Tackle suggestions for tendonitus. 2025

bladeslinger reply :

Well the Doc has diagnosed me with de Quervain's tenosynovitis, been struggling with it all year. I am an avid angler who just can't stay away from the water, so am looking for help from fellow anglers. What tackle modifications can I make to reduce symptoms Lighter rods ? Lighter reels ? High speed reels? Shorter rods ? Rod grips? Lure suggestions ?

Deep cranking hurts the worst.

Thanks in advance..

Garnet reply :

Get your arm bans on before it hurts.

The next thing you do is get your arm bans on before it hurts.

Now it don't hurt...........get your arm bans on so it don't hurt.

Shorter rods and softer tips helped.

Don't live and die on max casting distanced.

Point your rod strait at your bait, cranks and spinnerbaits let your hand hold the bait. Don't let the rodbend but pressure on your elbows.

Garnet

Wayne P. reply :

I took care of mine by balancing my rods so the butt is heavier than the tip when holding at the reel seat with the reel attached. I also used opposite handed tackle for a couple trips to rest the affected arm.

Don't use any presentation that keeps a constant strain on your arm like big spinnerbaits and deep cranks for a while until the symptoms subside.

The bands help some but not for a cure, only rest will work.

Grey Wolf reply :

Why don't you bite the bullet and give your self a break for a few months and give it a chance to heal.

bighed reply :

Yes, lighter rods/reels helped mine recover and have not had the pain since.

Jig Man reply :

I have carpal tunnel and have had to go to lighter rods and reels. I also have learned to cast with either hand so I alternate which way I fish to give my self a break every 20 minutes or so.

I had tendonitus when I played golf and the arm bands did give me some relief.

LOW7681 reply :

I'm in my seventies and bass fish 50-75 days a year. This includes three one week sessions fishing for bass which means there are no days to rest to recuperate.

Had (and still have minor) muscle and tendon problems. About a half a dozen years ago switched to lighter reels (Shimano 50 mg's) and shorter rods.

Sold all my 7' mag bass rods and although I have a couple of 6'6" rods in my rod locker, on my casting deck are six 6' rods.

The shorter rods made a major difference in reducing arm pain. When you think about the leverage difference when casting/pitching 3/8 to 3/4 oz lures the shorter rods definitely make difference. This is especially true when roll casting.

Most 6' rods have a shorter handle so you typically give up 3 or 4 inches in rod length, not six inches, from the reel seat to the tip.

Muddy reply :

I am in this groupnow :-[ I went to 6'6" rods, and I stopped fishing one month earlier( the weather helped=early winter) :'( To give myself time to heal. I was hoping as I clear up some personal edbt over the winter to look at a swimbait setup, but given the choice surgery or swimbaits I will give up on the swimbait idea. The Doc will not give me an opinion until Feb.

flechero reply :

Certainly lighter and better balanced rod/reel combos will help. I think even more importantly is to alter your fishing style a little... start spending more of your time fishing soft plastics. (t-rig and c-rig) You'll be casting much less and not constantly pulling against a crank or spinnerbait.

Good luck

Muddy reply :

To add to this, not a scientific point but my experience. For what ever is going on in my arm and shoulder I found going to more side arm casting and gentle lobs most of the day, the stress and pain are lessend at days end

fathom reply :

shorter rods

lighter reels

lighter baits

shorter targets

i also got rid of all splitgrips...they may be lighter but, with all due respect to those that love 'em, they are agonizingly tip-heavy for me anymore...tipup or tipdown.

i fished most of this year with a steez/mbr782 combo for tipdown and a steez/bcr803 combo for tipup and i don't think i missed a beat all year.

bilgerat reply :

I'm (for once) not being a smart a**, but have you considered live bait?

You still get to be on the water fishing, but at the same time giving your arms a rest until you get straightened out.

Hope everything works out for you.

Muddy reply :

Not taken that way at all. I use live bait frequently on the rivers anyway.

