Style / Grip

Walter & Group...

From Jerry Puckett:

Gordy, is it worth reviewing Mac's early answer on the path the hand takes when casting a slower rod verse a faster rod with increased stroke length to maintain SLP of the rod tip?

 

Regarding grip, one approach I am considering in an upcoming class I am going to teach is one I would like for you to critique.  The class will be a mixture of all levels of casters working with folk working toward certification. 

 

Simple tell the folk to hold the rod in a position that is most comfortable for you, let them cast and observe tracking in the horizontal and vertical plane.  If there is significant deviation then work toward refining a specific grip that works comfortably for them.  I lean strongly toward "Self Optimization" in helping one find a grip that works best for their anatomy.  Toward that end I practice and fish with various grips during the day to distribute the work load over aged, small, and damaged hands.  This also helps keep me stay primed for suggesting grips that might work best for an individual. 

 

Sometime early during the class I will go over the various grips, strength and weaknesses, with the encouragement of practicing each grip for self discovery; finding a basic grip that works best for each individual for various fishing situations.

 

My term is "Grip Flexibility" in casting and teaching.

 

Hope this is not to confusing.  Thanks

 

Jerry Puckett

 

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Jerry...   Not at all confusing.  I do the same thing.  Sometimes a change of grip can be used to help solve a casting problem.  For example:  One way of helping to overcome the problem of the caster throwing the back cast back and down, is to switch to the Borger 3 point grip.

 

If a student is overpowering the rod when trying to cast accurately to a close target with a light outfit, I might have him switch to an, "index finger on top" grip.

 

Many if not most expert casters will switch from their default grip for some special casts or casting circumstances.

 

Go ahead and dig out Mac's answer.

 

Gordy

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