Low Profile thumbar question

Rest your thumb on the edge of the reel when you are holding it.

[Moley Molson]

Keta

I do place my thumb on the side edge of the reel while drifting....but when I go to set the hook, my thumb tends to immediately find the spool, and then the thumbar...maybe an old habit, but I feel like I need my thumb on the spool for a solid hook set.

[jokester]

Moley,

I'm the same way. I drift with it on the side, but when I set the hook, my thumb immediately goes for the spool to hold it. I've had a few close calls, but never backlashed yet. I'm sure it's coming though [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

-jokester

[ampersat]

It's one of those things you either learn to live with or you buy a different reel. Gotta be a price to pay for ease of casting, right? With enough patience, you can train your thumb not to hit the thumbar. I've got a 5600 and a Solara and I haven't hit the thumbar accidentally yet but I'm pretty used to thumbar reels since I have a long relationship with them.

Here's something to try: move your hand up so that only your pinky is below the trigger on the rod. This puts more of the reel in your palm (where it's supposed to be) and moves your thumb up and over the reel. You'll have to move it back down to cast, but just move it back up when you're done.

[ 01-19-2004, 03:20 PM: Message edited by: ampersat ]

[steelheadslayer]

Thanks for all the tips guys.

Baitboy, No can do! I love the way this thing casts. I just gotta work with it some more and figure it out.

Amp, I'll try it,thanks.

[drhall99]

Steelheadslayer,

Most of the Abu C3's don't have the thumb bar. I have been told by an oldtimer that if you lube them with diesel instead of reel lube that a C3 will outcast a Curado, but I haven't tried it.

Doug

[HOGTIDE]

You'll catch on! Arch your thumb when you apply pressure. Just takes a while to get in the habit. I had the same problem when I first switched over to that type of a reel. A couple of ocean bound fish will help your learning curve, alot! :shocked:

[ 01-19-2004, 05:13 PM: Message edited by: HOGTIDE ]

[Fish Finder]

As long as you palm the reel, there should be no problem. Then again, I cast with my right hand and change over to the left. I guess once a bass fisherman will always be a bass fisherman. :grin: :grin:

[steelheadslayer]

Do any of you have the same problem I do sometimes? When I set the hook I often hit the spool release thumbar and end up with a wicked backlash. :blush: It's pretty entertaining to the guys fishing around me. Can I eliminate that by having my index and middle finger above the trigger handle on the rod so my thumb won't be resting near the thumbar? I usually just have my index finger above the trigger for casting. It's cost me a couple fish so far this year. In fact, I've put aside my Curado SF in favor of my Quantum 1311MG due to it not having a thumbar release. Any thoughts?

[bait boy]

Give that stinky Curado away. I am willing to take it off your hands.... :grin:

[Fshklr]

Earl,
I ended up having problems with the Trion(Drag didn't hold up) and upgraded to the Curado I have found with it's ultimate low profile and flawless precision casting I can take my thumb and finger and extend them over the face allowing me to palm the low profile allowing more feel for takes and eliminating accidental thumbar release.

[Moley Molson]

This same scenario is happening to me with my new Abu C4 5601. I've only freespooled one fish, but it resulted in a nasty backlash and an instant SNAP of the line. Mono is LOUD when it breaks under extreme pressure.

Heck I've even freespooled it when i'm trying to get unhooked from a snag. This also results in a mess.

I've tried having my index and middle finger above the trigger, but still manage to press the thumbar on occasion. Plus, it just doesn't feel comfortable for me.

I love how this reel casts, but i'm worried about all the fish i'm gonna end up loosing because of it.

[SafetyChain]

Yep, I do the same thing [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] Working on it like I did when trying to learn how to cast it [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] . Now that I can cast my Curado, no way I'm giving it up.