Thumb protection - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

PAL · 01-28-2011, 09:15 AM

That blue tape is known as Flex Wrap, among other names. It is a 'medical' style tape that sticks to itself but not to skin or other objects.

It works, but as with any tape, once it gets dirty or worn it tends to unwrap. If I'm fishing all day, I usually have to reapply it at least once. At least that's my experience. Honestly, I often go without.

Iceman · 01-28-2011, 09:35 AM

two words...................

toughen up!

THE DARKHORSE · 01-29-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman

two words...................

toughen up!

Hey Andy, this right here was nothing short of classic! Full on spit the beer out of my mouth

. Thank you.

Bob, if you hurt yourself catching the occasional squid or Mackerel dropping iron---God forbid you get slammed by a forty pound Yellowtail.

The good news, Bob: When you come home with microscopic cuts---you'll have proof you went fishing.

Billy V · 01-30-2011, 11:31 AM

Stop using your thumb.

Iceman · 01-30-2011, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Stop using your thumb.

Better yet stop using spectra on your yoyo set up. 40 pound mono will get it done and guiding it back on the reel will be a lot easier on your hands.

dsafety · 01-30-2011, 01:42 PM

OK guys, I appreciate all the advise including the comments from those who think I should refrain from whining about getting my fingers all cut up. Point taken.

The best advice given was to use mono when yo-yoing. I normally would do that but on this day all my reels, except for the one on jig stick had spectra. I suppose I could have used the jig stick but I didn't.

Those who know me know that when I identify a problem, I try to think of a way to solve it. This is fun for me and occasionally I come up with a good idea. There are times when finger protection is needed. I would like to be prepared the next time I run into one of those situations.

Both SuperGlue and liquid band-aid seem to be worth investigating further. Both of these products come in small packages which can be stored in a vest pocket and be readily available if needed. Even if not used for this purpose they are probably good things to have on board anyway. I will also probably pick up a roll of the Coban material to have on hand. We used this stuff all the time back in my Lifeguarding days. Again, probably a good thing to have in the first aid kit.

If I discover any earth shaking results from my future experiments I will be sure to let everyone know.

Bob

dorado50 · 01-30-2011, 03:18 PM

can't wait for the next problem

..for entertainment purposes only...

bus kid · 01-30-2011, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsafety

OK guys, I appreciate all the advise including the comments from those who think I should refrain from whining about getting my fingers all cut up. Point taken.
The best advice given was to use mono when yo-yoing. I normally would do that but on this day all my reels, except for the one on jig stick had spectra. I suppose I could have used the jig stick but I didn't.
Bob

Quote:

Originally Posted by bus kid

I agree with Andy too man up, or you can always use mono.

I have mono on all my yoyo set ups for that very reason, also the stretch helps to absorb the initial shock and reduce the chance of ripping the jig out of the fishes mouth on the strike. Only draw back is if he heads for the kelp...

Don't worry Bob, I enjoy all your post and you usually hit the nail on the head, you have had a lot of good tips and tricks. If nothing else you started the "Share Your Innovations" thread.

by the way I call BS on the cut up thumb without photos

dsafety · 01-28-2011, 09:35 AM

I am aware of the tape. The medical product is called Coban from 3M. The problem is that it is elastic. You have to stretch it to make it stay in place. If you wrap it too tight, you can cut off circulation.

There must be something else that is inexpensive, simple to use, stays in place and will not get in the way. Time to put my thinking cap on.

Bob

JoeBeck · 01-28-2011, 09:47 AM

One only needs two tools in life: WD-40 and duct tape

dorado50 · 01-28-2011, 10:00 AM

What Andy said X2... Flexrap as someone suggested. OMG....

bigbarrels · 01-28-2011, 10:08 AM

I bought the thumb dinger but have never used it for an extended period of time......made it tough to pick my nose otw......it just sits there beggin to be used

dsafety · 01-28-2011, 10:43 AM

Anyone ever try painting on a thin layer of SuperGlue? Bad guys use it to hide their finger prints when doing their evil deeds. (As far as I know most members of Congress have not yet caught on to this trick.)

I have spilled some on me before. It usually takes a day or so to wear off so I think it should last through a day of fishing.

I don't think SuperGlue is harmful because medics often use it to close wounds in the field. It is even used by plastic surgeons in place of stitches in some cases.

Bob

Argentcroix · 01-28-2011, 12:32 PM

This is the stuff I get for my manufacturing folks:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MOD...828?Pid=search

Similar to the medical pre-wrap that was referenced above, but not as stretchy (lower rubber content), and much tougher. Another option are leather thumb guards. Pretty cheap and they last forever:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/CON...ZE3?Pid=search

Although I am sure that salt water baths will do a bit to shorten that "forever" lifespan, they should last for quite a while. And at about .83/ea for a pack of 10, they are pretty cheap.

