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

dsafety · 01-28-2011, 10:00 AM

I did a good job slicing up my thumb the other day while reeling in miles of spectra. It got me thinking about possible ways to protect my thumb. I know that there are some products out there which are designed for this. I found this one on line. http://www.thumbdinger.com/ In a recent video, it looked Skallywag had some blue stuff on his thumb that looked like tape.

Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, I thought I would throw the question out to the forum before I head to the shop. What works? What doesn't?

Please weigh in if you have any suggestions.

Bob

PAL · 01-28-2011, 10:15 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, 10:35 AM

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

toughen up!

dsafety · 01-28-2011, 10:35 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, 10:47 AM

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

RedSledTeam · 01-28-2011, 10:56 AM

Here is product that the Spearos use... http://newskinproducts.com/liquid-bandage.htm

dorado50 · 01-28-2011, 11:00 AM

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

bigbarrels · 01-28-2011, 11:08 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, 11:43 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, 01:32 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, 05:53 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

StinkyMatt · 01-28-2011, 08:40 PM

Trojan.....I have a very large thumb.

Matt · 01-29-2011, 06:40 AM

Andy x 3!!!!!

Or like Mr. Beck suggested a piece of duct tape

BT · 01-29-2011, 10:31 AM

Bob,

My index fingers get tore up all the time even from mono and I use the blue flex wrap stuff. It is fairly inexpensive at squidco, and I usually get a couple rolls of it. I dont usually have a problem with it unwrapping, but it usually rolls up at the ends and I will reapply. I think if you coat your fingers with glue, the spectra will burn through it, but I use it all the time to cover up splits in my fingers. I also play the drums, and sometimes between sets I will notice my fingers split so I always have a roll in my gear bag.

And as far as duct tape goes, I wouldnt use that as obviously it will hinder movement, and the glue on the tape can irritate the crap out the cuts.

dos ballenas · 01-29-2011, 02:19 PM

Hey Bob,
How in the hell did you slice your thumb up if you weren't on a big fish???

dsafety · 01-29-2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dos ballenas

Hey Bob,
How in the hell did you slice your thumb up if you weren't on a big fish???

Drop iron to the bottom... retreive... repeat... repeat... repeat...

six hours of rubbing spectra against your skin is bound to do some damage.

Bob

dos ballenas · 01-29-2011, 02:39 PM

I see... well if that is the case, then X 4 what Iceman said

bus kid · 01-29-2011, 07:37 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, 08:10 PM

get a level wind reel

or turn your reel from side to side while winding

THE DARKHORSE · 01-29-2011, 09:08 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.

01-28-2011, 10:00 AM	#1
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	Thumb protection I did a good job slicing up my thumb the other day while reeling in miles of spectra. It got me thinking about possible ways to protect my thumb. I know that there are some products out there which are designed for this. I found this one on line. http://www.thumbdinger.com/ In a recent video, it looked Skallywag had some blue stuff on his thumb that looked like tape. Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, I thought I would throw the question out to the forum before I head to the shop. What works? What doesn't? Please weigh in if you have any suggestions. Bob

01-28-2011, 10:35 AM	#3
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,943	two words................... toughen up! __________________

01-29-2011, 06:40 AM	#13
Matt Support your local pangas Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lj Posts: 976	Andy x 3!!!!! Or like Mr. Beck suggested a piece of duct tape __________________ Thanks Matt F.

01-29-2011, 10:31 AM	#14
BT Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Carlos Posts: 202	Bob, My index fingers get tore up all the time even from mono and I use the blue flex wrap stuff. It is fairly inexpensive at squidco, and I usually get a couple rolls of it. I dont usually have a problem with it unwrapping, but it usually rolls up at the ends and I will reapply. I think if you coat your fingers with glue, the spectra will burn through it, but I use it all the time to cover up splits in my fingers. I also play the drums, and sometimes between sets I will notice my fingers split so I always have a roll in my gear bag. And as far as duct tape goes, I wouldnt use that as obviously it will hinder movement, and the glue on the tape can irritate the crap out the cuts. __________________ if your brain had fists, you could only hurt yourself!

01-29-2011, 02:19 PM	#15
dos ballenas Vampyroteuthis infernalis Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 585	Hey Bob, How in the hell did you slice your thumb up if you weren't on a big fish??? __________________ ____________________________________________

01-28-2011, 10:15 AM	#2
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.

01-28-2011, 10:47 AM	#5
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, 10:56 AM	#6
RedSledTeam Daddeo Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: OC Posts: 660	Here is product that the Spearos use... http://newskinproducts.com/liquid-bandage.htm

01-28-2011, 11:00 AM	#7
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, 11:08 AM	#8
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, 11:43 AM	#9
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,121	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, 01:32 PM	#10
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.

01-28-2011, 08:40 PM	#12
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,169	Trojan.....I have a very large thumb.

01-29-2011, 02:39 PM	#17
dos ballenas Vampyroteuthis infernalis Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 585	I see... well if that is the case, then X 4 what Iceman said __________________ ____________________________________________

01-29-2011, 08:10 PM	#19
roadx . Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,155	get a level wind reel or turn your reel from side to side while winding __________________