets on how to hold a fishing pole as they will significantly improve your experience and performance.

We also suggest you practice holding your rod the correct way even before you leave on a fishing expedition. This way, you can just implement what you’ve learned when you reach the water.