Casting with arthritis

[Garry Howell]

Hi, after a bit of advice, for the last season I have been struggling with severe arthritis in both shoulders, this is making casting a bit of a struggle after a while. Does anyone have any suggestions what rods are the easiest to cast with, the furthest needed would be something like the Trent at Fiskerton. TIA.

 

[Graham Elliott]

Underarm casts will help a lot.
You can get half way across at Fisky with practice.
Far more accurate as well.
Ideally a full action rod rather than tippy.

 

[Jim Gregory]

Have you had steroid injections Garry.
And have you been diagnosed with severe arthritis, ..
If so cbt oil works wonders also..

 

[Neil Smart]

Yes the underarm is much better for a smoother cast, with practise as said, no river is too wide.

 

[Garry Howell]

Have you had steroid injections Garry.
And have you been diagnosed with severe arthritis, ..
If so cbt oil works wonders also..

I have been told that steroid injections won't work for me for some reason, one being that I have a couple of bits of something floating around the joint! Might look at cbt oil though.

 

[Garry Howell]

Yes the underarm is much better for a smoother cast, with practise as said, no river is too wide.

Looks like I will have to practice my underarm casting, always struggled with decent length leaders with this method though.

 

[Neil Smart]

Looks like I will have to practice my underarm casting, always struggled with decent length leaders with this method though.

Not sure what length leaders are Gary, but I guess the reason I for instance prefer an underarm cast is that as kids we all mostly fished with a float, not a lead whereby this cast was better suited.

Now we have powerful rods that are designed to launch heavy leads 100yds or more, they are bereft of what I enjoy in fishing, but if you have to cast to the horizon so be it.

The lob cast ensures the rig enters the water with less trauma. and is imo more accurate but I am sure many will disagree but it's just my opinion.

I admit in periods of boredom to entertain myself practicing casting by trying to hit the dogs bowl with a lead in the garden, it also helps the line lay on reels

 

[Paul Rogers]

For me, it isn't the shoulders, it's the fingers. Never been able to use the Wallis cast with my centrepins; the abilty to pull several lengths of line with fingers that are now becoming increasingly less flexible, is creating knots in the line on casts. Not every time, but enough to get frustrated. SO, unless I am fishing within a couple of rod lengths out, I will have to start using fixed spools again.

 

[Jim Gregory]

I have been told that steroid injections won't work for me for some reason, one being that I have a couple of bits of something floating around the joint! Might look at cbt oil though.

It's got to be worth a try

 

[Graham Elliott]

Looks like I will have to practice my underarm casting, always struggled with decent length leaders with this method though.

Garry, Never found I needed longer than 12 to 18 inches on any water including the Middle Trent at Fiskerton.