Several years ago I broke my neck. I had no use of my arms and hands, after several years I now do many things I was told I would never again be able to do. I have started to fish again, buy my problem is that my bait casting reels are not letting me use them, every time I cast I get major backlash. I have purchased two Zebco reels, and while I can fish now, I cannot fish effectivly for bass, my prefered sport. Is there a reel on the market that I might get, (cheap, Im on a fixed income) that woulds allow me to do the bait presentation as I used to? The open face reels I have do not cast as far as I would like with the lighter baits I use, and the Zebco are just too light to pull in a 5 pounder through the muck and weeds. I would appriciate any help you might give, and is there a market for used reels that would be realistic about price and not expect me to just give them away? Thank you very much for you magazine and web page, it helped me stay in tune with the fish even when I could not move. Respectfully yours Rev. Matthew Cook

Matthew, Welcome to NAFC!  Glad to hear the battles you are winning to overcome your handicaps.  I never cease to be amazed how people can overcome those handicaps.  I grew up with a brother who was born with one hand and I have been disabled since 2002.  Thank God for your strength!  Zebco is a good reel but nothing like it use to be.  Open face spinning reels should meet your needs.  Before I became handicapped I still had difficulty with baitcasting reels and have pretty much relied on spinning reels since especially when using light lures.  One of the keys to making it work is the match of line with lures & reel then match reel to rod.  Most heavier open face reels accommodate 12 to 14 pound line.  To get lure & fish out of heavy cover you are going to need a rod with plenty of backbone.  Shimano makes a reel called "Baitrunner" in several sizes which functions well with 14 to 30 pound line--has a drag system which allows you to set drag on spool for live bait and when you set hook drag for original setting takes over.  They usually run in the $150.00 price range but sometimes you can find one on ebay for much less.  Maybe someone in club can help.  Again, thank God for you life!  Uncle Tom

Matthew, try this site. http://www.achievableconcepts.us/usa_fish.htm Hope it helps.
Gary

Matthew, I remember you sharing about the extent of your disabilities after breaking your neck.  Share with us what you can do now as opposed to before.  For instance, my brother only has one hand but he was born that way.  Today, he plays the guitar right or left handed and several other musical instruments. He enjoys playing golf and he is scratch handicap.  He killed several deer with a compound bow before the state gave him a permit to hunt with a crossbow.  His list goes on and on.
Reading your posts reminded me that he doesn't fish much.  The great difference in the two of you is that he was born with his disability and never had to learn all over.  Seems to me you have to overcome far more than him because your disability came later in life which means you have to forget what you once did and relearn how in a different way.  I will help in any way I can but to help we need to know what you can do now.  Which skills do you now have as opposed to those you once had.  God bless you and may He add to your new skills!  Uncle Tom

my little girl is 4ys. and has coalluboums/cat eye but has some site dues most fish see bite colors i jeff campbell make hannahs flots glow red can the see this color to stop the bite ?

my little girl is 4ys. and has coalluboums/cat eye but has some site dues most fish see bite colors i jeff campbell make hannahs flots glow red can the see this color to stop the bite ?

 being a dad i you we the fishing club me hannah set and read the stories each day i m not to working

my son has cerrebel pausey and we both share a love of fishing if there anything to make casting a rod or fishing period i'd like to hear about it

March 14, 2011
Hello Dogking and all fellow anglers. I was setting a hook on what I thought was a big bass when I had a sharp shooting pain in my left elbow. Turns out I had snagged a giant tree bass and had bi-lateral carpel tunnel syndrome. That was my wake-up call. I am left handed and my left arm and hand were useless to me. I had to drive 60 miles, through mountain roads, with one arm to go to the nearest V.A. hospital. That was a lot of fun, especially during winter months.  I could no longer cast spinning set ups very well and forget bait casting gear. I turned from artificial lures to worms and minnows. It was better than no fishing at all. It took me a year and surgery to get back to almost normal. It was during this time I came across an article in either Field and Stream or Sports Afield talking about casting and spinning reels where, with the touch of a button, lures would be cast for you and another touch of the bottom your lure and or fish would be reeled in for you. Sadly, I lost the article before I could copy the information on how to obtain those reels. This happened back in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Through the years I have had other medical problems that at times have limited my fishing activities. I guess what I am saying is that we not giv up, keep trying, no matter what. I read your story and the stories of some of our other members and they inspire me. I live in South Florida and for me; the fishing has been dismal as far as I am concerned. No w Canada, that’s another story. I have been spoiled by the great fishing up there. I have been there 4 times since 2004. After the first week of my first trip I had to lay in bed with legs propped up due to both legs and feet being swollen, cost me 3 days of fishing but at least I got through it. I have had accidents and other medical problems while on these fishing trips but I wouldn’t trade the experiences I’ve had with my brother and friends that joined me on those trips for anything in the world. I’d like to have my grown sons join me on a trip to Canada sometime. I just hope the good Lord will allow me more trips before He pulls my ticket.
Please don’t give up. I say this to all of my fellow club members.
Tighlines,
gonfishin

Here is a resource for those who may face special challenges:  www.FishingAbilities.com   Email: info@FishingAbilities.com
Fishing Abilities
22770 Adams Road
South Bend, IN 46628