All, Anybody ever build a rod for a person with a prosthetic arm/hand (hook). My good friend loves to fish and wants to take up bank fishing (only fished from a boat in the past) I need to figure out a way of keeping the rod from twisting as he turns the crank. His hook can really tear up a fore grip in just one trip. We use a rail plate (OLD SCHOOL I KNOW<BUT IT WORKS) when boat fishing to keep rod from twisting. I have thought of a loop of parachute cord might work. ANY ideas would be welcomed

Spinning, or casting? Ever thought of using a reel like a centerpin, or mooching reel? On the boat a mooching reel works great, keeping the reeling power much closer to center mass. Pumping and reeling down would take a lot of side load away I'd think, whatever you use. Gimballing the rear grip and a small fighting belt would take away some of the problem also. Maybe a slipover collar for the foregrip area with a ring to accept the hook would save foregrips.

Just a thought why not use an over size guide that he may be able to put the hook into. Don't know if it would work but it may.

I would guess there would be a SW guide that could be strong enough or one could be manufactured.

Another thought came mind if you attached the guide just in front of fore grip a Velcro strap could go around the grip and his prosthetic arm.

Hey Darrel,

What about an aluminum fore grip I would guess a machine shop could manufacture a nice tapered piece that had flat areas for the hook to grip. This could be exposed on the same as a cork grip and made thick enough to hold up to the pressure of the hook.

The Heavy Duty Saltwater guides with the stainless or carbide ring go to size 24.

saw one that attached with 3 bands the butt band had an angled piece that was half way up the outside of the forearm part of the prosthetic and it mounted below as versed to the top where the hook was and it seemed to work well once the guy got use to it as he fished a lot and enjoyed his time on the water.
the idea of using a butt gimbal has good potential as it would be less bulky and could be mounted on the lower side of the prosthetic and secures with a couple of Velcro bands. there hasn't been enough creativity put in to it as of yet and it has been something that has needed to be addressed for many years.
Good luck with the build

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

Spiral wrap it.

Mac

this is a rod I built for a gent with carpal tunnel and artritis
[www.rodbuilding.org]

Rolly Beenen
Rovic Custom Rods

Thanks everybody, some GREAT ideas here. The aluminum fore grip sounds good, however I think the metal to metal might not have a holding power needed, But You have given me an idea to use leather as a front grip and have it installed at a saddle shop near by. I will go there today. Just so you know he wants to fish steelies in Northern CA, from the bank. The spinning rod I'm building is a 7.2", 1 piece Rainshadow med action. I should finins soon and will let you all know how it works out
"bent rods to ya"

Darrel ; I posted some photos some years ago of a rod I built for my brother who could not bend his wrist. We put a reel on it and took some photos with it in his hand. The handle was called a Cobra Handle. Do a search in the Photo Section under my name. See if you can use this type of handle along with a Spiral Wrap maybe.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

Matt, Do you have any pic that might give me an idea of what you mean?? I don't get the velcro wraps
Bent rod to ya
darrel

All, Started working with saddle smith who has some GREAT ideas on how to make this work for someone with a hook. Will keep you all in the loop!! WE can open new door for these fishers. Let's work together on this one!!!
Bent rods to ya
darrel

Keep it coming Darrel.