Science Behind The Fight: Part 7
The Stance 3: Other Things To Look At
By: Phil Foo
In the last two issues we looked at the muscle groups that are affected when battling a hard fighting, powerful big game fish. We also looked at the proper stance needed to help you fight better, and to leverage the fight towards you. In this issue we look at other things that you will want to look at when fighting a hard fighting, powerful big game fish.
[ When the fish runs and you are just holding on waiting for it to complete its run and tire itself out… ]
A hard fighting, powerful big game fish has plenty of strength and energy to run far; easily stripping off line from your reel. These long runs certainly apply lots of pressure on the angler. The proper stance will help to reduce the pressure by distributing it to various muscle groups. What about the pressure on the palm and fingers?
Palms and fingers do suffer fatigue during a prolonged fight.
What if the pressure of the run is so strong and you feel like you are losing your grip on the rod? Yes, don’t laugh. This happens. I have seen rods fly right off the hands of the angler, diving straight into the sea, most of the time never to be seen again. If anglers can get pulled in, a rod can easily be pulled in too. I recommend a good glove that provide really good grip when big game fishing.
So, what do you do when you feel like you are losing your grip? If you feel that you are losing your grip, remove your other hand from the reel and hold onto the rod too. Hold the rod with both out stretched hands and allow the fish to complete its run. Sometimes you may need to make adjustments to the reel during the run. Perhaps to tighten the drag. What do you do then?
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If you need to adjust your reel during the run, ensure that your hand (the main hand that is holding onto the rod) has good grip before taking your other hand (reeling hand) off the rod to make adjustments on the reel. After making the needed adjustments return your hand to the rod and grip it. Maintain the outstretched hand stance.
Head And Neck
Another thing to look at is your head and neck. They are important too. They certainly help with maintaining balance. Thus, it is inevitable that you pay attention to them, and use them to your advantage. There are anglers who feel a strain in their neck after fighting a powerful big game fish. I have a friend who suffered a headache after fighting a sailfish. Worry not. He is alive and well. It wasn’t a stroke.
What do you think about this stance?
When the fish runs and you are just holding on waiting for it to complete its run and tire itself out, you can lean your head and neck back which brings your weight towards the back. Doing so does remove some of the pressure placed on your neck should you have your head forward. How does this work in your favour?
The head is quite heavy a body part. Having to support a bent forward head when using mobile phones is one of the leading causes of neck, head, and spine issues; usually a pinched nerve. Can you imagine this? If you stand up straight and just lean your head back, you will notice your weight shifting backwards. Not only that. You probably felt some relief in your neck.
Knowing this, you can literally use your head to help you fight the fish. Leaning backwards with your hands stretched out, holding on to your rod as the fish runs, and leaning your head back will relief some tension on your neck. This also brings your weight backwards. Doing so not only reliefs the pressure on your neck but also your back. This translates to longer fighting stamina.
Important to understand how groups of muscles work when fighting the fish.
What Else?
I cannot think of any other thing to add. So, if you have any tips you would like to share, please send us an email. Meanwhile, this here is the end of the 3-part section of Stance in our segment called Science Behind The Fight. Stay tuned for Part 8 of Science Behind The Fight in the next issue of The Angler.