Catt reply :

Quote
Certainly lighter and better balanced rod/reel combos will help. I think even more importantly is to alter your fishing style a little... start spending more of your time fishing soft plastics. (t-rig and c-rig) You'll be casting much less and not constantly pulling against a crank or spinnerbait.
Good luck

Add to this

Let your rod do the casting not your elbow & wrist

Switch to long handled rods or spinning tackle & learn how to use your entire forearm to fight the fish not just your wrist. Even with your rod butt against your body your wrist is taking the brunt of the fight.

Muddy reply :

Hey Catt: Not everyone should get long handled rods! The angle of retrieve was killing me, I did muc better with non - split grips that were on the shorter side. My friend Dan, is a Musky guide, he dislocated his arm, playing foot ball with his kids. He had to give up fishing and get surgery , lost a whole year. He tipped me off aobut the shorter handels and he is right.

Catt reply :

Dude lay the rod along your entire forearm like with spinning tackle; palm your reel & have the rod butt from your wrist to your elbow.

And like flechero said use more T-rigs, C-rigs, & Jigs.

Muddy reply :

Since I listened to you, more than 50% of my fishing is with Jigs, and I do throw a lot of plastics. The problem I am having probhits me from holding the rod the way you suggest as it puts way too much strain on my Shoulder socket and bicep.

Whats going on is old age has caught up with an old injury. A seperated shoulder from when I got hit by a car. I went to a Doctor , at Penn State whose specialty is sports medicine. He suggested I bring a rod, and it was a longer handle model, I held it like you said, right onto the fore arm :he said it was a recipie for doom, looking at my MRI. I think I am going to go with the doctor on this one, b/c surgery is really not a safe option for me.

thetr20one reply :

I use heavier graphite rods for crankin and therefore put some real strain on my forearm/wrist/shoulder. What I found to work best for prevention/relief is an arm band that you wear just below your elbow available at any wal-mart for about $8. Even the pain from a day of casting heavy baits is reduced or eliminated. I can post a pic if you would like. But I don't know how much it would relieve a shoulder only problem.

VolFan reply :

My wife has the same problem and just learned to cast with both hands. Now, if one starts getting sore, she switches off. Also, smooth underhand casting helps he alot.

Catt reply :

Well guys I guess it really helps to read the post before opening ones mouth so I suggest we all read the following.

http://www.ourhealthnetwork.com/conditions/hand/deQuervainsTenosynovitis.asp

32251 reply :

I have an old football injury to the shoulder. When it hurts from casting, actually the retreive for me is what is tugging at the shoulder and the tendons, I fish a VERY slow worm presentation for a while. Mixing it up between casting and the mega slow worm keeps me at it longer with less discomfort. I also am working on casting with the right hand and retreiving with the left. Amazing how distributing the load between the two helps.

Muddy reply :

Hey Thanks! While it is my shoulder on top, this looks like it may do the trick for the reast of what ails me. I am showing this to the Doc, see if he thinks this will help 8-)

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
Why don't you bite the bullet and give your self a break for a few months and give it a chance to heal.

Sorry dude...

This is the best advice and the only way you'll

cure of the problem.

bladeslinger reply :

Thanks for all the suggestions. Even though the pain is based in the wrist, most these suggestions should help. Decided to try the 50mg reel and a short kistler rod to see if it helps. Quite often we tend to overuse other muscles when trying to get out of pain from one area. Arm bands should help with upper forearms.

Garnet reply :

Thats the deal with me. If I keep my elbows good my should is tolerable and my wrist are good.

I get to fish about 3 hrs without arm bans before the little elbow jab.

Arm bans, sunglass, hat, sunscreen are all #1.

Garnet

smcentee reply :

You might want to take a look at the Daiwa L&T rods. The ergonomic grip is butt ugly, but may relieve tension in the hand, wrist and arm. I usually fish with e21 or cumara, but when my arthritis flairs I switch over to the L&T rods. Just a thought.

9821

Tackle suggestions for tendonitus. 2025

related Fishing Tackle topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Fishing Tackle topic