is an electric reel for whiting over kill

[Dignity]

Specialist has just told me I have tendonopathy in my shoulders, so I was wondering if any one had a similar condition and used a harness of some sort especially for offshore work to take the strain. Might look odd but I have no desire to give this sort of fishing up, any one tried it.

As far as the tinnie goes that is a little easier as it means trade tiller steering for steering wheel but was going to pick a yak up this week, this had me a little worried but I think a Hobbie might solve part of the problem.

[scottar]

Best harness I have found for offshore is a kidney harness in conjunction with a good fighting belt. You could either go to an electric reel with this sort of set up or get an extended handle to make winding easier. The harness stands you up rather than a shoulder harness that will bend you over. You actually feel like you've had a bit of a lumber massage after using it.

[Dignity]

Thanks scottar, the electric winch was tongue in cheek, for the moment although it could come to that eventually although I would probably need some else to drive the boat. I moved to extended handles a few years ago, still can't figure out how they can cost $70 or more. I will certainly look at a kidney harness and fighting belt as I need to protect and preserve the tendons in my shoulders. It was not a prognosis I was expecting today but not giving up boating and fishing. Just when I've decided to spruce up the old girl, she went off for a new screen with new targa top and rocket launches to follow, then a good clean, polish and wax so I do want to enjoy the end result.

[Feral]

That sucks.
So both shoulders?
If only one, an old fashioned alvey deck / snapper reel might be the way to go for whiting? The ones that look like a fire hose reel!

[scottar]

As with most spare parts they are pricey. There are some good aftermarket options available depending on what type of reel you use. Have a look at Blue Bottle Fishing's website. I had a client of mine that had access to a laser cutter make me one for my Tyrnos a few years back - 150mm between centres. In between that and the harness I can fish 24-32 ounce leads in 150 metres all day. With lighter sinkers there is almost nil effort required to wind. The only thing you can't do is go screwing up the drag or the gears will strip.

[Noelm]

not too sure if this is of any use, but recently I saw some small Japanese electric spin reels, might be a better option (maybe) than a heavy over head? It still doesn't get around having to hold the rod of course, but I know some people use electrics in the rod holder.

[Ausfish]

So when did you tear the tendons in your shoulders?
how did you tear the tendons in both shoulders?
Tendinopathy is the combination of two issues, tendinitis and tears in the tendons.
not much you can do about the tears but the tendinitis part of tendonopathy can be treated. What have they suggested to do to treat the tendinitis?

So before getting too worried about the change of gear, and spending money on a physio, I would suggest you get a second opinion and try some more traditional treatments.
I would suggest you look at using Zhen Gu Shui, or similar Chinese liniments to treat the tendinitis. Or better still go to a Traditional Chinese Medicine "TCM" therapist. I don't believe Physios can't help you much with tendinitis, except of course take lots of money from you :-)

[aussiebasser]

Hey Dr. Ausfish, I have a pretty good dose of Bursitis in my right shoulder. 3 cortisone injections haven't done anything for it. Any suggestions? I'd really like to be able to fly fish again.

[stockhorse]

aussiebasser, try using your left arm. Yes I am serious. I used to semi professional ten pin bowl. After an accident I required surgery and pins in my right shoulder. I started bowling left handed, fell over several times and rarely got the ball down the lane. After just 3 months my game average left handed was the same as it had been right handed. We can adapt better than we think we can . give it a go.

[aussiebasser]

Left shoulder is almost as bad mate.

[stockhorse]

Hmmm, have you seen the ad with the guy playing the piano ?

[Ausfish]

Hey Dr. Ausfish, I have a pretty good dose of Bursitis in my right shoulder. 3 cortisone injections haven't done anything for it. Any suggestions? I'd really like to be able to fly fish again.

Thanks, but not a Doctor, a Remedial Massage Therapist for 16 years. There is a lot of different options out there. Go and sea TCM therapist, do not have to be Chinese, but I do prefer the older Chinese ones as they have been doing it for many years. But you could also try Bowen Therapy.

[Dignity]

That sucks.
So both shoulders?
If only one, an old fashioned alvey deck / snapper reel might be the way to go for whiting? The ones that look like a fire hose reel!

Left shoulder is bad, right is still relatively OK. I dont think inshore is much of a problem yet though might have to move to a deck mounted winch for offshore work although that might kill some of the joy of fishing. Worse for me is that I have just started to get into kayaking and may have to give that away.

[Dignity]

not too sure if this is of any use, but recently I saw some small Japanese electric spin reels, might be a better option (maybe) than a heavy over head? It still doesn't get around having to hold the rod of course, but I know some people use electrics in the rod holder.

The problem I am facing is the over use of the right arm to compensate for the left arm, could potentially cause premature failure. I use both right and left hand reels, when bait fishing it's all right hand but if using lures, SP's etc I use left hand, started doing that mainly to slow down my retrieve and I have found it very effective.

[Dignity]

Hey Dr. Ausfish, I have a pretty good dose of Bursitis in my right shoulder. 3 cortisone injections haven't done anything for it. Any suggestions? I'd really like to be able to fly fish again.

See a good sports physio as bursitis is easily treated with the proper exercise, had it in my hip, also had it in my shoulder, that was part of the pain I was getting.

[Dignity]

So when did you tear the tendons in your shoulders?
how did you tear the tendons in both shoulders?
Tendinopathy is the combination of two issues, tendinitis and tears in the tendons.
not much you can do about the tears but the tendinitis part of tendonopathy can be treated. What have they suggested to do to treat the tendinitis?

So before getting too worried about the change of gear, and spending money on a physio, I would suggest you get a second opinion and try some more traditional treatments.
I would suggest you look at using Zhen Gu Shui, or similar Chinese liniments to treat the tendinitis. Or better still go to a Traditional Chinese Medicine "TCM" therapist. I don't believe Physios can't help you much with tendinitis, except of course take lots of money from you :-)
Steve, I have had x-rays, ultrasound and MRI done and my latest session was with a specialist. Initially had bursitis in both hip and left shoulder as well as a few very knotted muscles, physio and acupuncture got rid of all the pain associated with those but they were masking what was probably the underlying cause which is tendonopathy which is probably related to a combination of things, over straining by trying to do too much and unfortunately one I can't do anything about, old age. The specialist basically said my tendons are like an old tug boat rope, looks big and solid but after a 60 odd years of hard work are frayed and possibly inside some of the strands that make up the rope inside have snapped. He did go into the difference between tendinitis and tendon path , in simple layman's terms tendinitis is where inflammation exists, tendonopathy there is none, there was more to it but trying to keep it simple. This all started about 15 months ago, of all places on a bloody cruise ship where the only strenuous activity undertaken was supporting the many bars, there may be a solution yet as the x-rays were nearly a year old getting them redone as some calcification may have set in and if so easily fixed, about to go and get them done, the one time I'm hoping something will be found.