Shoulder problems / casting

 

Walter & Group................

 

 

From Jerry Puckett in answer to Al Crise and me on casting with shoulder problems;-

 

 

Gordy and Al:

 

These are two good ways to work with rotator cup injuries and are now in my bag of tricks.

 

May I suggest another style sure to be anathema to many but the proof is in the pudding.  I base this on having fished with Capt Bert Barkus, a guide in the 10,000 Islands Everglades, and watched his very efficient style of casting--mostly strong wrist.  His shoulder has minimum movement with elbow low and free, elbow to follow but not much added movement, most of the cast is with the wrist, a strong efficient wrist movement that creates a SLP of the rod tip.  As Tom White states it does not matter how much wrist one uses as long as the rod tip follows SLP.  To use Al Kyte's words he has "self-optimized'' with his wrist cast.  One would be fortunate to fish with him and learn.  I enjoy watching him cast as much as I do fishing, he is relaxed, fluid and on target under the mangroves at any distance I am able to cast.

 

I wish I had a Video of Bert casting-- efficient, artistic and beautiful, with minimum impact on the shoulder muscles. His casting proves there is only one way to cast and that is the way that works best for the individual. It should be noted that he poles a flats boat and has strong wrists.  I do not argue with success and that which works for someone.  When I see an individual style based on sound casting principles it becomes mine, a part of my bag of teaching tricks.

 

Depending on the degree of injury and the nature of pain this wrist style cast places minimum stress in the shoulder area and remains an option for me in teaching.  If this wrist 

style seems natural for a person's mentality and anatomy I will introduce him to the wrst cast as an option for self discovery.  Again, we can introduce these options and let the individaul discover what works best for them with or without injury. As long as one is fishing

and happy without potential injury in their style I am happy.

 

You fellas have a great holiday season and thanks for the many casting gifts over the years!

 

Jerry Puckett