RK · 01-28-2011, 04:53 PM

superglue is always in my bag on surf trips you can pretty much seal anything up with it.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsafety

Anyone ever try painting on a thin layer of SuperGlue? Bad guys use it to hide their finger prints when doing their evil deeds. (As far as I know most members of Congress have not yet caught on to this trick.)

I have spilled some on me before. It usually takes a day or so to wear off so I think it should last through a day of fishing.

I don't think SuperGlue is harmful because medics often use it to close wounds in the field. It is even used by plastic surgeons in place of stitches in some cases.

Bob

Politi-Cal · 01-29-2011, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsafety

Anyone ever try painting on a thin layer of SuperGlue? Bad guys use it to hide their finger prints when doing their evil deeds. (As far as I know most members of Congress have not yet caught on to this trick.)

I have spilled some on me before. It usually takes a day or so to wear off so I think it should last through a day of fishing.

I don't think SuperGlue is harmful because medics often use it to close wounds in the field. It is even used by plastic surgeons in place of stitches in some cases.

Bob

If you are thinking of using super glue then just jump to liquid bandaid. It sticks to your skin just like super glue but it is much thicker.

bus kid · 01-29-2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeBeck

One only needs two tools in life: WD-40 and duct tape

if you cant fix it with a hammer you got an electrical problem.

I agree with Andy too man up, or you can always use mono.

roadx · 01-29-2011, 07:10 PM

get a level wind reel

or turn your reel from side to side while winding

01-28-2011, 09:35 AM	#2
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,948	two words................... toughen up! __________________

01-30-2011, 11:31 AM	#4
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	Stop using your thumb. __________________

01-30-2011, 03:18 PM	#7
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	can't wait for the next problem..for entertainment purposes only...

01-29-2011, 07:10 PM	#18
roadx . Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,155	get a level wind reel or turn your reel from side to side while winding __________________

01-28-2011, 09:15 AM	#1
PAL Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 754	That blue tape is known as Flex Wrap, among other names. It is a 'medical' style tape that sticks to itself but not to skin or other objects. It works, but as with any tape, once it gets dirty or worn it tends to unwrap. If I'm fishing all day, I usually have to reapply it at least once. At least that's my experience. Honestly, I often go without.

01-30-2011, 01:42 PM	#6
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	OK guys, I appreciate all the advise including the comments from those who think I should refrain from whining about getting my fingers all cut up. Point taken. The best advice given was to use mono when yo-yoing. I normally would do that but on this day all my reels, except for the one on jig stick had spectra. I suppose I could have used the jig stick but I didn't. Those who know me know that when I identify a problem, I try to think of a way to solve it. This is fun for me and occasionally I come up with a good idea. There are times when finger protection is needed. I would like to be prepared the next time I run into one of those situations. Both SuperGlue and liquid band-aid seem to be worth investigating further. Both of these products come in small packages which can be stored in a vest pocket and be readily available if needed. Even if not used for this purpose they are probably good things to have on board anyway. I will also probably pick up a roll of the Coban material to have on hand. We used this stuff all the time back in my Lifeguarding days. Again, probably a good thing to have in the first aid kit. If I discover any earth shaking results from my future experiments I will be sure to let everyone know. Bob

01-28-2011, 09:47 AM	#10
JoeBeck Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 370	One only needs two tools in life: WD-40 and duct tape

01-28-2011, 10:00 AM	#11
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	What Andy said X2... Flexrap as someone suggested. OMG....

01-28-2011, 10:08 AM	#12
bigbarrels Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vista Posts: 1,111	I bought the thumb dinger but have never used it for an extended period of time......made it tough to pick my nose otw......it just sits there beggin to be used

01-28-2011, 10:43 AM	#13
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	Anyone ever try painting on a thin layer of SuperGlue? Bad guys use it to hide their finger prints when doing their evil deeds. (As far as I know most members of Congress have not yet caught on to this trick.) I have spilled some on me before. It usually takes a day or so to wear off so I think it should last through a day of fishing. I don't think SuperGlue is harmful because medics often use it to close wounds in the field. It is even used by plastic surgeons in place of stitches in some cases. Bob

01-28-2011, 12:32 PM	#14
Argentcroix Junior Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 18	This is the stuff I get for my manufacturing folks: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MOD...828?Pid=search Similar to the medical pre-wrap that was referenced above, but not as stretchy (lower rubber content), and much tougher. Another option are leather thumb guards. Pretty cheap and they last forever: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/CON...ZE3?Pid=search Although I am sure that salt water baths will do a bit to shorten that "forever" lifespan, they should last for quite a while. And at about .83/ea for a pack of 10, they are pretty cheap.