Rod damping

[Stoatstail50]

I’m sensing a cover up

It’s too hot and humid here for a cover up…I’ve been damping for days now.

[VGB]

WP has posted some excellent pictures from a recent Game Fair of some very good competition casters. Sorry, Pom, I’ve shamelessly purloined them and wrecked the artistic element of the originals to show the grip which I think illustrates the gap between theoretical analyses based on inaccurate assumptions and reality

IMG_1980.jpeg (44.89 KiB) Viewed 375 times

IMG_1981.jpeg (63.16 KiB) Viewed 375 times

IMG_1982.jpeg (34.54 KiB) Viewed 375 times

IMG_1983.jpeg (25.8 KiB) Viewed 375 times

[Graeme H]

That's the "I'm hanging on the edge of a cliff" death grip.

It delivers certain death ...

[VGB]

Firm or relaxed grip?

IMG_1984.jpeg (45.22 KiB) Viewed 352 times

IMG_1985.jpeg (63.14 KiB) Viewed 352 times

IMG_1986.jpeg (33.92 KiB) Viewed 352 times

[Graeme H]

Nicely relaxed. Maybe even confidently relaxed.

[John Waters]

A different hand profile,

John

[VGB]

What grip pressure are they exerting John?

[John Waters]

Impossible to tell Vince, but different from the open hand photos.

John

[VGB]

With parts of the grip disengaged as I showed, you are limiting surface area contact and limiting the amount of pressure you can bring to bear.

With a closed grip as you have shown, it’s impossible to say what degree of pressure you are applying to the grip. I would suggest that your top picture is not a strong grip because the forefinger is not engaged as it would be in a pinch, crush or all round grip.

For consistency and clarity, I’m using the Longman dictionary definition:

a firm grip/hold/grasp etc - if you have something in a firm grip etc, you are holding it tightly and strongly

From an instructional point of view, a very firm grip tightens the forearm and reduces the range and fluidity of motion. Moreover, the teaching of a firm grip appears to be based upon an incorrect theoretical construct and that is how I used to cast until one of my early instructors threatened to tape my middle and ring fingers up unless I got away from the 3 white knuckles.

I don’t know how closely you followed the thread but only Lasse offered a teaching technique with his budgie, everyone else was either firm grip or we do “something” automatically. The instructosphere seems to have forgotten this learning process because for most of them it is autonomous behaviour.

As a matter of interest, how easy is it to engage your proposed flop with a firm grip, whilst braking with the forearm?

Regards

Vince

[Paul Arden]

As a matter of interest, how easy is it to engage your proposed flop with a firm grip, whilst braking with the forearm?

Very difficult. I think the main reason we see a loose grip is for speed of the rod turnover and not damping. As I have no doubt written I don’t know anyone who is trying to actively damp a competitive distance cast. I do allow the rod butt to come cleanly inside the forearm on my delivery cast, but I don’t consider that to be “active damping”, just trying to avoid the need for it!

Cheers, Paul